I use the "air quotes" to describe Aussie comedies because they really do need to come with a disclaimer. The humour in these films is weird. Very weird. You may not find it funny, or even recognise which part is supposed to be funny, but there's only one way to find out. Quoting a line from any of these films is also sure to earn you some new Aussie mates.
The Castle - Teaches us how to be proud of what we've got - even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Muriel's Wedding - The painfully awkward but unavoidably lovable Muriel finds herself in this very unconventional coming-of-age story.
The Dish - A hilarious Rob Sitch comedy about friendship, sheep and Apollo 11.
Serious/Historical We may be a young country, but what little history we have has contributed significantly to our national identity. These films will give you an insight into why we are the way we are, while being entertaining enough to make you forget that you're learning!Rabbit Proof Fence - Tells the story of three Indigenous children from Australia's Stolen Generation trying to hold on to their culture, family and lives.
Gallipolli - Follows two young men (including a young Mel Gibson) from their lives in outback Australia to the battlefields of Gallipolli in World War I.
Ned Kelly - Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Irish accents, police corruption, Robin-Hood style theft, empathetic underdogs and old-school gunplay. What more do you want?
A scene from Ned Kelly - picture from motionpicturearmourer.com
Desert Classics
No, I'm not talking about cakes, I'm talking about these Aussie outback gems:
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - A must for anyone with eyes, this film follows three very colourful drag-queens as they travel through the outback singing ABBA on their now-iconic pink bus, Priscilla.
Wolf Creek - A terrifying desert thriller, tourists be warned.
Red Dog - Australia's (far superior) answer to Marley & Me.
