Films

Published on January 5th, 2015 | by Damien Straker

Russell Crowe’s THE WATER DIVINER becomes highest grossing Australian film of 2014 – Entertainment One Media release

After only 6 days of release, Russell Crowe’s directorial debut THE WATER DIVINER became the highest grossing Australian film of 2014.

Opening on Boxing Day, the total box office for THE WATER DIVINER at the close of 2014 was $5.68 million, making it the most successful Australian film of 2014 following just 6 days of release and previews. It surpasses the 2014 gross of The Railway Man.

Australian audiences have warmly embraced THE WATER DIVINER, and it continues its successful cinema run, with its current box office as of January 4, 2015 standing at $8.4 million.

Mike Baard, Managing Director, Universal Pictures Australia and Sandie Don, Head of Distribution, Entertainment One, comment: “We are delighted that Australian audiences have responded with such enthusiasm to the film. It’s that time of year when people are thinking about the future, and THE WATER DIVINER reminds us of the possibility of hope. It is so fitting that in the year that we remember the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli, that all Australians have a film which transports audiences to that time and place, but does so with a fresh perspective and such a positive and uplifting message which is relevant today.”

THE WATER DIVINER has been nominated for 9 AACTA awards, including Best Film, Best Original Screenplay and Best Lead Actor, Russell Crowe.

THE WATER DIVINER:
Shot in both Australia and Turkey, the film is an epic adventure set four years after the devastating battle of Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Crowe plays Australian farmer Joshua Connor who travels to Turkey in 1919 to discover the fate of his three sons, reported missing in action.

Initially blocked by military bureaucracy, his determination unwavering, he is helped first by the beautiful Ayshe (Olga Kurylenko) who owns the hotel he stays at in Istanbul, and then by a Turkish Officer who had fought against Connor’s sons. Holding on to hope, Connor and Major Hasan (Yilmaz Erdogan) must travel across the war-torn landscape to find the truth, and for Joshua to find his own peace. THE WATER DIVINER is an extraordinary tale of love, hope and heroism.

RatPac Entertainment and Seven Network Australia present THE WATER DIVINER; A Fear of God Films and Hopscotch Features Production, co-distributed by Entertainment One Australia and Universal Pictures Australia.

THE WATER DIVINER was produced by Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum.

Source: Entertainment One Media Release


About the Author

damien@impulsegamer.com'

is a freelance writer and film critic. He studied at the University of Sydney and graduated with an Arts Honours degree in Film Studies. He is a pop culture aficionado and enjoys talking about all films, 90s TV shows, ninjas and watching Rugby League. His favourite film directors are Alfonso Cuarón, Clint Eastwood and Alexander Payne.



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