Australian film is also characterised by breathtaking landscapes
	- Australian Aborigines and the Dreamtime - A Brief Look into History - Gillian Armstrong - Jane Campion - Aboriginal Art and Culture

Century of Changes in the Australian Cinema

The century-old Australian cinema has had its ups and downs. After a thriving start, the movie industry almost withered away completely in the 1930's, and got back on its feet again only with the help of government subsidies at the beginning of 1970's.

In recent years, the Australian aboriginals have finally gotten involved as film-makers. In addition, some women directors, such as Gillian Armstrong and New Zealander Jane Campion, have become leading names of the Australian cinema.

The world's first full lenght movie

The first decades of the 20th century were a golden age for the Australian film industry. From 1896 onwards, documentary films, background films for theater plays and movies combining film extracts with slides were made. The most significant achievement of this period is The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), which is considered to be the world's first full length movie.

Over 150 films were produced in Australia during the silent era. However, the period of depression, the appearance of foreign sound films and the dominance of the American and British companies in the Australian film market caused a crisis in the Australian film industry, which culminated in 1929.

Movie mania takes off in the 1970's

The transition to sound films at the beginning of the 1930's was costly and difficult; only three new films were produced in the year 1930. Also during the World War II the number of film productions sunk, as directors concentrated on documentaries and news films. Domestic film production only really took off at the early 1970's, when the phenomenal rise of Australian film began. State subsidies played a key role in this. National themes gained popularity as a departure from foreign influences.

Subsidies were channelled for short and documentary films, as well as for experimental productions, which gave new directors a chance to practice film making, and try out their ideas and new shooting methods. Greater financial privatisation was sought after during the 1980's. Costs rose rapidly, so the federal government introduced new tax cuts to provide better financial conditions and to attract private investment for the film industry. The improved system produced significant results already during its first years.

Down under rebels and black humour

As a result of the British imperial rule, rebellion against rules and authority became an integral part of Australian mentality. The symbiosis of the immigrants and the harsh nature created a romantic ideal of pioneers, ruddy men who were most at home in the bush and cared more about their mates' friendship than about a la-di-da lifestyle. This image became a staple theme in Australian films.

Not only the opposition of authorities, but also black humour, energetic individuality, authenticity and verve define new films from the Land Down Under. Australian film is also characterised by breathtaking landscapes, state-of -the-art techniques and uncluttered narration.

TEXT: Marianne Hägglund
TRANSLATION: Anni Airaksinen and Tuulia Nieminen
PHOTOS: Tourism Commission
UPDATED: Thursday, 08-Jan-2004 10:01:38 EET

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