In1980 I produced an Australian feature film, MAYBE THIS
TIME from an award winning script by Anne Brooksbank and Bob Ellis. It has been
called a flop by various film sites and appeared to sink without a trace. But
there is more to the story than that.
Christmas 1979 while at Colorfilm Laboratories annual party,
I was approached by filmmaker Michael Thornhill and asked would I be interested
in producing a film; the title was Letters To A Friend. Interested, I followed up
the suggestion and read the script which I liked very much. I knew Anne and had
worked with her previously during the early days of the South Australian Film Corporation
where I produced two pilot episodes for a children’s TV series, Stacey’s Gym.
The New South Wales Film Corporation had in production a number of low budget feature films, including STIR, THE JOURNALIST. My film had a title change to become MAYBE THIS TIME. Starting on production I had a budget limited to $460,000. The director was already attached to the project, as were actors Bill Hunter, Ken Shorter, and Director of Photography, Russell Boyd. I read recently the project had been turned down by various producers, but at that time I was unaware of it. The female lead had not been cast and it was my choice to offer the role to Judy Morris, whose work I knew and admired. Fortunately, Judy agreed. I also cast Jill Perryman as the mother. The director and I searched for the leading man. It has been claimed Jack Thompson was approached, but I knew at the time Jack was not available and we finally offered the role to Mike Preston, after seeing him in The Last of The Knucklemen. The remaining cast were chosen by the Director.
The film was completed with Editor Wayne Close and composer
Bruce Smeaton.
The project was partly financed by NSWFC and a local distributor, but midway through production the distributor withdrew funds, meaning the NSWFC picked up the complete tag.
The film was completed without a distributor which meant the
Corporation had full control of the film and distribution.
There was a four week screening at the Longford Cinema in Melbourne
with extremely good Box Office returns.
The Australian Film Institute
annual awards were upon us, and MAYBE THIS TIME received six nominations including
Best Film and Best Actress, Three Supporting Actresses, and Music. That was the
year that BREAKER MORANT won most awards, deservedly so (thirteen Nominations,
Ten Wins). MTT won Best Supporting Actress for Jill Perryman. The script also
won the Australian Writer’s Guild award for Best Script of that year.
Enjoy the Video Trailer.
“The ICAC
investigated the terms and conditions of marketing agreements entered
into between the New South Wales Film Corporation and an American
distribution company, Pepper Distribution Inc.
Issues
canvassed in the investigation included the Corporation's failure to
consult those who made the films about the terms on which they were licensed to
Pepper and the employment of a former public official with a company with
which that person had considerable dealings in his former role.”
Soon after, the NSWFC was disbanded and a new State Film body formed. They subsequently, many years later, were able to have the films returned, and the rights to the film assigned to me as Producer.
I
hope that clears up any misunderstanding as to why the film wasn’t successful.
It was never given the chance.
However, the film is now available on DVD and ON DEMAND.
DVD
ON DEMAND
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/maybethistime1981/363706413
I think it is a fine film with a great cast and deserves viewing. Subject matter is as valid now as it was then. The short pitch in the Cinema Papers' production survey, Feb/March 1980 ran: The focus is on a modern woman turning 30. Overall the film concerns, hopefully and humorously, the rising cost of emotional freedom in modern times, and the mixed bag of qualities that go to make up the Australian male.
Please let me know if you view the film and your reaction to it. Happy viewing,
Brian
Kavanagh
