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Lonely Spirits and the King: An Australian Film Book
Discover the Spirit of Modern Australian Cinema
Lonely Spirits and the King: An Australian Film Book captures the vibrant and ever-evolving world of Australian film. Penned by the award winning critic and founder of The Curb, Andrew F. Peirce, this book is an unmissable journey through the Australian cinematic treasures of the early 2020s.
Dive into a diverse collection of over fifty films — from the heart-racing horror of Kiah Roache-Turner’s Wyrmwood: Apocalypse to the urgent documentary storytelling of Ben Lawrence’s Ithaka, from the sweeping historical drama of Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife to the refreshing humour of Renée Webster’s How to Please a Woman. These stories are more than just entertainment; they are a reflection of Australia’s cultural landscape, rich with innovation and creativity.
Through in-depth interviews with over seventy visionary filmmakers such as Platon Theodoris, Salliana Seven Campbell, Simon Njoo, Lesley Vanderwalt, and Alex Proyas, alongside insightful critiques by Nadine Whitney and Carl Edillo, Lonely Spirits and the King explores what truly defines an Australian film. What does it mean to be an Australian filmmaker today? Find the answers within these pages.
“This book is a tribute to all those who contribute to the Australian film industry. It is a celebration of the artistry, creativity, and dedication that goes into the making of each and every film. It is a recognition of the impact that Australian films have had on the world and the role they continue to play in shaping our cultural identity.” Kate Separovich, Storyteller
Lonely Spirits and the King: An Australian Film Book captures the vibrant and ever-evolving world of Australian film. Penned by the award winning critic and founder of The Curb, Andrew F. Peirce, this book is an unmissable journey through the Australian cinematic treasures of the early 2020s.
Dive into a diverse collection of over fifty films — from the heart-racing horror of Kiah Roache-Turner’s Wyrmwood: Apocalypse to the urgent documentary storytelling of Ben Lawrence’s Ithaka, from the sweeping historical drama of Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife to the refreshing humour of Renée Webster’s How to Please a Woman. These stories are more than just entertainment; they are a reflection of Australia’s cultural landscape, rich with innovation and creativity.
Through in-depth interviews with over seventy visionary filmmakers such as Platon Theodoris, Salliana Seven Campbell, Simon Njoo, Lesley Vanderwalt, and Alex Proyas, alongside insightful critiques by Nadine Whitney and Carl Edillo, Lonely Spirits and the King explores what truly defines an Australian film. What does it mean to be an Australian filmmaker today? Find the answers within these pages.
“This book is a tribute to all those who contribute to the Australian film industry. It is a celebration of the artistry, creativity, and dedication that goes into the making of each and every film. It is a recognition of the impact that Australian films have had on the world and the role they continue to play in shaping our cultural identity.” Kate Separovich, Storyteller
700 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 29, 2025
A must own for any fan of Antipodean film.
April 22, 2025
"What we see on screen matters."
Andrew F. Peirce's 'Lonely Spirits and the King: An Australian Film Book' is such an impressive and interesting read. From the strong and heartfelt introduction to the actual interviews and reviews, this book makes for an incredible journey through the vibrant landscape of Australian cinema.
Incredibly well-written and serves a clear purpose. Being a big fan of Aussie cinema myself, this really felt like an important read. It explores Aussie films, identity, as well as the place that Aussie culture has in this modern world. The Australian film industry faces so many challenges, yet it is stronger than ever.
The in-depth interviews, reviews and essays were so insightful and amazing to read, especially the ones with directors and crew members from films I was already familiar with, prior to reading this. To read about the way these filmmakers approached certain challenges, what drives them and inspires them, but also learning about some of the more technical aspects of filmmaking was so fascinating. The questions Andrew asks, and the way he formulates them, lead to open and honest conversations, and he ends the book with a strong final essay, that ties it all together.
It also became a bit of an interactive read, as I found myself looking up some of the short films and watching them - if available - before reading the actual interviews, and taking notes of other titles that caught my attention.
Absolutely loved this, and my to-watch list has definitely grown quite a bit after finishing this book.
Highly recommended for (Aussie) film fans.
Andrew F. Peirce's 'Lonely Spirits and the King: An Australian Film Book' is such an impressive and interesting read. From the strong and heartfelt introduction to the actual interviews and reviews, this book makes for an incredible journey through the vibrant landscape of Australian cinema.
Incredibly well-written and serves a clear purpose. Being a big fan of Aussie cinema myself, this really felt like an important read. It explores Aussie films, identity, as well as the place that Aussie culture has in this modern world. The Australian film industry faces so many challenges, yet it is stronger than ever.
The in-depth interviews, reviews and essays were so insightful and amazing to read, especially the ones with directors and crew members from films I was already familiar with, prior to reading this. To read about the way these filmmakers approached certain challenges, what drives them and inspires them, but also learning about some of the more technical aspects of filmmaking was so fascinating. The questions Andrew asks, and the way he formulates them, lead to open and honest conversations, and he ends the book with a strong final essay, that ties it all together.
It also became a bit of an interactive read, as I found myself looking up some of the short films and watching them - if available - before reading the actual interviews, and taking notes of other titles that caught my attention.
Absolutely loved this, and my to-watch list has definitely grown quite a bit after finishing this book.
Highly recommended for (Aussie) film fans.
February 6, 2025
Andrew F Peirce celebrates Australian film like Yahoo Serious celebrated Young Einstein splitting the atom and putting bubbles into beer. This book shows his passion and gives filmmakers and the Aussie film community a spotlight they deserve far more of. Essential.
December 27, 2024
Even if I wasn’t in this book I’d still want a copy.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews