The Well (1997 film)
The Well is a 1997 Australian film directed by Samantha Lang and starring Pamela Rabe, Miranda Otto, Paul Chubb, and Frank Wilson. It is based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Elizabeth Jolley.
| The Well | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Samantha Lang |
| Written by | Elizabeth Jolley (novel) Laura Jones |
| Starring | Pamela Rabe Miranda Otto Paul Chubb Frank Wilson |
| Cinematography | Mandy Walker |
| Edited by | Dany Cooper |
Release date | 31 July 1997 |
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million |
Synopsis
A young girl named Katherine and her older friend Hester live on an isolated farm run by Hester and her father Francis. Katherine works as a maid and wants to leave because there's too much work. Hester, however, becomes attracted to Katherine and holds her there, promising to give her less work in the future. When Francis dies, Hester decides to sell the farm for cash. They move to small cottage on the edge of the farm and plan to go to Europe. But a tragic accident and the theft of their money change their plans.
Cast
- Pamela Rabe as Hester
- Miranda Otto as Katherine
- Paul Chubb as Harry Bird
- Frank Wilson as Francis Harper
- Steve Jacobs as Rod Bordern
- Geneviève Lemon as Jen Bordern
- Simon Lyndon as Abel
- Kati Edwards as Molly
- Luke Harrison as Bordern Child
- Daniel Harrison as Bordern Child
- Jennifer Kent as Marg Trinder
- Stephen Rae as Murray Trinder
- Cameron Shanahan as Bordern Child
- Miles Shanahan as Bordern Child
- Paul Caesar as Jock
- Annalise Lise as Lover
- Jamie McLeod as Hitchhiker
Production
Sandra Levy bought the rights to the novel and hired Laura Jones to adapt. They worked on the project for around six years then Samantha Lang became involved as director.[1]
Awards
- In 1997 it won three AFI Awards presented by the Australian Film Institute: Best Achievement in Production Design - Michael Philips, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Pamela Rabe and Best Screenplay Adapted from Another Source - Laura Jones.
- In 1997 it was nominated for eight AFI awards: Best Achievement in Cinematography - Mandy Walker, Best Achievement in Costume Design - Anna Borghesi, Best Achievement in Direction - Samantha Lang, Best Achievement in Editing - Dany Cooper, Best Achievement in Sound - Anne Breslin, Gethin Creagh, Bronwyn Murphy, Best Film - Sandra Levy, Best Original Music Score - Stephen Rae, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Miranda Otto.
- In 1997 it was nominated for the Golden Palm award at the Cannes Film Festival[2]
- In 1997 Pamela Rabe received best actress at the Stockholm Film Festival.
- In 1998 it won the FCCA award presented by the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards: Best Screenplay - Adapted - Laura Jones
- In 1998 it was nominated for three FCCA awards: Best Actor (Female) - Miranda Otto, Best Actor (Female) - Pamela Rabe and Best Cinematography - Mandy Walker
Box office
The Well grossed $393,920 at the box office in Australia.[3]
See also
References
- "Interview with Sam Lang", Signet, 23 July 1997 accessed 19 November 2012
- "Festival de Cannes: The Well". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- The Well at IMDb
- The Well at Oz Movies
- The Well at the National Film and Sound Archive