'I especially liked Hanna Mangan Lawrence as Lily, Billy's dominated sister and Paul Caesar as the local cop who delights in at last having something to do.'  Review by Louise Keller - Urban Cinefile.  Full Review

'Australia has made some outstanding crime films, such as Chopper and Two Hands. You can now add this to that list.'  Review by Des Partridge - Courier Mail.  Full Review

'The Square is a tense, captivating film, with great acting and plenty of surprises to keep you squirming in your seat. One of the best Aussie crime dramas in recent years.'  Review By Jenni Dawes - Cleo.  Full Review
Image by The Square.

Today I returned home from Brewarrina and Bourke (some 800 kilometres north-west of Sydney) where, through NIDA's Open Program, I spent five days running drama workshops with secondary students.  Brewarrina Public School has just over 200 students, Bourke Public Primary some 300 students and Bourke High School approximately 200 (between 55-97% identify as being Aboriginal).  Some students had never participated in drama workshops before but in the end we had all students experiencing what it's like to perform in front of a live audience.
My companion, Matias Stevens, a Sydney based actor managed by BLA Management like myself, worked with primary school students and also had students up in front of an audience, most for their first time.  I must say Matias was a delight to travel with (we laughed so hard) and has a great ability to get fantastic results due to his energy and enthusiasm.  It was a wonderful week that I hope will be the first of many.

In February I shot a television commercial for GIO with directors Kenn & Simon MacRae, brothers from Orange Whip Films (previous article).  It appears continuously on television and still shots appear in magazines and newspapers.  It seems strange that after all these years in the industry, I am getting recognised more now than ever as "the GIO man".  NIDA staff have commented, my students have all seen it and family and friends keep talking about it.  The response is always that the ad's a good one and often that it makes people laugh - nice to hear.
Image by GIO.

 It's official - The Square is released nationally on Thursday 31st July.  Don't miss it!

Image by bluetonguefilms.

What an great night!  I arrived with my parents to drinks at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney where they got to meet Joel & Nash Edgerton and Louise Smith, THE SQUARE's producer.  We were driven to the entrance of the State Theatre where we walked the red carpet.  A cast photo with the films producer, director and writer appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald today - a first for me.  A word of warning - do not miss this film!  It's excellent!
Image by SMH.