Cinema: Up Under

THE GETTING OF WISDOM Directed by Bruce Beresford Screenplay by Eleanor Witcombe

THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH Directed and Written by Fred Schepisi

For decades Australian cinema, like the country itself, led the world in woolgathering. Then, in the early '70s, Australian film stepped into the international limelight. None of the movies was a masterpiece, but in sum they suggested a nation of natural-born film makers with a respect for narrative form and a deft way with actors. These artists have created today's most vital national cinema.

As Australia has discovered film, it has rediscovered...