073: Deep Dive with Sue Maslin AO: The Theatrical Model in Australia is Fundamentally Broken

This episode is sponsored by ⁠Getty Images⁠, home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. ---In this episode, Kirsty sits down with Sue Maslin AO, the producer behind films including The Dressmaker, Japanese Story and Road to Nhill, to work through one of the biggest questions currently facing the industry: why aren’t good Australian films being seen in cinemas?Sue explains why she believes the theatrical model is structurally broken, from financing and release models to a level of marketing support that puts us at a disadvantage against international films. She also shares some real ideas for change, including a private equity film fund and marketing rebates.The episode also includes a breakdown of the work Sue did behind the scenes of The Dressmaker to build their audience and reach over $20m at the Australian box office just over a decade ago.With the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers announcing last week that they will be recognising Sue as their 2026 National Cinema Pioneer of the Year, this is a timely interview and well worth a listen for anyone working in feature films in Australia.---Listen to hear Sue discuss:The “spectacle, emotion and experience” formula that made The Dressmaker $20 million at the Australian box officeHow she started building her audience and inviting them into the world of The Dressmaker before it even began productionWhy streamer investment is now one of the only ways films of scale get financed, and the conflict this creates with exhibitorsThe case for a private equity film fund run by industry risk takers, not screen agencies---If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.---Further information about Sue and her work:Sue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-maslin-ao-2823972The Film Art Media website: https://www.filmartmedia.comThe Dressmaker (2015): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2910904Japanese Story: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304229Road to Nhill: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120025 The Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers Honours Industry Icon Sue Maslin AO as the 2026 National Cinema Pioneer of the Year: https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/the-society-of-australian-cinema-pioneers-honours-industry-icon-sue-maslin-ao-as-the-2026-national-cinema-pioneer-of-the-year------This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠Kirsty Stark⁠.If you're enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and we'd love you to forward this episode to a friend!---Follow us on:Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠YouTube - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠---Thanks to ⁠Getty Images⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠⁠⁠gettyimages.com⁠⁠⁠.