Ab Film Review & The Last New Wave

On this episode, Andrew chats with director Matt Vesely about his feature film debut Monolith.Monolith is a chilling sci-fi thriller follows a journalist, played by Lily Sullivan, whose livelihood is at stake after a defamation case threatens her career. In a bid to escape the pressure of the case, she heads to her parents remote home and starts working on a podcast called Beyond Believable, a show that looks at unbelievable true stories. Over the following taut and tense ninety minutes, the journalists world unravels as a story about mysterious black bricks that appear in peoples lives come to her attention. The more she interviews people, the deeper the mystery takes her.In this interview, Matt talks about the process that he employs to create a personality for an inanimate object, about how the writer Lucy Campbell, producer Bettina Hamilton, and himself gave Lily Sullivan the space to build a performance where she is the only character we see on screen, and just what exactly is going on in South Australia

In this double interview episode, Andrew chats with two of the creative minds behind Ben Affleck's latest film, Air. Air tells the story of how sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) pursued Michael Jordan and changed history for Nike and basketball with the creation of the iconic Air Jordan shoe.First up is Academy Award winning editor William Goldenberg who reunites with Affleck for the fourth time, having won the Best Editing Oscar for Argo. Bill talks about the short hand that he and Ben have built up over the years, how he creates emotion within an edit, and more.Following this interview is costume designer Charlese Antoinette Jones. Charlese talks about her work creating era-specific clothing for the actors, the difficulty of sourcing material from the 80s, and how she helps the actors create their characters with their costumes.Air is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime. Read Nadine's review of Air here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Andrew chats to writer, director, and editor Adrian Powers about his new film Love is in the Air. This romantic drama tells the story of Dana, played by Delta Goodrem in her return to acting. Dana is a seaplane pilot in Far North Queensland and when she's not monitoring the region from the skies, she's delivering much needed supplies to remote communities. Her job is thrown into disarray when the business that helps fund the operation sends the handsome William (Joshua Sasse) to come and value the business with the intention of decommissioning it. Naturally, romance ensues. Supporting actors include Aussie icons like Roy Billing and Steph Tisdell.In the following interview, Adrian talks about working in a Hallmark-model of film and TV production in Australia with Jaggi Entertainment, he also talks about the contrast of a film like Love is in the Air with his earlier work like the short film Brolga, which was partially shot in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. We also talk about the need for light

In this episode, Andrew interview filmmaker Heidi Lee Douglas about her new film Suka. Written by Tsu Shan Chambers and Lily Cheng, this neon-soaked action flick tells a story that spans decades, detailing the the fury that rages between two feuding families in Western Sydney. Suka is both a multi-cultural Romeo and Juliet style revenge film, with a touch of real-life events thrown into the mix. In this interview Heidi talks about the importance of casting actors who could handle both the acting requirements as well as the fighting sequences, while also touching on the value of global appreciation of the banner term 'genre filmmaking' when it comes to horror, action, and sci-fi films. Additionally, Heidi talks about the role that neon plays in storytelling. Suka is available on demand right now and is released by Umbrella Entertainment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listeners are advised that this podcast includes mention of sexual assault and trauma.In this episode, Andrew interviews writer and director Matthew Holmes about his latest film, The Cost. This is a searing vigilante thriller that tells the story of two men, David and Aaron, who abduct the newly released felon Troy to inflict their own version of justice and retribution. While on paper The Cost appears to be a routine rape-revenge film, it eschews the genre trappings to become a grounded thriller that explores the potential brutality of masculinity.In the following interview, which contains slight spoilers, Matthew talks about the construction of the film, how he framed the tension with cinematographer Cable Williams, and what work the actors did to get into the mindspace of three characters who are pushed to horrifying places.The Cost is receiving a limited run in Australian cinemas from October 5th before heading to physical media by Madman films. To find out the details for screenings and where to buy tick

In this episode Andrew interviews Dena Curtis and Citt Williams who are the producers behind the new NITV four part series Rebel With a Cause. This compelling and engaging documentary series follows four First Nations trailblazers - Senator Neville Bonner, poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal, magistrate Pat O'Shane, and radio presenter and media icon Tiga Bayles - and ultimately asks the question of what does it take to make a difference in the world?In the following interview Dena and Citt talk about their work as producers and what it means to delve into culturally sensitive archives and present these stories on screen. Additionally, they reflect on the importance of recontexutalising archives that have so often been curated or managed by white people. To say that Rebel With a Cause is an essential series feels like an understatement. It's arriving at a time where Australia as a nation is going through a major change, with the referendum on the Voice to Parliament being decided on October 14. Within the stories of Nevi

On this episode Andrew chats with Aussie filmmaker Jack Dignan about his found footage horror film, Puzzle Box. Olivia (Laneikka Denne) heads out to a remote house in the woods to help her sister Kait (Kaitlyn Boyé) rehabilitate and escape her life of addiction. Olivia aims to document the process, almost in a way to show how far Kait will heal and change. Little does she know, instead of documenting Kait's rehabilitation, she instead manages to document the labyrinth-like house that they become trapped in where time loops over itself and unsettling events occur in the night. Puzzle Box will have its Australian Premiere at the upcoming A Night of Horror International Film Festival in Sydney on September 29. This is the second time that Jack has had a film screen at the festival, with his previous film After She Died winning the Best Australian Feature Film and Best Australian Feature Performance in 2022. Jack talks about where his interest in found footage films comes from, how working on films like Marvel's

Oh hey, would you believe it, Awards Don't Matter is back. After almost a two year break, we're back with an episode from the vault where David Giannini and Andrew F Peirce discuss the 1946 Best Picture winner The Best Years of Our Lives. Winner of an impressive seven Academy Awards, including Best Director (William Wyler), Best Actor (Frederic March), and Best Supporting Actor (Harold Russell), The Best Years of Our Lives is widely considered one of the great Best Picture winners. But don't trust everyone else! Listen to two dudes who chat about whether it's good or not and ask whether The Best Years of Our Lives matters any more. We aim to bring more episodes in the future, including a promised discussion on It's a Wonderful Life very soon. And while we mention AwardsDontPod on Twitter, well, that place doesn't really exist anymore, so just make sure you're subscribed to The Curb podcast feed for updates. Clips presented in this episode: The Best Years of Our Lives trailer // Homer and Wilma scene // "And f

On this episode, Andrew chats with the filmmaking duo Glenn Fraser and Amelia Foxton about their latest film Mother Tongue, which screens at the upcoming A Night of Horror International Film Festival alongside Ursula Dabrowsky's The Devil's Work on September 28 2023. Mother Tongue tells the wickedly humourous tale of Alex (Chiara Gizzi) and Jade (Amelia Foxton), a couple who are trying to have a child, yet struggle to do so. After trying all manner of methods, and finding that biology is not on their side, they decide to turn to the realm of the occult with the assistance of suburban bloke Brian (Stephen Hunter) who works his mastery on bringing a baby - of some kind - into their lives. Told with a darkly comedic stretch, alongside a trio of excellent performances that makes the struggle that Alex and Jade are collectively going through all the more believable, Mother Tongue is a treat of a film. In the following interview, Glenn and Amelia generously discuss their working process together, outlining the impo

Filmmaker JJ Winlove has managed an impressive feat for Australian film: having two films released in the same year. With the emotional June Again featuring a trio of excellent performances from Noni Hazelhurst, Claudia Karvan, and Stephen Curry, joining the immersive cinematic experience Crossing Paths, an interactive journey through Sydney as the audiences decides which of the twelve characters stories to follow. Screening to sold out audiences at the Sydney Film Festival, Crossing Paths promises to be an engaging and discussion provoking experience. In this interview, JJ talks about what it means to be a New Zealand director making films in Australia, how Crossing Paths was created, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I chat with director Ingvar Kenne about his haunting film The Land, which screened in 2022 at the Sydney Underground Film Festival and Europe's Snowdance Film Festival where Ingvar won the Best Direction Award. The Land follows Jeremy, played by Steve Rodgers, and Neets, played by Anna Lise Philips, a couple who have a life that many would envy. They have a three-bedroom house, they have a busy family, and they've been married for fourteen years. They also have a remote property in the middle of nowhere which Jeremy visits with his distant friend Simon, played by Cameron Stewart, who returns after a long sojourn overseas. His returns sets Neets on edge as Simon seeks to atone for something that happened long ago. As they head out to 'the land', Neets is left with the children, who she swiftly leaves with her mother - who she appears to have a fractious relationship with - so she can spend some time by herself. Yet, it's out on 'the land' that Jeremy and Simon's friendship is both fortified and

On this episode Andrew turns into a bit of a fanboy as he chats with writer and director Tim Carlier about his feature film Paco. This charming and quirky flick follows Manny, played by Manuel Ashman, a sound recordist who is working on a film set one day and has the worst thing happen to him: one of the actors has walked off with a radio microphone. As many people continually tell him, that's a 'very bad thing'. As he heads off after a long day of filming to find his awol radio microphone, Manny discovers a world of sound - aka Adelaide - and the many creative colleagues and friends he knows as he tries to zone in on the audio of the missing mic. Paco then turns into a charming road trip of a film that sway into all realms of art, including a party which in reality is one large theatre game, and a roaming music video that's being shot around Adelaide. There's an energy and a charm to Paco that simply sweeps you off your feet. Andrew first watched it at Perth's Revelation Film Festival where he had no idea wh

On this episode, Andrew talks with co-directors Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen about their first feature film, You'll Never Find Me. Building on their impressive short film work with Call Connect. and The Recordist, You'll Never Find Me sees a visitor, played by Jordan Cowan, who knocks on the door of Patrick, played by Brendan Rock. She's lost and it's pouring outside, and in the middle of nowhere, his caravan is the only source of sanctuary that she could find. Or is it?What follows is a twisting, turning character piece where two figures push and probe each other trying to figure out just who the other is. It's a double-hander that plays a lot like a card game, with bluffing, truth revealing, and ultimate tension playing out. I've long been a fan of what both Indianna and Josiah have managed to do with their filmmaking brilliance in South Australia. Call Connect. is a short film that easily stands as one of the most riveting and powerful shorts I've seen, and The Recordist is no different. The two have cra

On this episode, Andrew talks with Nick Kozakis, the director behind the unsettling horror film, Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism. Based on true events, Godless tells the story of Lara, played by Georgia Eyers, and her husband Ron, played by Dan Ewing. Lara has been living with delirious episodes, and instead of following the advice of medical practictioners, Ron instead seeks out the work of Daniel, played by Tim Pocock, an unofficial exorcist. What follows is a horrifying, unsettling and unnerving series of events. In the following spoiler filled interview, Nick Kozakis talks about how he and screenwriter Alexander Angliss-Wilson worked together to present a story like this on screen, also about the importance of having an impactful poster campaign, and also about his own experience with religion, as well as how he worked alongside the supporting cast to explore the ambiguity within the narrative. While this following discussion does contain spoilers, it does not impact the experience of watching the film. G

On this episode, Andrew talks with the filmmakers behind one of the most anxiety provoking films of the year: Birdeater. Jack Clark and Jim Weir are co-directors, with Jack writing the script for this story about a bachelor party that takes horrifying and wild turns. Part thriller, part character piece, always intense, Birdeater is a film that owes its existence to the legacy of the classic Aussie film: Wake in Fright. In the following discussion, Jack and Jim talk about the influence of Wake in Fright on their film, while also touching on their desire to explore modern masculinity. The pair also talk about the troubles they faced in making the film, and the genuine possibility that they might not have been able to finish production on it. There's a truly unsettling nature to Birdeater, yet it's delivered in a masterfully captivating manner. Birdeater screens at the Melbourne International Film Festival on August 12, 14, and 16, before heading to Cinefest Oz on Saturday 2 September.See omnystudio.com/listener

documentary King Coal. Told in an intimate and reflective manner, King Coal details the history of the all powerful fossil fuel in Appalachia, stretching back in time to the foundation of the mining region and utilising the imagery of the coal miner's daughter to explore the myth and dominance that the black rock has on the region. King Coal never condemns those who have worked in and relied on the mining industry as a source of income or stability, with Elaine's supportive narration being one that highlights the importance that coal once held for those in the region, while also spotlighting the need to navigate a path out of relying on it. It's with the focus on two young girls who grow up in the region that we follow this tale of coal and the almost fanatical adoration that people in the region still hold onto it. There's a touch of fantastical realism to King Coal which is amplified by the stunning cinematography that reinforces just how nourishing nature can be. In this interview, recorded ahead of King C

On this episode, Andrew chats with American filmmaker Lola Blanc about her new short film Pruning. This creepy flick follows a Fox News adjacent political commentator, played by Madeline Brewer, who finds herself in a moral conflict when a mass shooter cites her as an influence for their actions. Over fifteen minutes, Lola Blanc forces viewers to question the morality of those who spout reactionary and inflammatory comments in the media, all the while trying to distance themselves from the violence that is inspired by their words. In this interview, recorded ahead of Pruning's International Premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival, Lola talks about creating the main character with Madeleine, where her interest in exploring the fractured mindset that emerges from these kinds of fringe voices comes from, and then around the halfway mark we head into spoiler territory as Lola talks about some of the more fantastical and unsettling elements of Pruning. Aside from being a filmmaker, Lola is also an accomplished musi

On this episode, I get to chat with Danny and Michael Philippou aka RackaRacka about their bonkers and brutal horror film debut Talk to Me, which lands in cinemas tomorrow. This fucked up flick is a possession story mixed with a touch of social commentary. Ultimately though, it's a film with no safety nets. It’s not mucking about at all. Talk to Me intends to make you have one of the most unsettling nights watching a horror film, and the best part is that the Philippou’s know that you’re going to enjoy doing it. Talk to Me is a new benchmark for horror films. It instantly stands as one of the grittiest, grimiest, gruelling and grotty, goretastic Aussie horror films ever. Sign me up for whatever the hell these Philippou brothers are going to create, because if it’s anything like this, then it’s going to be a bloody great time.In the following interview, the Philippou brothers talk about how they crafted the film, what they learned from their explosive YouTube career, what working with screen legend Miranda Ott

This interview contains discussion of mental health issues and suicide. Albany based filmmaker Adam Morris returns to the region with his second feature film, Frank and Frank (or the Valley and the Walrus: Ruminations on the Mystery from Soup to Nuts). This introspective and explorative film follows Frank (Myles Pollard), a faith and financial influencer whose life is in turmoil as he faces a potential divorce as he heads out on a talking tour. In the throes of despair, Frank chances upon a stranger, also named Frank (Trevor Jamieson), and the two quickly become salvations for one another. Frank and Frank is a film that explores masculine emotions in an open and honest way, with Pollard's Frank struggling to keep the ground under his feet - both figuratively and literally, as we see him try and reconcile with his faith one day by building a backyard crucifix to hoist himself onto, as if that will be the solution to his problems. The two Frank's share hard truths and engage in a soul searching journey togeth

On this episode, I chat with WA local Ben Young about his new film, Devil's Peak, which features Robin Wright, Billy Bob Thornton, Hopper Penn, Jackie Earl Haley, and regular collaborator, Emma Booth. It's a thriller set in the Appalachian Mountains and focuses on a family torn apart by drug related crime. In this chat, Ben talks about working with mother-son relationship with Robin and Hopper, as well as the grounded nature of someone like Billy Bob Thornton. He also gives open advice about finding the right creative path forward as a filmmaker.Devil's Peak is the opening night film for Perth's Revelation Film Festival on July 12th, with the night kicking off at 7pm at Luna Cinemas Leederville. Visit revelationfilmfest.org for more details.We've got extensive coverage from the festival taking place this week, with interviews with filmmakers like soda jerk, Robert Machoain, Adam Morris and Myles Pollard. To read or listen to those interviews, head over to thecurb.com.au.For now, here's a slice of the tra