The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) is celebrating defining moments in Australian film with its first major original exhibition in two decades, which opens to the public tomorrow.
Australians & Hollywood: a tale of craft, talent, and ambition takes visitors on an inspirational journey through recent and contemporary Australian cinema, illuminating the artists and creatives who brought our stories to the world. Exclusive to Canberra, the show features rare behind-the-scenes footage and iconic on-screen moments, as well as never-before-displayed costumes, memorabilia and props from the NFSA collection.
It also showcases personal treasures from some of Australia’s most celebrated creatives in cinema, including Baz Luhrmann, George Miller, David Michôd, Mia Wasikowska, Greig Fraser, Norma Moriceau, Eric Bana and Paul Hogan. Highlights include the spectacular costumes from Moulin Rouge! (Baz Luhrmann, 2001) and The Sapphires (Wayne Blair, 2012), customised steering wheels from Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller, 2015), art concept books for Romeo + Juliet (Baz Luhrmann, 1996), and a commissioned video essay on filmmaker Warwick Thornton, produced by Garuwa Creative.
NFSA Curator, Tara Marynowsky, says: Australians & Hollywood encapsulates the incredible success Australian film creatives continue to have on the world stage. “From when filmmaker George Miller catapulted Australian cinema into Hollywood with Mad Max in 1979, to the incredible works of first Nations storytelling like Rachel Perkins and Warwick Thornton, this show is a visual experience highlighting the breadth of the NFSA collection.
It explores the connections between cinematographers, directors, actors and editors who have together redefined big-screen spectacle, and found success on their own terms.” Woven into Australians & Hollywood is an innovative digital layer, giving visitors a unique interactive experience as they journey through the exhibition. People can discover and collect GIFs on their smartphone, gathering bonus exhibition content to take home and explore.
The NFSA is always open, online: www.nfsa.gov.au OFFICIAL v NFSA Chief Executive Officer, Patrick McIntyre, says: “This show is filled with memorable, shared experiences of our homegrown storytellers. We want Australians to be inspired and invigorated by our contemporary cinematic stories.
“We’re thrilled to be opening this exhibition. Film has the ability to connect us as humans. The NFSA’s expansive collection invites all Australians to connect, no matter their background and life experiences, find common ground, and a shared sense of community.”
Accompanying the exhibition is a suite of screenings, public programs and education workshops to accompany the show, including the screening of all four Max Max films on opening weekend. Australians & Hollywood is made possible with the support of Major Partner, Visit Canberra and Supporting Partners, Accor, Australian Film Television and Radio School and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).
Save when you stay at participating hotels in Canberra with Accor’s exclusive Australians & Hollywood Package. Your package includes overnight accommodation, breakfast, an exclusive tote bag and tickets to the exhibition. Accor Plus members enjoy an additional 10% discount.
Australians & Hollywood: a tale of craft, talent, and ambition runs from 21 January 2022, through to 17 July 2022, exclusive to Canberra, at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Open daily 10am – 4pm throughout exhibition.
Tickets can be booked at nfsa.gov.au/hollywood.
