“He just serves the play. And also he’s got a beautiful sensibility, and quintessentially, if the two actors on stage are boring or not real, the audience is going to go to sleep very quickly. And he actually likes actors. To let actors do what they have to do, and not to try and control them, but to work with them, is what’s crucial.” – Colin Friels, Actor
“I have been looking for a place to create work. A place that reflects the sort of philosophy that empowers artists and encourages risk. At 16th Street we are forging towards building this place. I am thrilled to be associated with the studio and to play a part in the future production of great film and theatre.” – Alkinos
Background
Alkinos has been described as one of Australia’s most important contemporary film directors. He has a reputation for being an actor’s director and is renowned for his uncompromising approach to stories of social relevance.
He graduated from Swinburne School of Film and Television (now Victorian College of Arts) in 1988. His début feature film, Everynight…Everynight (1994) won international critical acclaim. It was awarded Best First Film (Prix D’Montreal) at the Montreal World Film Festival and was in Official Selection at the Venice International Film Festival. The film received two Australian Film Institute nominations, including Best Director.
His second feature, Silent Partner (2001) was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the AFI and Film Critics Circle Awards and was in Official Selection at Toronto, Montreal, Newport, US Arts Comedy, Athens, Singapore and Bangkok film festivals.
In 2004, Tom White was released to wide critical acclaim. It received thirty-one Australian feature film award nominations, with lead actor Colin Friels winning the FCCA and the IF Award for Best Actor. Tom White was invited to participate at numerous international film festivals including Montreal, Hof, Busan and Chennai.
Em4Jay (2006), Alkinos’ fourth feature, participated at Melbourne, Brisbane, Athens, Mostra De Valencia – Spain and New Zealand film festivals. Variety said: “Authenticity makes Em4Jay a Down Under low budget TRIUMPH.”
In 2010, Blind Company was released nationally after a successful international film festival campaign, including Montreal and Las Palmas. Director Larry Clark (Kids, Bully, Ken Park) said: “This is film at it’s best. A must see”.
Alkinos made his theatrical debt with John Logan’s Red for the Melbourne Theatre Company (later at Queensland Theatre Company) in 2012. The production received major accolades, with regular collaborator, Colin Friels winning the Green Room Award for Best Male Actor for his portrayal of Mark Rothko.
Alkinos will be directing The Mountaintop in 2013 for the MTC and will direct the Pulitzer Prize winning Glengarry Glen Ross for their 2014 season.
Philosophy
“I like to create a challenge for the people that work for me, and it’s a challenge for myself. I think without risk, life can be pretty boring so I approach making my films with risk, and risk excites actors. Its excites both of us.” – Alkinos