Nitramis a 2021 Australianbiographicalpsychological dramafilm directed byJustin Kurzelfrom a screenplay by Shaun Grant.[3]The film revolves around the life and behaviors of a mentally distressed young man called "Nitram" (based onMartin Bryant), and the events leading to his involvement in the1996 Port Arthur massacreinTasmania.The film starsCaleb Landry Jones,Judy Davis,Essie DavisandAnthony LaPaglia.[4][5]
| Nitram | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Justin Kurzel |
| Written by | Shaun Grant |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Germain McMicking |
| Edited by | Nick Fenton |
| Music by | Jed Kurzel |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 112 minutes[1] |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Box office | US$418,828[2] |
Nitrampremiered at theCannes Film Festivalon 16 July 2021, where Jones won theBest Actoraward for his performance. The film received alimited theatrical releasein Australia on 30 September 2021, before a digital release on the Australian streaming serviceStanon 24 November 2021. It received widespread critical acclaim for Kurzel's direction and the cast's performances (particularly Jones and Judy Davis), although the film sparked controversy in Tasmania. The film later received eight awards at the11th AACTA Awards,includingBest Film,Best Direction,Best Actor,Best Actress,Best Supporting Actor,Best Supporting Actress,andBest Original Screenplay.
Plot
editThe film begins with real archive news footage from 1979 of a 12-year-old Martin Bryant being interviewed in a burns unit of a hospital after playing with fireworks. He is asked whether he has learned his lesson not to play with them again; he replies that he would play with them again.
Nitram is an intellectually disabled young adult who lives with his parents inTasmania.He regularly sets off fireworks, which upsets the neighbours, and sells his fireworks to schoolchildren. His father has recently been approved for a business loan with which he hopes to buy a bed and breakfast that Nitram will help run. Nitram begs his mother to buy him a surfboard after seeing an attractive woman with a surfer, but she is exasperated and refuses.
Nitram starts mowing lawns to make money. In the process, he meets a neighbour named Helen, a retired actress and heiress, who offers to pay him to walk her dogs. The two quickly become friends, and Helen buys him a car, despite Nitram not having a driver's licence and exhibiting a dangerous habit of grabbing the steering wheel when the two are driving.
Nitram becomes increasingly frustrated with life at home and tells his parents he is moving in with Helen, who permits him to stay in a spare room but insists that he get rid of hisair rifleas it upsets her. On his next birthday, Nitram introduces Helen to his parents; his mother tells Helen an anecdote about a young Nitram taking pleasure in the pain he caused her after pretending to be lost.
Despite having the funds for the bed and breakfast, Nitram's father's offer is rejected when another couple makes a higher offer, and he becomes despondent. Nitram asks Helen if the two can visitHollywood, Los Angeles,but on the drive to the airport the next day he once again lunges for the steering wheel, resulting in a devastating car crash that kills Helen and severely injures him. When questioned by police, Nitram lies that he was asleep at the time of the crash.
Nitram, having inherited Helen's decaying mansion and over half a milliondollars,starts to drink heavily. His mother asks him to help his father, who isseverely depressed.Nitram then desperately attempts to buy the bed and breakfast, but the new owners flatly refuse. Several days later, his father's body is found in a nearby river after an apparentsuicide.After he shows up to his father's funeral dressed in anelectric bluesuit and hat, Nitram's mother refuses to let him attend, fearing he will embarrass her. The increasingly isolated Nitram begins to take frequent overseas vacations by himself and practises shooting with his air rifle.
While watching the news one night, Nitram sees a report about theDunblane massacre.He then becomes obsessed with guns, purchasing an unlicensedColt AR-15andshotgunand ordering ahandgun.One day, he drives to the bed and breakfast his father wanted to buy and shoots the owners, then drives to the café where Helen and his parents celebrated his birthday. After ordering food, he sets up a video camera, retrieves a rifle from his sports bag and opens fire on the tourists. At her home, Nitram's mother smokes, unaware of the news report of the massacre playing in the background.
Cast
edit- Caleb Landry Jonesas "Nitram" (based onMartin Bryant;"Nitram" is "Martin" spelt backwards)[6]
- Judy Davisas Nitram's mother (based on Carleen Bryant)[7]
- Essie Davisas Helen (based on Helen Mary Elizabeth Harvey)
- Anthony LaPagliaas Maurice (based on Maurice Bryant)
- Sean Keenanas Jamie
- Rick James as the gun shop owner
Production
editOn 17 November 2020, it was announced thatJustin Kurzelwould direct a film focused on the 1996Port Arthur massacre,starringCaleb Landry Jones,Judy Davis,Essie DavisandAnthony LaPaglia.[8][9]Principal photographyof the film began on 23 January 2021 and concluded on 13 March 2021 inGeelong,Victoria.[10]
Release
editThe film had its premiere at theCannes Film Festivalon 16 July 2021.[11]It was scheduled to screen in mid-August at the later-cancelledMelbourne International Film Festival[12]and later screened atCinefestOZinWestern Australiain late August 2021.[13]
It received alimited theatrical releasein Australia byMadman Filmson 30 September 2021.[14]It was later released digitally on the Australian streaming serviceStanon 24 November 2021.[15][16]
Reception
editOn thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,Nitramholds a 93% approval rating based on 121 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The website's consensus reads, "Nitramasks viewers to face a gut-wrenchingly grim moment in Australian history—but rewards that effort with a gripping, well-acted character study. "[17]OnMetacritic,the film has a score of 81 out of 100 based on reviews from 26 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[18]
Reception in Tasmania
editThe film was met by widespread controversy within Tasmania itself. Kelly Spaulding, mayor of theTasman Council,which includes Port Arthur, condemned the choice to make the film.The Alannah and Madeline Foundation,which was established byWalter Mikacwhose wife and two young daughters were murdered in the Port Arthur massacre, released a statement also condemning the choice to produce the film. The Police Association of Tasmania, the union forTasmania Police,indicated it was worried how members of the union's mental health would be impacted.[19]TheStar Theatrein Launceston and theState Cinemain Hobart were the only cinemas in Tasmania to show the film. However, the State Cinema chose not to advertise the screenings.[20]
The production company invited arts ministerElise Archerto meet, but she declined. Screen Tasmania declined to fund the film. The then-Premier of Tasmania,Peter Gutwein,stated to the House of Assembly that it made him uncomfortable. Other state politicians includingBrian Mitchell,federal member for Lyons, andRebecca White,Leader of the Opposition, expressed concern.[21]
Accolades
editReferences
edit- ^"NITRAM".Australian Classification Board.16 July 2021.Retrieved22 July2021.
- ^"Nitram".Box Office Mojo.IMDb.Retrieved19 January2024.
- ^"Nitram (2021) Cannes Film Festival 2021".Filmuforia.17 July 2021.Retrieved1 September2021.
- ^"'Nitram': Justin Kurzel & Shaun Grant On Retelling A Painful Event In Australian History & Opening Up Conversation On Gun Reform – Cannes ".Deadline. 7 July 2021.
- ^"Nitram review – deeply disturbing drama about mass killer Martin Bryant".The Guardian.16 July 2021.
- ^"Justin Kurzel's 'Nitram': Film Review | Cannes 2021".The Hollywood Reporter.16 July 2021.
- ^"Justin Kurzel's 'Nitram': Film Review | Cannes 2021".The Hollywood Reporter.16 July 2021.
- ^Grater, Tom; N'Duka, Amanda (27 March 2021)."Justin Kurzel Sets Caleb Landry Jones, Judy Davis & Essie Davis For Port Arthur Massacre Film 'Nitram'".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved27 March2021.
- ^Buckmaster, Luke (25 December 2020)."From Nitram to Penguin Bloom: Australian films to look out for in 2021".The Guardian.Retrieved27 March2021.
- ^"Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Nitram".Variety Insight.Archivedfrom the original on 27 March 2021.Retrieved27 March2021.
- ^"NITRAM- Festival de Cannes 2021".Festival de Cannes 2021.7 October 1977.Retrieved3 September2021.
- ^"Nitram".MIFF 2021.1 August 2021.Retrieved3 September2021.
- ^ab"'Nitram' Claims First Prize At in-Person CinefestOZ Festival ".Variety.30 August 2021.Retrieved3 September2021.
- ^Burke, Kelly (26 September 2021)."'I was incredibly scared of it': Justin Kurzel on making Port Arthur massacre film Nitram ".The Guardian Australia.Retrieved3 October2021.
- ^"Stan to release film about Port Arthur gunman Martin Bryant".Nine News.Retrieved18 July2021.
- ^Stan Australia[@StanAustralia] (5 October 2021)."The Stan Original film NITRAM by #JustinKurzel, director of Snowtown, starring #CalebLandryJones, #JudyDavis, #EssieDavis & #AnthonyLaPaglia will premiere on Stan on November 24. Nitram is also screening in select cinemas now. #NITRAM"(Tweet).Retrieved9 October2021– viaTwitter.
- ^"Nitram".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.Retrieved13 October2024.
- ^"Nitram Reviews".Metacritic.Red Ventures.Retrieved24 October2022.
- ^Burke, Kelly (1 December 2020)."'The community is pretty upset': Port Arthur film widely condemned ".The Guardian.Retrieved19 March2022.
- ^Coslovich, Gabriella (15 October 2021)."'The most silent of all silences': Port Arthur massacre film opens in Tasmania ".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved5 November2021.
- ^Inglis, Rob (1 December 2020)."Port Arthur film 'hits raw nerve' but won't be 'censored': Gutwein".The Examiner.The Examiner.Retrieved5 November2021.
- ^"Winners & Nominees".
- ^Tartaglione, Nancy (17 December 2021)."'Belfast' & 'The Power Of The Dog' Lead Australia's AACTA International Awards Nominations – Full List ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved17 December2021.
- ^"Awards 2021: Competition".Cannes Film Festival.Retrieved3 September2021.
- ^O'Shea, Ben (28 August 2021)."Martin Bryant film Nitram wins $100,000 CinefestOZ prize as WA premiere screens in Busselton".PerthNow.Retrieved3 September2021.
- ^Cain, Sian (16 May 2022)."'Unflinching': Villawood graphic novel wins book of the year at NSW premier's literary awards ".The Guardian.Retrieved16 May2022.
