Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
First Love (A.J. Edwards)
Following The Better Angels and Age Out, A.J. Edwards’ third feature, First Love, is both a tender tale of blossoming romance and nuanced depiction of the pride and human frailties that can disrupt a decades-long bond. The writer-director, who got his start working with Terrence Malick on The Tree of Life, The New World, To the Wonder, Knight of Cups, and Song to Song, displays an immense amount of grace in this recession-era portrait of family and romance. Led by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Diane Kruger, Jeffrey Donovan, and Sydney Park, the film got a quiet release earlier this summer, but certainly deserves to find an audience in coming years.
Where to Stream: Hulu
The Legend of Molly Johnson...
First Love (A.J. Edwards)
Following The Better Angels and Age Out, A.J. Edwards’ third feature, First Love, is both a tender tale of blossoming romance and nuanced depiction of the pride and human frailties that can disrupt a decades-long bond. The writer-director, who got his start working with Terrence Malick on The Tree of Life, The New World, To the Wonder, Knight of Cups, and Song to Song, displays an immense amount of grace in this recession-era portrait of family and romance. Led by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Diane Kruger, Jeffrey Donovan, and Sydney Park, the film got a quiet release earlier this summer, but certainly deserves to find an audience in coming years.
Where to Stream: Hulu
The Legend of Molly Johnson...
- 12/30/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Revising and updating Henry Lawson’s 1892 short story “The Drover’s Wife,” writer/director/star Leah Purcell’s gritty Australian western “The Legend of Molly Johnson” takes Lawson’s story of an isolated woman fighting against the elements of the Australian outbreak and expands it, meditating on the relationship between Aboriginals and European colonizers in the nineteenth century. While the film may be Purcell’s directorial debut, it is also adapted from her play — and subsequent novel — of the same name.
Continue reading ‘The Legend of Molly Johnson’ Review: A Didactic But Compelling Feminist Western at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Legend of Molly Johnson’ Review: A Didactic But Compelling Feminist Western at The Playlist.
- 8/19/2022
- by Christian Gallichio
- The Playlist
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Costa Brava, Lebanon (Mounia Akl)
What can you do when your homeland’s falling apart? The easy answer is stay or leave, but both options carry too much complexity to simply choose and be done. For starters, not everyone has that choice—whether due to finances, family, or myriad other reasons. And those who are able must dig deep within themselves to rationalize why. Do you leave because of greater opportunity? Do you stay because you want to be part of the solution? Or do you find yourself in a sort of purgatory—one foot planted on each side, only to discover your fear of losing out on the benefits of one for the potential of the other has you locked in stasis?...
Costa Brava, Lebanon (Mounia Akl)
What can you do when your homeland’s falling apart? The easy answer is stay or leave, but both options carry too much complexity to simply choose and be done. For starters, not everyone has that choice—whether due to finances, family, or myriad other reasons. And those who are able must dig deep within themselves to rationalize why. Do you leave because of greater opportunity? Do you stay because you want to be part of the solution? Or do you find yourself in a sort of purgatory—one foot planted on each side, only to discover your fear of losing out on the benefits of one for the potential of the other has you locked in stasis?...
- 8/19/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
A favorite of Leah Purcell’s as a child, Henry Lawson’s short story “The Drover’s Wife” was always at the front of her mind when growing into adulthood as an artist. It only makes sense, then, that she would take that 1892 tale and reimagine it as an Australian western that would bring her own ancestral history as a fair-skinned Aboriginal woman to light. First she had to give the titular wife a name: Molly Johnson. Next it was fleshing out a dramatic narrative beyond that of a devoted mother staying up all night to protect her children from a hidden snake while reminiscing about all the other times for which she did the same (fire and flood) with her husband consistently away. A legend was born.
Purcell also wrote a play and novel, gradually expanding the scope and reach of the material from stage to screen. It’s a deliberate evolution,...
Purcell also wrote a play and novel, gradually expanding the scope and reach of the material from stage to screen. It’s a deliberate evolution,...
- 8/17/2022
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Memento International (“Call Me By Your Name”) has closed a raft of sales on Leah Purcell’s Australian revenge tale “The Drover’s Wife,” and Alex Camilleri’s “Luzzu” which world premiered at SXSW and Sundance.
After selling North American rights to “The Drover’s Wife” to Samuel Goldwyn, Memento has sold “The Drover’s Wife” to the U.K. (Modern Film), Latin America (Encripta), Greece (Spentzos), Bulgaria (Film Vision), Ex Yugoslavia, (Megacom), Indonesia (Pt Falcon) and Airlines (Anuvu). The film is being handled by Roadshow Films in Australia.
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife” and an adaptation of Purcell’s successful Australian stage play.
The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian...
After selling North American rights to “The Drover’s Wife” to Samuel Goldwyn, Memento has sold “The Drover’s Wife” to the U.K. (Modern Film), Latin America (Encripta), Greece (Spentzos), Bulgaria (Film Vision), Ex Yugoslavia, (Megacom), Indonesia (Pt Falcon) and Airlines (Anuvu). The film is being handled by Roadshow Films in Australia.
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife” and an adaptation of Purcell’s successful Australian stage play.
The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian...
- 6/22/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Nearly 130 years since its original publishing, Henry Lawson’s short story “The Drover’s Wife” is more popular than the Aussie writer could have ever dreamed. Mostly, that’s thanks to the tireless efforts and creative obsession of filmmaker, playwright, author, and actress Leah Purcell. Over the course of the past five years, Purcell has made Lawson’s work — originally, an Outback-set story about the eponymous wife of a drover, who drives out a snake that threatens her children while her husband is (again) away at work — into her own, complete with a play, a novel, and now a film version dedicated to her reimagining of the tale.
Much like the star of Lawson and Purcell’s twinning but distinct works — Lawson never gave her a name, Purcell dubbed her “Molly Johnson” — Purcell’s adaptations are all about carving out a fresh space for women in a story world dominated by men.
Much like the star of Lawson and Purcell’s twinning but distinct works — Lawson never gave her a name, Purcell dubbed her “Molly Johnson” — Purcell’s adaptations are all about carving out a fresh space for women in a story world dominated by men.
- 3/18/2021
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Henry Lawson’s 1892 short story The Drover’s Wife is a beloved classic from Australia’s pioneering past. But like most colonial literature, it marginalizes the people of the First Nations, generally depicted as scoundrels or savages. In her first narrative feature, Indigenous actor-filmmaker Leah Purcell reclaims the tale from an Aboriginal woman’s perspective, a tripartite process she began with a play and novel based on the same source material. An interrogation of Australia’s history of racial violence that also takes on gender, identity and domestic abuse against a backdrop right out of an archetypal high country Western,...
- 3/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Henry Lawson’s 1892 short story The Drover’s Wife is a beloved classic from Australia’s pioneering past. But like most colonial literature, it marginalizes the people of the First Nations, generally depicted as scoundrels or savages. In her first narrative feature, Indigenous actor-filmmaker Leah Purcell reclaims the tale from an Aboriginal woman’s perspective, a tripartite process she began with a play and novel based on the same source material. An interrogation of Australia’s history of racial violence that also takes on gender, identity and domestic abuse against a backdrop right out of an archetypal high country Western,...
- 3/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired the North American rights to Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson ahead of its world premiere at SXSW next week.
In a deal was brokered by Momento International, The Drover’s Wife marks yet another Australian acquisition for Samuel Goldwyn, who has in recent years picked up films such as Rams, High Ground, Judy & Punch, Top End Wedding, Measure for Measure. H is for Happiness, Dirt Music, Koko: A Red Dog Story and Sweet Country.
Produced by Bunya Productions and Oombarra Productions, The Drover’s Wife is written and directed by Purcell, based on her stage play of the same name.
A reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story, the story is set in 1893 on an isolated property the Snowy Mountains, and follows the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive after her husband leaves,...
In a deal was brokered by Momento International, The Drover’s Wife marks yet another Australian acquisition for Samuel Goldwyn, who has in recent years picked up films such as Rams, High Ground, Judy & Punch, Top End Wedding, Measure for Measure. H is for Happiness, Dirt Music, Koko: A Red Dog Story and Sweet Country.
Produced by Bunya Productions and Oombarra Productions, The Drover’s Wife is written and directed by Purcell, based on her stage play of the same name.
A reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story, the story is set in 1893 on an isolated property the Snowy Mountains, and follows the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive after her husband leaves,...
- 3/11/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to “The Drover’s Wife,” an Australian revenge tale written, directed and starring Leah Purcell. Sold by Memento International, the film is an adaptation of Purcell’s successful Australian stage play. The film is set to premiere March 18 at SXSW.
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife.” The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian landscape after her husband leaves to go drove sheep in the high country.
One day, she finds a shackled Aboriginal fugitive named Yakada (Rob Collins) wounded on her property and forms an unlikely bond with him. Molly soon becomes the target of the suspicious lawman Nate Clintoff (Sam Reid...
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife.” The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian landscape after her husband leaves to go drove sheep in the high country.
One day, she finds a shackled Aboriginal fugitive named Yakada (Rob Collins) wounded on her property and forms an unlikely bond with him. Molly soon becomes the target of the suspicious lawman Nate Clintoff (Sam Reid...
- 3/10/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
One of Australia’s most distinguished screenwriters, Cliff Green (Picnic At Hanging Rock) died on Friday following a long illness. He was 85. Here, Mac Gudgeon and Roger Simpson pay tribute to his life and career.
Cliff Green was a pioneer in Australian screenwriting and a central figure in the Australian Writers’ Guild’s (Awg) early development. His television credits include his celebrated quartet, Marion, inspired by his time as a school teacher in the Mallee, and the sprawling adaptations, Power Without Glory and I Can Jump Puddles. His screenplay for Peter Weir’s Picnic At Hanging Rock remains a landmark in Australia’s film renaissance of the 1970s.
Though one of Australia’s most sought-after writers, Cliff never hesitated to give his time to the guild in an era when the organisation, with only two full-time employees, depended entirely on the efforts of its members and the leadership of its most prominent practitioners.
Cliff Green was a pioneer in Australian screenwriting and a central figure in the Australian Writers’ Guild’s (Awg) early development. His television credits include his celebrated quartet, Marion, inspired by his time as a school teacher in the Mallee, and the sprawling adaptations, Power Without Glory and I Can Jump Puddles. His screenplay for Peter Weir’s Picnic At Hanging Rock remains a landmark in Australia’s film renaissance of the 1970s.
Though one of Australia’s most sought-after writers, Cliff never hesitated to give his time to the guild in an era when the organisation, with only two full-time employees, depended entirely on the efforts of its members and the leadership of its most prominent practitioners.
- 12/8/2020
- by Mac Gudgeon and Roger Simpson
- IF.com.au
The French film industry is at a standstill as all film and TV shoots have stopped since the country went into full lockdown mode March 17. Due to the coronavirus crisis, 23 film shoots and 58 films in pre-production were halted, according to Jean-Yves Mirski, the managing director of Ficam, syndicate of French technicians.
The country’s main studios and soundstages, including Bry-sur-Marne, Epinay, Cité du Cinema, La Victorine and Provence, have also shut down, and filming in public places is banned. However, some major post-production and VFX companies, including McGuff, Buf and Mikros have been able to maintain some activity during the lockdown, thanks to work being done remotely. Yet, nearly all crew members — between 130,000 and 150,000 people — are out of a job. The government has announced it will cover 70% of unemployment indemnities for freelance workers.
Discussions are taking place between Ficam and several other film guilds, as well as government bodies and insurance companies,...
The country’s main studios and soundstages, including Bry-sur-Marne, Epinay, Cité du Cinema, La Victorine and Provence, have also shut down, and filming in public places is banned. However, some major post-production and VFX companies, including McGuff, Buf and Mikros have been able to maintain some activity during the lockdown, thanks to work being done remotely. Yet, nearly all crew members — between 130,000 and 150,000 people — are out of a job. The government has announced it will cover 70% of unemployment indemnities for freelance workers.
Discussions are taking place between Ficam and several other film guilds, as well as government bodies and insurance companies,...
- 5/7/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Memento Films Intl. (“Call Me By Your Name”) has acquired the Aussie revenge tale “The Drover’s Wife,” the film adaptation of Leah Purcell’s successful Australian stage play. Purcell is on board to adapt, act and direct the film which Oombarra Prods. and Bunya Prods. (“Sweet Country”) will produce.
Memento Films Intl. is handling world sales on the movie and will introduce the project to buyers at the Efm in Berlin with a promo. The company is also unveiling an exclusive first still of the film (pictured).
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife.” The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian landscape after her husband left to go...
Memento Films Intl. is handling world sales on the movie and will introduce the project to buyers at the Efm in Berlin with a promo. The company is also unveiling an exclusive first still of the film (pictured).
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife.” The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian landscape after her husband left to go...
- 2/21/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Josh Lawson, Evie Macdonald and Grace Feng Fang Juan.
Screen Australia has announced more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two children’s TV series and two online projects.
The slate includes a psychological thriller from director Daina Reid and writer Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run, and the anticipated film adaptation of Leah Purcell play The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Epic Films has also been supported to turn First Day, which won the top prize at Mipcom’s Diversify TV Excellence Awards in Cannes last year, into a full series.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “It’s great to see several established creatives taking on new challenges. Daina Reid has had incredible success in television here and overseas, and we’re excited to see her returning to Australia to direct ghost thriller Run Rabbit Run, the debut screenplay from award-winning author Hannah Kent.
Screen Australia has announced more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two children’s TV series and two online projects.
The slate includes a psychological thriller from director Daina Reid and writer Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run, and the anticipated film adaptation of Leah Purcell play The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Epic Films has also been supported to turn First Day, which won the top prize at Mipcom’s Diversify TV Excellence Awards in Cannes last year, into a full series.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “It’s great to see several established creatives taking on new challenges. Daina Reid has had incredible success in television here and overseas, and we’re excited to see her returning to Australia to direct ghost thriller Run Rabbit Run, the debut screenplay from award-winning author Hannah Kent.
- 6/25/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Leah Purcell.
Actor, writer, director and producer Leah Purcell will deliver the Hector Crawford memorial lecture on November 22 at Screen Producers Australia’s Screen Forever conference.
Spa CEO Matt Deaner said: “Against the milestone of the 25th anniversary of Screen Australia’s Indigenous Unit, Leah’s story is a triumph unlike any other in our industry when you consider the breadth and range of her work to date.
“Leah is not only an accomplished creative in her own right but also a fierce advocate for Indigenous storytellers involved in every facet of the creative process and a loyal supporter of the ‘Make It Australian’ campaign – a campaign in fact started by the namesake of this Memorial lecture.”
Her nomination for the Aacta award for best lead actress in a TV drama for Wentworth is the latest accolade in a career which last year saw her triumph at the Awgie Awards,...
Actor, writer, director and producer Leah Purcell will deliver the Hector Crawford memorial lecture on November 22 at Screen Producers Australia’s Screen Forever conference.
Spa CEO Matt Deaner said: “Against the milestone of the 25th anniversary of Screen Australia’s Indigenous Unit, Leah’s story is a triumph unlike any other in our industry when you consider the breadth and range of her work to date.
“Leah is not only an accomplished creative in her own right but also a fierce advocate for Indigenous storytellers involved in every facet of the creative process and a loyal supporter of the ‘Make It Australian’ campaign – a campaign in fact started by the namesake of this Memorial lecture.”
Her nomination for the Aacta award for best lead actress in a TV drama for Wentworth is the latest accolade in a career which last year saw her triumph at the Awgie Awards,...
- 11/5/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
It is with great sadness the Awg reports that Ted Roberts, the highly respected television writer and producer, died of cancer on Monday February 23.. He was 83..
In a career spanning more than 40 years he wrote more than 500 hours of television drama: Skippy, Homicide, Elephant Boy, Boney, Lindsay.s Boy, Rush, Patrol Boat, A Country Practice, Willing and Able, G.P., Mission: Impossible, Water Rats, and Blue Heelers. In addition, he was supervising producer on Water Rats.
He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and the publisher Pat Woolley, who loved him for 16 years.
Close friends, industry colleagues and family are invited to the wake to mourn and praise him, on Saturday at 2pm in Ultimo, Sydney. Email your interest to books@fastbooks.com.au before Friday 6pm for further details.
Grateful thanks to everyone at Wolper Jewish Hospital, Woollahra, who cared for him so tenderly the last 6 weeks of his life,...
In a career spanning more than 40 years he wrote more than 500 hours of television drama: Skippy, Homicide, Elephant Boy, Boney, Lindsay.s Boy, Rush, Patrol Boat, A Country Practice, Willing and Able, G.P., Mission: Impossible, Water Rats, and Blue Heelers. In addition, he was supervising producer on Water Rats.
He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and the publisher Pat Woolley, who loved him for 16 years.
Close friends, industry colleagues and family are invited to the wake to mourn and praise him, on Saturday at 2pm in Ultimo, Sydney. Email your interest to books@fastbooks.com.au before Friday 6pm for further details.
Grateful thanks to everyone at Wolper Jewish Hospital, Woollahra, who cared for him so tenderly the last 6 weeks of his life,...
- 2/25/2015
- by Australian Writers Guild
- IF.com.au
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