As we're in the thick of the awards season, here's a gentle reminder (as if you already didn't know) that it's not really about "the best" of anything, but mostly about who has the most efficient campaign. If the right people get nominated and win along the way, that's almost a happy accident. But just as often, great, deserving films get overlooked. Let's take Jane Campion's "Bright Star" for example, an utterly gorgeous, affecting, aching film powered by a beautiful turn by Abbie Cornish, breathtaking cinematography and a tone and tenor unlike any film that year. That is received only a paltry Costume Design nomination is a crime, but at least Campion is still solidering on and her next effort sounds absolutely great.
With "Mad Men" star Elisabeth Moss already set in the lead, “Top Of The Lake” reunites Campion with Gerard Lee, the writer of her 1989 film “Sweetie,” for the tale of a detective investigating the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant daughter of a local drug lord. With the Sundance Channel now teaming with BBC Worldwide to co-produce and distribute the seven-part mini-series, Deadline reveals that the show is casting up. "The Piano" star and Oscar winner Holly Hunter, Peter Mullan ("Tyrannosaur," "War Horse") and David Wenham (Faramir in a couple of "The Lord Of The Rings") have all come on board. With Moss playing the detective, Hunter will play a guru at a local women's camp with Mullan as Tsui, a drug lord and the missing girl's father. No word yet on Wenham's role.
Filming will begin February in New Zealand, once Moss wraps up her work on "Mad Men." Yeah, it may not be a feature film but it's definitely a lot more Campion so that's fine with us. The cast and premise sound first rate, so we're eager to see this come together. No word yet on when it will hit the small screen.
