Nitram
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Founder | Justin Kurzel (director), Shaun Grant (writer) |
| Headquarters | Australia , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Justin Kurzel (director), Shaun Grant (writer), Caleb Landry Jones (lead actor) |
| Products | Film: Nitram |
| Owner | Madman Films (distributor) |
Nitram is a psychological biographical drama from 2021, directed by Justin Kurzel and scripted by Shaun Grant. The narrative delves into the troubled life of a young man named "Nitram" (a character inspired by Martin Bryant), focusing on the circumstances that led to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania. The cast includes Caleb Landry Jones, Judy Davis, Essie Davis, and Anthony LaPaglia.
The film made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival on 16 July 2021, where Caleb Landry Jones earned the Best Actor accolade. It was subsequently released in Australian cinemas on a limited scale on 30 September 2021 and became available for streaming on Stan starting 24 November 2021. Critics praised Kurzel's direction and the compelling performances, particularly those of Jones and Davis, although the film generated controversy within Tasmania. At the 11th AACTA Awards, Nitram secured eight honors, including Best Film, Best Direction, multiple acting awards across principal and supporting roles, and Best Original Screenplay.
Plot
The story begins with archival footage from 1979 showing a 12-year-old Martin Bryant in a hospital burns unit after playing with fireworks; he defiantly declares he would engage with them again.
Set in Tasmania, Nitram is an intellectually challenged young man who frequently ignites and sells fireworks, causing disturbances among neighbours. His father obtains a business loan to purchase a bed and breakfast, hoping Nitram will assist in managing it. After seeing a surfer, Nitram desires a surfboard but is denied this by his frustrated mother.
To generate income, Nitram takes on lawn mowing jobs and encounters Helen, a retired actress and heiress, who hires him to walk her dogs. Their relationship quickly develops, and Helen purchases him a car despite his lack of a driver's license and reckless driving tendencies.
Feeling constrained at home, Nitram moves into Helen’s residence, where she insists he relinquish his air rifle. On his birthday, he introduces Helen to his parents; his mother recounts an unsettling incident from Nitram’s childhood involving her own pain.
Nitram’s father loses the bid for the bed and breakfast to another couple, leaving him despondent. Nitram expresses interest in visiting Hollywood, Los Angeles, but during the drive to the airport, he grabs the steering wheel causing a crash that kills Helen and injures himself. He deceives police by claiming he was asleep at the time.
Upon inheriting Helen’s mansion along with over half a million dollars, Nitram starts drinking heavily. His mother urges him to support his deeply depressed father. He attempts to purchase the bed and breakfast again but is refused. Later, his father’s body is discovered in a river in what appears to be a suicide. At the funeral, Nitram is barred by his mother from attending due to inappropriate attire. Increasingly isolated, he travels abroad alone and practices shooting with his air rifle.
After viewing news coverage of the Dunblane massacre, Nitram develops an obsession with firearms, acquiring an unlicensed Colt AR-15, a shotgun, and ordering a handgun. He drives to the bed and breakfast his father had sought to buy and shoots its owners in retaliation. Subsequently, at a café where Helen and his parents once celebrated his birthday, he sets up a camera and opens fire on tourists. Meanwhile, unaware of the unfolding massacre, his mother smokes at home as the news report plays in the background.
Cast
- Caleb Landry Jones portrays "Nitram," a character inspired by Martin Bryant; the name "Nitram" is derived by reversing "Martin."
- Judy Davis plays Nitram's mother, a role based on Carleen Bryant.
- Essie Davis appears as Helen, modeled after Helen Mary Elizabeth Harvey.
- Anthony LaPaglia assumes the role of Maurice, reflecting Maurice Bryant.
- Sean Keenan features as Jamie.
- Rick James takes on the part of the firearm shop proprietor.
Production
On 17 November 2020, it was revealed that Justin Kurzel would helm a movie centered on the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, with a cast including Caleb Landry Jones, Judy Davis, Essie Davis, and Anthony LaPaglia. Filming commenced on 23 January 2021 and wrapped up on 13 March 2021 in Geelong, located in Victoria.
Release
The film made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival on 16 July 2021. It was slated for screening in mid-August at the subsequently cancelled Melbourne International Film Festival. Later, it was shown at CinefestOZ in Western Australia towards the end of August 2021.
Distributed by Madman Films, the movie had a limited theatrical run across Australia starting 30 September 2021 and became available digitally on the Australian streaming platform Stan from 24 November 2021.
Reception
On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Nitram holds a 93% approval rating based on 121 critiques, averaging a score of 7.9 out of 10. The consensus reads, "Nitram challenges audiences to confront a harrowing chapter in Australian history—rewarding them with a compelling and finely performed character study." Meanwhile, on Metacritic, it earned a score of 81 out of 100 from 26 reviewers, signifying "universal acclaim."
Reception in Tasmania
The film generated significant controversy within Tasmania. Kelly Spaulding, mayor of the Tasman Council, publicly criticized the project. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, founded by Walter Mikac, whose family was impacted by the Port Arthur tragedy, also voiced opposition. Concerns about potential effects on police officers' mental well-being were raised by the Police Association of Tasmania. Only two cinemas in Tasmania—the Star Theatre in Launceston and the State Cinema in Hobart—screened the film; notably, the latter chose not to promote it.
The production company extended an invitation to arts minister Elise Archer for discussions but did not receive a reply. Screen Tasmania opted not to provide funding. Then-Premier Peter Gutwein expressed discomfort regarding the film. Additional political figures, such as federal representative Brian Mitchell and Opposition Leader Rebecca White, also articulated apprehensions.
Accolades
External links
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- 2021 films
- 2021 biographical drama films
- 2020s Australian films
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s psychological drama films
- Australian biographical drama films
- Australian psychological drama films
- Films about massacres
- Films about murderers
- Films directed by Justin Kurzel
- Films set in the 1990s
- Films set in Tasmania
- Films shot in Victoria (state)
- Port Arthur massacre (Australia)
- Stan (service) original films
- English-language biographical drama films
- Best Film AACTA Award winners