By Travis Johnson
Eminent film critic Margaret Pomeranz is getting behind an effort to raise money for a complete restoration on Proof, the classic 1991 Australian film, making the first pledge on a Pozible campaign by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, Proof concerned the trials and trepidations of a blind photographer, played by Hugo Weaving, and co-starred a young Russell Crowe and Genevieve Picot. Well received by audiences and critics, the black comedy scooped numerous awards, including six AFIs.
“I’m making the first donation because it was a bit rich to ask you guys to put money into this campaign, and me just sitting back and saying ‘Hey, why don’t you do it?'” Pomeranz said, calling the film “…an extraordinary debut feature by Jocelyn Moorhouse and producer Lynda House: two young women that took the Australian film industry by storm. It’s an intriguing exploration of one man’s lack of trust in the world, and how he goes about achieving it. But does he really? Even though it’s a story about a man, I don’t think it could have been written or made by a man. It’s very feminine perspective on jealousy, love, trust, life.”
“I haven’t seen the film in pristine version in a very long time,” Moorhouse noted. “I remember when it looked beautiful when it first came out; that’s what a lot of people commented on all over the world, so I would love to see it look that beautiful again.”
The Archive is seeking $25,000 to restore the film, and all donations over two dollars are tax deductible. Donations can be made here.
