Blueback is a 2022 Australian drama film directed by Robert Connolly, from a screenplay written by Connolly and Tim Winton, based on Winton's 1997 novel of the same name. The film centres on a young girl who befriends a wild blue groper while diving, and becomes a passionate activist for protecting the ecosystem of Australia's coral reefs from destruction. It stars Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell, Ilsa Fogg, Liz Alexander, Ariel Donoghue, Clarence Ryan, Pedrea Jackson, Erik Thomson, Eddie Baroo and Eric Bana.[1]
| Blueback | |
|---|---|
 Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Connolly |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | Blueback by Tim Winton |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Nick Meyers |
| Music by | Nigel Westlake |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Roadshow Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
The film premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival[2] on 10 September 2022,[3] and had its theatrical release in Australia on 1 January 2023.
At the 2023 ARIA Music Awards, the soundtrack was nominated for ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.[4]
Cast
edit- Mia Wasikowska as Abby Jackson
- Ilsa Fogg as teenage Abby
- Ariel Donoghue as young Abby
- Radha Mitchell as Dora Jackson
- Liz Alexander as older Dora
- Clarence Ryan as Briggs
- Pedrea Jackson as teenage Briggs
- Erik Thomson as Costello
- Eddie Baroo as Merv
- Eric Bana as "Mad" Macka
- Albert Mwangi as Gitundu
- Dalip Sondhi as Mr. Carlisle
- Nick Paranamos as Macka's son
Production
editIn February 2021, a film adaptation of Blueback by Tim Winton was announced to be moving forward, with Robert Connolly announced to be directing, after years of development. Mia Wasikowska, Eric Bana and Radha Mitchell were set to star in the film, with Bana reteaming with Connolly after the Australian success of The Dry.[5][1] The film was packaged and pitched for distributors in the film market at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival.[6]
The film officially began principal photography on 22 March 2021, in Western Australia.[7]
Release
editBlueback had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2022.[3] It was theatrically released in Australia by Roadshow Films on 1 January 2023.
Its Australian premiere occurred on 22 November 2022 at the opening of the Somerville Film festival in collaboration with the 2023 Perth Festival.
The film is released on DVD and Blu-ray by Roadshow Entertainment on 29 March, 2023.
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 72% based on 43 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10. The website's consensus reads, "While it may be narratively slight and somewhat preachy, Blueback is a beautifully filmed family drama with an ecologically conscious message."[8] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 59 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[9]
The soundtrack was nominated for Best Independent Classical Album or EP at the 2023 AIR Awards.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Grater, Tom (15 February 2021). "Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell & Eric Bana Starring In Family Pic 'Blueback'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Jackie Keast, "Robert Connolly’s ‘Blueback’ selected for Toronto". IF Magazine, 29 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Blueback". TIFF. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Patrick Frater, "Robert Connolly and Eric Bana Reteam on Eco-Fable ‘Blueback’". Variety, February 15, 2021.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (26 February 2021). "Berlin Hot List: Daisy Ridley Starrer, Art House Darlings Among Titles Set to Heat Up the Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Blueback - Production Listing". Productionlist.com. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Blueback". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
- ^ "Blueback Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
- ^ "Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023". Music Feeds. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.