<description>Australia really does punch above its weight when it comes to documentary filmmaking. Over the past 18 months alone, this country has produced a number of inspiring, world-class documentaries that fit in so well on the world stage. 

Documentaries like Floodland, Yurlu | Country, In the Trenches, Every Little Thing, and Songs Inside are some that you really must seek out if you haven’t already seen them. 

Some new documentaries set for release this year include Jebadiah: Are We Ok?, Hard as Puck, Silenced, Prompt: How to Make a Documentary, and Anthony Frith’s Mockbuster, one of the most unforgettable and enjoyable documentaries made in Australia in recent years. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Anthony to take a deep dive into the making of Mockbuster, and I can tell you he shares some really inspiring stories that will pump up any filmmaker. Having confidence and belief in yourself is what I took away from Anthony’s story here. 

Mockbuster follows Anthony, a struggling filmmaker at the time, and his chance at redemption as he navigates the eccentric world of notorious Sharknado production house, The Asylum.

Anthony has a love for absurd pop-culture anomalies. His work has taken him to Boston, where he studied the art of churning out novelty songs with cult musician Matt Farley in Lessons From A Middle Class Artist; to Burbank, where he made his feature debut directing a trashy dinosaur movie, The Land that Time Forgot, for The Asylum.

Anyway… enjoy.</description>

Australia really does punch above its weight when…

Australia really does punch above its weight when it comes to documentary filmmaking. Over the past 18 months alone, this country has produced a number of inspiring, world-class documentaries that fit in so well on the world stage. 

Documentaries like Floodland, Yurlu | Country, In the Trenches, Every Little Thing, and Songs Inside are some that you really must seek out if you haven’t already seen them. 

Some new documentaries set for release this year include Jebadiah: Are We Ok?, Hard as Puck, Silenced, Prompt: How to Make a Documentary, and Anthony Frith’s Mockbuster, one of the most unforgettable and enjoyable documentaries made in Australia in recent years. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Anthony to take a deep dive into the making of Mockbuster, and I can tell you he shares some really inspiring stories that will pump up any filmmaker. Having confidence and belief in yourself is what I took away from Anthony’s story here. 

Mockbuster follows Anthony, a struggling filmmaker at the time, and his chance at redemption as he navigates the eccentric world of notorious Sharknado production house, The Asylum.

Anthony has a love for absurd pop-culture anomalies. His work has taken him to Boston, where he studied the art of churning out novelty songs with cult musician Matt Farley in Lessons From A Middle Class Artist; to Burbank, where he made his feature debut directing a trashy dinosaur movie, The Land that Time Forgot, for The Asylum.

Anyway… enjoy.

Cinema Australia

Episode #135 | Anthony Frith

<description>Welcome to the Cinema Australia Podcast. My name is Matthew Eeles. 

In this very mini episode, I’m joined by Under a Bamboo Sky filmmaker Serge Ou, to discuss his confronting and revealing new documentary which hits Netflix this week after a successful run of Q&amp;A screenings across the country recently. 

A tale of human connection, hope and resilience in the face of great tragedy, Under a Bamboo Sky uses new technology to bring to life the unbelievable story of Australian soldiers held prisoner by the Japanese in WWII.
 
Using their own words in their own voices, Under a Bamboo Sky weaves the oral testimonies of more than 60 former POWs together with newly colourised archival material and new location footage to deliver a moving and intimate first-hand account of their experience.

Serge’s directorial experience spans drama, documentary, and commercial productions. Across a broad range of genres, he has directed more than 150 hours of broadcast and theatrical content for the domestic and international film and television markets. 

Dozens of his films have been recognised at festivals around the world. 

A note to listeners that this short episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast was originally recorded for my radio segment on CRN.

Anyway… enjoy. 

</description>

Welcome to the Cinema Australia Podcast. My name …

Welcome to the Cinema Australia Podcast. My name is Matthew Eeles. 

In this very mini episode, I’m joined by Under a Bamboo Sky filmmaker Serge Ou, to discuss his confronting and revealing new documentary which hits Netflix this week after a successful run of Q&A screenings across the country recently. 

A tale of human connection, hope and resilience in the face of great tragedy, Under a Bamboo Sky uses new technology to bring to life the unbelievable story of Australian soldiers held prisoner by the Japanese in WWII.
 
Using their own words in their own voices, Under a Bamboo Sky weaves the oral testimonies of more than 60 former POWs together with newly colourised archival material and new location footage to deliver a moving and intimate first-hand account of their experience.

Serge’s directorial experience spans drama, documentary, and commercial productions. Across a broad range of genres, he has directed more than 150 hours of broadcast and theatrical content for the domestic and international film and television markets. 

Dozens of his films have been recognised at festivals around the world. 

A note to listeners that this short episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast was originally recorded for my radio segment on CRN.

Anyway… enjoy. 



Episode #134 | Serge Ou

<description>Welcome to the latest episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast.

Straight off the bat, I need to say that this interview with Beast director Tyler Atkins is one of my favourites ever.

I always appreciate openness and honesty from my guests, and Tyler delivers it in spades here. It’s one of the most real and raw insights into the difficult world of filmmaking that I’ve ever recorded. If you’re an emerging filmmaker looking to make your mark, take in what Tyler is saying here. It’s no walk in the park and takes a bucket load of dedication.

Tyler made his feature debut with Bosch &amp; Rockit in 2024, which he wrote, directed, and produced. The film premiered internationally, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Mammoth Film Festival, and marked the beginning of his work in feature filmmaking.

For a film as good as his latest, Beast, you may find it interesting to learn that Tyler didn’t complete his early schooling, and he certainly didn’t attend film school.

Beast follows MMA legend Patton James, played by Daniel MacPherson. Now a commercial fisherman, Patton is pulled back into the cage when his brother is in danger. Reuniting with his old coach Sammy (Russell Crowe), he commits to one final fight in ONE Championship against its brutal champion.

Anyway… enjoy.</description>

Welcome to the latest episode of the Cinema Austr…

Welcome to the latest episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast.

Straight off the bat, I need to say that this interview with Beast director Tyler Atkins is one of my favourites ever.

I always appreciate openness and honesty from my guests, and Tyler delivers it in spades here. It’s one of the most real and raw insights into the difficult world of filmmaking that I’ve ever recorded. If you’re an emerging filmmaker looking to make your mark, take in what Tyler is saying here. It’s no walk in the park and takes a bucket load of dedication.

Tyler made his feature debut with Bosch & Rockit in 2024, which he wrote, directed, and produced. The film premiered internationally, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Mammoth Film Festival, and marked the beginning of his work in feature filmmaking.

For a film as good as his latest, Beast, you may find it interesting to learn that Tyler didn’t complete his early schooling, and he certainly didn’t attend film school.

Beast follows MMA legend Patton James, played by Daniel MacPherson. Now a commercial fisherman, Patton is pulled back into the cage when his brother is in danger. Reuniting with his old coach Sammy (Russell Crowe), he commits to one final fight in ONE Championship against its brutal champion.

Anyway… enjoy.

Episode #133 | Tyler Atkins

<description>This episode is a special one for me because I finally had an opportunity to interview Tilda Cobham-Hervey, an actor who I have long-admired, and whose name has been on my interview bucket list for many years. 

It was also special to interview James Litchfield, the writer and director of Alphabet Lane - a film that I can’t seem to shake. I’ve seen it twice since I first watched it a few weeks ago, and it gets better on every viewing. 

Alphabet Lane follows an isolated couple, Anna, played by Tilda, and Jack, played by Nicholas Denton, who lose control of a joke about imaginary friends. 

If you haven’t seen the film yet, I recommend watching it, then coming back to this podcast episode to avoid any spoilers. 

Tilda doesn’t need much of an introduction, having appeared in a ton of films and television shows since her breakout performance in Sophie Hydes 52 Tuesdays in 2013. Tilda has since stared in Girl Asleep, The Kettering Incident, Barracuda, I Am Woman, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Apple Cider Vinegar. She has also directed and co-directed short films, and recently directed her first feature film, It’s All Going Very Well… which will be released soon. 

James is a writer and director from Cooma, NSW with a Master’s graduate of Melbourne’s VCA. He has made several shorts, most of which are characterised by a quiet humour, a sense of mystery, and a grappling with meaning and anxiety, and has a few feature film scripts currently in development with Joe Films. He is an EP on The Northern Run, a rodeo documentary currently in post-production with GoodThing Productions for the ABC.

Anyway… enjoy. 
</description>

This episode is a special one for me because I fi…

This episode is a special one for me because I finally had an opportunity to interview Tilda Cobham-Hervey, an actor who I have long-admired, and whose name has been on my interview bucket list for many years. 

It was also special to interview James Litchfield, the writer and director of Alphabet Lane - a film that I can’t seem to shake. I’ve seen it twice since I first watched it a few weeks ago, and it gets better on every viewing. 

Alphabet Lane follows an isolated couple, Anna, played by Tilda, and Jack, played by Nicholas Denton, who lose control of a joke about imaginary friends. 

If you haven’t seen the film yet, I recommend watching it, then coming back to this podcast episode to avoid any spoilers. 

Tilda doesn’t need much of an introduction, having appeared in a ton of films and television shows since her breakout performance in Sophie Hydes 52 Tuesdays in 2013. Tilda has since stared in Girl Asleep, The Kettering Incident, Barracuda, I Am Woman, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Apple Cider Vinegar. She has also directed and co-directed short films, and recently directed her first feature film, It’s All Going Very Well… which will be released soon. 

James is a writer and director from Cooma, NSW with a Master’s graduate of Melbourne’s VCA. He has made several shorts, most of which are characterised by a quiet humour, a sense of mystery, and a grappling with meaning and anxiety, and has a few feature film scripts currently in development with Joe Films. He is an EP on The Northern Run, a rodeo documentary currently in post-production with GoodThing Productions for the ABC.

Anyway… enjoy. 


Episode #132 | Tilda Cobham-Hervey & James Litchfield

<description>In this episode, I’m joined by one of my favourite Australian actors, Natalie Abbott, who gives an inspiring performance in The Deb. I think everyone will find something they can relate to with her character Tayla considering the depth and complexities of the character.

Also, anyone who’s a fan of musicals in general are going to adore this film. 

There’s so much to love about The Deb, and Natalie’s performance here really brings the film to life. 

The Deb is a larger-than-life musical comedy directed by Rebel Wilson. The film follows Natalie Abbott’s Taylah, a high school outcast in a rural town who sees the local debutante ball as her chance to shine. 

When her cynical, inner-city cousin Maeve (played by Charlotte MacInnes) is sent to live with her, the two clash but eventually unite, searching for self-acceptance, popularity, and a date to the ball

Natalie is a performer who made her professional debut playing Muriel Heslop in Muriel’s Wedding The Musical in 2019. The role saw Natalie nominated for a Helpmann Award and a Green Room Award.

In 2020, Natalie made her television debut staring in the ABC series Aftertaste, playing opposite Erik Thomson and Rachel Griffiths, reprising her role in 2021 for season 2. Stick around at the end of this interview to find out about the future of Aftertaste if you’re keen. 

Natalie can be seen most recently in the ABC’ hit series, Austin S2.

This is a much shorter episode than usual. As regular listeners know, I like to go much deeper with my Podcast interviews, but this one was recorded as part of a press junket for the film, and time is always limited with these things. 

Anyway... enjoy. </description>

In this episode, I’m joined by one of my favourit…

In this episode, I’m joined by one of my favourite Australian actors, Natalie Abbott, who gives an inspiring performance in The Deb. I think everyone will find something they can relate to with her character Tayla considering the depth and complexities of the character.

Also, anyone who’s a fan of musicals in general are going to adore this film. 

There’s so much to love about The Deb, and Natalie’s performance here really brings the film to life. 

The Deb is a larger-than-life musical comedy directed by Rebel Wilson. The film follows Natalie Abbott’s Taylah, a high school outcast in a rural town who sees the local debutante ball as her chance to shine. 

When her cynical, inner-city cousin Maeve (played by Charlotte MacInnes) is sent to live with her, the two clash but eventually unite, searching for self-acceptance, popularity, and a date to the ball

Natalie is a performer who made her professional debut playing Muriel Heslop in Muriel’s Wedding The Musical in 2019. The role saw Natalie nominated for a Helpmann Award and a Green Room Award.

In 2020, Natalie made her television debut staring in the ABC series Aftertaste, playing opposite Erik Thomson and Rachel Griffiths, reprising her role in 2021 for season 2. Stick around at the end of this interview to find out about the future of Aftertaste if you’re keen. 

Natalie can be seen most recently in the ABC’ hit series, Austin S2.

This is a much shorter episode than usual. As regular listeners know, I like to go much deeper with my Podcast interviews, but this one was recorded as part of a press junket for the film, and time is always limited with these things. 

Anyway... enjoy. 

Episode #131 | Natalie Abbott

Collecting Australian filmmaking stories. Discover more at www.cinemaaustralia.com.au.

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