Born in the Australian outback town of Griffith, New South Wales, Noyce moved to Sydney with his family at the age of 12. As a teenager, he was introduced to underground films produced on shoestring budgets as well as mainstream American movies. He was 18 when he made his first film, the 15-minute "Better to Reign in Hell," utilizing a unique financing scheme selling roles in the movie to his frie ...
show all Born in the Australian outback town of Griffith, New South Wales, Noyce moved to Sydney with his family at the age of 12. As a teenager, he was introduced to underground films produced on shoestring budgets as well as mainstream American movies. He was 18 when he made his first film, the 15-minute "Better to Reign in Hell," utilizing a unique financing scheme selling roles in the movie to his friends.
In 1973 he was selected to attend the Australian National Film School in its inaugural year. Here, he made "Castor and Pollux," a 50 minute documentary which won the award for best Australian short film of 1974.
Noyce's first professional film was the 50 minute docu-drama "God Knows Why, But It Works" in 1975. This helped pave the way for his first feature, the road movie "Backroads" (1977) which starred Australian Aboriginal activist Gary Foley. In 1978, he directed and co-wrote "Newsfront," which won Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the Australian Film Awards, as well as proving a huge commercial hit in Australia. In addition to opening the London Film Festival, "Newsfront" was the first Australian film to screen at the New York Film Festival.
In 1982, "Heatwave," co-written and directed by Noyce and starring Judy Davis, was chosen to screen at the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.
Noyce's other film credits include the political thrillers "Patriot Games" and "Clear And Present Danger" starring Harrison Ford, "Dead Calm" starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill and Billy Zane and "The Bone Collector" which starred Oscar© winner Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
Returning to his native Australia after 12 years working within the Hollywood system, 2002 saw two Noyce films released worldwide at almost the same time.
"The Quiet American" starred Michael Caine in an Academy nominated best actor performance and appeared on over 20 top ten lists for 2002, including the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.
"Rabbit Proof Fence" was based on the true story of three Aboriginal girls abducted from their families by Australian authorities in 1931 as part of an official government policy. The film won Best Picture at the Australian Film Awards, and together with "Quiet American" garnered Noyce numerous best director awards including National Board of Review in the US and UK's London Film Critics Circle.
Currently Phillip Noyce is preparing the thriller "Hot Stuff", set to commence shooting in June 2005 in South Africa.
Noyce's television credits include the Australian miniseries "The Dismissal," as well as "The Cowra Breakout" which he also co-wrote. Noyce also directed the pilots for Fox's "Tru Calling" and Showtime's upcoming "Brotherhood" TV series.
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