2005 Ken G Hall recipient, Phillip Noyce
Phillip Noyce on the set of Blind Fury
(1989) NFSA: 349598
Born in 1950 in Griffith, NSW, Phillip Noyce was part of the first intake of students to Australia's new Film and Television School in 1973.
He began his career writing, producing and directing an extensive number of short films, which were celebrated for their subject matter and innovative style. His first feature film, Backroads (1977), was significant in that members of the Indigenous community made a creative contribution to the story as well as acting in it. The screenplay was by John Emery with additional material from the director and cast.
In 1978, he directed and co-wrote Newsfront, which won Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the Australian Film Institute Awards, as well as proving a huge commercial hit in Australia. In addition to opening the London Film Festival, Newsfront was the first Australian film to screen at the New York Film Festival.
His third film, Heatwave (1982), starring Judy Davis, continued his critique of Australian society, as well as developing the stylistic innovation that characterises his technique. It was chosen to screen in the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982. Two important TV miniseries followed: The Dismissal (1983), and The Cowra Breakout (1984).
Dead Calm (1989) was a stylish thriller which achieved strong critical and commercial success, and brought both Noyce and Nicole Kidman to Hollywood's attention.<p>Noyce's work is always technically assured, and commercial successes have included such films as Patriot Games (1992), Clear and Present Danger (1994), The Bone Collector (1999) and The Quiet American (2002).
He returned to Australia to make the acclaimed Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), which won Best Film at the 2002 AFI Awards. He continues his successful international career with four productions either filming or announced. His latest film, Hotstuff, starring Tim Robbins and Derek Luke, was in post-production at the time of the award.
Read NFSA Director Paolo Cherchi Usai's speech at the presentation of the Ken G Hall Award on 9 December 2005.
