Finally Australia has an Ozsploitation doco epic!

Have you yearned to know what Aussie cinema was like in the seventies? Did you even know there was one? Did you know that for love nor money, you can’t find a decent print of Mad Max in Australia, because they were all played to buggery at the drive ins? All this and more is uncovered in Not Quite Hollywood – a warts and all look at an uncovered golden age of Aussie exploitation cinema.

When I say warts an all, first we start with a sexy look at Aussie cinema. It’s the Barry McKenzie/Number 96 era, where any tits and arse film would be guaranteed to reel in the dosh. And there is a LIBERAL splash of muff and tits in the first half hour of the film. My only complaint is they didn’t keep it going throughout the film! In fact even Johnny Holmes made a cameo appearance in Aussie cinema!

Next you get the so called ‘genre’ films, mostly action and horrors. This is where a special guest pops in Quentin Tarantino. You guessed it, the world’s most pre eminent film nerd is obsessed with Aussie exploitation films as well and has quite a lot to say. So much so that it was by virtue of his support, this movie got off the ground.

Along the way, they uncover a brilliant 1975 Hong Kong action flick, filmed in Australia, heaps of Mad Max esque films, schlock horror flicks aplenty and loads and loads and loads of speeding cars and gore. All I can suggest is bring a pen and paper because you will find at least 10 Aussie movies you would trade your left nut to see, because they’re breathtakingly good.

Two of the really good looking movies they found were Road Games starring no less than Jamie Lee Curtis. This looks like a trucking convoy movie meets Wolf Creek. The second being Stone, which is a gonzo journalism style look at Bikie gangs in Sydney. I’ve seen this movie around the traps but had no idea how good it was and I’m dying to see it now.

For real sociology or film nerds, there’s a quick look at the socio-political circumstances that helped this genre grow – and die. Apparently ANYONE could claim a 150% loss on any Aussie movie they funded in the seventies . No genre or culture requirements whatsoever. While it would’ve been good if they discussed more of this, the movie is quick and snappy and never lags anywhere. Probably helped a great deal by the director being primarily a music video director by trade!

Amazingly, despite the gore and tits aplenty, it’s rated MA15+. I’m told it’s opening on about 50 screens in two weeks Australia wide, so for the love of god, check this movie out. 5 out of 5!