PEACHES

PRODUCTION CREW

Director                                Craig Monahan
Screen play                         Sue Smith
Executive producer           Judith McCann
Co-producer                       Margot McDonald
Producer                              Craig Monahan
Producer                              Don Reynolds
Executive producer         Nicolas Stiliadis
Co-producer                       Roslyn Walker
Original Music                     David Hirschfelder
Cinematography               Ernie Clark
Film Editing                          Suresh Ayyar
Casting                                Gregory Apps

STARRING

Hugo Weaving                            Alan
Jacqueline McKenzie        Jude
Emma Lung                         Steph
Matthew Le Nevez            Brian
Sam Healy                          Jass
Tyson Contor                      Johnny
Catherine Lambert             Kath
Giang Le Huy                     Thuy
Felicity Electricity                Sandy
Ling Yeow                           Chen Poh
Caroline Mignon                 Maria
Duncan Hemstock             Kenny Carter
Ed Rosser                             Grandpa

Peter Michell Dave

Adrian Shirley                     Thommo
Jamie Black                       Personnel Officer
Ineke Clark                         Peach Queen
Andrew Martin                    Executive
Chris Blackeby                  Junior Manager
Sonya Humphrey               Cherie
Barry Alan Holy                  Security Guard
Kerry Gray                          Pregnant Jass
Glenn Ruehland                 Dave's Mate #1
Paul Lightfoot                     Dave's Mate #2
Nippy                                  Gregory

NOMINATED AWARDS

Nominated by the Australian Writer’s Guild for:
Awige Award (given to the outstanding written script of the year, judged solely by writers) (Sue Smith)

Nominated by the Montréal World Film Festival for:
Grand Prix des Amériques Award (Craig Monahan)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Australian release date: 09/06/2005

Running time: 106 mins

Rated: MA

Local Distributor: Hopscotch Films

Total Gross $AUD: $406, 604

CRITICAL REVIEW

Plot synopsis

Peaches is set in the small rural town of Swanreach in South Australia. Having just turned 18, Steph, (Emma Lung), begins work at the peach canning factory alongside her adoptive mother Jude (Jacqueline Mackenzie). The cannery is watched over by the factory’s foreman, Alan, (Hugo Weaving), and is just about the town’s only source of employment.

Steph's mother and father died in a car accident the night she was born. She was named the town’s “Miracle baby”, since only she survived the accident and was raised by her mother’s best friend, Jude.

On her 18th birthday her grandfather gives Steph her mother’s diary, which is the key to her past and helps her fill in the gaps of the present. Steph is dyslexic, so she has trouble deciphering the diary at first. She strikes up a friendship with the town’s scoundrel, who reads the diary to her.

Steph is taken back 19 years, before her birth, and is able reconstruct the events and the relationships between the characters Jude and Alan, and Jass (Steph’s mother) and Johnny (Steph’s father). To Steph, it seems that Jass and Jude were getting the most out of life, and she wonders how Jude lost her zeal for life.

Despite the difference in their ages and their workplace relationship, Steph and Alan begin a secret love affair.

Personal Notes and Review

Peaches is a highly enjoyable film to watch. Ernie Clark’s cinematography is beautifully crafted in the sweeping scenes of South Australia’s lush river land and outback; strikingly contrasted to the peach cannery’s conveyor belt. The nuances of each character is highly developed in this film. It exposes their insecurities and cements the foundations for them through a rhetorical narrative that spans over two decades. Sue Smith (writer) makes clever use of Steph’s dead mothers diary as a narrative tool to connect the stories of the characters pasts to the present; a similar tactic Smith used in her mini television series The Brides of Christ. Initially I felt the diary was a substandard way of telling a story, but I soon realised that it is a well devised way for Steph to independently learn about her mother and father and unearth the interlinked pasts of the people around her. In some ways the diary is sardonic, given that Steph is dyslexic and has trouble reading; once again helping her to grow and providing an escape from her overprotective adoptive mother, Jude. In this sense Peaches is a teenage coming of age film. But it is also a social problem drama because of the issues of job insecurity and uncertainty.

Although the political backdrop of the film is important and well observed, I think it is the love story that has the effect of being either unsettling or accepted as a mutual release for the two characters from their claustrophobic lives that is most pertinent to the film. Sue Smith wanted the relationship between Steph and Alan to be disturbing, and it is at times, however, the affair was never about dominating or controlling anyone and in the end neither character was hurt by it. The affair is an exploration of endlessly complicated human relationships. Smith says, in an interview with InsideFilm, “people make choices they know are wrong at the time … my job as a dramatist is to explore those relationships with compassion”. Sue Smith was certainly successful at providing us with an akward relationship, yet still offering the audience tenderness and intimacy.

The seemingly complicated relationship between Steph and Alan is opposed to the very simple friendship between Steph and Alan’s shabby half brother Brian. The idealistic scene’s where Brian reads Jass’s diary to Steph are often clichéd, however, they do suffice in creating meaning and significance in the very simple friendship that in the end provides Steph with an escape and an opportunity to embark on a rite of passage.

Peaches was a bold move for director Craig Monahan, away from the dark film noir style of his 1998 highly praised film The Interview. Peaches is a character driven film, which is concerned with the complexity of the characters lives in the context of Australian rural life, whereas The Interview is set around a single event and is basically a dialogue between two characters. The commonality between to two films is the deeply intense psychology of the characters.

Critical Uptake of the Film

The critical uptake of Peaches has been primarily optimistic, however, most reviews are somewhat superficial and lack any real insight. Critics concerns seem to be preoccupied with discussing the love affair between Alan and Steph; whose relationship is deemed exploitative and bordering on incest by many critics:
“… this worrying suggestion of incest and work place harassment highlights how dysfunctional the relationships are between the three main players”. (Australian Catholic Film Office)

“I really hated that betrayal of that relationship between Alan and Steph. I mean, it's not the older man, younger woman thing, it isn't, it's almost like he's her father and it's almost like an incestuous relationship”. (Margaret Pomeranz, At The Movies)

Having read comments as such, I wonder whether these critics have even seen the film. I did not feel that the relationship was incestuous or exploitative, since Steph was the instigator.

In a more positive view of the film, many critics have merited the film with excellent acting by Weaving, McKenzie and Lung, and well-rounded characters in a contextually sensitive backdrop of rural economic rationalism. Julie Rigg from the ABC’s ‘The Deep End’ national radio program commends the film for treating “the dramas of people living those lives respectfully”.

Relationship to other Projects of the Production Crew

Very few of the production crew members have worked together prior to Peaches. Craig Monahan and Hugo weaving team up in Peaches for a second time, the first being The Interview. Monahan says “I like working with Hugo, it’s very easy … with an Australian film you don’t have a lot of time; you don’t want to be dragging your feet. He’s just a gentleman and loves the work” (InFilm).

Sue Smith (writer) has had a history in writing for television, in fact Peaches is her first film script, which might explain the complicated characters and occasionally verbose dialogue.

The films musical score was created by one of Australia’s most outstanding composers, David Hirschfelder. Hirschfelder’s career in film composition has spanned over the past 16 years and has worked both on Australian, American and UK films. He has had associations with Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom), Scott Hicks (Shine), Shekar Kapur (Elizabeth), and Diane Keaton (Hanging Up). Hirschfelder’s impressive filmography can be seen below.

Despite the fact that this production crew are new at working together, they have collaborated to produce a wonderfully well-rounded, high quality film.

Peaches and Australian CINEMA

Peaches director, Craig Monahan, is asked in an interview with In Film Australia whether he thinks Peaches is a quintessentially Australian film, he replies by commenting “the film has Australian sensibilities … in many ways an expose of rural Australian life, but it’s also a response to the era of economic rationalism and enterprise bargaining agreements, characterized by mass layoffs and the demise of unions.”

In Australian film there are increasing differences between urban and rural characters. Peaches portrays the srtuggles of rural characters in situations of economic uncertainity. Smith comments in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald that “we are so urbanised that people have lost touch with their rural support base … but I like Australian character a great deal. I like our capacity to not take ourselves too seriously; our capacity to be generous, spirited and tolerant.” And these are all qualities we see in the main characters in Peaches. Some characters, such as Jude, lose their spirit, but the film still provides a sense that Jude will soon find herself in a better place and perhaps recapture her spirit.
Sue Smith also comments on the importance of Australian film and the state of the Australian film industry;
“It helps us understand who we are and our view of the world, and how it's different from anyone else's. But Australia's film industry is under-resourced and struggling, I hope we can continue to tell stories.”
Peaches is a brilliant story, and one that deserves a larger and wider audience. It provides clues to the huge talent that lies unearthed in Australia. It is films such as Peaches that proves quality is not dead in Australian cinema (Filmink, p. 60).

Internet Presence

GENERAL INFORMATION

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347755/

http://www.moviemarshal.com/id-peaches.html

http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/flash.html

http://www.timeout.com/film/82374.html

Interviews

MAGAZINE REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS

Hessey, R. (June, 2005), ‘Peaches’, InsideFilm, v. 77, pp. 26-34. (Interview)

Mitchell, J. (June, 2005), ‘Home Grown’, Filmink, v. 7.23, pp. 35, 60. (Interview and review)

FILMOGRAPHIES

CRAIG MONAHAN - DIRECTOR

Peaches (2005)
The Interview (1998)

SUE SMITH – WRITER

"Bastard Boys" (2007) (mini) TV Series (pre-production)
"RAN: Remote Area Nurse" (2006) (mini) TV Series
"The Cooks" (2004) TV Series (writer)
Peaches (2005)
Temptation (2003/II) (TV)
The Road from Coorain (2002) (TV)
My Brother Jack (2001) (TV)
"Bordertown" (1995) (mini) TV Series
The Leaving of Liverpool (1992) (TV)
"Brides of Christ" (1991) (mini) TV Series
"Carson's Law" (1983) TV Series
"Sons and Daughters" (1982) TV Series

David Hirschfelder - Composer

BlackJack: A Walk in the Park (2006) (TV) (filming)
BlackJack: Born Again (2006) (TV) (filming)
BlackJack: Ghosts (2006) (TV) (filming)
Irresistible (2006)
Aquamarine (2006)
BlackJack: Ace Point Game (2005) (TV)
BlackJack: In the Money (2005) (TV)
Kidnapped (2005/I) (TV)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2004) (TV)
BlackJack: Sweet Science (2004) (TV)
Peaches (2005)
Standing Room Only (2004/I)
The Wannabes (2003)
"Bootleg" (2002) (mini) TV Series
Hirschfelder & Hobson: Inside This Room (2002) (TV)
Better Than Sex (2000)
The Weight of Water (2000)
Hanging Up (2000)
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)
Elizabeth (1998)
The Interview (1998)
The Truman Show (1998)
Sliding Doors (1998)
Dating the Enemy (1996)
Shine (1996)
Tunnel Vision (1995)
The Life of Harry Dare (1995)
Dallas Doll (1994)
Strictly Ballroom (1992)
Ratbag Hero (1991) (TV)
Shadows of the Heart (1990) (TV)
"Skirts" (1990) TV Series

Hugo Weaving – Actor

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II (2006)
V for Vendetta (2005)
Little Fish (2005)
Peaches (2005)
Everything Goes (2004)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
"After the Deluge" (2003) (mini) TV Series
Enter the Matrix (2003)
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Horseplay (2003) (voice)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Russian Doll (2001)
The Old Man Who Read Love Stories (2001)
The Magic Pudding (2000) (voice)
Strange Planet (1999)
Little Echo Lost (1999)
The Matrix (1999)
Babe: Pig in the City (1998) (voice)
Bedrooms and Hallways (1998)
The Interview (1998)
The Kiss (1998/II)
True Love and Chaos (1997)
"Frontier" (1997) (mini) TV Series
Halifax f.p: Isn't It Romantic (1997) (TV)
"Naked: Stories of Men" - Coral Island (1996) TV Episode
Wild Australia: The Edge (1996)
"The Bite" (1996) (mini) TV Series
"Bordertown" (1995) (mini) TV Series
Babe (1995) (voice)
Exile (1994)
"True Stories" - The Forgotten force (1994) TV Episode
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
What's Going On, Frank? (1994)
Frauds (1993)
Reckless Kelly (1993)
"Seven Deadly Sins" (1993) (mini) TV Series
The Custodian (1993)
Road to Alice (1992)
Proof (1991)
Almost (1990)
"Bangkok Hilton" (1989) (mini) TV Series
Dadah Is Death (1988) (TV)
"The Dirtwater Dynasty" (1988) (mini) TV Series
The Right Hand Man (1987)
"Melba" (1987) (mini) TV Series
For Love Alone (1986)
Sky Pirates (1986) (uncredited)
"Bodyline" (1984) (mini) TV Series
The City's Edge (1983)
Maybe This Time (1980)

Jacqueline McKenzie - actress

Guns, Money and Homecooking (2006) (announced)
"Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King" (2006) (mini) TV Series (filming)
Opal Dream (2005)
"The 4400"
         - Mommy's Bosses (2005) TV Episode
         - The Fifth Page (2005) TV Episode
         - Lockdown (2005) TV Episode
         - Carrier (2005) TV Episode
         - Life Interrupted (2005) TV Episode
         (3 more)
"Two Twisted" (2005) TV Series
Peaches (2005)
Human Touch (2004)
Preservation (2003)
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
When Billie Beat Bobby (2001) (TV)
Eisenstein (2000)
On the Beach (2000) (TV)
Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang) (2000)
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Love from Ground Zero (1998)
Freak Weather (1998)
Under the Lighthouse Dancing (1997)
Kangaroo Palace (1997) (TV)
The Devil Game (1997) (TV)
A Cut in the Rates (1997)
Mr. Reliable (1996)
Angel Baby (1995)
Roses Are Red (1995)
The Battlers (1994) (TV)
Traps (1994/II)
Halifax f.p: Lies of the Mind (1994) (TV)
Talk (1994)
Stark (1993) (TV)
This Won't Hurt a Bit (1993)
Romper Stomper (1992)
"A Country Practice"
         - Riding for a Fall: Part 2 (1992) TV Episode
         - Riding for a Fall: Part 1 (1992) TV Episode
"All the Way" (1988) (mini) TV Series
Wordplay (1987)
The Riddle of the Stinson (1987) (TV)

STARRING

Peter Michell Dave

NOMINATED AWARDS

GENERAL INFORMATION

CRITICAL REVIEW

Plot synopsis

Personal Notes and Review

Critical Uptake of the Film

Peaches and Australian CINEMA

Internet Presence

GENERAL INFORMATION

Interviews

WITH CRAIG MONAHAN

WITH HUGO WEAVING

WITH SUE SMITH

FILM REVIEWS

MAGAZINE REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS