Blueback (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Founder | Robert Connolly, Tim Winton |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Drama film |
Blueback is a 2022 Australian drama film helmed by director Robert Connolly, featuring a screenplay co-written by Connolly and Tim Winton. The movie adapts Winton's 1997 novel sharing the same title. The storyline centers on a young girl who develops a bond with a wild blue groper during her dives and evolves into an advocate for the preservation of Australia's coral reef habitats. The cast includes Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell, Ilsa Fogg, Liz Alexander, Ariel Donoghue, Clarence Ryan, Pedrea Jackson, Erik Thomson, Eddie Baroo, and Eric Bana.
The film had its first screening at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2022, followed by its theatrical release in Australia on 1 January 2023.
At the 2023 ARIA Music Awards, the film's soundtrack earned a nomination in the category of Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.
Cast
- Mia Wasikowska portrays Abby Jackson
- Ilsa Fogg appears as Abby during her teenage years
- Ariel Donoghue represents Abby as a child
- Radha Mitchell plays Dora Jackson
- Liz Alexander depicts Dora in her later years
- Clarence Ryan acts as Briggs
- Pedrea Jackson as teenage Briggs
- Erik Thomson takes on the role of Costello
- Eddie Baroo is cast as Merv
- Eric Bana features as 'Mad' Macka
- Albert Mwangi portrays Gitundu
- Dalip Sondhi plays Mr. Carlisle
- Nick Paranamos appears as Macka's son
Production
The announcement of a film adaptation of Blueback, authored by Tim Winton, was made in February 2021 with Robert Connolly attached as director. Leading roles were assigned to Mia Wasikowska, Eric Bana, and Radha Mitchell. This project marked a reunion between Bana and Connolly following their collaboration on The Dry. The film was presented to potential distributors at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival.
Filming commenced on 22 March 2021 in locations across Western Australia.
Release
Blueback debuted at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2022. Its theatrical release in Australia was managed by Roadshow Films and took place on 1 January 2023. Prior to that, the film had its Australian premiere at the Somerville Film Festival on 22 November 2022, an event held in conjunction with the 2023 Perth Festival.
Home media editions on DVD and Blu-ray were issued by Roadshow Entertainment on 29 March 2023.
Reception
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Blueback holds an approval rating of 72% based on 43 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6 out of 10. The general consensus describes it as a visually stunning family drama that conveys an environmental message despite a modest narrative scope. On Metacritic, it has garnered a score of 59 out of 100 from 11 critics, reflecting mixed or average feedback.
The film’s soundtrack was also nominated for Best Independent Classical Album or EP at the 2023 AIR Awards.