Australian Film: The Pocket Essential Guide

From the world's first feature film in 1906 to the world's first feature documentaries, shot between 1895 and 1901, Australia has always done great things in film. Not only did Australia give birth to film but also introduced some of the biggest stars of the 20th century, including Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana and Geoffrey Rush. Australia pushed the barriers of sexuality in film with naked Elle MacPherson in Sirens and Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge.

Documenting the history of Australia, and in some cases the world, startling Australian films, such as Changi and Kokoda Front Line, are known for their realism and simple artistry. Location films, such as They're a Weird Mob and A Town Like Alice showed Australian landscapes to the rest of the world. And in recent times, such contemporary films as Pitch Black, Lantana, Chopper, and Two Hands have been successful internationally. In the 1970s, horror and sci-fi did their worst in films like Picnic at Hanging Rock.

In this audiobook, we explore the horror of Nicole Kidman's first film and the insanity of Russell Crowe's Romper Stomper, as well as a first-of-its-kind film, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert - and much more.

With directors such as Baz Luhrman and actors such as Geoffrey Rush, Australian cinema has become notably artistic and risque. Although often undervalued in a multi-billion-dollar international film industry, Australia has led the way in artistry, location films, documentaries, nakedness, coarse language, crime, anti-establishment themes, sexuality and realism.