Boxing Day at the Box Office

Ever wondered why there’s a cast of millions to choose from on Boxing Day at the big screen? “That is when people bring their big guns out,” says Lucy Hill from local distributor Hopscotch Films. “People have time and money – it’s too hot to be outside.” The American model is not much different – it’s just that they swelter at a different time of year. There’s also the pre-Academy Award push, “It’s the last ditch effort to squeeze it in, just before the Oscar’s so the buzz is really strong,” says Hill.

But how many of these so-called big guns are homebred? In 2009 alone, 50 Australian films screened earning the industry $54.8, and 5% of the total box office. To put that in perspective, celluloid hailing from the States stacked up to 82.8% of total revenue, while the UK hauled in 9%. While we have some strong releases relatively (2009’s big winner was the ballerina bio-pic Mao’s Last Dancer), you would have to visit your DVD shop to see one of them on Boxing Day. “People don’t take risks over that period. And opening day is crucial – success breeds success.”

Also, our viewing habits are changing. Ruth Harley, Screen Australia’s Chief Executive, says, “While box office is a lead indicator of a film’s performance, it is important to note that it represents just one way in which audiences engage with Australian content.” DVDs, the internet, iPhones and extended cult runs at the cinemas are also claiming our attention. Warwick Thornton’s critically acclaimed Samson & Delilah only grossed $3.2 million at the Australian box office – but it would rank highly on any critic’s list. And when the popcorn is long past its expiry date, movies like these will no doubt stand the test of time.

So what are the hot tips for 2011? “There’s a found footage kind of trend,” warns Hill. Led by horror films like the seminal Blair Witch Project and more recent Paranormal Activity, this style is perfect for Generation YouTube: non-actors, low-budget, camera self-consciously present. Other things to watch for is the continued dominance of 3D, and, hopefully, a few Aussie knockouts to challenge Animal Kingdom’s success. Griff the Invisible (starring True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten) and Wasted on the Young are hot contenders.

You won’t be seeing anything that fierce on Boxing Day though. “We like to release light-hearted movies that people can go to with a full Christmas Day belly,” says Hill. So you can to expect to snack on fare more like French rom-com Heartbreaker, Colin Firth in The King’s Speech and Sofia Coppola’s latest, Somewhere.