Aussiewood will actually become a real movie location Down Under
Here in India we have Bollywood, while Americans love to boast about Hollywood, where a 50-foot sign overlooks the studios and production companies of Los Angeles. Although the word has mostly been used tongue-in-cheek thus far, “Aussiewood” will soon become a hub for the movie industry Down Under.
Film studios ready to break ground
Much of the impetus is being pushed by Russell Crowe, and when the iconic star of Gladiator isn’t busy working on big-budget productions in Hollywood, most of his time is usually spent in Australia. Home away from the habitual glitz and glamour is an expansive 320-hectare ranch, nestling in the countryside of Nana Glen, which is a tiny village in New South Wales.
But just 25km away from his residence is the coastal town of Coffs Harbour, which is about to undergo an incredible transformation of cinematic proportions, and that pun is certainly intended. Plans for a major film studio were first announced in 2021, but ABC News in Australia has discovered that construction is now scheduled to begin early in 2024:
The initial phase of the project, quickly dubbed as “Aussiewood” by the locals, currently has a working budget of around AU $400 million. The studio plans include a new branch of the Australian Film Television and Radio School, five huge sound stages to rival the best in the world, plus additional facilities including post-production and animation studios. They will be accompanied by a dedicated eSports venue.
Crowe was born in New Zealand but spent much of his early life and formative years in Australia, which is why he now considers himself as Australian and proud to call this country his home. And this is why the Coffs Harbour project is one of personal importance for Crowe, keen to cement a lasting legacy for Australian cinema that will serve generations to come.
Crowe seems to prefer working in Australia
While the majority of his own acting success has come via blockbuster Hollywood productions, increasingly focused on directing and producing, Crowe has already shown a preference for making films with an Australian flavour. This was evident for the 2022 release of Poker Face, mostly shot on location in Kiama, New South Wales. Likewise, the casting list at IMDB is almost like a who’s who of Aussie cinema talent:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14714980/
Crowe himself assumes the role of a tech billionaire and gambler, hosting a high-stakes poker game with some of his closest friends. But much more than just money is at stake in this thriller, as the true nature and intentions of those involved begin to be exposed. Indeed, the Poker Face title of the movie is itself a metaphor, given that each protagonist
Given the passion for gambling and like many casino games, poker is really popular Down Under, especially now the card game has made the digital transition. Online poker rooms now offer numerous variants of the game, and as part of the wider strategy surrounding play, review site CasinoAus highlights that Aussies are best served finding the best sites to serve their own preferences:
https://www.casinoaus.net/online-poker/
Insofar as the production of Poker Face was concerned, Crowe certainly took no chances, and Australia provided him with everything needed for a successful release. The original script was based on settings in California, but once Crowe assumed control, that script was rewritten, and he moved the whole project back home. He now has many more Aussie projects in the pipeline, with Coffs Harbour as the hub.
