In Search of Anna

In Search of Anna
Theatrical film poster
Directed byEsben Storm
Written byEsben Storm
Produced byEsben Storm
StarringRichard Moir
Judy Morris
Chris Haywood
CinematographyMichael Edols
Edited byDusan Werner
Music byJohn Martyn
Alan Stivell
Release dates
  • 20 May 1978 (1978-05-20) (Cannes)
  • 28 June 1979 (1979-06-28)
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
BudgetA$327,665[1]

In Search of Anna is a 1978 film directed by Esben Storm.

It was originally envisioned as a TV series but then became a feature.[2]

Plot synopsis

Richard Moir plays Tony, who has just been released from jail. His former inmates want him to participate in a robbery, but Tony just wants to find Anna and ends up dealing with one problem at a time.

Cast

Production

It was Storm's second feature, following his debut with 27A and after an unsuccessful attempt to make another movie called Angel Gear.

I became aware that all the films being made in Australia were period films, Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Getting of Wisdom, Between Wars. I felt this reflected a society that was unable to come to terms with where it was at. I know you have to look into the past and find your heroes but it seemed to me that it was reflective of a desire not to face up to where we were at. That also coincided with where I was at personally in my relationship to women and to Haydn [former collaborator Haydn Keenan], so I thought I should make a film about leaving the past behind and coming to terms with the present, moving into the future with a positive attitude. That's what I thought I should do personally and that's what I felt Australia should do. It led to In Search of Anna.[3]

The budget was meant to be $231,000 but went more than $100,000 over. $50,000 was provided by the Victorian Film Corporation.[4] Shooting began on 28 February 1977.[1]

Reception

According to Storm the film performed "really well, relatively" at the Australian box office, running for six weeks. It was also nominated for six AFI Awards.[3]

Accolades

Award Category Subject Result
AACTA Awards
(1978 AFI Awards) 		Best Film Esben Storm Nominated
Best Direction Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Won
Best Actor Richard Moir Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p193-194
  2. ^ Gordon Glenn and Scott Murray, "Esben Storm", Cinema Papers, July 1977 p52-55
  3. ^ a b "Interview with Esben Storm", Signis, 22 August 1995 Archived 3 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine accessed 21 November 2012
  4. ^ "The Corporations", Cinema Papers, April 1977 p296


Stub icon

This article related to an Australian film of the 1970s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.