The Fundy Film Society

The Dish

The People’s Choice Award runner-up at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival, The Dish, Rob Sitch’s (The Castle) second feature film, is the true tale of a small town in the outback that takes “one giant leap for mankind”. During the dawn of the space era, the pride of Parks in new South Wales was a state-of-the-art telecommunications dish located in the middle of a sheep pasture on the outskirts of the sleepy hamlet. The quaint town of Parks gained international prominence when called upon by NASA to play a key role in one of history’s most memorable moments, the television broadcast of the moon walk by Neil Armstrong. Cliff Buxton (Sam Neil, The Piano_) is the unruffled, pipe smoking leader who steadies his unlikely team of technicians for the big event. His colourful crew consists of Glenn, (Tom Long, Hildegarde) the timid mathematician; Mitch, (Kevin Harrington, Sea Change) the cocky local in charge of equipment maintenance; Rudi (Tayler Kane, Queen Of The Damned) the clumsy security guard, whose sister Janie (Eliza Szonert, Neighbours) fearlessly flirts with Mitch and Al (Patrick Warburton, Seinfeld) the token American sent by NASA to oversee the project. Disaster looms when Parks loses contact with the spacecraft at a critical moment and all that everyone has worked for is suddenly thrown into jeopardy. The Dish earned nine nominations from the Film Critics Circle of Australia and was also a popular favorite at the 2000 Sundance Festival.

“The kind of movie some audiences are starved for, a comedy with a human face, warmth and spirit.” – Michael Wilmington, The Chicago Tribune

“Dramatically moving and good-naturedly humorous, it transmits a sharp picture of humanity that inspires both awe and laughter.” – Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

“Makes you admire the Australian ability to make a comedy that’s sincere rather than crass.” – Steven Rosen, The Denver Post

“An amusing, compelling and technologically fascinating tale.” – Steven Rea, The Philadelphia Inquirer