An Interview of the Greek Film Director Nadia Tass

16 WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2010 NEWS IN ENGLISH Ï Êüóìïò An interview of the Greek Film Director Nadia Tass The Australian newspaper «The Sun Herald» based on the true life». Nadia Tass also refers to donor for her son. Tass is known for her skill in has published an interview of the Greek film the financial problems she coped with when she directing children. Examples include the award director Nadia Tass. The well-known director moved to Australia. Her new movie describes the winning film Amy (1998) and Disney movies talks about her new movie entitled «Matching story of a child that is suffering from a blood dis- The Miracle Worker (2000) and Child Star: The Jack». The interview has as a title «Stories ease and his mother’s search for a bone-marrow Shirley Temple Story (2001). adia Tass is a unique figure in The story of a mother’s search for a lower level investors who were prepared same time I didn’t want to hate this man, the Australian film industry. bone-marrow donor for her son (and to come in, who believed in the film. I wanted him to be a flawed human be- NFirst there’s her singular com- the love she finds along the way), the They invested what they could, and we ing, who, by the end of it, arrives at some bination of effusive warmth, unapolo- film reveals Tass’s unique sensibility. scrounged around to find the money. So kind of control in his life, and he be- getic femininity and fierce intelligence. Her signature we went back to Jim- comes the father he wants to be.” Then there’s her ongoing multi-strand- strengths are evi- my and said, ‘it’s not Tass sings the praises of her entire ed career, encompassing films, televi- dent: beautiful going to be X budget, cast, not just Richard Roxburgh for his sion and theatre. She’ll direct a film performances it’s going to be Y skill at making the scoundrel palatable. here, a play there, and throw into the from children, budget this time, be- There are also special mentions for Ko- mix a CBS telemovie, zipping from Lon- an assured han- cause of what we lost di Smit-McPhee (“he’s astounding – don to St Kilda to LA throughout the dling of ro- during the crash.’ Jimmy used to call him ‘Brando’ on set”) year. Yet her best-loved local films like mance, and a And thankfully he and Nesbitt – “I love Jimmy! He met all Malcolm (1986) and The Big Steal light touch ap- my needs as an actor, (1989) tie her forever in the public imag- plied to heavy in the dramatic emo- ination with Melbourne, “the most material. It’s a tional moments as well beautiful city in the world because it’s telling detail that as the comedic, hu- my home, and the place that visually s- Tass recently in- morous moments”. peaks to me,” she says fervently. troduced her For Jacinda Barrett, Now Tass is home again with her new film to a media Tass is full of wide- Melbourne-set film Matching Jack, the preview audi- eyed admiration. “Oh latest in a long line of collaborations ence with the that woman is extraor- with her writer/producer/cinematogra- following reas- dinary, extraordinary! pher husband, David Parker. Parker co- surance: “Don’t What she had to do in wrote the script with Lynne Renew, shot worry, the film Jacinda Barrett this role was to be a ro- the film and co-produced it as well, in has a happy end- and Tom Russell mantic lead, an angry what is a typical Tass Parker family af- ing!” Which is Nadia Tass wife and a mother with fair. not say, it won’t a sick child. It’s a lot to ask of an actor.” make you cry, because it prob- Tass is known for her skill in directing ably will, especially if you’re a children. Examples include the award Nadia Tass: parent – and it’s parents who’ll winning film Amy (1998) and Disney AFI Fast Facts especially warm to this grown- movies The Miracle Worker (2000) and up drama. Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story •Nadia Tass began acting and There’s a very good reason (2001). What is her secret to getting the directing theatre while she was s- why Tass is quick to reassure best out of young actors? “They key is to tudying at Melbourne University, people that Matching Jack isn’t really know what acting is about,” she and continues to intersperse the- just “one of those stories about says. “I’ve spent many many years study- atre work with film and television sick kids and medical records.” ing that and working with that because projects. Together with David The fact that the plot included I’ve been directing theatre since I was Parker, she has worked extensively David Parker those elements made it very hard and Nadia Tass very young. It’s about knowing perform- in the US for the last ten years. to get funding and made the pro- ing, knowing what it takes to arrive at Tass directed her first feature ject “a very hard sell to distribu- that moment where you’re breathing life film, Malcolm, in 1986. The Mel- tors,” she says. “They were all said, ‘yes, I’m in.’“ into a moment through a character.” bourne-set story of a shy mechani- saying, ‘who’d want to see this?’ And I’d Irish actor Nesbitt is wonderful in the Surprisingly, Tass doesn’t expect child cal genius, played by Colin Friels, have to convince them that this was just role of the roguish single dad Connor, actors to know the script. “I have to know Malcolm was written, shot and co- a catalyst for everything that takes place who tries to make life carefree for his the script for them,“ she explains. “I have produced by David Parker. For beyond that. And then some of them hospital-bound son, Finn (Kodi Smit-M- to put them in situations where they will Malcolm, Tass won the 1986 AFI would say, ‘okay, you’ve convinced me, cPhee). Finn shares a room with the ex- behave in that specific way that’s going to Award for Best Director and the but I’ll pass anyway.’” uberant Jack (Tom Russell) whose fit in with what I need for the film. It’s AFI Award for Best Film (shared Tass spent ten long years getting the mother Marisa (Jacinda Barrett) is not about really understanding childhood with David Parker). David Parker film up, and the story of her struggle is a only struggling with her son’s illness, but and understanding acting. I love it! also won the 1986 AFI Award for drama of epic proportions. Like so many with the discovery that her husband Love and passion are common words Best Original Screenplay for Mal- films releasing right now, it’s a backstory David (Richard Roxburgh) is a serial for Tass when she talks about her motiva- colm, and together Tass and Park- that involves the global financial crash. philanderer. The bitter irony is that his tion. What else would keep a director fo- er received the 1986 Byron “Five years before we shot it, we got the multiple affairs might have produced a cused on a difficult project for ten years? Kennedy Award. script to Jimmy [James] Nesbitt,” says love-child, a potential bone-marrow “It is very very wearing,” she admits, “try- In 1990, Tass was nominated for Tass. “He read it and instantly connect- donor for Jack. Marisa’s search involves ing to raise the finance for every project. the AFI Award for Best Film for ed and wanted to do it. Then, during the door-knocking the neighborhood and But when the subject matter is so potent, The Big Steal, a nomination she al- financial crash, we lost our main in- interrogating a series of Stepford-like and I feel so strongly about it, that’s what so shared with David Parker. vestor. At that stage we had all the ele- blodes. keeps me going. There’s no choice.” Is Other films directed by Tass in- ments in place, and suddenly this in- Tass admits that it’s a comic element she a workaholic? “No, no…I just love it. clude Rikky and Pete (1987), Mr vestor dropped out, and I knew that of the film – the number of these affairs I hate the idea of not being involved cre- Reliable (1997) and Amy (1998). pretty soon, if I didn’t pull it all together borders on the astonishing. “Well, he’s atively. Theatre, movies, it’s a part of my Amy received a total of 23 interna- and make it, it was all going to disman- had these affairs over the period of 16 life and as soon as I finish one thing, I tional awards, including Best Film tle, and then we’d have to start from years,” she explains, “but look at people have to keep going.” Matching Jack re- at the Paris Film Festival (1999), scratch – and God knows if you’re ever like Tiger Woods! How many people leases nationally 19 August. Grand Prix de Cinecole at Cannes going to get those elements again. It was has he slept with? Often people in pow- Article from the Australian Film Institute Film Festival (1999) and Grand a horrific time. We went out into the er think they can do what they want and by Rochelle Siemienowicz Prix Cannes Junior (1999).

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