Burning Man (2011)

An English chef with a chic restaurant on Bondi Beach trying to put his life and his relationship with his son back on track while surrounded by women.

Director:

Jonathan Teplitzky

Writer:

Jonathan Teplitzky (screenplay)

Stars:

Matthew Goode, Bojana Novakovic, Essie Davis

5 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Matthew Goode	...	Tom
Bojana Novakovic	...	Sarah
Essie Davis	...	Karen
Rachel Griffiths	...	Miriam
Kerry Fox	...	Sally
Anthony Hayes	...	Brian
Jack Heanly	...	Oscar
Kate Beahan	...	Lesley
Gia Carides	...	Carol
Marta Dusseldorp	...	Lisa
Robyn Malcolm	...	Kathryn
Matthew Moore	...	Luke
Simone Kessell	...	Oscar's Teacher
Jack Campbell	...	Ian
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kathryn Beck	...	Marti

Storyline

An English chef with a chic restaurant on Bondi Beach trying to put his life and his relationship with his son back on track while surrounded by women.

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | therapist | widower | male rear nudity | hospital | 

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Taglines:

Don't Go So Far Out That You Can't Find Your Way Back

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 2011 (Australia)

Filming Locations:

Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 9,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Archer Street Productions, Latitude Media, Meercat Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Rachel Griffiths in Conversation (2012)

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Soundtracks

"A Better Car"
Written and performed by Roger Mason

User Reviews

Nonlinear storytelling peels back the layers of grief

When we first meet Tom, we see a rude, selfish, out of control guy engaging in some pretty self destructive behaviour. Unsympathetic to the core, it's not until this unconventionally told story reveals more about him that we find out why he is this way. By the end of the film, your feelings about this guy will do a complete 180. You may even shed a tear or two.

The way this film is constructed is either going to deter you, or capture you hook, line and sinker. I'm in the latter group. It rightly won an award for Best Editing at the 2011 Film Critics Circle of Australia. The Australian vocalist from Dead Can Dance, Lisa Gerrard, does most of the soundtrack which also scored awards. From a budget of 9 million we have a beautifully shot, artistic and emotional film, with strong acting by the leads. It takes an unconventional look at what it would be like to lose someone close, and the process of grief, especially for men, who are not known for their outward displays of emotion.

Some of the transitions between scenes may seem a little contrived. I think the intention was to reveal the story in much in the same way that our memory works .. by association.

It loses a point for a few rather silly scenes. Burning Man deserves a much bigger audience, especially outside Australia. Looking forward to Jonathan Teplitsky's next feature.