Five of the film themes on this release have never been available on CD or LP before. This represents a different Australian landscape, far removed from the other films of these decades such as "Picnic at Hanging Rock", "Caddie" and "The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith".

In the 2008 documentary, 'Not Quite Hollywood', many of the films featured on this CD are discussed in detail.

It features interviews with many of the directors and producers, such as Simon Wincer and Richard Franklin and Antony I. Ginnane, who says, "“It is the first time I’ve seen myself in a film that presents critical debate and dialogue of ‘good guy, bad guy’, to put it simplistically. But that was just a first response. I am pleasantly surprised to realise that some of the things that were important to us or we had to fight for are now resolved. Like having a foreign actor in the cast, and a resurgence of interest in – and an acceptance of – genre films.

“Also, I am impressed by the level of scholarship and money that went into the film. It is certainly going to be the sole representation of that time in Australian cinema, and it’s a fair picture.”"

This CD features themes from 14 films produced by Antony I. Ginnane between 1976 and 1988. In those 13 years Ginnane made some of the most famous Australian films of that era. The music ranges from the classical romanticism of "The Lighthorsemen" to the blind terror of "Incident at Raven's Gate"; from the simple beauty of "High Tide" to the chilling choirs of "Thirst" and "The Everlasting Secret Family"; from the suspense of "Snapshot" to the futuristic sounds of "The Time Guardian".

The famous stars of these films range from Carrie Fisher and Judy Davis to Sigrid Thornton and Tom Burlinson.

This is territory worth exploring.

Notes by Philip Powers © 26 August 2008

The quote from Antony I. Ginnane is from the Urban Cinefile article 'NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD - NOT QUITE ACCEPTABLE' by Andrew L. Urban (© 28 August 2008).

http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=14714&s=Interviews