Australasian Cinema > awards > AACTAs 2019. See also: list of all 34 films in competition. See also: all 2019 releases. Awards presented 2 and 4 December 2019.
Nightingale, The (Jennifer Kent, 2018) wr. Jennifer Kent, prod. Kristina Ceyton, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Jennifer Kent, for Causeway Films, Made Up Stories; Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman, Harry Greenwood, Magnolia Maymuru; drama set Tasmania 1829; screened VeniceFF 6Sept18, AdelaideFF 13Oct18, and SydneyFF 9 Jun19; released 29Aug19
In 1825, Clare, a young Irish convict woman, chases a British officer through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence he committed against her family. On the way she enlists the services of an Aboriginal tracker named Billy, who is also marked by trauma from his own violence-filled past.
The King (David Michôd, 2019) wr. Joel Edgerton, David Michôd, prod. Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Liz Watts, David Michôd, Joel Edgerton, for Plan B Entertainment, Porchlight Films, A Yoki Inc, Blue-Tongue Films; Robert Pattinson, Timothée Chalamet, Lily-Rose Depp
Hal, wayward prince and heir to the English throne, is crowned King Henry V after his tyrannical father dies. Now the young king must navigate palace politics, the war his father left behind, and the emotional strings of his past life - including his relationship with his closest friend and mentor, the aging alcoholic knight, John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton).
Judy and Punch (Mirrah Foulkes, 2019) wr. Mirrah Foulkes, prod. Michele Bennett, Nash Edgerton, Danny Gabai, for Vice Media LLC, Blue-Tongue Films, Pariah Productions; Damon Herriman, Mia Wasikowska, Benedict Hardie, Terry Norris; drama; released 21 November
In Seaside (which is nowhere near the sea) puppeteers Judy and Punch are trying to resurrect their marionette show in an anarchic town on the brink of mob rule. The show is a hit due to Judy’s superior puppeteering, but Punch’s driving ambition and penchant for whisky lead to an inevitable tragedy that Judy must avenge. When Punch accidentally kills his baby during a drinking binge, his wife Judy - having suffered a violent beating - teams up with a band of outcast heretics to enact revenge on Punch and the entire town of Seaside.
Hotel Mumbai (Anthony Maras, 2018) prod. Basil Iwanyk, Gary Hamilton, Mike Gabrawy, Julie Ryan, Andrew Ogilvie, Jomon Thomas, for Hotel Mumbai Double Guess Productions; Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Tilda Cobham-Hervey; dramatisation of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks on Taj Mahal Hotel
The true story of the Taj Hotel terrorist attack in Mumbai. Hotel staff risk their lives to keep everyone safe as people make unthinkable sacrifices to protect themselves and their families.
Danger Close: the Battle of Long Tan (Kriv Stenders, 2019) wr. Paul Sullivan, Karel Segers, Jack Brislee, James Nicholas; Travis Fimmel, Richard Roxburgh, Nicholas Hamilton; Vietnam War
Late afternoon August 18, 1966 South Vietnam - for three and a half hours, in the pouring rain, amid the mud and shattered trees of a rubber plantation called Long Tan, Major Harry Smith and his dispersed company of 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers are fighting for their lives, holding off an overwhelming enemy force of 2,500 battle hardened Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. With their ammunition running out, their casualties mounting and the enemy massing for a final assault each man begins to search for his own answer - and the strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honour, decency and courage.
Buoyancy (Rodd Rathjen, 2019) wr. Rodd Rathjen, prod. Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton; Sarm Heng, Thanawut Karso, Mony Ros; slavery drama; premiere Berlin 8Feb; released 26Sept2019
14-year-old Chakra is sold as a slave labourer to the captain of a Thai fishing vessel. The captain's rule on board is cruel and arbitrary.
Garry Gillard | New: 10 September, 2019 | Now: 6 December, 2019