Overlooked island? Tasmania tweaks Luhrmann’s ‘Australia’ film

Tiny Tasmania, missing from maps in early posters for “Australia,” the new Baz Luhrmann epic with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, has fired back with a witty website for a fictitious film that touts the island and tweaks Hollywood.

Billed as a “thrilling action romance that ends well,” the film, “Tasmania - Bigger than Australia,” comes with trailers, behind-the-scenes videos and voice-overs by a faux director who coos in a conspiratorial tone, “In a world where nature rules…”

My favorite video focuses on the wildlife. As two baby Tasmanian devils play tug-of-war with a slab of meat, the director says, “I thought they gave a very natural performance.” When a peacock unfolds its finery, he confides: “She was very open. She gave a lot.”

Bravo, Tourism Tasmania, for cashing in on the hype for “Australia,” which opens here Wednesday (Nov. 26). (Click on the site’s “Visit Tasmania” tab for island itineraries.)

— Jane Engle, assistant Los Angeles Times Travel editor

[Video and photo: www.tasmaniathemovie.com]

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 5:22 pm by Jane Engle and is filed under Arts & Culture, Asia, Celebrity, Eco-Travel, News, Tips & Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.