The film adaptation of Melina Marchetta’s beloved bestseller understood the cruelty, cluelessness and soul-crushing indignities of teenage girlhood
Cursed women, shame, class, migrant identity, death – these are the themes that coalesce in the singular, coming-of-age film Looking for Alibrandi. Twenty years after release it has lost none of its emotional sting.
Adapted from Melina Marchetta’s beloved, best-selling 1992 novel, the film follows the stubborn and smart-mouthed Josie Alibrandi (Pia Miranda) in her final year of high school. She navigates a jagged relationship with her matriarchal Italian family, including mother (Greta Scacchi) and grandmother (Elena Cotta), confronts xenophobia and class anxiety at her private Catholic school, develops a relationship with her out-of-the-picture father (Anthony Lapaglia), dates, studies and wrestles with her own in-flux identity.
Cursed women, shame, class, migrant identity, death – these are the themes that coalesce in the singular, coming-of-age film Looking for Alibrandi. Twenty years after release it has lost none of its emotional sting.
Adapted from Melina Marchetta’s beloved, best-selling 1992 novel, the film follows the stubborn and smart-mouthed Josie Alibrandi (Pia Miranda) in her final year of high school. She navigates a jagged relationship with her matriarchal Italian family, including mother (Greta Scacchi) and grandmother (Elena Cotta), confronts xenophobia and class anxiety at her private Catholic school, develops a relationship with her out-of-the-picture father (Anthony Lapaglia), dates, studies and wrestles with her own in-flux identity.
- 5/15/2020
- by Isabella Trimboli
- The Guardian - Film News
Wild Sheep Content, the L.A.-based production company of former Netflix head of international originals Erik Barmack, is teaming with France’s Studio Reaz to adapt “Marked for Life,” the debut novel by top Scandinavian crime writer Emelie Schepp featuring the damaged heroine Jana Berzelius.
The deal was signed with Joakim Hansson, CEO of Schepp’s Stockholm-based agents, Nordin Agency.
After self-publishing “Marked for Life” in 2013, Sweden’s Schepp has gone on to become one of Scandinavia’s top crime writers, selling more than 2 million copies of her novels – a huge number relative to the size of the Scandinavian market. Rights to her novel series have been licensed to 20-plus countries, including a U.S. publishing deal with Mira/Harper Collins.
The novels’ protagonist is Berzelius, a young, brilliant but emotionally stunted Swedish prosecutor who was adopted as a child and can’t remember anything about her life before the age of nine.
The deal was signed with Joakim Hansson, CEO of Schepp’s Stockholm-based agents, Nordin Agency.
After self-publishing “Marked for Life” in 2013, Sweden’s Schepp has gone on to become one of Scandinavia’s top crime writers, selling more than 2 million copies of her novels – a huge number relative to the size of the Scandinavian market. Rights to her novel series have been licensed to 20-plus countries, including a U.S. publishing deal with Mira/Harper Collins.
The novels’ protagonist is Berzelius, a young, brilliant but emotionally stunted Swedish prosecutor who was adopted as a child and can’t remember anything about her life before the age of nine.
- 12/3/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The long journey to adapt Australian author Melina Marchetta’s 2006 young adult novel On the Jellicoe Road into a TV series looks like paying off.
Werner Film Productions’ Joanna Werner has teamed up with Germany’s Zdf Enterprises and Wild Sheep Content, the fledgling production outfit formed by Erik Barmack, Netflix’s former head of international originals, on the eight-part series.
Marchetta will write the pilot and is working on development with Samantha Strauss, Sarah Walker and Angela Betzien.
The mystery romance by the Looking for Alibrandi author follows 17-year-old Taylor Markham, who was abandoned by her mother at a roadside deli on the outskirts of Jellicoe when she was 11.
After her mentor and guardian Hannah vanishes she meets a mysterious hermit who provides a clue to her identity. This happens amid a territory war between the boarders at her school, kids from the local town and a group of cadets.
Werner Film Productions’ Joanna Werner has teamed up with Germany’s Zdf Enterprises and Wild Sheep Content, the fledgling production outfit formed by Erik Barmack, Netflix’s former head of international originals, on the eight-part series.
Marchetta will write the pilot and is working on development with Samantha Strauss, Sarah Walker and Angela Betzien.
The mystery romance by the Looking for Alibrandi author follows 17-year-old Taylor Markham, who was abandoned by her mother at a roadside deli on the outskirts of Jellicoe when she was 11.
After her mentor and guardian Hannah vanishes she meets a mysterious hermit who provides a clue to her identity. This happens amid a territory war between the boarders at her school, kids from the local town and a group of cadets.
- 12/2/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Melina Marchetta’s young adult novel “On the Jellicoe Road” is being adapted for TV by Germany’s Zdf Enterprises, Australia’s Werner Film, and Wild Sheep Content, the fledgling production outfit formed by Erik Barmack, Netflix’s former head of international originals.
Australian author Marchetta’s book was first published in 2006 in Australia. It was published in the U.S. in 2008 with the shortened title “Jellicoe Road.”
The story centers on 17-year-old Taylor Markham, leader of an underground community at a boarding school. Abandoned by her mother when she was 11, and with little recollection of her father, Taylor has only her mentor and guardian Hannah as an adult influence in her life, who suddenly vanishes. There is also a territory war going on between the boarders, the kids from the local town, and a group of cadets training locally.
Development on the series is underway. Samantha Strauss (“H2O: Just Add Water...
Australian author Marchetta’s book was first published in 2006 in Australia. It was published in the U.S. in 2008 with the shortened title “Jellicoe Road.”
The story centers on 17-year-old Taylor Markham, leader of an underground community at a boarding school. Abandoned by her mother when she was 11, and with little recollection of her father, Taylor has only her mentor and guardian Hannah as an adult influence in her life, who suddenly vanishes. There is also a territory war going on between the boarders, the kids from the local town, and a group of cadets training locally.
Development on the series is underway. Samantha Strauss (“H2O: Just Add Water...
- 12/2/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Wild Sheep Content, the content business set up by former Netflix international exec Erik Barmack, is developing an adaptation of Australian teen novel On the Jellicoe Road.
The company, which Barmack, who was VP International Originals for Latin America, Emea and India, set up earlier this year after leaving the Svod service, is working with Germany’s Zdf Enterprises and Australia’s Werner Film Productions, on the young adult drama series.
The book, written by Australian author Melina Marchetta, was first published in Australia in 2006 and in the U.S. in 2008. It centers around 17-year-old Taylor Markham, leader of the boarding school underground community on Jellicoe Road. Taylor was abandoned by her mother when she was 11, and her only recollection of her father is a brief memory of standing on her father’s shoulders. The only adult influence in her life is her mentor and guardian Hannah, who lives in...
The company, which Barmack, who was VP International Originals for Latin America, Emea and India, set up earlier this year after leaving the Svod service, is working with Germany’s Zdf Enterprises and Australia’s Werner Film Productions, on the young adult drama series.
The book, written by Australian author Melina Marchetta, was first published in Australia in 2006 and in the U.S. in 2008. It centers around 17-year-old Taylor Markham, leader of the boarding school underground community on Jellicoe Road. Taylor was abandoned by her mother when she was 11, and her only recollection of her father is a brief memory of standing on her father’s shoulders. The only adult influence in her life is her mentor and guardian Hannah, who lives in...
- 12/2/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sam Humphrey and Nick Boshier in ‘Jeremy The Dud’.
Screen Australia has announced the final round of story development funding for the 2018-19 financial year, backing five television series, six online projects and six feature films with $675,000.
The project include Musquito, an adventure film about an Aboriginal warrior from director Dylan River; Jane Campion’s revenge western Power of the Dog; Princess Pictures’ Jeremy The Dud, a TV comedy exploring the moments of challenge and levity when living with a disability; and Afro Sistahs, an online series about a group of twenty-somethings who connect at an Afro hair salon.
It has now been over 12 months since Screen Australia introduced new development funding guidelines, that are platform neutral and have broadened eligibility criteria. The new funds include Generate, for lower budget projects with an emphasis on new and emerging talent, or experienced talent wanting to take creative risks, and the Premium...
Screen Australia has announced the final round of story development funding for the 2018-19 financial year, backing five television series, six online projects and six feature films with $675,000.
The project include Musquito, an adventure film about an Aboriginal warrior from director Dylan River; Jane Campion’s revenge western Power of the Dog; Princess Pictures’ Jeremy The Dud, a TV comedy exploring the moments of challenge and levity when living with a disability; and Afro Sistahs, an online series about a group of twenty-somethings who connect at an Afro hair salon.
It has now been over 12 months since Screen Australia introduced new development funding guidelines, that are platform neutral and have broadened eligibility criteria. The new funds include Generate, for lower budget projects with an emphasis on new and emerging talent, or experienced talent wanting to take creative risks, and the Premium...
- 8/6/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Werner Film Productions. Joanna Werner is appealing to creatives to pitch their ideas for original TV dramas for the Screen Australia-funded development initiative The Story Lab.
Werner is looking for two projects for workshops designed to enable writers to take concepts to a pitch bible and first draft pilot episode script.
The deadline for Call for Concepts is July 10. Applicants are asked to submit a 1-3 page outline via Wfp.s website.
Funded by Screen Australia.s Enterprise Stories, the lab is intended to cultivate innovative Australian stories with global audience appeal.
Up to 20 writers as well as five script editors and five creative producers will participate in five intensive .Us writers. room- style workshops throughout the year.
.We.ve had a terrific response to Call for Concepts, across a broad cross-section of genres, but there is a week left for submissions,. Werner tells If.
The first workshop was held in June for House Games,...
Werner is looking for two projects for workshops designed to enable writers to take concepts to a pitch bible and first draft pilot episode script.
The deadline for Call for Concepts is July 10. Applicants are asked to submit a 1-3 page outline via Wfp.s website.
Funded by Screen Australia.s Enterprise Stories, the lab is intended to cultivate innovative Australian stories with global audience appeal.
Up to 20 writers as well as five script editors and five creative producers will participate in five intensive .Us writers. room- style workshops throughout the year.
.We.ve had a terrific response to Call for Concepts, across a broad cross-section of genres, but there is a week left for submissions,. Werner tells If.
The first workshop was held in June for House Games,...
- 7/3/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
How did some fictional friends from the Sydney suburbs sum up a generation? One film fan pays tribute to Josie, Jacob Coote and John Barton 15 years on
Still Looking for Alibrandi: migrant teens deserve their own Ya fiction
Rewatching classic Australian films: week by week
Fifteen years ago, Josie Alibrandi was walking along George Street in her formal dress when she stopped and looked at Jacob Coote in disgust. “In a panel van?” she said. I may not have actually known what was wrong with a panel van, but I fell immediately in love.
To a specific generation of Australians, Kate Woods’ film Looking for Alibrandi is such a cultural touchstone it’s hard to remove it from our own personal history. Based on Melina Marchetta’s 1992 novel, it was critically embraced for thoughtfully telling an authentic non-Anglo-Saxon coming-of-age story from the perspective of a non-male protagonist, a combination rarely explored.
Still Looking for Alibrandi: migrant teens deserve their own Ya fiction
Rewatching classic Australian films: week by week
Fifteen years ago, Josie Alibrandi was walking along George Street in her formal dress when she stopped and looked at Jacob Coote in disgust. “In a panel van?” she said. I may not have actually known what was wrong with a panel van, but I fell immediately in love.
To a specific generation of Australians, Kate Woods’ film Looking for Alibrandi is such a cultural touchstone it’s hard to remove it from our own personal history. Based on Melina Marchetta’s 1992 novel, it was critically embraced for thoughtfully telling an authentic non-Anglo-Saxon coming-of-age story from the perspective of a non-male protagonist, a combination rarely explored.
- 6/30/2015
- by Sinead Stubbins
- The Guardian - Film News
Today is a massive day in Young Adult book releases. For starters, Kiera Cass' "The Elite," the much-anticipated sequel to "The Selection" has finally hit shelves! "Selection" fans should totally brace for more feisty palatial goings-on and more of that deliciously difficult love triangle with America, Prince Maxon and Aspen! See also: Arc Review: 'The Elite' ('The Selection' #2) by Kiera Cass Not to mention, Neil Gaiman's got an exciting new short story anthology out today called "Unnatural Creatures," and as if that isn't cool enough, proceeds of the book's sales will benefit 826Dc, a literacy advocate group! There are a ton of other titles out today, so hit the list to read up on these new additions to your "Tbr" pile: "The Elite" ("The Selection" #2) by Kiera Cass, "Unbreakable" ("Unraveling" #2) by Elizabeth Norris, "New Moon: The Graphic Novel - Vol. 1" by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim,...
- 4/23/2013
- by thetwilightexaminer
- Twilight Examiner
Sunday July 15th is the last day of Comic-Con 2012, and most of us will be completely worn out looking like Spider-Man in the image above. Chances are he's asleep under that mask. Sunday has always been a cool down day for us, we kind of just try to relax a little bit more and enjoy it. That doesn't mean their isn't anything to see or do though!
We've got a Fringe screening and Q&A, Doctor Who, Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20th Anniversary, Sons of Anarchy, the annual Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical screening, and more! I've always wanted to go the Buffy musical sing-a-long, but am usually trying to leave San Diego before it starts.
Just a little reminder, we will be having our annual GeekTyrant meet up this year to meet our readers, which is something we always enjoy doing! That will take place on Wednesday night, and...
We've got a Fringe screening and Q&A, Doctor Who, Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20th Anniversary, Sons of Anarchy, the annual Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical screening, and more! I've always wanted to go the Buffy musical sing-a-long, but am usually trying to leave San Diego before it starts.
Just a little reminder, we will be having our annual GeekTyrant meet up this year to meet our readers, which is something we always enjoy doing! That will take place on Wednesday night, and...
- 7/1/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
The organizers of San Diego Comic-Con have released the official schedule of events for Sunday, July 15 which you can now view below.
San Diego Comic-Con – Sunday, July 15
10:00-11:00 Comic-Con How-to: Publishing Industry: From Manuscript to Industry — So you have the desire to write a book and get it published, but what does that really mean? Agents, editors, publishers, reviewers, self-publishing, traditional publishing, print on demand, ebooks, foreign language-the list goes on. What does it mean to “write for profit,” and what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake gives you some insights into the real world that is the Publishing Industry. Warning: this seminar is not for the weak of spirit. Room 2
10:00-11:00 Spotlight on Jason Shiga — Comic-Con special guest Jason Shiga is best known for his interactive comics, including Meanwhile and Knock Knock. He will present a career retrospective detailing...
San Diego Comic-Con – Sunday, July 15
10:00-11:00 Comic-Con How-to: Publishing Industry: From Manuscript to Industry — So you have the desire to write a book and get it published, but what does that really mean? Agents, editors, publishers, reviewers, self-publishing, traditional publishing, print on demand, ebooks, foreign language-the list goes on. What does it mean to “write for profit,” and what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake gives you some insights into the real world that is the Publishing Industry. Warning: this seminar is not for the weak of spirit. Room 2
10:00-11:00 Spotlight on Jason Shiga — Comic-Con special guest Jason Shiga is best known for his interactive comics, including Meanwhile and Knock Knock. He will present a career retrospective detailing...
- 7/1/2012
- by GeekRest
- GeekRest
Comic-Con Sundays are typically light on horror, and this year is no exception although once again our favorite panel, "Supernatural", is heading to Hall H. Here are the genre highlights as well as info on the 36th annual Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive.
One thing we can't stress enough is to keep checking the Sdcc website for updates as nothing's set in stone until the event actually starts happening.
10:00-11:00 Emily the Strange— Be a part of the Emily the Strange panel experience, where you have the chance to prove your knowledge of Strange and win prizes, learn what's new in Emily's oddball universe (including a sneak peek at the new Emily and the Strangers comic book series), and Q&A with Emily's creator Rob Reger, artist Buzz Parker, and writer Jessica Gruner. Did we mention you will get some cool stuff just for showing up and being Strange?...
One thing we can't stress enough is to keep checking the Sdcc website for updates as nothing's set in stone until the event actually starts happening.
10:00-11:00 Emily the Strange— Be a part of the Emily the Strange panel experience, where you have the chance to prove your knowledge of Strange and win prizes, learn what's new in Emily's oddball universe (including a sneak peek at the new Emily and the Strangers comic book series), and Q&A with Emily's creator Rob Reger, artist Buzz Parker, and writer Jessica Gruner. Did we mention you will get some cool stuff just for showing up and being Strange?...
- 7/1/2012
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
You may need to be sitting down for this, but I am going to a review a book that isn’t the fifth, sixth or seventh in a series. In fact, it isn’t in a series at all, gasp! I am talking about a book titled Finnikin of the Rock, by Melina Marchetta. I picked this book to read off of my Goodreads list because, unlike most books on my list, the average rating of this book was 4 out of 5 stars. Almost every review raves about this book, and I just had to see what the hype was about. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
At the age of 9, Finnikin is told that he will have to sacrifice a pound of flesh to save the Kingdom of Lumatere from destruction. With this prophecy, he stands on a rock with his two friends, Lucian–the son of the Mont leader, and Balthazar,...
At the age of 9, Finnikin is told that he will have to sacrifice a pound of flesh to save the Kingdom of Lumatere from destruction. With this prophecy, he stands on a rock with his two friends, Lucian–the son of the Mont leader, and Balthazar,...
- 6/2/2011
- by Pretty Thisby
- Boomtron
Predicting the future of a film or television program and avoiding a financial disaster doesn’t necessarily require clairvoyant powers; testing your project with an audience at different stages of the production process can make a huge difference. Aravind Balasubramaniam reports.
“Nobody wants others to tell them their baby is ugly,” says the founder and CEO of Audience Development Australia (Ada) David Castran. “But it’s very important that producers listen with two ears and try to challenge their strongly-held views. Testing empowers producers by giving them information about the audience’s relationship with the pilot or program. I know at times that can be controversial.”
Drama has the highest production cost per hour of all TV programming, so well-executed testing can inform producers and broadcasters about the potential response to their shows.
Castran’s company was founded in the early 90s to provide comprehensive audience study services to the industry.
“Nobody wants others to tell them their baby is ugly,” says the founder and CEO of Audience Development Australia (Ada) David Castran. “But it’s very important that producers listen with two ears and try to challenge their strongly-held views. Testing empowers producers by giving them information about the audience’s relationship with the pilot or program. I know at times that can be controversial.”
Drama has the highest production cost per hour of all TV programming, so well-executed testing can inform producers and broadcasters about the potential response to their shows.
Castran’s company was founded in the early 90s to provide comprehensive audience study services to the industry.
- 2/22/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
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