Australia / 1996 / 105 min / DCP / Coulour / Drama

Director : Scott Hicks

Script : Scott Hicks & Jan Sardi
Cinematography : Geoffrey Simpson
Editing : Pip Karmel
Music : David Hirschfelder
Production : Jane Scott
Distribution : L’Atelier d’Images

Cast : Geoffrey Rush, Noah Taylor, Armin Mueller-Stahl, John Gielgud, Chris Haywood

Geoffrey Rush, Academy Award Winner1997

The true story of a gifted Australian piano prodigy, this biographical drama was nominated for seven Oscars, with actor Geoffrey Rush winning for Best Actor. Rush stars as David Helfgott, a pianist with a history of mental problems. As a fragile boy genius at math, chess, and piano, David is driven hard by his overbearing father, a tyrant who forbids him to accept a scholarship offered by the great violinist Isaac Stern. Although he studies briefly in London under tutor Cecil Parks, David has a nervous breakdown after performing Rachmaninoff's daunting "Piano Concerto No. 3" (known as the "Rach 3"). Years later, the adult David keeps up a steady patter of nervous stammering at all times and has been reduced to playing in a bar...

Scott Hicks

Hicks was born in Uganda and lived in Kenya, just outside Nairobi, until the age of ten. His family then moved, first to England and, when he was 14, on to Adelaide, Australia. Hicks graduated from Flinders University of South Australia (BA Honors) in 1975 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1997. Hicks is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He lives with his wife and collaborator/producer Kerry Heysen in Adelaide, South Australia where they maintain their own Yacca Paddock Vineyard on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Also an accomplished photographer, Hicks has had three exhibitions of his work. His films include : Fallen (2016), The Lucky One (2012), The Boys are back (2009), No Reservations  (2007), Hearts in Atlantis  (2001), Snow Falling on Cedars (1999), Shine (1996), Sebastian and the Sparrow (1988), Down the Wind (1975).