Nitram

Nitram is a 2021 Australian biographical psychological drama film directed by Justin Kurzel from a screenplay by Shaun Grant.[2] The film revolves around the life and behaviours of a disturbed young man called "Nitram" (based on Martin Bryant), and the events leading to his involvement in the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, Australia. The film stars Caleb Landry Jones, Judy Davis, Essie Davis and Anthony LaPaglia.[3][4]

For the comics character, see List of Homestuck characters § Tavros Nitram.

Nitram
Promotional poster
Directed byJustin Kurzel
Written byShaun Grant
Produced by
  • Nick Batzias
  • Virginia Whitwell
  • Justin Kurzel
  • Shaun Grant
Starring
CinematographyGermain McMicking
Edited byNick Fenton
Music byJed Kurzel
Production
companies
Distributed byMadman Films
Release date
  • 16 July 2021 (2021-07-16) (Cannes)
  • 30 September 2021 (2021-09-30) (Australia)
Running time
112 minutes[1]
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

The film premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival on 16 July 2021, where Jones won the Best Actor award for his performance. The film received a limited theatrical release in Australia on 30 September 2021, before a digital release on the Australian streaming service Stan on 24 November 2021.

Cast

Production

On 17 November 2020, it was announced that Justin Kurzel would direct a film focused on the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, Australia, starring Caleb Landry Jones, Judy Davis, Essie Davis and Anthony LaPaglia.[7][8] Principal photography of the film began on 23 January 2021 and concluded on 13 March 2021 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.[9]

Release

The film had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 16 July 2021.[10] It was scheduled to screen in mid-August at the later-cancelled Melbourne International Film Festival[11] and later screened at CinefestOZ in Western Australia in late August 2021.[12]

It received a limited theatrical release in Australia by Madman Films on 30 September 2021.[13] It was later released digitally on the Australian streaming service Stan on 24 November 2021.[14][15]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Nitram holds a 88% approval rating based on 34 reviews.[16] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 80 out of 100 based on reviews from 9 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[17]

Reception in Tasmania

The film was met by widespread controversy within Tasmania itself. Kelly Spaulding, Mayor of the Tasman Council, which includes Port Arthur, condemned the choice to make the film. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, established by the father of two young girls killed in the Port Arthur shooting, released a statement also condemning the choice to produce the film. The Police Association of Tasmania, the union for Tasmania Police, indicated it was worried how members of the union's mental health would be impacted.[18] The Star Theatre, Launceston and the State Cinema, Hobart were the only cinemas in Tasmania to show the film. However, the State Cinema chose not to advertise the screenings.[19]

The production company invited Arts Minister Elise Archer to meet, but were declined. Screen Tasmania declined to fund the film. Premier of Tasmania Peter Gutwein stated to the House of Assembly that it made him uncomfortable. Other state politicians including Brian Mitchell, federal member for Lyons, and Rebecca White, Leader of the Opposition, expressed concern.[20]

Accolades
Award Ceremony
date		 Category Subject Result Ref
AACTA Awards December 8, 2021 Best Film Nick Batzias Won [21]
Shaun Grant Won
Virginia Whitwell Won
Justin Kurzel Won
Best Direction Won
Best Original Screenplay Shaun Grant Won
Best Actor Caleb Landry Jones Won
Best Actress Judy Davis Won
Best Supporting Actor Anthony LaPaglia Won
Best Supporting Actress Essie Davis Won
Best Cinematography Germain McMicking Lost
Best Editing Nick Fenton Won
Best Original Music Score Jed Kurzel Lost
Best Sound James Ashton Lost
Dean Ryan Lost
Steve Single Lost
Best Production Design Alice Babidge Lost
Best Costume Design Lost
Best Hair and Makeup Fiona Rees-Jones Lost
Best Casting Nikki Barrett Lost
Kate Leonard Lost
Alison Telford Lost
Cannes Film Festival July 6-17, 2021 Best Actor Caleb Landry Jones Won [22]
CinefestOZ August, 2021 Film Prize Won [12][23]

References
  1. "NITRAM". Australian Classification Board. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  2. "Nitram (2021) Cannes Film Festival 2021". Filmuforia. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  3. "'Nitram': Justin Kurzel & Shaun Grant On Retelling A Painful Event In Australian History & Opening Up Conversation On Gun Reform – Cannes". Deadline. 7 July 2021.
  4. "Nitram review – deeply disturbing drama about mass killer Martin Bryant". The Guardian. 16 July 2021.
  5. "Justin Kurzel's 'Nitram': Film Review | Cannes 2021". The Hollywood Reporter. 16 July 2021.
  6. "Justin Kurzel's 'Nitram': Film Review | Cannes 2021". The Hollywood Reporter. 16 July 2021.
  7. 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. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. Buckmaster, Luke (25 December 2020). "From Nitram to Penguin Bloom: Australian films to look out for in 2021". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. "Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Nitram". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. "NITRAM- Festival de Cannes 2021". Festival de Cannes 2021. 7 October 1977. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  11. "Nitram". MIFF 2021. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  12. "'Nitram' Claims First Prize At in-Person CinefestOZ Festival". Variety. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  13. Burke, Kelly (26 September 2021). "'I was incredibly scared of it': Justin Kurzel on making Port Arthur massacre film Nitram". The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  14. "Stan to release film about Port Arthur gunman Martin Bryant". Nine News. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  15. 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). Retrieved 9 October 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. "Nitram (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  17. "Nitram Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  18. "'The community is pretty upset': Port Arthur film widely condemned". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  19. Coslovich, Gabriella (15 October 2021). "'The most silent of all silences': Port Arthur massacre film opens in Tasmania". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  20. Inglis, Rob (1 December 2020). "Port Arthur film 'hits raw nerve' but won't be 'censored': Gutwein". The Examiner. The Examiner. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  21. https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/
  22. "Awards 2021: Competition". Cannes Film Festival. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  23. O'Shea, Ben (28 August 2021). "Martin Bryant film Nitram wins $100,000 CinefestOZ prize as WA premiere screens in Busselton". PerthNow. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
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