Alexandra's Project
Alexandra's Project is a 2003 Australian drama thriller film written and directed by Rolf de Heer and starring Gary Sweet and Helen Buday.
| Alexandra's Project | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Rolf de Heer |
| Written by | Rolf de Heer |
| Produced by | Rolf de Heer Domenico Procacci Julie Ryan |
| Starring | Gary Sweet Helen Buday |
| Cinematography | Ian Jones |
| Edited by | Tania Nehme |
| Music by | Graham Tardif |
Production companies | Vertigo Productions Pty. Ltd. The Australian Film Commission Fandango Australia Hendon Studios Palace Films The South Australian Film Corporation |
| Distributed by | Palace Films 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Box office | A$844,494 (Australia) |
Plot
Upon returning home from work on his birthday, Steve, a middle class husband and father of two, finds the house dark and his family not home. He notices a chair, his television set, and a video tape obviously set out for his viewing. He turns the TV and VCR on, and begins to watch a tape made for him by his wife, Alexandra. The first clip shows his wife and children wishing him a happy birthday, but after the kids leave the room, Alexandra begins a striptease, and it appears to be nothing more than a birthday gift. As it progresses, however, it becomes clear that the tape is designed to humiliate and torture Steve for marital problems that Alexandra has been stewing about for years. As part of her 'show', Alexandra feigns breast cancer, has sex with their neighbor, and tells Steve that neither she nor their two children are ever coming home.[1]
Cast
- Gary Sweet as Steve
- Helen Buday as Alexandra
- Bogdan Koca as Bill
- Jack Christie as Sam
- Samantha Knigge as Emma
- Eileen Darley as Christine
- Geoff Revell as Rodney
- Philip Spruce as Taxi Driver
- Nathan O'Keefe as Man at Door
- Peter Greena as Chairman
- Martha Lott as Female Worker
- Cindy Elliott as Female Worker
- Gemma Falk as Female Worker
- Nicole Daniel as Female Worker
- Duncan Graham as Male Worker
- Michael Ienna as Male Worker
Production
De Heer originally wanted to make the film so he could use a single location and use up various fragments of ideas he had accumulated.[2]
Release
The film's world premiere was 14 February 2003 as part of the Berlin International Film Festival[3] and was released regularly as Cinema release on 8 May 2003 in Australia.
Reception
Box office
Alexandra's Project took $844,494 at the box office in Australia.[4]
Critical reception
On Rotten Tomatoes the film has rating of 53% based on 19 reviews, with an average 5.56/10 rating.[5] The Cultural Post gave it three out of five stars.[1]
Accolades
| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) |
Best Film | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| Domenico Procacci | Nominated | ||
| Julie Ryan | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Helen Buday | Nominated | |
| Best Editing | Tania Nehme | Nominated | |
| Best Original Music Score | Graham Tardif | Nominated | |
| Best Sound | James Currie | Nominated | |
| Rory McGregor | Nominated | ||
| Nada Mikas | Nominated | ||
| Andrew Plain | Nominated | ||
| Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Bear | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| Chicago International Film Festival | Gold Hugo for Best Feature | Nominated | |
| FCCA Awards | Best Director | Nominated | |
| Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
| Best Film | Nominated | ||
| Domenico Procacci | Nominated | ||
| Julie Ryan | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor - Male | Gary Sweet | Nominated | |
| Best Actor - Female | Helen Buday | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actor - Male | Bogdan Koca | Nominated | |
| Best Editing | Tania Nehme | Nominated | |
| Golden Trailer Awards | Best Foreign Dramatic Trailer | Nominated | |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Direction | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Helen Buday | Nominated | |
| Best Sound | James Currie | Nominated | |
| Nada Mikas | Nominated | ||
| Andrew Plain | Nominated | ||
| Montreal World Film Festival | Golden Zenith for Best Film from Oceania | Rolf de Heer | Won |
| Valladolid International Film Festival | Golden Spike | Nominated | |
| Best Actress | Helen Buday | Won | |
Home media
Alexandra's Project was released by Fandango Australia / Palace Films as a DVD in 2003.
References
- Khoi Do, Anh (10 September 2010). "Alexandra's Project (2003)". The Cultural Post. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- Andrew L Urban, "DE HEER, ROLF: ALEXANDRA'S PROJECT", Urban Cinefile accessed 11 November 2012
- Alexandra's Project - Berlinale 2003
- "Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- "Alexandra's Project (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes.