One Million Canoes – Aussies Flock Top See Aboriginal Morality Tale

After 30 years in film, Australian Rolf de Heer gets a commercial hit.

After only two weeks in cinemas, Ten Canoes, the film by Rolf de Heer and the people of Ramingining, has taken over one million dollars at the Australian box office, it was announced by Palace Films today. Ten Canoes had its World Premiere at the Adelaide Festival in March, was awarded a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes International Film Festival in May and opened the Sydney Film Festival in June.

Opening on 29 June on 30 screens, Ten Canoes had a week 1 screen average of $16,218, second only to Superman Returns. After the second weekend, in direct competition with the opening weekend of Pirates of the Caribbean 2, the Ten Canoes box office result recorded only a 3% drop, and by the end of the second week of release, the film achieved a box office result of $1,043,789.

The film, shot in the remote Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land, with a cast of indigenous non-professional actors, entirely in indigenous language has received wide critical acclaim - called "a revolution in Australian cinema" (Adelaide Advertiser), "fabulous" (The Australian), "great entertainment" (Brisbane Courier Mail), "stunning" (Sydney Morning Herald), "the most groundbreaking Australian film to date" (Rolling Stone) and "a must-see" (ABC At The Movies, Brisbane Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser).

Managing Director of Palace Films, Antonio Zeccola said: "We are really thrilled that audiences are coming out to see this amazing film and responding so positively. Ten Canoes is such a universal story, that although it is unlike anything we have ever seen before, we all connect with the heart of the story."

In hearing the news this morning writer/producer/director Rolf de Heer said: "During our collaboration in making this film, we, both cast and crew, found the material we were getting engaging, funny and, at times, almost miraculous. That audiences are as struck by it as we were is very gratifying to all of us."

The Vertigo Productions/Fandango Australia film was financed by the Film Finance Corporation, the South Australian Film Corporation, the Adelaide Film Festival and SBS Independent.

"This is a wonderful Australian film the FFC are proud to support, it is a film that gives the audience a window on the Australia we know so little about. We have a great belief in the film and feel confident that the success will continue to build from this impressive opening as audiences spread the word. Congratulations to Rolf and the team." said Brian Rosen, Film Finance Corporation CEO.

"Ten Canoes is a humorous and charming cinematic folk tale. Rolf de Heer and the team at Vertigo, together with the people of Ramingining are to be applauded for this marvelous collaboration, which is clearly engaging Australian and international audiences alike", said SAFC CEO Helen Leake.

Adelaide Film Festival Director Katrina Sedgwick said "Ten Canoes was the first feature to receive support through the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund - and we are so proud to have been able to contribute to what is a truly groundbreaking collaboration and work of art."

Acting General Manager of SBSi, Ned Lander said: "The success of Ten Canoes at the box office reaffirms that the Australian public truly wants to see unique Australian stories. SBS Independent is thrilled and honoured to have been part of this extraordinary production."

Ten Canoes had its World Premiere at the Adelaide Festival in March, was awarded a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes International Film Festival in May and opened the Sydney Film Festival in June.

A documentary about the making of Ten Canoes won the audience prize for Best Documentary in the Sydney Film Festival's Sidebar Program, and will screen on SBS Television on 20 July.

The Vertigo Productions/Fandango Australia production was financed by the Film Finance Corporation, the South Australian Film Corporation, the Adelaide Film Festival and SBS Independent, and supported by Bula'bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation. Distributed in Australia by Palace Films.

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