Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! 2009

The mythologized Australian film renaissance of the 1970s has been extensively explored, showcasing iconic films such as Sunday Too Far Away, Picnic At Hanging Rock, and My Brilliant Career. But does the full narrative truly capture the essence of this pivotal era?

This documentary dives into a transformative time when decades of strict censorship came to an abrupt halt. Australian cinema threw off the constraints of its conservative beginnings and began to create films aimed squarely at mass enjoyment. The result was an explosion of varied content, featuring everything from raunchy sex comedies to gruesome horror stories and adrenaline-fueled action flicks, all resonating with audiences both locally and globally.

During this vibrant period, Australia’s cinematic legends were characterized by their reckless abandon, where male protagonists were often fuelled by white-line fever, while their female counterparts were depicted as both appealing and sexually liberated. The stunt work on display astounded viewers, with daring feats that truly took life and limb into the balance.

Welcome to NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD—a riotous and exhilarating exploration of OZPLOITATION cinema. This documentary reveals a time when Australian filmmakers boldly embraced themes of sex, violence, horror, and relentless action. Unlike standard documentaries laden with tedious stories from uninspired historians, this film captures firsthand accounts from the scene’s actual creators—trailblazers who defied norms, broke boundaries, and introduced game-changing elements to the cinema, including car chases, karate moves, BMX bikes, and the infamous waterbed!

With its rich tapestry of outrageous stories, insights into guerrilla filmmaking, and appearances from international enthusiasts like Quentin Tarantino, NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD serves as an energetic and entertaining journey through a forgotten chapter of cinema, fully loaded with unapologetic elements of eroticism and excitement.