Episode #106 | Scott Hicks

In this episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast, I’m joined by internationally-renowned filmmaker Scott Hicks for what I consider to be a very special interview.  Interviews like this are the exact reason I launched Cinema Australia just over ten years ago. I set out to capture Australian filmmaking stories, and th those that Scott shares here about his career are priceless. As a keen Australian film enthusiast, I spent most of this interview in a state of awe.  Scott shares previously untold stories here, such as the complete narrative behind the production of his unreleased tele-movie, Call Me Mr. Brown, and the time he tactfully guided a inebriated Bill Hunter back on track. Scott also talks about learning from filmmaking giants like Peter Weir and Bruce Beresford, his creative partnership with Australian acting legend Chris Haywood, and of course we talk about Shine.  Scott and I actually got so caught up talking about his career that we almost ran out of time to discuss his latest film, The Musical Mind… A Portrait in Process. We do get there eventually towards the end of the interview, so if you’re here specifically for that, hang in there. An Emmy, Peabody and multiple AACTA award-winning filmmaker, Scott Hicks has also been nominated for two Academy Awards as Director and Writer, and British Academy Awards for Directing and Best Film. His documentary on Philip Glass was short-listed for Oscar® nomination and nominated for an Emmy. He was honoured as South Australian of the Year in 1999 and then as Australian of the Year for South Australia in 2008. Scott received a Doctorate of Letters and a Premier’s Lifetime achievement award. Together with his close friend David Chiem, CEO of global company MindChamps, Scott formed MAY30 Entertainment to create quality entertainment for the international market. The Musical Mind… A Portrait in Process marks the first releases for MAY30. Sparked by the impending 25th anniversary of the Academy award-winning blockbuster Shine, The Musical Mind… A Portrait in Process explores the power of the musical brain. Featuring exclusive, intimate footage of super-star international musicians in their private worlds, it opens an intriguing portal into the musical mind. Anyway… enjoy.