AustLit logo

AustLit

Tony Ayres Tony Ayres i(A23664 works by)
Born: Established: 1961 Macao,
c
China,
c
East Asia, South and East Asia, Asia,
;
Gender: Male
Heritage: Chinese
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 form y separately published work icon Fires [Episode 1.2] Jacquelin Perske , Belinda Chayko , Tony Ayres , ( dir. Ana Kokkinos ) Australia : Tony Ayres Productions , 2021 23366918 2021 single work film/TV
1 form y separately published work icon Clickbait Tony Ayres , Christian White , Tony Ayres , Christian White , Melissa Scrivener-Love , Bradford Winters , Pete McTighe , ( dir. Brad Anderson et. al. )agent Melbourne : Matchbox Pictures Tony Ayres Productions Heyday Television Netflix , 2021 17194578 2021 series - publisher film/TV thriller

'When family man Nick Brewer is abducted in a crime with a sinister online twist, those closest to him race to uncover who is behind it and why.'

Source: Netflix.

1 8 form y separately published work icon Nowhere Boys : The Book of Shadows Tony Ayres , Rhys Graham , Craig Irvin , Australia : Matchbox Productions Pty Ltd ABC Television , 2016 8570709 2016 single work film/TV science fiction

'On the verge of separating, the Nowhere Boys are drawn together for one last spell when Felix finds a magically sealed Book of Shadows. In performing the spell, the boys unwittingly release Tegan, a powerful teenage chaos force with a score to settle. Tegan’s appetite for revenge causes a string of catastrophic battles and as the link between their world and Negative Space grows more tenuous, the godlike child Bear, guardian of the multiverse, unleashes the full wrath of the Restoring Demon. The Nowhere Boys find themselves reluctantly drawn into an epic showdown where they discover that to save the lives of their loved ones and return stability to their world, they must make the ultimate sacrifice… themselves.' (Screen Australia)

1 Delicacy and Confidence Tony Ayres , 2015 single work essay
— Appears in: Andrew Bovell : The Alchemy of Collaboration 2015; (p. 11-15)
1 12 form y separately published work icon Cut Snake Blake Ayshford , ( dir. Tony Ayres ) Australia : Matchbox Pictures , 2014 Z1912214 2014 single work film/TV

'Set in the mid-1970s, Cut Snake tells the story of twenty-something Sparra Farrell, a very private man who is trying to start a new life in Melbourne. He has found honest work and becomes engaged to the beautiful Paula. But his past catches up with him and threatens his new life when the charismatic Pommie tracks him down. Sparra finds himself sucked back into a world that he thought he had left behind.' (Source: SBS website)

1 32 form y separately published work icon The Turning Tim Winton , ( dir. Benedict Andrews et. al. )agent Australia : Arenamedia Pty Ltd , 2013 Z1912300 2013 selected work film/TV

'Seventeen extraordinary Australian directors respond to the hauntingly beautiful collection of short stories by Tim Winton. Spanning almost 30 years, these stories provide windows into the lives of men and women in the small coastal town of Angelus. Linking and overlapping, the stories create a stunning and disturbing portrait of a small coastal community in Western Australia. As befits the title of the film, the stories are preoccupied with the extraordinary turning points in ordinary people's lives. Relationships irretrievably alter, resolves are made or broken, and lives change direction forever.'

Source: Screen Australia

1 form Cockleshell Marcel Dorney , 2013 single work film/TV
— Appears in: The Turning 2013;

'Brakey is in love with his neighbour, Agnes. He watches her, following her on her nightly spear fishing trips, trying to understand her withdrawn behaviour and troubled home life. He gets his first real insight into how deep Agnes' pain runs on the night of a terrifying incident.'

Source: The Turning website (http://www.theturningmovie.com.au/#!/cockleshell/). (Sighted: 6/12/2013)

1 2 form y separately published work icon The Slap : Richie Brendan Cowell , ( dir. Tony Ayres ) Australia : ABC Television Matchbox Pictures , 2011 Z1827277 2011 single work film/TV 'The burden of Connie's secret is taking its toll on Richie. He's worried about her, and disgusted with himself for obsessing about Hector. Whilst everyone knows he's gay, Richie is still struggling to come to terms with it. He feels increasingly alienated from Connie, who's wrapped up in her new boyfriend and friends, so spends more and more time with Hugo, to fill the gap. When Rosie and Gary announce they're moving to the country, Richie is devastated.

'After swimming laps at the pool, Richie bumps into Hector. As Hector dries off naked, Richie takes a surreptitious photo on his phone. Hector springs him and protests, and Richie bolts into a cubicle. Thinking quickly, Hector calls the number that has been sending him anonymous messages, and Richie's phone rings, exposing him.

'That night, Richie goes to Connie's house panicked and insists that she tell the police about Hector. Connie refuses, angry that Richie has brought it up again. The next day after school Richie spies Hector talking to Connie, and feeling his world cave in, seeks refuge at Rosie and Gary's house. When he arrives clearly distressed, they press him for the reason, and Richie blurts out the secret that's been eating him up: Hector raped Connie.

'Gary and Rosie jump on the revelation and immediately march Richie to Aisha's vet clinic. When Gary confronts Aisha about it, she feels sick, refusing to believe it. Connie arrives and denies it, turning on Richie and accusing him of making it all up out of his obsession with Hector. Confused and distraught, Richie runs home and swallows a bottle of pills. His mother finds him just in time and rushes him to the hospital, saving his life.

'Later, Connie explains herself and apologises by taking Richie to a music festival. Richie is relieved to have his friend back and surprised when Lenin kisses him.'

Source: ABC website,
Sighted: 28/11/2011
1 1 form y separately published work icon The Slap : Manolis Kris Mrksa , ( dir. Tony Ayres ) Australia : ABC Television Matchbox Pictures , 2011 Z1821945 2011 single work film/TV

'As a man approaching the end of his life, Manolis hates what the slap is doing to his family. His wife is full of even more vitriol, Hector and Aisha are being torn apart by their split loyalties, and Aisha, still furious with Harry, will have nothing to do with the family. When he notices Hector still harbouring resentment towards Harry after the court case, he tries to reach out to him, but Hector rejects his efforts. Hector, as always, is consumed with his own problems. He's getting anonymous text messages calling him a rapist.

'Sandi pleads with Manolis to talk to Aisha, but even he is not sure he can turn her around. Manolis is further dismayed by the selfishness of his family, when Hector appears indifferent to the news that his godfather has died, and seems put out by Manolis' insistence that he attend the funeral. Manolis reminds him that it is a mark of respect, and important that he attend with Aisha and the children, but only Hector turns up.

'At the funeral, Manolis runs into his old friend, Thanasis, who brags about leaving his sick wife, and his new sex life with a much younger Filipina. Manolis is shocked, but secretly envious that Thanasis has put his own happiness first. His envy turns to irritation though after one too many jibes from Thanasis, and he lashes out, humiliating himself. Hector extricates him from the melee, and they stop for a drink on the way home. Hector confesses his affair to Manolis. Manolis shrugs and tells him to get a divorce; isn't that what everyone else does? But this is not the advice Hector seeks. Manolis then reveals his own secret. Koula was in love with someone else when they married, but Manolis stuck by her because they had a baby on the way. He put family first and is now regretting it. Hector is shocked.

'Manolis decides to meet with Aisha, to try to put an end to the familial disharmony. He implores her to forgive, to come to Greece with the family, but with Harry coming to, Aisha will not be swayed, and he loses it with her. Regretful, he returns home to Koula, feeling feeble and powerless. But to his surprise, Koula is delighted by his taking action, and the ice between them thaws.'

Source: ABC website, http://www.abc.net.au/tv/theslap/
Sighted: 24/11/2011

1 68 form y separately published work icon The Slap Tony Ayres , Australia : ABC Television Matchbox Pictures , 2011 Z1699408 2011 series - publisher film/TV 'The series starts at an Australian backyard BBQ. Amongst alcohol, friendship and a children's cricket game a man slaps a child who is not his son. The party comes to a sudden halt. The child's parents are so affronted they vow to take the man to court. As the series unfolds the police become involved and friends and family are forced to take sides. One cousin is forced to testify against another. Couples are caught in the crossfire. Beliefs are tested and relationships strained.

'The story is told through the points of view of eight characters as the court case proceeds, as affairs begin and end, as a pregnancy is decided and marriages morph and change. Each character's life is profoundly affected by "the slap", and each of the main character is metaphorically slapped as they are forced to face up to fundamental truths about themselves.'

Source: The Slap website http://www.abc.net.au/tv/theslap/about/ (Sighted 11/10/2011)
1 1 Shanghai Lady Killer Tony Ayres , Iain Grandage (composer), 2010 single work drama

'Imagine the characters from a classic film noir - flawed private eye, femme fatale and underground crime lord - meet the superhuman heroines of a Hong Kong Wuxia sword-fighting spectacular. Set the action in the Chinatown of a futuristic Australian city and bring in multi-media landscapes, acrobatics, parkour, trampoline, dance, circus and martial arts, and you might have something close to the on-stage spectacle of Stalker's "Shanghai Lady Killer".

The plot follows an Australian detective, hired to track down a mysterious female Chinese assassin. Her mission is to kill the Mayor, a successful and popular migrant from Shanghai who is in the midst of his re-election campaign. A dark secret looms over the action, threatening to tear the city apart. Popularised by the Shaw Brothers studios in the 1960s and revisited in Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - the Wuxia genre is the main inspiration for this contemporary Australian stage production. Through its fast-paced plot, powerful female characters and aerial and ground-based physical theatre, "Shanghai Lady Killer" also explores the Australian fascination with and fear of China. Source: www.brisbanefestival.com.au/ (Sighted 17/08/2010).

1 form y separately published work icon Geography Emily Ballou , ( dir. Tony Ayres ) Australia : 2010 Z1679236 2010 single work film/TV

Adapted from Sophie Cunningham's best-selling novel, Geography is a contemporary love story about young Australian Catherine and older LA-based ex-pat Michael.

1 Shades of Grey Tony Ayres , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 10-11 April 2009; (p. 14-15)
1 8 form y separately published work icon Saved Belinda Chayko , ( dir. Tony Ayres ) Australia : Big and Little Films , 2009 Z1572378 2009 single work film/TV

'This premiere television movie stars Claudia Karvan as a woman who becomes the advocate for a young Iranian detainee, and develops a complex relationship with him that threatens her marriage.

'Julia is a young mother trying to come to terms with the loss of her new born to SIDS. While her husband Peter throws himself into work to cope with the tragedy, Julia becomes more despairing and isolated from the world around her. Recognising that she needs a distraction, her sister-in-law suggests that Julia accompany her to the Detention Centre where she volunteers as an advocate for detainees. Julia reluctantly accepts the offer, and while there, meets Amir Farshchi, a young Iranian asylum seeker.

'Amir claims to be a student persecuted by the Iranian authorities, but the Department of Immigration disputes his identity. Amir is severely depressed, suicidal and close to deportation. Julia is immediately drawn to his vulnerability and throws herself obsessively into his case - much to the disapproval of her in-laws and husband Peter, whose tolerance is tested by the growing closeness between the young detainee and his wife.

'When Amir is finally released from detention, Julia welcomes him into her home only to find herself increasingly attracted to the handsome, damaged young man. Growing more suspicious of Amir's identity and his relationship with his wife, Peter eventually asks Amir to leave the family home.

'When Julia finds out what has happened she is furious and runs into the arms of Amir. Now Julia must decide whether her marriage is worth saving and which man she truly loves.'

Source: SBS Television website, http://www.sbs.com.au/
Sighted: 31/03/2009

1 Silence Tony Ayres , 2008 single work short story
— Appears in: Growing up Asian in Australia 2008; (p. 234-238)
1 25 form y separately published work icon The Home Song Stories Tony Ayres , ( dir. Tony Ayres ) Australia : Big and Little Films Porchlight Films , 2007 Z1390692 2007 single work film/TV (taught in 4 units)

'This is the true story of Rose, a glamorous Shanghai nightclub singer, who struggles to survive in '70s Australia with two young children. Based on writer/director Tony Ayres' own life, The Home Song Stories is an epic tale of mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, unrequited love, secrets and betrayal.'

Source: Australian Film Commission. (Sighted: 8/10/2014)

1 Uncle Joe Tony Ayres , 2004 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Meanjin , vol. 63 no. 2 2004; (p. 23-34)
Film-maker Tony Ayres recalls some episodes from his childhood after emigrating from Hong Kong to Western Australia in the 1960s
1 3 y separately published work icon The Fat Boy Tony Ayres , Sydney : Currency Press Playbox Theatre , 2003 Z1027562 2003 single work drama
1 5 form y separately published work icon Walking on Water Roger Monk , ( dir. Tony Ayres ) Sydney : Porchlight Films , 2002 Z1604077 2002 single work film/TV

'Charlie and Anna make a pact to assist their terminally ill friend Gavin to die. This traumatic event is the catalyst for an emotional rollercoaster ride for both friends and family. From illicit affairs and leftover morphine, to devastating accusations and unwitting betrayals, Walking on Water ' is an 'unsentimental film about friendship, loss, loyalty and love'.

Source : http://www.afc.gov.au/

1 Sexual Identity and Cultural Identity: A Crash Course Tony Ayres , 2000 single work essay
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Studies , no. 65 2000; (p. 160-163)
X