While skimming the blogs, I came across a mention of Tasmania and how it isn't represented very well, or really at all, in Australian cinema. This could be due to the fact that it is small and not heavily populated, but if I had to guess I'd say it's because most Australians view Tasmania the way most Americans view Appalachia. Anyway, I got curious, so I decided I'd check out what film industry Tasmania might or might not possess.
Low and behold, Dying Breed. Coming out in Australia today, it is the story of four travelers to Tasmania coming across a town of flesh-eating cannibals descended from Alexander "Pieman" Pierce. Pierce, an actual historical figure, escaped from the penal colony on Tasmania and did actually survive by eating people.
Now I'm sure there's going to be some naysayers for this movie, but I think it's awesome. What better way to show the rest of Australia that Tasmania isn't a bunch of inbred psycho's: by throwing it in their face. Tourism Chief Daniel Hanna was definitely excited. "Any film that shows the key parts...like the rugged wilderness, is going to be a good thing and hopefully spark some interest." Of course, he later said, "Obviously as long as visitors don't expect there to really be cannibals in Tasmania." Apparently, some Tasmanian's were disappointed that they couldn't be involved as extras. "Most of us would have fit the bill admirably and true to life. Because we're all descendants of the Pieman." Of course, West Coast Mayor Gerrity was joking, but whatever.
The film was mostly shot in western Tasmania, a first for Australian cinema, and was directed by Jody Dwyer, who also wrote it. He's done some other smaller films, but this is his foray into more commercially viable work.
Whenever this gets shown here, I'm definitely seeing it. It's almost like the Australian Deliverance, without the banjo playing and anal raping. And of course, it's good to know that Tasmania is finally getting its just desserts.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24581134-26103,00.html
-Brady Nelson
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