Riot (2018 film)

Riot is an Australian drama television film that aired on ABC and ABC iview on February 25, 2018. The film is directed by Jeffrey Walker from a screenplay by Greg Waters and a story by Carrie Anderson. It stars Damon Herriman, Kate Box, Xavier Samuel, Jessica De Gouw, and Josh Quong Tart. It takes a look at the 1970s LGBT rights movement in Australia through the eyes of dedicated activist Lance Gowland.

Riot
Screenplay byGreg Waters
Story byCarrie Anderson
Directed byJeffrey Walker
Starring
ComposerDavid Hirschfelder
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Joanna Werner
  • Alastair McKinnon
  • Brett Sleigh
Producers
  • Joanna Werner
  • Louise Smith
CinematographyMartin McGrath
EditorGeoff Lamb
Running time105 minutes
Production companyWerner Film Productions[1]
Release
Original networkABC
Original release
  • February 25, 2018 (2018-02-25)

The film marked the 40th anniversary of the birth of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.[2][3][4] It was met with positive reviews, and won four AACTA Awards, including Best Telefeature or Miniseries, from eleven nominations. It was tied with Mystery Road as the most-nominated television program of that year's ceremony.

Synopsis

In 1978, when the push to decriminalise homosexuality has stalled, a group of activists decide they must make one final attempt to celebrate who they are. Led by former union boss Lance Gowland, they get a police permit and spread the word. On a freezing winter's night, they cloak themselves in fancy dress, join hands, and parade down Oxford Street. But they have no idea that angry police lie in wait, and the courage they find that night will finally mobilise the nation.

Cast

Production

Principal photography took place in and around Sydney, New South Wales.[5] The film was shot in twenty days.[6]

A great deal of discussion in pre-production regarding the visual style of Riot specifically focused on the huge nighttime scenes in Kings Cross, New South Wales. During production, the riot began at Kings Cross before seamlessly moving to mocked-up store fronts filmed at Fox Studios in Moore Park.[6]

Reception

Critical response

The film received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the performances of the cast, most notably those of Herriman and Box. Luke Buckmaster of the Daily Review gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five and wrote that "moments in Riot are refreshing, purely because they are oriented around voices rarely given narrative priority in mainstream entertainment."[7]

Accolades
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2018 Logie Awards Most Outstanding Actor Damon Herriman Nominated [8]
Most Outstanding Actress Kate Box Nominated
ASSG Awards Best Sound for a Television Drama or Comedy Series – Over 30 Minutes Chris Goodes, Luke Millar, Nick Emond, Diego Ruiz, Sue Kerr, Jack Rodrigues, Mario Vaccaro, Michael Grisold, Lee Yee Won [9]
AACTA Awards Best Telefeature or Mini Series Joanna Werner, Louise Smith Won [10][11][12]
Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama Damon Herriman Won
Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama Kate Box Won
Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama Xavier Samuel Nominated
Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy Jeffrey Walker Nominated
Best Screenplay in Television Greg Waters Nominated
Best Editing in Television Geoff Lamb Nominated
Best Original Music Score in Television David Hirschfelder Nominated
Best Production Design in Television Pete Baxter Nominated
Best Costume Design in Television Xanthe Heubel Nominated
Best Casting Allison Meadows Won
Ellie Awards Best Editing in a Drama Geoff Lamb Nominated [13]
2019 Equity Ensemble Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Mini-series or Telemovie Damon Herriman, Kate Box, Xavier Samuel, Jessica De Gouw, Josh Quong Tart Won [14]

References
  1. "Riot". Werner Film Productions. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  2. "Cameras roll on ABC's LGBTQI history telemovie 'Riot'". Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. August 15, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  3. Johnson, Travis (August 16, 2017). "Production Starts on ABC Gay Rights Telemovie, Riot". FilmInk. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  4. Idato, Michael (August 17, 2017). "ABC plans a Riot to mark the 40th anniversary of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  5. "Cameras roll on telemovie Riot". Screen Australia. August 15, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  6. Cunningham, James (June 1, 2018). "Behind the camera on ABC miniseries 'Riot' with Cinematographer Martin McGrath ACS". Australian Cinematographer Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  7. Buckmaster, Luke (February 23, 2018). "The Riot review: ABC TV's Gay Mardi Gras drama". Daily Review. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  8. "Logies awards 2018: Here's the full list of winners and nominees". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. July 2, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  9. "2018 ASSG Awards – November 24th". Australian Screen Sound Guild. November 25, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  10. "2018 AACTA Awards". AACTA. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  11. "Big win for Riot at the AACTA Awards". Werner Film Productions. December 5, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  12. Convery, Stephanie (December 5, 2018). "Aactas 2018: Warwick Thornton hits out at offshore detention as Sweet Country wins big". The Guardian. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  13. "Awards 2018". Australian Screen Editors. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  14. "Equity Ensemble Awards". Equity Ensemble Awards. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
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