33 Postcards
Encyclopedia
33 Postcards is a feature film written and directed by Pauline Chan
and starring Guy Pearce
. It is the first co-production between China and New South Wales.
program, Tribeca All Access. The screenplay also featured as one of only three selected for Dungog Film Festival
as part of the In the Raw Program.
. The co-production is between Australia and China, for which a co-production treaty did not exist prior to 2008. 33 Postcards is only the second film to be produced under this treaty and the first co-production between NSW and China. This opportunity for co-productions to exist between China and Australia is largely unrealised in both countries, but has been identified as a potentially lucrative endeavor.
), who sends her postcards that describe his family life. When her orphanage choir travels to Australia to participate in an Australian Choir Festival, Mei Mei takes the opportunity to find Dean with the hope he will make her part of his family. However, Mei Mei discovers the shocking truth - Dean is actually a convict in prison for manslaughter. Seeing Dean as her last chance at finding a home, Mei Mei decides to stay in Sydney until Dean gets his parole, in the meantime becoming naively entangled in the criminal world herself. To save Mei Mei from his own fate, Dean must make an impossible sacrifice.
. This was shortly followed by its screening on June 18 in the Panorama Section at the 2011 Shanghai International Film Festival. Frank Hartherley from Screen Daily gave a warm review of the film, stating "the movie’s greatest asset is its cast, lead by Pearce in a fine, unglamorous study of inarticulate decency under provocation."
and the Asian New Talent Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival
for lead actress Zhu Lin.
The CRC Award is a $5000 prize established at Sydney Film Festival
in 1992, awarded annually to the film whose content best reflects the multicultural experience in Australia. In awarding the prize Victor Dominello MP NSW Minister stated "33 Postcards, inspired by real life stories, explores how two individuals come together despite two different cultures, ages and unexpected circumstances. This evocative film portrays sensitively how people of vastly different cultural backgrounds can interact effectively in our society."
Pauline Chan (actress)
Pauline Chan is an Australian actress, director, screenwriter and producer- Early life :Born and raised first 16 years in Vietnam, Pauline Chan was sent during Vietnam War to Hong Kong. She is of Chinese descent and went in Hong Kong to High school, enrolled in Drama school and worked as an actress...
and starring Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Guy Edward Pearce is an English-born Australian actor and musician, known for his roles as Leonard Shelby in Christopher Nolan's Memento, Lieutenant Ed Exley in L.A...
. It is the first co-production between China and New South Wales.
Development
33 Postcards was developed under the title Mei Mei. In 2009, Mei Mei was one of only two Australian screenplays selected from 475 submissions to partake in the Tribeca Film InstituteTribeca Film Institute
-Mission:The Tribeca Film Institute is a year-round non-profit arts organization founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of September 11, 2001...
program, Tribeca All Access. The screenplay also featured as one of only three selected for Dungog Film Festival
Dungog Film Festival
The Dungog Film Festival is an annual event held in the Hunter Region town of Dungog. Dungog Film Festival is a not for profit arts organisation that is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Australian screen industry. The festival is committed to education and nurturing the health of the...
as part of the In the Raw Program.
Coproduction
33 Postcards is an official film and television co-production in AustraliaOfficial film and television co-production in Australia
An international film or television co-production is a production made by production companies in different countries. This note focuses on ‘official’ Australian co-productions, that is, co-productions that meet the requirements for benefits under the...
. The co-production is between Australia and China, for which a co-production treaty did not exist prior to 2008. 33 Postcards is only the second film to be produced under this treaty and the first co-production between NSW and China. This opportunity for co-productions to exist between China and Australia is largely unrealised in both countries, but has been identified as a potentially lucrative endeavor.
Plot
Mei Mei (Zhu Lin) a 16 year old Chinese orphan who has been supported by donations from her Australian sponsor Dean Randall (Guy PearceGuy Pearce
Guy Edward Pearce is an English-born Australian actor and musician, known for his roles as Leonard Shelby in Christopher Nolan's Memento, Lieutenant Ed Exley in L.A...
), who sends her postcards that describe his family life. When her orphanage choir travels to Australia to participate in an Australian Choir Festival, Mei Mei takes the opportunity to find Dean with the hope he will make her part of his family. However, Mei Mei discovers the shocking truth - Dean is actually a convict in prison for manslaughter. Seeing Dean as her last chance at finding a home, Mei Mei decides to stay in Sydney until Dean gets his parole, in the meantime becoming naively entangled in the criminal world herself. To save Mei Mei from his own fate, Dean must make an impossible sacrifice.
Production
Lead actress Zhu Lin began production knowing little more than a dozen words in the English language. The film was shot in both Australia and China.Festivals
33 Postcards held its world premiere at the 2011 Sydney Film FestivalSydney Film Festival
The Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
. This was shortly followed by its screening on June 18 in the Panorama Section at the 2011 Shanghai International Film Festival. Frank Hartherley from Screen Daily gave a warm review of the film, stating "the movie’s greatest asset is its cast, lead by Pearce in a fine, unglamorous study of inarticulate decency under provocation."
Awards
In June 2011, 33 Postcards won both the CRC Award at Sydney Film FestivalSydney Film Festival
The Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
and the Asian New Talent Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival
Shanghai International Film Festival
The Shanghai International Film Festival , abbreviated SIFF, is one of the largest film festivals in East Asia.Along with Tokyo International Film Festival, the SIFF is one of the biggest film festivals in Asia. The first festival was held from October 7 to 14, 1993, and was held biennially until...
for lead actress Zhu Lin.
The CRC Award is a $5000 prize established at Sydney Film Festival
Sydney Film Festival
The Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
in 1992, awarded annually to the film whose content best reflects the multicultural experience in Australia. In awarding the prize Victor Dominello MP NSW Minister stated "33 Postcards, inspired by real life stories, explores how two individuals come together despite two different cultures, ages and unexpected circumstances. This evocative film portrays sensitively how people of vastly different cultural backgrounds can interact effectively in our society."