Looking for Alibrandi
Encyclopedia
Looking for Alibrandi is a 1999 Australian film written by Melina Marchetta
based on the novel of the same name
. The film sets in the 1990s Sydney
, New South Wales
and starring Australian actors, including Pia Miranda
as Josephine Alibrandi, the film's main character, Anthony LaPaglia
as her father, Michael Andretti, who left her and her mother before her birth, and Kick Gurry
as Josie’s love interest, Jacob Coote. The film has been recognized by winning the Australian Film Institute Award.
), the suicide of her crush, John Barton (Matthew Newton
), and meeting with Michael Andretti (Anthony LaPaglia
), her father, of whom has only just found out about her existence upon returning to Sydney for work. Plus, of course, there is the never ending conflict between her and her grandmother, Katia Alibrandi (Elena Cotta).
However, these complications are seemingly resolved quickly, in keeping with Josie's brusque and forthright outlook on life. For example, in response to Carly's continuous snide remarks, she breaks her tormentor's nose with a history textbook. It is this summary act that brings her father back into her life.
Another complication—the suicide of her unrequited best friend, John Barton—tests her resilience. Struggling with her grief, she finds comfort to a certain extent within Jacob Coote, he was a 'bad boy' on the outside, but he was found out to be a sincere and caring person on the inside.
The most significant complication and challenge for Josie, though, is her rocky relationship with her erstwhile father, Michael Andretti. When they get to know each other, and recognise themselves in each other, their rift heals, and she can confide in him.
, New South Wales
, Australia
including such locations as Glebe
(Alibrandi's house), Bondi Beach, Sydney Central Station
on Eddy Avenue, the Studio space and entrance of Sydney Opera House
(the Have your Say Day scene), George Street
/ANZAC Bridge
(the scene where Jacob Coote sent Josephine Alibrandi home with his motorcycle), the Scots College
and Kincoppal School
were also used throughout the film, the main Quadrangle of University of Sydney
(the John Barton & Josephine Alibrandi scene), Village Cinema
(Jacob & Josie's date) and Oporto
(where Josie works part-time).
Looking For Alibrandi is an assured first film from TV director Kate Woods
, giving its multicultural terrain the true respect and depth it deserves."
Melina Marchetta
Melina Marchetta is an Australian writer and teacher. She is the middle child of three daughters. Melina is best known as the author of Looking For Alibrandi. She has twice been awarded the CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers, in 1993 and 2004.- Biography :Melina Marchettaborn in Sydney on 25...
based on the novel of the same name
Looking For Alibrandi (novel)
Looking for Alibrandi is the debut novel of Australian author Melina Marchetta, published in 1990. A film adaptation was made in 1999.-Plot summary:...
. The film sets in the 1990s Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and starring Australian actors, including Pia Miranda
Pia Miranda
Pia Miranda is an Australian, multi-award-winning actress whose career was launched with her successful 1999 role in the feature film Looking for Alibrandi, an Australian film based on the novel by Melina Marchetta....
as Josephine Alibrandi, the film's main character, Anthony LaPaglia
Anthony LaPaglia
Anthony M. LaPaglia is an Australian actor. He is known for his role as FBI agent Jack Malone on the American TV series Without a Trace, for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama...
as her father, Michael Andretti, who left her and her mother before her birth, and Kick Gurry
Kick Gurry
Christopher "Kick" Gurry an Australian actor born in Melbourne, Australia.-Early life:Gurry got his nickname when his brother could not say Christopher so he said Kicker...
as Josie’s love interest, Jacob Coote. The film has been recognized by winning the Australian Film Institute Award.
Plot
Looking for Alibrandi begins light-heartedly, and the viewer gets a very quick understanding of Josie's character through her interactions with her friends and family. As the film progresses, the glamour that is initially associated with Josie begins to fade as we watch her struggle to cope with her final year of school (especially the racist attitude of one girl in particular, Carly Bishop (Leeanna WalsmanLeeanna Walsman
Leeanna Walsman is an Australian actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Zam Wesell in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones , for playing Carly Bishop in the Australian film Looking For Alibrandi and for her starring role in the mini-series Jessica.She has been nominated for two...
), the suicide of her crush, John Barton (Matthew Newton
Matthew Newton
Matthew Newton is an Australian stage and screen actor. Born in Melbourne, he is the son of television personalities, Bert and Patti Newton, brother of Lauren Newton, brother-in-law of Matt Welsh and uncle to Sam Albert and Eva Eunice Newton Welsh.-Acting:Newton has performed in Australia and...
), and meeting with Michael Andretti (Anthony LaPaglia
Anthony LaPaglia
Anthony M. LaPaglia is an Australian actor. He is known for his role as FBI agent Jack Malone on the American TV series Without a Trace, for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama...
), her father, of whom has only just found out about her existence upon returning to Sydney for work. Plus, of course, there is the never ending conflict between her and her grandmother, Katia Alibrandi (Elena Cotta).
However, these complications are seemingly resolved quickly, in keeping with Josie's brusque and forthright outlook on life. For example, in response to Carly's continuous snide remarks, she breaks her tormentor's nose with a history textbook. It is this summary act that brings her father back into her life.
Another complication—the suicide of her unrequited best friend, John Barton—tests her resilience. Struggling with her grief, she finds comfort to a certain extent within Jacob Coote, he was a 'bad boy' on the outside, but he was found out to be a sincere and caring person on the inside.
The most significant complication and challenge for Josie, though, is her rocky relationship with her erstwhile father, Michael Andretti. When they get to know each other, and recognise themselves in each other, their rift heals, and she can confide in him.
Production
The film is produced by Robyn Kershaw. The entire film was filmed in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
including such locations as Glebe
Glebe, New South Wales
Glebe is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Glebe is located 3 km south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney, in the Inner West region....
(Alibrandi's house), Bondi Beach, Sydney Central Station
Central railway station, Sydney
Central Railway Station, the largest railway station in Australia, is at the southern end of the Sydney CBD. It services almost all the lines on the CityRail network, and is the major terminus for interurban and interstate rail services...
on Eddy Avenue, the Studio space and entrance of Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
(the Have your Say Day scene), George Street
George Street, Sydney
George Street is one of Sydney's most notable city streets. There are more high rise buildings and more ASX 100 companies located here than anywhere else in Australia, and is well known for being busy around-the-clock...
/ANZAC Bridge
ANZAC Bridge
The ANZAC Bridge or Anzac Bridge , replacing the earlier Glebe Island Bridge, is a large cable-stayed bridge spanning Johnstons Bay between Pyrmont and Glebe Island in proximity to the central business district of Sydney, Australia...
(the scene where Jacob Coote sent Josephine Alibrandi home with his motorcycle), the Scots College
The Scots College
For other schools with a similar name see Scots College.The Scots College is an independent Presbyterian day and boarding school for boys, located in Bellevue Hill, an eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
and Kincoppal School
Kincoppal-Rose Bay, School of the Sacred Heart, Sydney
Kincoppal-Rose Bay, School of the Sacred Heart , is a private, Roman Catholic, day and boarding school predominantly for girls, located in Rose Bay, an eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
were also used throughout the film, the main Quadrangle of University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
(the John Barton & Josephine Alibrandi scene), Village Cinema
Village Cinemas
Village Cinemas is an Australian cinema chain. Its Australian sites are owned and operated by Village Roadshow-Amalgamated Holdings Limited joint venture Australian Theatres. The group has rebranded several of its premier Australian and New Zealand cinemas as Event Cinemas since 2009. Village...
(Jacob & Josie's date) and Oporto
Oporto (restaurant)
Oporto is an Australian-based fast-food franchise with a Portuguese-theme.Oporto specialises in Portuguese style chicken , burgers, chips and spicy chilli sauce...
(where Josie works part-time).
Critical acclaim
The film, while not well known in markets such as the USA or UK, has received critical acclaim for its insights into both the second-generation-migrant experience and the universal human condition.Looking For Alibrandi is an assured first film from TV director Kate Woods
Kate Woods
Kate Woods is an Australian film and television director.She has worked on the series G.P., Phoenix, Police Rescue, Changi, Escape from Jupiter Heartland to the American series Crossing Jordan, Without a Trace, Bones, NCIS: Los Angeles, Private Practice and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.Woods...
, giving its multicultural terrain the true respect and depth it deserves."