Initiation (1987 film)
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{{Infobox film
| name = Initiation
| image = Initiation1987dvdcover.jpg
| caption = DVD cover
| director = Michael Pearce
| producer = Jane Ballantyne
| writer = James Barton
| based_on = Original idea by
Michael Pearce
| narrator =
| starring = Bruno Lawrence
Rodney Harvey
Miranda Otto
| music = Stephen Matters
| cinematography = Geoffrey Simpson
| editing = Denise Haratzis
| studio = International Film Management
South Australian Film Corporation
| distributor = Goldfarb
| released = {{Film date|1987}}
| runtime = 88 minutes
| country = Australia
| language = English
| budget = A$3 million"Australian Productions Top $175 million", Cinema Papers, March 1986 p. 64
| gross =
}}
Initiation is a 1987 Australian adventure drama thriller film directed by Michael Pearce based on his idea and starring Bruno Lawrence and Rodney Harvey.David Stratton, The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry, Pan MacMillan, 1990 pp. 90–91
Plot
After the death of his mother, teenager Danny Molloy leaves New York to find his father Nat, who lives on an isolated farm in South Australia with Sal and her teenage daughter Stevie. Because income from the farm isn't sufficient, Nat uses his aeroplane to smuggle marijuana for the mafia and on a flight with Danny the plane crashes among empty mountains. Since his father is wounded, Danny has to set off alone through the jungle to find help: this is his initiation to manhood.
Cast
- Rodney Harvey as Danny Molloy
- Bruno Lawrence as Nat Molloy
- Miranda Otto as Stevie
- Arna-Maria Winchester as Sal
- Bobby Smith as Kulu
- Tony Barry as Pat
- Luciano Catenacci as Carlo
Production
The film was shot in Adelaide and the Blue Mountains.Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p. 86 It was completed in January 1987.
Release
The film was pre-sold to US distributor Goldfarb for $850,000 but Goldfarb later backed out of this commitment claiming they did not have the money.GOLDFARB RENEGES ON PRE-SALE DEBT By MARK LAWSON Australian Financial Review 28 April 1988 p 36TAX CONCESSIONS ARE GOOD, BUT FILMS CARRY RISK AS WELL by Anne Lampe Sydney Morning Herald 15 July 1987 p 26
Accolades
Bobby Smith was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 1987 AFI Awards.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0094385}}
- [http://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/initiation Initiation] at Oz Movies
Category:Australian adventure drama films
Category:1980s English-language films
Category:1980s Australian films
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