Oz film industry created our own heroes – Jack Thompson

Veteran actor Jack Thompson at Mortlock Chamber

In 40 years, the Australian film industry has grown up from infancy and  “given us a voice on screen” by telling our own stories with Aussie actors portraying familiar characters says veteran actor Jack Thompson.

He was in Adelaide to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the South Australian
Film Corporation at a prestigious event “Jack Thompson in Conversation”” at the historic Mortlock Library.

“It is so easy to forget what the film industry was 40 years ago,” he recalls. “Australian stories were told very rarely and usually non-Australians came here to make our stories.’’

“All the heroes we had seen on the screenback then were either Americans or British.

“There was no sense that we might have our own heroes or heroines. We were suffering very much from this cultural cringe.’’

“It is important that we make films about who we are and what are our aspirations; that we see ourselves on the screen.’’

Organised by the StateLibrary of SA Foundation,  SA Film Corporation CEO Richard Harris interviewed Jack, who pointed out that Jack’s career had been on “the same trajectory’’ as the SA Film Corporation which was celebrating its 40th anniversary of film making.

So closely was his star hitched to the Film Corporation’s own stellar path that “the old Hendon Studios felt like the House that Jack built’’, said Richard Harris.

Ironically Jack told us he only ever thought acting would be a hobby.

“I never wanted to be a part of the film industry because there wasn’t one,’’ he said.
I never wanted to be an actor; It was my hobby from the age of six, but my hobby became my life,’’ he said.

“My first job in 1967-68 was on television and I decided to give myself 12 months when I would make enough money to put a roof over my head.’’

It was his father who first suggested a career; “My father said you wouldn’t want to be an actor would you Johnny?’’

“When I decided that I would have a shot at being an actor, the Australian film industry started to grow…this cresting wave.. it was fabulous.

He said his first film, Sunday Too Far Away was very much at the beginning of the flowering of a generation of film makers and what it has become. Until then we had no voice at all.

“It lay at the heart of the tale we wanted to tell which would be who we are as Australians.’’

He recalled his early recollections of films: “All the heroes we had seen on the screen were either Americans or British. There was no sense that we might have our own heroes or heroines. We were suffering very much from this cultural cringe.’’

“It is important that we make films about who we are and what are our aspirations.’’

In 1975 he read the script of Sunday Too Far Away. “I was so charmed by the accuracy; there was such an accurate recollection of a life I had known. It ws an absolute joy to be a part of it.’’

It was also his first real experience in SA.

Breaker Morant followed in 1980. “It not only broke me into the international film scene but the Australian film industry internationally, too.’’

He won the Best Supporting Actor at the Cannes Film Festival and recalled how he met his idol KirkDouglas.

“To me it was an award for the whole Australian film industry and Kirk Douglas was the president of the jury.’’

He did go to Hollywood, but related how he “seriously felt having received the award that I needed to return  and continue to be a part of the growth of the industry to tell who we are and what we have become, not about me in Hollywood.’’

He said the “Assassination of Richard Nixon’’ was an “extremely painful film’’ .

Leader of the Opposition, Isobel Redmond, Diane Colton and Di Bruce

Veteran film icon, Gil Brearley, who was in the audience asked questions, but also stated: “Jack, the breadth of your performance over the years is staggering.’’

Gil asked how he decided which role to accept.

“Largely, Gil, it is to do with whether or not I really want to bring life to this person. That is not a moral judgement because the nemesis can be as important as hero and it is important that they be good real life villians that they are painfully real’’.

“I choose from the material presented to me. Whether I choose a part is to do with the company I keep, the director and crews and cast. I see a script as an architectural drawing..this is what I will have to do , to bring to life.’’

When asked who he thought were the most important actors he said Sean Penn, Bryan Brown and Judy Davis.

“There is too big a list really. There are very few people that I have not enjoyed working with.’’

Some memorable moments included the fight scene in Wake In Fright. “That took 28 takes.’’

Despite his multiple roles, one was left with the impression that Breaker Morant was his favourite film.

“I was left with this feeling “You cannot charge men you have sent to war; you cannot charge them with murder. It’s an absurdity’’.

“It is so easy to forget what the film industry was 40 years ago. Australian stories were told very rarely and usually non-Australians came here to make our stories.’’

“It is important that we make films about who we are and what are our aspirations.’’

 

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1 Comment to “Oz film industry created our own heroes – Jack Thompson”

  1. By Diane Colton, 03/12/2012 @ 9:35 am

    We had a great night , and enjoyed the beautiful Mortlock Chamber , and talk by Jack Thompson .

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