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Tags: Didgeridon't / Nicole Kidman / Australia The Movie / Movie Set Travel / Cultural Insensitivity / → All Tags

Nicole Kidman's Box Office Bombing Cultural Faux Pas

The Nicole Kidman-Hugh Jackman epic "Australia" has now been out in theaters for three weekends, and it's still nowhere near a hit. But the Baz Luhrmann-directed mega-movie was dealt another potential blow this weekend, when a German press appearance caused Aboriginal groups to denounce Kidman for playing the didgeridoo.

There are no didgeridoos in "Australia," but in some tribes, the classic Aussie instrument is verboten for women to play. After Kidman, who lest we forget is Australian, tried to play the wind instrument, she was blasted by critics who said she should've known better and that the stunt will make her infertile for life. (Interestingly, that's also her character's burden in the movie; later, she [SPOILER!] takes a young Aboriginal boy under her wing and helps him evade capture by local police, who would send him away to a mission school.)

Come to think of it, we tried playing one of these in 2000, which would explain some of the last eight years. Sorry, America.

Related Stories:
· Nicole Kidman upsets Aborigines [Screen Weekly]
· What To Say When Your Movie Flops, Australia Edition [Gawker]
· Cameron Diaz Travel Tip: Watch Your Messenger Bag [Jaunted]
· Australia Movie Inspired By Actual Australia [Jaunted]
· More Movie Set Travel: Australia's Going To Bombard You [Jaunted]

[Photo: Celebitchy]

Tags: Australia The Movie / Australia Travel / Tourism Board Travel / Videos / → All Tags

Another Australian State Copies Baz Luhrmann

Now that Australia, The Movie has been open a week or so to a pretty lukewarm reception, Australia, The Country might be a bit disappointed that they decided to do so much tourism board promotion tied to the film. This will not be to Oz what Lord of the Rings was to New Zealand, it seems.

That hasn't stopped a couple of Australian states jumping on the bandwagon. First off South Australia got you to make your version of South Australia, The Movie.

And now the breakaway island of Tasmania has gotten cheeky about it. They've put out three spoof promos of "Tasmania, The Movie" with dramatic voice-overs about a man who dared "to take his wife on vacation." We've got a feeling these short vids are probably a lot more enjoyable than the 165 minutes of the real thing, but please don't get the wrong idea. We still like Australia, The Country.

Related Stories:
· Tasmania the Movie [Official Site]
· Movie Mischief: Tassie In Grab for Limelight [SMH]
· First Came Australia, Now There's South Australia, The Movie [Jaunted]
· Australia, The Movie coverage [Jaunted]