
After a disappointing box office year
for Australian film, (for no understandable reason because most of the Australian films
last year were very good), Paper Planes
has a lot riding on its slender but beautiful wings. If the responses from the preview audience of: “wonderful
family film,” “loved it,” “gorgeous,” "simple but beautiful" are anything to go by, then this film
might be the one to rise and hopefully soar at the box office and bring back
the love affair we have had in the past with Australian films.
Robert Connolly, the director and
co-screenwriter, admits that he made this film for his children. “Our children
shouldn’t think that all the heroes are American. We need Australian heroes on our screens.”
How true a statement. And how refreshing to watch Australians craft a piece of entertainment that can stand proudly next to the inundation we currently have of American big studio product. Paper Planes achieved its entertainment goal with no special effects, and no huge mega-budget, but with just a simple story with heart, a clearly dedicated cast and crew, and a remarkable lead in thirteen-year-old Ed Oxenbould. Oxenbould is already making a name for himself in Hollywood starring alongside Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner in the recent Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No
Good, Very Bad Day, in which he played the title role of Alexander.
How true a statement. And how refreshing to watch Australians craft a piece of entertainment that can stand proudly next to the inundation we currently have of American big studio product. Paper Planes achieved its entertainment goal with no special effects, and no huge mega-budget, but with just a simple story with heart, a clearly dedicated cast and crew, and a remarkable lead in thirteen-year-old Ed Oxenbould. Oxenbould is already making a name for himself in Hollywood starring alongside Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner in the

It’s wonderful, rousing stuff, and the
mostly child leads are extraordinarily poised and remarkably solid, and one of the main reasons the film works. The early scenes are set in a quintessential Australian country town (filmed in Perth), and even our local Perth Challenge Stadium stars in a scene.
Supporting actors David Wenham, Deborah Mailman, Peter Rowsthorn, and Terry Norris bring a real
spark and humour to the story. Terry Norris, as Dylan’s cheeky Grandpa is
simply perfect.
When you watch hundreds of films a
year, it’s a real thrill and incredibly rare to leave a preview a little lighter in heart than when
you sat down. One mother commented to me afterwards that it was wonderful to
see a film that her whole family could enjoy with no violence, no swearing, and
a beautiful theme, because we are not often presented with that choice by
Hollywood.
So when we are, and especially when it's an Australian film, as with Paper Planes, we should vote with our
feet. If Australians don’t go to see Paper Planes then all our children might continue
to consume are these big American studio films with the American skew on life. Director Robert
Connolly is right; we need Australian heroes speaking in our own accent,
telling our stories.
Hollywood loves Australian cast
and crews. Now it’s our turn, as cinema patrons, to love our own films and the talent behind them and embrace
them as part of our unique Australian culture. We should be revelling in that. We used to only a decade ago.
Please go vote with your attendance and
bring this lovely film home to success, just like we did with Red Dog. Let’s wrest back our love and
pride in Australian film just like we did in 1983, when we brought the
America’s Cup back to Australia.
Paper Planes made my heart soar, for
many reasons, and here’s hoping that it will also soar at the box office. I
want my children to have Australian heroes. Heck, I want them for myself.
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