Kodak/Atlab Cinema Collection

Paul Kite (Bryan Brown)

Palm Beach (1980)

A new 35mm print of this feature and trailer are now available on request. Courtesy of Albie Thoms and Kodak (Australasia) and Atlab Australia

National Film and Sound Archive National Collection
Title Number 8421.

Classification: M rating

Synopsis

A tale of surf, drugs and rock 'n' roll, it reveals 48 hours in the lives of a handful of young Australians. A social exploration into the suburban surf sub-culture of Sydney's northern beaches peninsular.

Background

Experimental in its narrative structure with improvised dialogue, long takes, cinema verite style camera, Palm Beach was one of the first Australian independent feature films to explore the potential of the film medium with an analytical approach to its subject. It was made on a budget of $100,000 and originally shot on 16mm and subsequently blown-up to 35mm for theatrical release.

Director
Albie Thoms

Year of Production 1979
Duration 88 minutes
Format 35mm blow-up, Colour
Optical Soundtrack Mono

Distributor
Australian Film Institute (AFI)

Production Company
Albie Thoms

Producer
Albie Thoms

Screenplay
Albie Thoms

Director of Photography
Oscar Scherl

Music
Terry Hannigan

Cast
Bryan Brown (Paul Kite)
Nat Young (Nick Taylor)
Ken Brown (Joe Ryan)
Amanda Berry (Leilani Adams)
John Flaus (Larry Kent)