Any list of must-watch films is likely to be so arbitrary and subjective that it buys plenty of arguments, and so it proves with the Taste of Cinema website’s selection of 20 Essential Australian Films You Need To Watch. Writer Liam Clark, a film/literature/music student in Sydney, omits everything produced before 1971 and there are many questionable choices.
His Essential 20: Strictly Ballroom (1992), Sweetie (1989), Mad Max (1979), Gallipoli (1981), Muriel’s Wedding (1994), Lantana (2001), Snowtown (2011), The Dish (2000), Candy (2006), Dogs in Space (1986), Somersault (2004), Shine (1986), The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), Wake in Fright (1971), Samson & Delilah (2009), The Hunter (2011), Animal Kingdom (2010), Walkabout (1971), Last Ride (2009), Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975).
As the runners up he nominates: Breaker Morant, The Tree, My Brilliant Career, Sleeping Beauty, Mystery Road, Balibo, Wolf Creek, The Proposition, The Last Wave, Ten Canoes, The Loved Ones, Chopper, Bad Boy Bubby, Blessed, Beautiful Kate, The Castle, Noise, Romper Stomper and Two Hands.
So, no room for Newsfront, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Sunday, Too Far Away, Caddie, Careful, He Might Hear You, Crocodile Dundee, The Devil’s Playground, The F.J. Holden, The Getting of Wisdom, Storm Boy and numerous other fine films and documentaries.
Perhaps the most apt comment is from Michael Favelle of Odin’s Eye Entertainment: “I think most of these lists deliberately throw in a few stupid choices just to get people talking about them.”
By Don Groves INSIDEFILM [Fri 11/04/2014]
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