BEFORE the Lord of the Rings, there was The Piano.
No elves, hobbits or orcs in this movie, but the first to put New Zealand on the international film-making map, and showcase the country’s stunning beauty and landscape as well as its undeniable talent.
The Piano took away the collective breath of the world when it premiered in 1993, and it went on the win three Academy Awards including Best Actress (Holly Hunter), Best Supporting Actress (Anna Paquin, aged just 11 at the time), and Best Screenplay for Jane Campion, who studied film-making in Australia and also directed the movie.
It is a poignant, beautiful and haunting film set during the mid-19th century in a rainy, muddy frontier backwater on the west coast of New Zealand. It tells the story of a mute woman who has not spoken since the age of six, choosing to express herself instead through playing her piano, and features a score for the piano by Michael Nyman which became a best-selling soundtrack album. Sam Neil and Harvey Keitel also starred in the sensual drama, which enjoyed huge critical and financial success – grossing $40.2 million, against its $7 million budget.
“Whether you’re seeing it again or for the first time this is a chance to enjoy The Piano on the big screen and to join in after the film for a chat about this, Jane Campion’s masterpiece, the film that everyone still talks about and that Campion built her international reputation upon, †said Andrew Mason, Lecturer in Arts and Communication at USQ.
“The Piano is showing just in time for mother’s day. So if you’re looking for a truly spectacular way to celebrate and spoil your mum, why not bring her to one of our best Friday Flicks.â€
The Piano is the third film in the Artsworx Friday at the Flicks series, which was introduced this year. The series is taking a cinematic journey around the world, with stop-overs in France, Japan, New Zealand, the USA, Australia and Italy. Some of the movies featured in the 2014 bill are classics, others are cult favourites and many are multi-award winning masterpieces. All promise an entertaining night out however, enjoying a great show on a big screen with fellow film fans.
The Piano (rated M, with a running time of 116 minutes) will screen on Friday, May 9 at 6pm in the University of Southern Queensland Allison Dickson Theatre as part of the 2014 Friday at the Flicks series. Tickets cost $15.50, which includes a post-show drink and nibbles, as well as a brief introduction to the film.
Subscribing to the Friday at the Flicks series can save up to 20% on tickets. Contact USQ Artsworx on 4631 1111 for more information or tickets, or visit www.usq.edu.au/artsworx The Allison Dickson Theatre is located at the University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba.
Submitted by:
Willow Hart
Senior Marketing and Engagement Officer
USQ Artsworx | University of Southern Queensland
Ph: +61 7 4631 2412
Email: willow.hart@usq.edu.au
