Some good films and TV shows coming up – useful for various curriculum areas…
Jasper Jones
Based on the acclaimed novel by Craig Silvey. Directed by indigenous director Rachel Perkins; screenplay by Craig Silvey. Stars Levi Miller, Aaron McGrath, Toni Collette. A young boy and his friend try to solve the mysterious death of a young girl in their country town. Opens 2 March.
Review: https://dailyreview.com.au/jasper-jones-movie-review/55573/
Wake in fright
Based on the book by Kenneth Cook. 2 part series to be directed by Kriv Stenders – a remake of the cult 1971 film, reimagined for new viewers. A young schoolteacher finds himself marooned in a small mining town where a dangerous series of events render him a broken and desperate man.
http://if.com.au/2016/09/08/article/Network-Ten-orders-Wake-In-Fright-mini-series/JJCSEPFVAR.html
Picnic at Hanging Rock
6 part adaptation based on the novel by Joan Lindsay. Cast: Natalie Dormer, Yael Stone, Samara Weaving. Still set in 1900, the story will give new forms to the iconic characters.
https://www.foxtel.com.au/got/whats-on/foxtel-insider/foxtel/picnic-at-hanging-rock/cast.html
ABC shows in 2017
Lots of great upcoming programs relevant to the curriculum: http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/11/2017-upfronts-abc-highlights.html
ABC programs include:
Blue water empire
3 part series. Stars Jack Thompson, Damian Walshe-Howling and Aaron Fa’aoso. Combines drama with archival footage, digital effects and key interviews, to explore how Torres Strait Islanders have sustained their cultural heritage throughout the impact of 200 years of European settlement. The series starts in traditional times, through to the arrival of missionaries, pearling and WW2, to contemporary history and politics, resistance and racism.
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/07/filming-to-begin-on-abc-docudrama-blue-water-empire.html
The warriors
Two young indigenous football players from the country are chosen to play in the big league in Melbourne, where their lives are turned upside down.
Bullied presented by Ian Thorpe and Cyberhate with Tara Moss
Airs as part of National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence Fri 17 March. Ian Thorpe helps schoolchildren handle real-life situations and provides mentorship for victims and perpetrators. Tara Moss investigates the effects of cyberhate.
My Year 12 life
14 students were given cameras to document their lives during Year 12 in 2016.
Cleverman
Series 2. Stars Hunter Lochard-Page. Inspired by Aboriginal Dreaming stories and superheroes from pop culture. Set in a futuristic Australia, the newly emerged hero seeks to harness his power and protect others, fighting injustice to the Hairies.
Davis Stratton’s stories of Australian cinema
3 parts. Charts the story of Australian cinema and its creators, via David’s personal reflections and interviews.
Art bites
New series of arts docos. Includes Shock art, The glass bedroom (Instagram artists), The wanderers (street artists).
Returning ABC shows
Anh’s brush with fame, Glitch, Cleverman, Stop laughing this is serious, You can’t ask that
iView, ABC News
All ABC channels are live streamed on iView. The ABC will double its commitment to digital-first content, with more than 200 hours made especially for iView. ABC News 24 is now ABC News.
The Oscars
Ceremony 26 Feb. There are some good films for various curriculum areas.
All nominees: http://oscar.go.com/nominees
Best picture nominees include:
Lion
Based on the book A long way home by Saroo Brierley. Directed by Garth Davies. Stars Dev Patel. Amazing and very moving biographical story of Saroo Brierley, who tries to find his birth family in India. Rated PG.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3741834/
Hidden figures
Based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly. Directed by Theodore Melfi. Stars Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer. True story about a team of African-American women mathematicians who played a vital role at NASA in the early years of the space program. Great for STEM, civil rights, sociology and gender studies. Rated PG.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/
Hacksaw Ridge
Directed by Mel Gibson. Stars Andrew Garfield. The true story of pacifist medic Desmond Doss, who was the only frontline American soldier in WW2 who did not carry a gun. Rated MA15+.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2119532/
Arrival
Based on the novella Story of your life by Ted Chiang. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Stars Amy Adams. Thought-provoking, philosophical and enigmatic sci-fi that deals with time and how we perceive it. A linguist communicates with alien arrivals and makes decisions that will affect her life and those around her. If you knew the future, would you change it? Rated M.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2543164/
Review: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/arrival-review-dazzling-science-fiction-that-will-leave-you-spee/
La La land
Directed by Damien Chazelle. Stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. Sweet and poignant musical about an actress and a musician who fall in love and chase their dreams. Rated M.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3783958/
Moonlight
Directed by Barry Jenkins. Stars Trevante Rhodes. Coming-of-age story of a young black man’s struggle to find himself whilst growing up in Miami – a timeless story of self-discovery and connection. Rated M.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/19/moonlight-review-five-star
Best animated film nominees
Kubo and the two strings; Moana; My life as a zucchini; The red turtle; Zootopia.
Foreign language film nominations
Includes Australia’s first nomination in this category for Tanna. Set in Vanuatu, a young couple’s plan to wed is thwarted by rival chiefs. Also includes A man called Ove (Sweden).
http://oscar.go.com/news/nominations/foreign-language-film-nominations-2017-oscars
Something for everyone!