The Best Film I Never Made: And Other Stories About A Life In The Arts (paperback)

This entertaining collection of pieces from the acclaimed director of Breaker Morant, Driving Miss Daisy and Mao's Last Dancer features memoirs, brief lives and revealing accounts of the film world.Alongside unsung heroes from behind the camera and producers of dubious repute are Madeleine St John and Clive James, Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart, as well as a particularly seductive 1963 EH Holden - and Bruce Beresford's father, whose strange and startling decline in old age is charted in a brilliant, poignant essay.Opinionated, wry and engaging, The Best Film I Never Made will provoke and delight in equal measure. It is the ideal gift not only for cinema buffs but for anyone interested in music, art or literature. This entertaining collection of pieces from the acclaimed director of Breaker Morant, Driving Miss Daisy and Mao's Last Dancer features memoirs, brief lives and revealing accounts of the film world. Alongside unsung heroes from behind the camera and producers of dubious repute are Madeleine St John and Clive James, Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart, as well as a particularly seductive 1963 EH Holden—and Bruce Beresford's father, whose strange and startling decline in old age is charted in a brilliant, poignant essay. Opinionated, wry and engaging, The Best Film I Never Made will provoke and delight in equal measure. It is the ideal gift not only for cinema buffs but for anyone interested in music, art or literature. Bruce Beresford has directed more than two dozen films, including Breaker Morant, Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy, Black Robe, Double Jeopardy and Mao's Last Dancer . He has directed Rigoletto for the Los Angeles Opera and A Streetcar Named Desire for Opera Australia, and is the author of Josh Hartnett Definitely Wants to Do This . He lives in Sydney. 'Beresford's style resembles the action of a veteran wrist-spinner. His technique looks loose, even effortless. His sentences drift along genially for a while, then suddenly bite the pitch and turn...He isn't merely smart by Hollywood standards. He is smart by any standard...In a world rife with philistines, he demonstrates that the best revenge is laughter, and living and working well.' Australian 'Beresford writes with skill and insight, humour.' Otago Daily Times 'This quirky collection of occasional writings from 2007 to 2017 paints a picture of a modest man with a curious mind...Beresford retains a wry sense of humour and an enjoyable willingness to share candid and unflattering details.' Big Issue 'A collection of warm, droll and often frank personal essays...An honest and reflective book.' AU Review • A Collection Of Warm, Droll And Frank Personal Essays From One Of Australia's Greatest Directors • Having Directed More Than 30 Features Films, From The Australian Classic Puberty Blues To The Oscar-winning Driving Miss Daisy, Beresford Has Enjoyed A Remarkable Career Behind The Camera • The Best Film I Never Made Is A Highly Entertaining Collection Of Stories From Both Beresford's Personal And Working Lives, From His Early Days At The University Of Sydney Alongside Clive James, To His Enduring Success In Hollywood Working With The Likes Of Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett And Glenn Close • Eminently Readable And Sharply Observed, The Best Film I Never Made Is Both A Behind-the-scenes Glimpse Into The Life Of A Cultural Icon And An Insightful Essay Collection About Life In The Arts • Beresford's Latest Film, A Film Adaptation Of Madeleine St John's The Women In Black, Will Begin Production Later This Year "This entertaining collection of stories by the accclaimed Australian director of Breaker Morant, Driving Miss Daisy and Mao's Last Dancer - and numerous operas - includes memoirs, brief lives and revealing accounts of the film world and beyond. Alongside unsung heroes from behind the camera and producers of dubious repute are Madeleine St John and Clive James, Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart, as well as a particularly seductive 1963 EH Holden - and Bruce Beresford's father, whose strange and startling decline in old age is charted in a brilliant, poignant essay. Opinionated, wry and engaging, The Best Film I Never Made will delight and provoke in equal measure. It will appeal not only for cinema buffs but for anyone interested in music, art or literature." -- Back cover