2:37
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| 2:37 | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster for 2:37. |
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| Directed by | Murali K. Thalluri |
| Produced by | Murali K. Thalluri Nick Matthews Kent Smith Gary Hamilton |
| Written by | Murali K. Thalluri |
| Starring | Frank Sweet Joel Mackenzie Teresa Palmer Marni Spillane |
| Music by | Mark Tschanz |
| Cinematography | Nick Matthews |
| Editing by | Murali K. Thalluri Nick Matthews Dale Roberts |
| Distributed by | Roadshow Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | August 17, 2006 |
| Running time | 94 min. |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | AUD $1,100,000 |
| IMDb profile | |
2:37 (also known as Two Thirty 7) is a 2006 Australian drama film, written, produced and directed by debut film-maker Murali K. Thalluri and starring an ensemble cast including Joel Mackenzie, Teresa Palmer, Frank Sweet, Gary Sweet and Clementine Mellor. 2:37 was filmed entirely in Adelaide, Australia with most scenes filmed on location at St. Ignatius' College.
2:37 had its world premiere at Cannes and its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in Australia on 17 August 2006.
Contents |
[edit] Cast
| Principal Cast and Characters | |
|---|---|
| Teresa Palmer | as Melody |
| Joel Mackenzie | as Sean |
| Frank Sweet | as Marcus |
| Gary Sweet | as Mr. Darcy |
| Charles Baird | as "Uneven" Steven |
| Marni Spillane | as Sarah |
| Sam Harris | as Luke |
| Sarah Hudson | as Julie |
| Clementine Mellor | as Kelly |
[edit] Plot
A contemporary, ensemble drama telling the complex tale of six high school students whose lives are interwoven with situations that so many of today's youth are faced with. Each of the six students have their own personal problems and goals.
The story takes place during a normal school day. At precisely 2:37 a tragic suicide will occur, affecting the lives of a group of students and their teachers. As the story unfolds, the individual stories of the six teenagers are revealed, each with its own explosive significance. This eventually leads up to one of the characters taking their own life.
[edit] Reaction
The film has encountered early commercial success, generating more than three times its production costs in distribution sales. Another early victory for the film was an apparent 17 minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.[1]
Critics and audiences have been divided in their reaction, particularly regarding the graphic teenage suicide scene at the end of the film. Some mental health groups have described the film as "dangerous" [2], with concerns that it will lead to copycat suicides. Variety's Justin Chang has described it as "A queasy exploitation picture masquerading as a serious dramatic treatment of teen suicide".[3] Preview screenings have reportedly led to some audience members walking out or fainting in response to the graphic rape and suicide scenes. Other critics have claimed that the film is too similar to Gus Van Sant's 2003 film Elephant.[4]
However, some critics have praised the movie. Urban Cinefile calls it "a stunning debut" [5] for Thalluri, who made the film at the age of 20. The Age's Tracee Hutchison has described the film as "beautiful", saying that it "should be screened to year 11 and 12 students in every high school",[6] although the film's R18+ rating in Australia means that this cannot legally occur. The film's rating has been very disappointing for Thalluri, who has been quoted as being "gutted" [7] that the intended audience of young teenagers will not have the opportunity to view the film. Thalluri has stated that the purpose of the suicide scene was to depict the suffering and regret of the suicide victim, and to dispel any implication that the act of suicide is easy or simple.[8]
Further controversy has arisen around Thalluri's claims that the movie was written about a teenage friend who sent him a video suicide note before taking her life. Investigations by The Australian questioned the existence of Thalluri's friend, as well as other statements he has made about events in his own life which led to the film's creation.[9] However, his cousin Ann has publicly defended his story[10] and Thalluri himself called the claims "offensive", "rude" and "ridiculous".[11]
[edit] Similarities to Elephant
- The long, steadicam based scenes, many of them tracking students through school halls that appear strikingly similar.
- Many of the same sound effects from Elephant where used in 2:37, most likely because both films had the same sound designer.
- Both Elephant and 2:37 have repeated scenes.
- Both films have a homosexual kissing scene.
- Both films have an in school discussion about homosexuality.
- The two films address the collective denial of an obvious problem.
- Both films repeatedly feature shots of the sky during the beginning and end credits and throughout the films as a whole.
[edit] Festivals
- 2006 - France - Cannes Film Festival
- 2006 - Canada - Toronto International Film Festival
- 2006 - Australia - Melbourne International Film Festival (Opening Night Selection)
- 2006 - Japan - Tokyo International Film Festival
- 2006 - United States - AFI Fest (American Film Institute Festival)
- 2006 - India - Osians International Film Festival
- 2006 - Greece - Thessaloniki International Film Festival
- 2007 - Turkey - Istanbul International Film Festival
- 2007 - United States - Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
[edit] Awards
Nominated:
- 2006 Cannes Film Festival: Un Certain Regard (Murali K. Thalluri).
- 2006 Australian Film Institute Awards: Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Teresa Palmer), AFI Young Actor Award (Frank Sweet).
[edit] References
- ^ Choose life Sydney Morning Herald. August 11, 2006.
- ^ Graphic movie suicide "a risk" The Age. July 26, 2006.
- ^ 2:37 Review Variety. May 26, 2006.
- ^ Thalluri's 2:37 'too much like Elephant' Ninemsn. May 28, 2006.
- ^ 2:37 Urban Cinefile.
- ^ R rating shackles, not protects, teenagers The Age. July 29, 2006.
- ^ On and up for philanthropic director Ninemsn. July 31, 2006.
- ^ A violent change of direction The Sydney Morning Herald. August 26-27, 2006.
- ^ Director's suicide claim 'fiction' The Australian. August 19, 2006.
- ^ A letter of support The Adelaide Advertiser. August 24, 2006.
- ^ A violent change of direction The Sydney Morning Herald. August 26-27, 2006.
[edit] External links
- 2:37 official website
- 2:37 at the Internet Movie Database
- 2:37 at the National Film and Sound Archive
- A comparison of 2:37 and Elephant at YouTube
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