Lonely Spirits and the King

Award-winning critic Andrew F. Peirce invites you on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant landscape of contemporary Australian cinema. From heart-pounding horror to intimate documentaries, sweeping historical dramas to side-splitting comedies, discover over fifty films that capture the resilient creative force of Australian filmmakers in the early 2020s.

Through in-depth interviews with over seventy Australian filmmakers, including visionaries Platon Theodoris, Salliana Seven Campbell, and Alex Proyas, and Australian film distributors and curators, including Natallie Miller AO, Al Cossar, and Matthew Eeles, alongside insightful reviews, this book delves into the heart of Australian filmmaking. Explore creative processes that shape the Australian films and festivals we love.

What does it mean to be an Australian filmmaker today? From the challenges faced by independent filmmakers, often working in isolation with limited resources, to the successes of those who have achieved mainstream recognition, the 'kings' of the industry - what stories are being told, and how are they shaping our cultural identity? Lonely Spirits and the King seeks to answer these questions and more, offering a unique and insightful perspective on the ever-evolving world of Australian film.