The Independent (2007 film)

Infobox Film
name = The Independent
director = Andrew O'Keefe
John Studley
producer = Jim Xyga
writer = Andrew O'Keefe
John Studley
starring = Lee Mason
Tony Nikolakopoulos
Sylvie De Crespigny
Chris Bunworth
Georgia Bolton
Grant Piro
Jonathon Auf Der Heide
Jim Daly
music = Nick Batterham
cinematography = Wayne Aistrope
released = November 8 2007
country = flagicon|Australia Australia
language = English

"The Independent" is an independent Australian mockumentary film released in 2007, produced by Apocalypse Films. It chronicles the story of Marty Browning (Lee Mason), a man who runs for state parliament in a Victorian by-election to save his family farm, backed by a shady businessman (Tony Nikolakopoulos). He runs as an independent, but under the banner of "The Independent Party"; his plan is to form policies by asking members of the public for their opinions, thereby providing a direct public voice in parliament. (A similar purpose is held by the real-life Australian party Senator On-Line.)

The film was shot in 2006, and released to a small number of cinemas on November 8, 2007 in the lead up to the 2007 Australian federal election. A national cinema launch is planned for April/May 2008.cite web
title=Official web site
publisher=Apocalypse Films
url=http://www.apocalypsefilms.com/independent.htm
accessdate=2008-01-04]

Critical response

Critical reception to the film was positive, with good reviews from many high-profile Australian film critics and an average rating of around three stars. A frequent criticism was that the film seems uncertain of its tone, wavering between comedy and dramacite web
title=The Independent
publisher=Urban Cinefile
url=http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=13708&s=Reviews
author=Andrew L. Urban
accessdate=2007-11-27] , but overall the film was considered successfully endearing, with some reviewers praising the filmmakers' decision not to merely go for laughscite web
title=Out for the count
publisher=Herald Sun
url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22769371-5014207,00.html
author=Leigh Paatsch
accessdate=2007-11-27] . Margaret Pomeranz found the ending "problematic"cite web
title=At the Movies: The Independent
publisher=At the Movies
url=http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2081608.htm
author=Margaret Pomeranz (with David Stratton)
accessdate=2007-11-27] , but along with most other reviewers singled out Mason for his "outstanding" performance; James Brown of FILMINK Magazine described Marty as "the most charming protagonist since Kenny".cite web
title=...a rare gem...
publisher=FILMINK Magazine
url=http://filmink.com.au/reviews/index.php?movie_id=5467&smallscreen_id=
author=James Brown
accessdate=2007-11-27]

External links

* [http://www.apocalypsefilms.com/independent.htm The Independent] - official Apocalypse Films page
* [http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s2077684.htm ABC Radio interview] - John Studley and Andrew O'Keefe interviewed on 774 ABC
*

References