Via Satellite (1998)

As a family gather to watch one of their own swimming in the Olympics, minutes of fame become a hilarious and painful 24 hours when they uncover the secrets of a lifetime.

Director:

Anthony McCarten

Writers:

Anthony McCarten (play), Anthony McCarten (screenplay),

Stars:

Danielle Cormack, Karl Urban, Jack Chan

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danielle Cormack	...	Chrissy / Carol
Karl Urban	...	Paul
Jack Chan	...	Takeaway Bar Owner
John McBeth	...	Olympic Commentator
Rima Te Wiata	...	Jen
Timothy Balme	...	Ken (as Tim Balme)
Donna Akersten	...	Joyce
Petra Peters	...	Midwife
Jodie Dorday	...	Lyn
Fiona Samuel	...	Infomercial Voice
Shane Bartle	...	Infomercial Voice
Brian Sergent	...	Brian
Colin Addison	...	Old MacPherson
Bob Wiki	...	Haka Exponent
Vinny Epiha	...	Barman

Storyline

As a family gather to watch one of their own swimming in the Olympics, minutes of fame become a hilarious and painful 24 hours when they uncover the secrets of a lifetime.

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Plot Keywords:

independent film | based on play

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 1998 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Familienglück oder andere Katastrophen

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A stylish budget film reminiscent of Secrets & Lies

Like a cross between Secrets & Lies and the Australian comedy The Castle, this film puts an "ordinary" (but dysfunctional) suburban family under pressure and under scrutiny, and then lets us sit back and watch what happens. It's a stylishly shot budget film with some excellent moments, and a few real laugh-out-loud scenes.

True, the film's a bit slow in the middle, and there are some small lapses in continuity, but the beginning and ending are good, and the actors all perform well throughout. Danielle Cormack does a particularly fine job as Chrissy/Carol, and Tim Balme is wonderfully quirky as the frustrated and frustrating Ken. This is writer/director Anthony McCarten's first feature film, but no doubt we'll see more of his work.

Incidentally, while walking out of the theatre, I chatted with another viewer who said, "When my daughter was competing in the Olympics, and the tv crew came to film my family, it was nothing like this. It was really exciting. I'm sad this film didn't capture that kind of excitement and good feeling that we all felt watching her compete." Her comment may truly reflect surburban life, but that's not what Via Satellite is about, and McCarten's story explores more interesting issues.