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Australia Movie Screenwriter Inspired by Actual Australia

October 12, 2008 at 2:30 PM | 0 Comments

We're just over a month away from the release of Baz Luhrmann's latest epic film, Australia, which the country is hoping will boost its profile as a travel destination (witness this cool Aussie tourism ad). Based on the trailers, the story looks pretty interesting - Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman portray lovers caught in the turmoil of the 1930's - but the real star of the film is the land itself. In a recent interview with National Geographic Adventure magazine (not online), screenwriter Richard Flanagan talked about his childhood in Tasmania and the northern outback region that inspired him to pen the script.

The Hobart native is an accomplished canoeist and river expert, and worked for several years as a guide on the Franklin River, a job that provided the inspiration for his first book, Death of a River Guide. He didn't always exercise the best judgment, though. As Flanagan admits in the interview, he and a friend set off on kayaks one morning for a friend's wedding in Sydney, only to be rescued from a force 9 gale at dusk. They had never been sea kayaking before, and were severely under-equipped for the long journey.

As far as his outback experience is concerned, Flanagan cited a recent journey down the Fitzroy River during monsoon season. Five Bunaba tribesman accompanied the writer on a three-week adventure through aboriginal land that helped him embrace both the myth and reality of the famed outback.

Australia the movie opens in theaters on November 26, 2008. Australia the country has been open for eons.

Related Stories:
· Australia (the movie) [Official Site]
· Baz Luhrmann's Australia [Tourism Australia]
· National Geographic Adventure [Official Site]
· Australia Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

Where: Australia

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Author Photo: Victor Ozols by Victor Ozols

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