Curtin University has congratulated Associate Professor Paul Genoni on co-authoring a book that will be brought to cinematic life in a new film by Cascade Films.<\/p>\n
The book, Half the Perfect World: Writers, Dreamers and Drifters on Hydra, 1955 \u2013 1964, <\/em>was written by Associate Professor Paul Genoni, from Curtin\u2019s School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, and Associate Professor Tanya Dalziell, from The University of Western Australia.<\/p>\n Published by Monash University Publishing, the book tells the story of the post-war international artist community that formed on the Greek island of Hydra. Most famously, it included renowned singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen and his partner Marianne Ihlen, as well as other artists and writers including the Australian literary couple, Charmian Clift and George Johnston.<\/p>\n Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry congratulated both authors on the sale of the film rights to their book.<\/p>\n \u201cAssociate Professor Genoni and Associate Professor Dalziell brought this incredible story to life through their book and I am absolutely delighted that their work will now form the basis for a new film to build on this fascinating chapter in history,\u201d Professor Terry said.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to congratulate both authors for cataloguing the photographic and biographical history of the time and the film rights of this extensive work being purchased by Cascade Films.\u201d<\/p>\n Associate Professor Genoni said he was excited to see the story told by a talented and passionate group of filmmakers including screen writer Andrew Knight (Hacksaw Ridge, Rake, Jack Irish, The Water Diviner<\/em>), director Nadia Tass (Malcolm, Pure Luck, Amy, Matching Jack<\/em>) and producers David Parker (Malcolm, The Big Steal, Fatal Honeymoon<\/em>) and Carmel Meiklejohn (Fatal Honeymoon<\/em>).<\/p>\n \u201cBoth Tanya and I were certainly very pleased to have the opportunity to expand the reach of the book in this way, but we weren’t totally surprised,\u201d Associate Professor Genoni said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were confident the book and the story had cinematic appeal, provided by great characters, a compelling and dramatic story, and a spectacular location. When that story also involves internationally renowned artists such as Leonard Cohen, it is a very enticing mix.<\/p>\n \u201cMy hope is for the film version of Half the Perfect World <\/em>to bring additional attention to the lives and writing of George Johnston and Charmian Clift, because they have a rich and appealing Australian story with ‘big’ themes that continue to resonate after some six decades. Cascade Films have a track record for bringing high-quality films to screens in Australia and overseas, and I look forward to seeing the final result.\u201d<\/p>\n