The opening film for this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival was awesome. Even the steep horror of Hamer’s Hall balcony didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this behemoth of a documentary. Mark Hartley writer/director was gracious in thanking his cast and crew for participating in the making of this mammoth visual feast. I think he mentioned it would go public as of August 28th this year and for anyone who has missed out on Australian (x)ploitation film making since the 70’s should go see it!!

Sure it’s full of tits and bums, and a good wide shot (or is that long) of John Holmes penis; but to just consider it titillation would be missing the point. It’s an incredible mapping of some of the most audacious film making Australia has ever produced! Quentin Tarantino who in general makes me queasy (yes as a film maker too), added some great insights and perspectives. The fact he got off on some of the unique, twisted and sick plot lines of Aussie films was a true compliment. Macabre as he can be, Tarantino was somewhat in awe of the original and just plain “fucking weird” ideas Australian writers/directors and producers had employed.

It’s really a great credit to Hartley and his crew; and whilst the editing sequences are really fast… and you may feel trapped like you are in the front seat of Death Proof sans seat belt and with no escape…it’s a total must see for anyone with a passion for Aussie zeal, tenacity and sheer bloody inventiveness. 5  stars!

GG.

“They were just like American genre films, but they had Australian actors, Australian locations and everyone spoke in Australian accents. If you show kids these films today they can’t believe we ever made them.” – filmmaker Mark Hartley

In the 70s and 80s a uniquely antipodean wave of exploitation cinema swept the world. Shlocky, sexy and very funny, ‘Ozploitation’ became one of the most prolific and successful periods in Australian filmmaking – and yet it rarely rates a mention in the official histories of cinema.

Filled with outrageous anecdotes and lessons in maverick filmmaking, and featuring interviews with celebrity devotee Quentin Tarantino, Not Quite Hollywood is a fast-moving journey through a very Australian slice of genre cinema.

Mark Hartley, Michael Lynch and Craig Griffin are guests of the festival.

Check out the high octane trailer here: www.notquitehollywood.com.au