Shannon Murphy’s debut feature 'Babyteeth', a bittersweet comedy starring Ben Mendelsohn, Essie Davis, Eliza Scanlen and Toby Wallace, has been acclaimed by critics after its world premiere in official competition at the Venice International Film Festival.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason recognises the structural challenges facing independent films but does not subscribe to the view that this is a down year for Australian cinema.
What might have been a disaster for the Finlay family leads to letting go and finding grace in the glorious chaos of life. When seriously ill teenager falls madly in love with a smalltime drug dealer, Moses, it’s her protective parents’ worst nightmare. Things get messy and morals go out the window as the lives of those around the family: a sensitive music teacher, a budding child violinist, a disarmingly honest pregnant neighbour become intertwined and Milla shows those in her orbit how to live like you have nothing to lose. In a story about life, grief and the chaos of family, 'Babyteeth' joyously explores how far we will go for love and how good it is to be alive.
Shannon Murphy's debut feature 'Babyteeth', a bittersweet comedy starring Ben Mendelsohn, Essie Davis, Eliza Scanlen and Toby Wallace, will have its world premiere in official competition at the Venice International Film Festival.
Eliza Scanlen and Toby Wallace have joined Ben Mendelsohn and Essie Davis in 'Babyteeth', the feature debut of director Shannon Murphy that's currently shooting in Sydney.
Given the commercial pressures facing Australia's free-to-air networks and funding agencies, the industry should look to private investors to fill the widening gap in financing TV dramas and features, according to Deanne Weir.