Look Both Ways
Encyclopedia
Look Both Ways is a 2005 Australian independent film, written and directed by Sarah Watt
, starring an ensemble cast, which was released on 18 August 2005. The film was supported by the Adelaide Film Festival
fund and opened the 2005 festival. It won four AFI Awards
, including Best Film and Best Direction. The film was selected as a film text by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
for the VCE English Course
from 2007 to 2010.
. Photojournalist
Nick (William McInnes
) (based on the fictional character Chris Vassilopoulos) discovers he has testicular cancer that has spread to his lungs. On his way home he goes to the site of a train accident to report on it, and meets Meryl (Justine Clarke
) an emotionally vulnerable artist, who has witnessed a man get run over by a train. Over the course of the weekend, their relationship develops sexually as another chance encounter allows them to discover more about each other; the two gradually allow themselves to let go of their fears and form a meaningful relationship.
Meanwhile, Nick's colleague, Andy Walker, has to deal with the news that his estranged girlfriend, Anna, is pregnant, made more difficult because neither of them really wanted or planned for a baby. Andy also has to cope with his ex-wife, who doesn't trust his ability to take good care of his two children.
The lives of Julia (the partner of the man run over by the train) and the driver of the train are explored: Both characters are shown going through the seven stages of grief. The train driver bridges the gap with his estranged teenage son during the course of the movie. The rain at the end of the film symbolizes relief.
Sarah Watt
Sarah Ann Watt was an Australian film director.Born in Sydney, Watt completed a Graduate Diploma of Film and Television at the Swinburne School of Film and Television, Melbourne in 1990. Her student film "Catch of the Day" was to reflect the style of future work...
, starring an ensemble cast, which was released on 18 August 2005. The film was supported by the Adelaide Film Festival
Adelaide Film Festival
The Adelaide Film Festival is a biennial and non-competitive film festival held over two weeks in late February, in Adelaide, South Australia....
fund and opened the 2005 festival. It won four AFI Awards
Australian Film Institute Awards
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
, including Best Film and Best Direction. The film was selected as a film text by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...
for the VCE English Course
Victorian Certificate of Education
The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases...
from 2007 to 2010.
Plot
The film charts the stories of several people over a hot summer weekend in AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
. Photojournalist
Photojournalism
Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a news story. It is now usually understood to refer only to still images, but in some cases the term also refers to video used in broadcast journalism...
Nick (William McInnes
William McInnes
William McInnes is an Australian film and television actor and writer.-Television:After a recurring role on A Country Practice in 1990, McInnes appeared in series such as Bligh, Ocean Girl, and Snowy before making his name as Senior Constable Nick Schultz on Blue Heelers in 1994...
) (based on the fictional character Chris Vassilopoulos) discovers he has testicular cancer that has spread to his lungs. On his way home he goes to the site of a train accident to report on it, and meets Meryl (Justine Clarke
Justine Clarke
Justine Clarke is an Australian actor and singer. She has been acting since the age of seven and has appeared in some of Australia's best-known TV shows...
) an emotionally vulnerable artist, who has witnessed a man get run over by a train. Over the course of the weekend, their relationship develops sexually as another chance encounter allows them to discover more about each other; the two gradually allow themselves to let go of their fears and form a meaningful relationship.
Meanwhile, Nick's colleague, Andy Walker, has to deal with the news that his estranged girlfriend, Anna, is pregnant, made more difficult because neither of them really wanted or planned for a baby. Andy also has to cope with his ex-wife, who doesn't trust his ability to take good care of his two children.
The lives of Julia (the partner of the man run over by the train) and the driver of the train are explored: Both characters are shown going through the seven stages of grief. The train driver bridges the gap with his estranged teenage son during the course of the movie. The rain at the end of the film symbolizes relief.
Cast
- William McInnesWilliam McInnesWilliam McInnes is an Australian film and television actor and writer.-Television:After a recurring role on A Country Practice in 1990, McInnes appeared in series such as Bligh, Ocean Girl, and Snowy before making his name as Senior Constable Nick Schultz on Blue Heelers in 1994...
as Nick - Justine ClarkeJustine ClarkeJustine Clarke is an Australian actor and singer. She has been acting since the age of seven and has appeared in some of Australia's best-known TV shows...
as Meryl Lee - Anthony HayesAnthony Hayes (actor)Anthony Hayes is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Jack McLeod in the acclaimed Australian series McLeod's Daughters....
as Andy Walker - Lisa FlanaganLisa FlanaganLisa Flanagan is an Australian actress who is best known for her roles in the movies Australian Rules and Look Both Ways and the television series Double Trouble...
as Anna - Andrew GilbertAndrew S. GilbertAndrew S. Gilbert is an Australian actor best known for his AFI Award-winning role in Kiss or Kill and other supporting work in Look Both Ways and The Dish and his recent role as Gavin Braithwaite on the ABC series, Bed of Roses. He is also known for his collaboration with Director David Caesar on...
as Phil - Daniella Farinacci as Julia
- Maggie DenceMaggie DenceMaggie Dence is an Australian actress who after high profile television comedy work became better known for several soap opera roles....
as Joan - Edwin HodgemanEdwin Hodgeman-Selected Filmography:* Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger .... as Rabbi* Rain Shadow .... as Steve Willis* Lucky Miles .... as Coote* Look Both Ways .... as Jim* Human Touch .... as Mr. Thompson...
as Jim - Andreas Sobik as Train Driver
- Alex Rafalowicz as Train Driver's Son
- Sacha HorlerSacha HorlerSacha Horler is an Australian actress. Her parents were lawyers, but co-founded Sydney's Nimrod Theatre Company in the early 1970s.-Career:...
as Linda - Robbie Hoad as Rob (Train Victim)
- Mary KostakidisMary KostakidisMary Kostakidis is the former weeknight SBS World News Australia presenter.Mary Kostakidis was the first woman appointed to present a national prime time news bulletin in Australia....
as SBS Newsreader
Awards
- 2004 Won Queensland Premier's Literary Awards Film Script - the Pacific Film and Television Commission Award for Sarah WattSarah WattSarah Ann Watt was an Australian film director.Born in Sydney, Watt completed a Graduate Diploma of Film and Television at the Swinburne School of Film and Television, Melbourne in 1990. Her student film "Catch of the Day" was to reflect the style of future work...
- 2005 Won Toronto International Film FestivalToronto International Film FestivalThe Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
: Discovery Award, Sarah Watt - 2005 Won Australian Film Institute AwardsAustralian Film Institute Awards 2005-Winners:*Best Film: The Proposition*Best Actor: Hugo Weaving - Little Fish*Best Actress: Cate Blanchett - Little Fish*Best Cinematography: The Proposition - Benoît Delhomme*Best Costume Design: The Proposition - Margot Wilson...
: Best Film, Best DirectionAustralian Film Institute Award for Best DirectionThe Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards.-Previous winners:*1971 – Homesdale *1972 – Stork...
, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Anthony HayesAnthony Hayes (actor)Anthony Hayes is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Jack McLeod in the acclaimed Australian series McLeod's Daughters....
) - 2005 Nominated Australian Film Institute AwardsAustralian Film Institute Awards 2005-Winners:*Best Film: The Proposition*Best Actor: Hugo Weaving - Little Fish*Best Actress: Cate Blanchett - Little Fish*Best Cinematography: The Proposition - Benoît Delhomme*Best Costume Design: The Proposition - Margot Wilson...
: Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Lead Actor (William McInnesWilliam McInnesWilliam McInnes is an Australian film and television actor and writer.-Television:After a recurring role on A Country Practice in 1990, McInnes appeared in series such as Bligh, Ocean Girl, and Snowy before making his name as Senior Constable Nick Schultz on Blue Heelers in 1994...
), Best Lead Actress (Justine ClarkeJustine ClarkeJustine Clarke is an Australian actor and singer. She has been acting since the age of seven and has appeared in some of Australia's best-known TV shows...
), Best Production Design, Best Sound, and Best Supporting Actress (Daniella Farinacci) - 2005 Won Brisbane International Film FestivalBrisbane International Film FestivalBrisbane International Film Festival held in Brisbane provides a focus for film culture in Queensland, Australia. The festival has taken place since 1992 and focuses on films from the Asia-Pacific region. The event offers films including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental, silent films...
: FIPRESCIFIPRESCIThe International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
award, Sarah Watt - 2005 Won Inside Film AwardsInside Film AwardsThe Inside Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony and broadcast platform for the Australian film industry, a format created by Australian Producer Andrew Dillon...
: Best Direction, Best Script, and Best Editing - 2005 Nominated Inside Film AwardsInside Film AwardsThe Inside Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony and broadcast platform for the Australian film industry, a format created by Australian Producer Andrew Dillon...
: Best Actress (Justine Clarke), Best Feature Film, Best Music, and Best Sound - 2005 Nominated European Film Awards: Screen International Award, Sarah Watt
- 2005 Won Film Critics Circle of Australia AwardsFilm Critics Circle of Australia Awards 2005The 15th Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, given on 14 November 2005, honored the best in film for 2005.-Winners:*Best Actor:**William McInnes - Look Both Ways*Best Actress:**Cate Blanchett - Little Fish*Best Australian Feature Documentary:...
: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor in a Lead Role for (William McInnes), Best Original Screenplay and Best Editor - 2005 Nominated Film Critics Circle of Australia AwardsFilm Critics Circle of Australia Awards 2005The 15th Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, given on 14 November 2005, honored the best in film for 2005.-Winners:*Best Actor:**William McInnes - Look Both Ways*Best Actress:**Cate Blanchett - Little Fish*Best Australian Feature Documentary:...
: Best Actress in Lead Role (Justine Clarke), Best Actress in Supporting Role (Lisa FlanaganLisa FlanaganLisa Flanagan is an Australian actress who is best known for her roles in the movies Australian Rules and Look Both Ways and the television series Double Trouble...
), and Best Musical Score - 2006 Won Australian Screen Directors' Association: Best Direction of a First Feature Film
- 2006 Won NatFilm FestivalNatFilm FestivalThe NatFilm Festival, staged annually across 16 cinemas in Copenhagen, in addition to several in Odense, Aalborg and Århus, shows the widest programme of films to the largest festival audience in Denmark...
: Critics Award, Sarah Watt - 2006 Won International Film Festival RotterdamInternational Film Festival RotterdamThe International Film Festival Rotterdam is an annual film festival held in various cinemas in Rotterdam, Netherlands held at the end of January. It is approximately comparable in size to other major European festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Locarno...
KNF Award, Sarah Watt - 2006 Won Motovun Film FestivalMotovun Film FestivalMotovun Film Festival is an annual film festival established in 1999 and held in Motovun, Croatia. It usually takes place over 5–6 days in late July or early August...
— Propeller Award (Grand Prize), Sarah Watt - 2006 Won Golden Trailer AwardsGolden Trailer AwardsThe Golden Trailer Awards is an annual awards show that honors achievements in motion picture marketing, including film trailers, posters and television advertisements.- Overview :...
: Most Original Foreign Trailer - 2006 Won Mar del Plata Film FestivalMar del Plata Film FestivalThe Mar del Plata International Film Festival is an international film festival that takes place every November in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina...
: Best Script, Best actress (Sarah Watt) - 2006 Nominated Mar del Plata Film FestivalMar del Plata Film FestivalThe Mar del Plata International Film Festival is an international film festival that takes place every November in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina...
: Best Film
See also
- 2005 in film2005 in film- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005...
- Cinema of AustraliaCinema of AustraliaCinema of Australia, more commonly referred to as the Australian film industry, refers to the system of production, distribution, and exhibition of films in Australia. Film production commenced in Australia in 1906 with the production of The Story of the Kelly Gang, the earliest feature film made...
- List of Australian films
- South Australian Film CorporationSouth Australian Film CorporationSouth Australian Film Corporation is a South Australian Government statutory corporation established in 1972. Former State Premier Don Dunstan played an instrumental role in the foundation of the Corporation and its early film production activities....