In Search of Anna

1978 Australian film
  • 20 May 1978 (1978-05-20) (Cannes)
  • 28 June 1979 (1979-06-28)
CountryAustraliaLanguageEnglishBudgetA$327,665[1]

In Search of Anna is a 1978 film directed by Esben Storm.

It was originally envisioned as a TV series but then became a feature.[2]

Plot synopsis

Richard Moir plays Tony, who has just been released from jail. His former inmates want him to participate in a robbery, but Tony just wants to find Anna and ends up dealing with one problem at a time.

Cast

  • Richard Moir as Tony
  • Judy Morris as Sam
  • Chris Haywood as Jerry
  • Bill Hunter as Peter
  • Alex Taifer as Tony's father
  • Ian Nimmo as Buzz
  • Gary Waddell as Maxie
  • Richard Murphett as Undertaker
  • Maurie Fields as Bert

Production

It was Storm's second feature, following his debut with 27A and after an unsuccessful attempt to make another movie called Angel Gear.

I became aware that all the films being made in Australia were period films, Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Getting of Wisdom, Between Wars. I felt this reflected a society that was unable to come to terms with where it was at. I know you have to look into the past and find your heroes but it seemed to me that it was reflective of a desire not to face up to where we were at. That also coincided with where I was at personally in my relationship to women and to Haydn [former collaborator Haydn Keenan], so I thought I should make a film about leaving the past behind and coming to terms with the present, moving into the future with a positive attitude. That's what I thought I should do personally and that's what I felt Australia should do. It led to In Search of Anna.[3]

The budget was meant to be $231,000 but went more than $100,000 over. $50,000 was provided by the Victorian Film Corporation.[4] Shooting began on 28 February 1977.[1]

Reception

According to Storm the film performed "really well, relatively" at the Australian box office, running for six weeks. It was also nominated for six AFI Awards.[3]

Accolades

Award Category Subject Result
AACTA Awards
(1978 AFI Awards)
Best Film Esben Storm Nominated
Best Direction Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Won
Best Actor Richard Moir Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p193-194
  2. ^ Gordon Glenn and Scott Murray, "Esben Storm", Cinema Papers, July 1977 p52-55
  3. ^ a b "Interview with Esben Storm", Signis, 22 August 1995 Archived 3 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine accessed 21 November 2012
  4. ^ "The Corporations", Cinema Papers, April 1977 p296

External links

  • In Search of Anna at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • In Search of Anna is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
  • In Search of Anna at Australian Screen Online
  • In Search of Anna at Oz Movies


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