The Independent (2007 film)

2007 Australian film

The Independent

Directed by| Andrew O'Keefe
John Studley
Written by| Andrew O'Keefe
John Studley
Produced by| Jim Xyga
Starring| Lee Mason
Tony Nikolakopoulos
Sylvie De Crespigny
Chris Bunworth
Georgia Bolton
Grant Piro
Jonathon Auf Der Heide
Jim Daly
Cinematography| Wayne Aistrope
Music by| Nick Batterham

Release date

* 8 November 2007 (2007-11-08)

Country| Australia
Language| English

The Independent is an Australian independent mockumentary film released in 2007, produced by Apocalypse Films. It chronicles the story of Marty Browning (Lee Mason), a man who runs for state parliament in a Victorian by-election to save his family farm, backed by a shady businessman (Tony Nikolakopoulos). He runs as an independent, but under the banner of "The Independent Party"; his plan is to form policies by asking members of the public for their opinions, thereby providing a direct public voice in parliament. (A similar purpose is held by the real-life Australian party Senator On-Line.)

The film was shot in 2006, and released to a small number of cinemas on 8 November 2007 in the lead up to the 2007 Australian federal election. A national cinema launch is planned for April/May 2008.[1]

## Cast

[edit]

* Lee Mason as Marty Browning
* Tony Nikolakopoulos as Tony Bentakis
* Sylvie De Crespigny
* Chris Bunworth
* Georgia Bolton
* Grant Piro
* Jonathon Auf Der Heide
* Jim Daly

## Critical response

[edit]

Critical reception to the film was positive, with good reviews from many high-profile Australian film critics and an average rating of around three stars. A frequent criticism was that the film seems uncertain of its tone, wavering between comedy and drama,[2] but overall the film was considered successfully endearing, with some reviewers praising the filmmakers' decision not to merely go for laughs.[3] Margaret Pomeranz found the ending "problematic",[4] but along with most other reviewers singled out Mason for his "outstanding" performance; James Brown of FILMINK Magazine described Marty as "the most charming protagonist since Kenny".[5]

## See also

[edit]

* Cinema of Australia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Official web site". Apocalypse Films. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
2. ^ Andrew L. Urban. "The Independent". Urban Cinefile. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
3. ^ Leigh Paatsch (16 November 2007). "Out for the count". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
4. ^ Margaret Pomeranz (with David Stratton). "At the Movies: The Independent". At the Movies. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
5. ^ James Brown. "...a rare gem..." FILMINK Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2007.

## External links

[edit]

* The Independent \- official Apocalypse Films page
* ABC Radio interview \- John Studley and Andrew O'Keefe interviewed on 774 ABC
* The Independent at IMDb

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