Phillip Noyce Biography

Fast Facts

• Has won more than 18 awards for his work, including the AFI Award for Best Film from the Australian Film Institute for "Rabbit-Proof Fence․"
• Initially attended Sydney University to study law before switching to fine art
• Attended the Australian Film and Television School in 1972, its inaugural year, and made the documentary "Castor and Pollux" there, which won the award for Best Australian Short Film
• Made his first film at age 18, the short "Better to Reign in Hell," which he funded by selling roles in the film to his friends
• Quote: "Most of us, our strength is based on the compact nature of the world that we grow up in․․․life is very ordered, regimented and restricted․ The theory is that, as a result, we know who we are․ And we know our world, and we know its values․"
• Many of his films focus on espionage as a result of his hearing his father's stories about the Z Special Force during World War II
• Best known for directing "Salt," "Patriot Games," and "The Bone Collector․"
• Directed a video that was part of Australia's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• Participated in "expanded cinema" in his early years, including a film called "Burning Off," where leaves would be burned inside the theater while people were watching
• Directed a video for Australian rock band The Angels in 1985, using several locations in Sydney, Australia