Fed: Black Balloon filmmakers answer their critics
By Alyssa Braithwaite, National Entertainment Writer07 Dec 2008 12:01 AM
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MELBOURNE, Dec 7 AAP - The filmmakers behind The Black Balloon offered a sharp rebuke to their critics after the family drama was named the best film of 2008 at the AFI awards.
The Black Balloon was the most nominated film heading into the awards this weekend, but had just come off the disappointment of winning just one out of 10 awards at last month's Inside Film (IF) Awards.
Tonight it emerged triumphant, claiming a total of six awards, including the prestigious best film gong.
The comedy/drama about a family coping with an autistic son also picked up awards for best original screenplay and best direction for Elissa Down.
Receiving the award for best original screenplay, Down and co-writer Jimmy The Exploder, aka Jimmy Jack, had a few choice words for those who had criticised the film.
"F*** you," Jack said.
Jack later explained his outburst was prompted by a bad review he'd read that morning.
"I've just flown over from Perth, and the first thing I read the next morning was an article in The Age by Jim Schembri. It was completely unsupportive of Australian film, the AFIs, and really critical of our film, and especially the screenplay," he told reporters.
"He showed us no respect at all."
Toni Collette was named best supporting actress, while co-star Luke Ford, who received rave reviews for his portrayal of an autistic teenager, took out the best supporting actor award.
Producer Tristram Miall dedicated their best film win to the carers and siblings of people with special needs.
Down wrote the film inspired by her autistic brothers. It was a story she had always wanted to tell, she said.
"When I was growing up I was always telling stories to my friends about my brothers and my family, and I noticed a lot of people would laugh at them, or at times ... get angry about things that happened to my brothers," she said.
"So I always knew there was a good story there."
