Abby’s mother Dora (Radha Mitchell in the early years) is a firebrand who fights the good fight and tries to keep tourism out of her beautiful seaside community. The teenage Abby (Ilsa Fogg) follows in her mother’s footsteps and becomes a staunch activist for protecting the ecosystem of Australia’s reefs.

During her teen years, she befriends a large blue grouper, which she names Blueback. This giant fish spurs her on and buttresses her desire to protect the inhabitants of the ocean. Her childhood is impossibly idyllic and she grows up with an undiminished passion to help.

Being unbelievably principled at such a young age while also being the most perfect daughter strains credibility. The film also oddly does its best to bleach the drama out of its most dramatic scenes. It relies on you being swept away by the natural beauty of the ocean and it’s quite successful in that manner. The story though could have used a more assertive approach to be more memorable.
Rob Hudson
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When the quiet reef at her coastal hometown is threatened by commercial fishing operators, Abby and her activist Mum take on poachers and developers to save her friend. Blueback is a feature film adaptation of Tim Winton’s best-selling and critically acclaimed novella; a universal fable for all ages about friendship, family and the power of one young girl to make a difference.

Blueback is an Arenamedia production with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Screen Fund, and is financed with support from VicScreen, with Soundfirm. The producers gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the Great Southern Development Commission.

Blueback is directed by Robert Connolly and stars Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell, Ilsa Fogg, Liz Alexander, Ariel Donoghue, Clarence Ryan, Pedrea Jackson, Erik Thomson, Eddie Baroo and Eric Bana.

Blueback is coming to Australian cinemas on January 1, 2023.

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It’s a good thing the two leads, Kelly Macdonald as Georgie, the heroine of the piece, and Garrett Hedlund as Lu Fox, the mysterious stranger, have innate chemistry together as the script is quite opaque during the first act. It initially suffers from a lack of background information to connect the players with their actions.

By the time the elements that drive the characters’ actions become known, it has missed the chance to spike your interest and draw you in emotionally. Trying to soften up the harsher elements in the book to make it more accessible has led to a rather indifferent cinematic experience.

Director Phillip Noyce attempted to bring the novel to the big screen in 2009 but stated he just couldn’t capture the lyrical flow of the text. Try as they might, it appears that director Gregor Jordan and writers Jack Thorne have come up short in that respect as well. It is very pretty to look at but ultimately leaves you wanting more.

Rob Hudson
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After screening at the Gold Coast Film Festival on Thursday April 19, director Simon Baker will bring the film back to the people of Western Australia with the WA premiere screening in Albany on Saturday April 21. The coastal town of Denmark, where the film was shot, will then host a special community screening, followed by a Q&A screening in Perth.

Next, the film will tour to NSW with screenings in Ballina, Avoca and Sydney, followed by Melbourne, Geelong and Brisbane. Baker will be accompanied by lead actors Samson Coulter and Ben Spence for the majority of the national tour, as well as Breath author Tim Winton in Western Australia and Sydney.

“I feel privileged to be able to take Breath out and hand deliver it to audiences across Australia,” said Baker. “I’m especially thrilled to be returning to the Great Southern region of WA, to share and celebrate with those communities who welcomed us so warmly, and contributed with great spirit to the making ofBreath. It’s their film.”

Based on Tim Winton’s award-winning novel of the same name, Simon Baker’s feature film directorial debut Breath follows two teenage boys, Pikelet (Samson Coulter) and Loonie (Ben Spence), growing up in a remote stretch of the Western Australian coast. Hungry for discovery, the pair form an unlikely friendship with Sando (Simon Baker), a mysterious older surfer and adventurer, who pushes the boys to take risks that will have a lasting and profound impact on their lives.

Breath stars Simon Baker, Elizabeth Debicki, Samson Coulter, Ben Spence, Rachael Blake, Jacek Koman and Richard Roxburgh. The film is produced by Mark Johnson, Simon Baker and Jamie Hilton and directed by Simon Baker from a screenplay by Gerard Lee, Simon Baker and Tim Winton. Tom Williams, Dave Hansen, Johnny Mac and Laura Rister are executive producers.

Breath was shot on location in Western Australia with major production investment support from Screen Australia, Great Southern Development Commission, Screenwest and Lotterywest, in association with Autumn Productions and Deluxe Australia.

Breath releases in Australian cinemas on May 3, 2018.

“A sublime adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel, Simon Baker’s debut feature is a knockout! It’s just beautiful.”
– Margaret Pomeranz

“Entrancing” – Ben Croll, The Wrap

“A truly authentic tale of surfing the Western Australian coast in the 1970s” – Doug Lees, Surfing World

“Baker knocks this out of the park” – Steve Weintraub, Collider

Breath tour and Q&A Screening Dates
Wednesday April 18 – Q&A with Simon Baker and Breath water cinematographer, Rick Rifici
Hosted by the Gold Coast Film Festival, Australian Cinematographers Society and Australian Directors’ Guild

Thursday April 19 – Gold Coast Film Festival Gala screening of Breath with Q&A at Pacific Fair
www.gcfilmfestival.com

Saturday April 2 – Albany premiere of Breath with Q&A at Albany Entertainment Centre
Tickets available via Albany Entertainment Centre soon
www.ptt.wa.gov.au

Sunday April 22 – Denmark community screening of Breath
NB – This is a non-ticketed event

Monday April 23 – Perth premiere of Breath with Q&A at EVENT Cinemas Inaloo
www.eventcinemas.com.au

Tuesday April 24 – Special preview of Breath with Q&A at Ballina Fair Cinemas
www.ticketing.oz.veezi.com

Wednesday April 25 – Special preview of Breath with Q&A at Avoca Beach Picture Theatre
www.ticketing.oz.veezi.com

Thursday April 26 – Sydney premiere of Breath with Q&A at The Ritz Cinema, Randwick
www.ritzcinema.com.au

Sunday April 29 – Melbourne premiere of Breath with Q&A at Palace Como
Tickets available via Palace Cinemas soon
www.palacecinemas.com.au

Tuesday May – Special Preview of Breath at Village Cinemas Geelong
Tickets available via Village Cinemas soon
www.villagecinemas.com.au

Additional Q&A screenings to be announced in the coming weeks!
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The film is produced by Mark Johnson, Simon Baker and Jamie Hilton and directed by Simon Baker from a screenplay by Gerard Lee, Simon Baker and Tim Winton. Tom Williams, Dave Hansen, Johnny Mac and Laura Rister are Executive Producers. Breath was shot on location in Western Australia with major production investment support from Screen Australia, Great Southern Development Commission, Screenwest and Lotterywest, in association with Autumn Productions and Deluxe Australia.

Simon Baker said: “Breath is a story that resonates with me, not only as a surfer and a parent but ultimately as a child reared on the magnificent Australian coastline. I’m excited to show the trailer to audiences here and to bring Tim Winton’s classic story to the big screen.”

Breath releases in Australian cinemas on the 3rd May 2018.
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