Alexandra's Project is a 2003 Australian drama thriller film written and directed by Rolf de Heer and starring Gary Sweet and Helen Buday.
Plot Upon returning home from work on his birthday, Steve, a middle class husband and father of two, finds the house dark and his family not home. He notices a chair, his television set, and a video tape obviously set out for his viewing. He turns the TV and VCR on, and begins to watch a tape made for him by his wife, Alexandra. The first clip shows his wife and children wishing him a happy birthday, but after the kids leave the room, Alexandra begins a striptease, and it appears to be nothing more than a birthday gift. As it progresses, however, it becomes clear that the tape is designed to humiliate and torture Steve for marital problems that Alexandra has been stewing about for years. As part of her 'show', Alexandra feigns breast cancer, has sex with their neighbour, and tells Steve that neither she nor their two children are ever coming home.
Cast Gary Sweet as Steve Helen Buday as Alexandra Bogdan Koca as Bill Jack Christie as Sam Samantha Knigge as Emma Eileen Darley as Christine Geoff Revell as Rodney Philip Spruce as Taxi Driver Nathan O'Keefe as Man at Door Peter Greena as Chairman Martha Lott as Female Worker Cindy Elliott as Female Worker Gemma Falk as Female Worker Nicole Daniel as Female Worker Duncan Graham as Male Worker Michael Ienna as Male Worker
Production De Heer originally wanted to make the film so he could use a single location and use up various fragments of ideas he had accumulated.Andrew L Urban, "De Heer, Rolf: Alexandra's Project", Urban Cinefile accessed 11 November 2012
Release The film's world premiere was 14 February 2003 as part of the Berlin International Film FestivalAlexandra's Project - Berlinale 2003 and was released regularly as Cinema release on 8 May 2003 in Australia.
Reception Box office Alexandra's Project took $844,494 at the box office in Australia.
Critical reception On Rotten Tomatoes the film has rating of 53% based on 19 reviews, with an average 5.56/10 rating. The Cultural Post gave it three out of five stars.
Accolades Award Category Subject ResultAACTA Awards(2003 AFI Awards)Best FilmRolf de HeerDomenico ProcacciJulie RyanBest ActressHelen BudayBest EditingTania NehmeBest Original Music ScoreGraham TardifBest SoundJames CurrieRory McGregorNada MikasAndrew PlainBerlin International Film FestivalGolden BearRolf de HeerChicago International Film FestivalGold Hugo for Best FeatureFCCA AwardsBest DirectorBest Original ScreenplayBest FilmDomenico ProcacciJulie RyanBest Actor - MaleGary SweetBest Actor - FemaleHelen BudayBest Supporting Actor - MaleBogdan KocaBest EditingTania NehmeGolden Trailer AwardsBest Foreign Dramatic TrailerInside Film AwardsBest DirectionRolf de HeerBest ActressHelen BudayBest SoundJames CurrieNada MikasAndrew PlainMontreal World Film FestivalGolden Zenith for Best Film from OceaniaRolf de HeerValladolid International Film FestivalGolden SpikeBest ActressHelen Buday
Home media Alexandra's Project was released by Fandango Australia / Palace Films as a DVD in 2003.
See also Cinema of Australia South Australian Film Corporation
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