Holy Smoke (1999)

Director:

Jane Campion

Writers:

Anna Campion (written by) &
Jane Campion (written by)

Release Date:

22 February 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Tagline:

Sex captive in desert hideaway...young beauty seduced by macho American twice her age.

Plot:

While on a journey of discovery in exotic India, beautiful young Ruth Barron falls under the influence of a charismatic religious guru...

Plot Keywords:

Cult | India | Guru | Lesbian Kiss | Urine

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Kate Winslet	...	Ruth
Harvey Keitel	...	PJ Waters
Julie Hamilton	...	Mum
Sophie Lee	...	Yvonne
Daniel Wyllie	...	Robbie (as Dan Wyllie)
Paul Goddard	...	Tim
Tim Robertson	...	Dad
George Mangos	...	Yani
Kerry Walker	...	Puss
Les Dayman	...	Bill-Bill (as Leslie Dayman)
Samantha Murray	...	Prue
Sandy Gutman	...	Stan (as Austen Tayshus)
Simon Anderson	...	Fabio
Pam Grier	...	Carol
Eva Martin	...	Devotee
Mira Wright	...	Devotee
Polly Wright	...	Devotee
Lior Aizenberg	...	Devotee
S. Samaran	...	Devotee
Michelle Abel	...	Devotee
Adina Kumar	...	Devotee
Jeff Silverman	...	Devotee
Andreas Wagner	...	Devotee
Vandana Mohindra	...	Devotee
Savrash	...	Dancing Boy
Saurabh Srinivasan	...	Dancing Boy
Dhritiman Chatterjee	...	Chidaatma Baba (as Dhritiman Chaterji)
Geneviève Lemon	...	Rahi (as Genevieve Lemon)
Robert Joseph	...	Miriam's Taxi Driver
Valerie Thomas	...	Miriam's Double
Arif	...	Boy Who Runs with Taxi
John Samaha	...	Chatiwali - Shiva's Diner
Jane Edwards	...	Priya
Miranda Cleary	...	Priya's Daughter
Tamsin Carroll	...	Jodie
T'mara Buckmaster	...	Zoe
Ante Novakovic	...	Man with Trolly
Diana Kotatko	...	Woman with Trolly
Patricia Lemon	...	Woman with Trolly
Ethan Coker	...	Toddy Barron
Ellie Burchell	...	Tiffany Barron
Morgan Watt	...	Boyfriend
Luke Testa	...	Boyfriend
William Mackay	...	Boyfriend
David Franco	...	Boyfriend
Eleanor Knox	...	Meryl
The Angels	...	Band
Doc Neeson	...	The Angels
Rick Brewster	...	The Angels
John Brewster	...	The Angels
Jim Hilbun	...	The Angels
Brent Eccles	...	The Angels
Mark Gray	...	Dope Peddler
Cameron McAuliffe	...	Seducer
Tim Rogers	...	Seducer
Johannes Brinkmann	...	Ruth's Boyfriend (as Johannes 'Maddy' Brinkmann)
Eric Schussler	...	Cult Video Reporter
Joan Bodgen	...	Cult Video Reporter (as Joan Bogden)
Robert Lee	...	Cult Video Reporter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marshall Applewhite	...	Himself (states beliefs of Heaven's Gate) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Susan Atkins	...	Herself (Manson follower, under arrest) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Mary Brunner	...	Herself (Manson follower, with 'X' on forehead) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Lynette Fromme	...	Herself (Manson follower, with 'X' on forehead) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Sandra Good	...	Herself (Manson follower, with 'X' on forehead) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Leslie Van Houten	...	Herself (Manson follower, under arrest) (archive footage) (uncredited)
David Koresh	...	Himself (preaches to followers) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Patricia Krenwinkel	...	Herself (Manson follower, under arrest) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Nalini Krishan	...	Poor Beggar Girl / Voice Over's (uncredited)
Charles Manson	...	Himself (speaks to reporters) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Sun Myung Moon	...	Himself (officiates at mass wedding) (archive footage) (uncredited)

Directed by
Jane Campion

Writing credits
Anna Campion		(written by) &
Jane Campion		(written by)

Produced by
Catherine Bishop	....	line producer
Jan Chapman	....	producer
Julie Goldstein	....	executive producer
Tabrez Noorani	....	consulting producer: India
Pravesh Sahni	....	line producer: India
Mark Turnbull	....	associate producer
Bob Weinstein	....	executive producer
Harvey Weinstein	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Angelo Badalamenti

Cinematography by
Dion Beebe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Veronika Jenet

Production Design by
Janet Patterson

Art Direction by
Tony Campbell

Set Decoration by
Rebecca Cohen
Lisa Thompson

Costume Design by
Janet Patterson

Makeup Department
Margaret Aston	....	makeup artist
Kylie Marr	....	hair stylist
Kylie Marr	....	makeup artist
Noriko Watanabe	....	hair supervisor
Noriko Watanabe	....	makeup supervisor
Noreen Wilkie	....	hair stylist
Noreen Wilkie	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Catherine Bishop	....	post-production supervisor
Kim Gladman	....	assistant production manager
Jody Hewitson	....	assistant unit manager
Simon Lucas	....	unit manager: second unit
Paul Messer	....	assistant unit manager
Wil Milne	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jackie Farkas	....	second unit director
Jane Griffin	....	second assistant director
Martin Hallman	....	third assistant director (as Marty Hallman)
Kuldeep Khangarot	....	third assistant director: India
Hassan Kutty	....	second assistant director: India (as Hasan Kutty)
Julian Ryan	....	third assistant director
M.R. Shahjahan	....	first assistant director: India (as Shajahan)
Mark Turnbull	....	first assistant director
Simon Warnock	....	first assistant director: second unit

Art Department
Sean Ahern	....	set builder
Peter Baxter	....	property master
Colette Birrell	....	art department coordinator
Matt Connors	....	scenic artist
Jan Edwards	....	props coordinator
Chris Elliott	....	on-set art director
Greg Hajdu	....	construction coordinator
Karen Hedley	....	painter
Chris James	....	stand-by props
Eugene Land	....	construction foreman
Denie Pentecost	....	stand-by props
Andy Robinson	....	stand-by painter
Katie Sharrock	....	assistant art director
Andrew Short	....	greensman
Harveer Singh	....	props
Brock Sykes	....	greensman

Sound Department
Emmma Barham	....	sound assistant (as Emma Barham)
Rodney Berling	....	production dialogue assistant
Nick Breslin	....	adr editor (as Nicholas Breslin)
David Grusovin	....	adr assistant
Simon Hewittson	....	foley artist
Tim Jordan	....	production dialogue editor
Andrew Neil	....	re-recording mix assistant
Ben Osmo	....	production sound mixer
Peter Quinn	....	sound assistant
Roger Savage	....	sound mixer
John Simpson	....	foley artist
Lee Smith	....	sound designer
Peter Townend	....	sound effects editor
Jenny T. Ward	....	additional sound editor
Jenny T. Ward	....	sound effects assistant
Karin Whittington	....	adr supervisor

Special Effects by
Warren Beaton	....	special effects
Steve Rosewell	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Charlie Armstrong	....	digital compositor
Aaron Barclay	....	compositor: Animal Logic
Andy Brown	....	visual effects supervisor
Robin Cave	....	digital compositor
Fiona Crawford	....	visual effects producer
Brett Feeney	....	3D animator
Naomi Hatchman	....	3D animator
Kirsty Millar	....	lead compositor
Aidan Sarsfield	....	3D animator
Leonie Willis	....	digital compositor

Stunts
Russell Allen	....	stunt performer (as Russel Allen)
Nash Edgerton	....	stunt performer
Tony Lynch	....	stunt performer
Kathy McMorrow	....	stunt performer
Chris Mitchell	....	stunt performer
Brett Praed	....	stunt performer
Gillian Statham	....	stunt performer
Glenn Suter	....	stunt performer (as Glenn Sutter)
Zelie Thompson	....	stunt performer
Lawrence Woodward	....	stunt coordinator
Lawrence Woodward	....	stunt performer
Avril Wynne	....	stunt performer

Camera and Electrical Department
G.R. Adam	....	grip assistant: India
Hassan Ali	....	electrician: India
Matthew Andrews	....	grip: second unit
Damien Beebe	....	video split operator
Dion Beebe	....	camera operator
Paul Booth	....	gaffer
Jasmine Yuen Carrucan	....	clapper loader (as Jasmine Yuen-Currucan)
Mulchand Dedhia	....	gaffer: India
Sally Eccleston	....	focus puller (as Sally Eccelston)
Jackie Farkas	....	director of photography: second unit
Paul Hamlyn	....	grip
Frank Hruby	....	Steadicam focus puller
Gerald Jenkins	....	still photographer
Tukaram Joshi	....	electrician: India
Rajesh Khale	....	second camera assistant: India (as Rajesh Kahle)
Hamid Khan	....	electrician: India
Nizam Khan	....	electrician: India
Rasool Khan	....	electrician: India
Alex Laguna	....	electrician
Joel Lattegan	....	electrician (as Joel Lategan)
Pappu Marwadi	....	electrician: India
Jim McIntosh	....	tracking vehicle grip
Robbie Morgan	....	key grip
Harry Panagiotidis	....	Steadicam operator
Dominique Panichi	....	clapper loader: second unit
Kashinath Ratate	....	electrician: India
Adrian Rose	....	best boy grip
Kamlesh Sadrani	....	video assistant: India
Forokh Sapna	....	generator operator: India
Priya Seth	....	clapper loader: India
Christophe Settle	....	focus puller: second unit
Baban Ganpath Tambe	....	electrician: India (as Baban Tambe)
Barkhat M. Zaria	....	Steadicam assistant: India (as Barkat Zaria)

Casting Department
Kerry Barden	....	casting: USA
Mark Bennett	....	casting associate: U.S.A.
Kira Carden	....	casting assistant
Jane Dawkins	....	extras casting assistant
Gabrielle Healy	....	extras casting
Billy Hopkins	....	casting: USA
Jennifer McNamara	....	casting associate: U.S.A.
Suzanne Smith	....	casting: USA

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Julie Bryant	....	costumer
Himani Dehlvi	....	wardrobe mistress: India
Jamella Hassan	....	assistant costume stand-by
Heather Laurie	....	costume stand-by
Paula Ryan	....	costume supervisor
Angus Strathir	....	associate costume designer

Editorial Department
Alicia Gleeson	....	assistant editor
Bridget Lyon	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Angelo Badalamenti	....	conductor
Angelo Badalamenti	....	orchestrator
Gary Chester	....	music score engineer
Gary Chester	....	music score mixer
Andrew Kotatko	....	music consultant: Jane Campion
Phil Marshall	....	conductor
Phil Marshall	....	orchestrator
Julie Pearce	....	music editor
Bill Pearson	....	music engineer
Christine Woodruff	....	music consultant
Christine Woodruff	....	music researcher

Transportation Department
Darren Loveday	....	vehicle coordinator
Mark McKinley	....	assistant vehicle coordinator

Other crew
Kim Bostock	....	unit assistant
David Burrows	....	conforming supervisor
Sally Chesher	....	production assistant
Evanne Chesson	....	animal wrangler
Jane Corden	....	post-production accountant
Storm Cox	....	unit assistant
Camilla Crossing	....	unit assistant
Lynn-Maree Danzey	....	script supervisor
Meighan Dobson	....	assistant: Julie Goldstein
Joanne Driscoll	....	assistant accountant
Carl Erickson	....	unit assistant
Maria Farmer	....	unit publicist
Denise Farrell	....	financial controller
Neil Faulkner	....	unit assistant
Kerry Fetzer	....	caterer
Leisa Francis	....	post-production accountant
Fiona Gosse	....	script development assistant
Anna Hall	....	travel coordinator
Gina Hallas	....	assistant accountant
Peter Harris	....	location accommodation
Maude Heath	....	location manager
Rebecca Heller	....	assistant: Harvey Weinstein
Greg Helmers	....	travel: TravelToo
Lee-Anne Higgins	....	assistant to producer
James Hopwood	....	unit assistant
Catherine Jones	....	stand-in: Kate Winslet
Alex Keay	....	production runner
Judy King	....	unit nurse
Alice Lanagan	....	production assistant
Gino Lopez	....	catering assistant
Sally Anne Louisson	....	assistant to cast
Sindy McCourt	....	accommodation assistant
Victoria Mielewska	....	dialect coach: Kate Winslet
Michael Neithardt	....	assistant: Bob Weinstein (as Michael Neithhardt)
Joanne Newell	....	assistant accountant
Ante Novakovic	....	personal trainer: Harvey Keitel
Sarah Peirse	....	drama coach: children
Daniel Reas	....	second unit coordinator
Fiona Richardson	....	catering assistant
Emily Saunders	....	production secretary
Tobin Saunders	....	choreographer
Barbara Schneeweiss	....	assistant: Harvey Weinstein
Amanda Scott	....	assistant: Kate Winslet
Shabri Sharma	....	production assistant: India
Clare Shervington	....	production coordinator
Dave Simpkins	....	stand-in: Harvey Keitel
Louis Spiegler	....	assistant: Bob Weinstein
Bernadette Van Gyen	....	safety supervisor
Jenny Wilson	....	catering assistant
Denis O'Sullivan	....	assistant: Harvey Keitel (uncredited)

Thanks
Judith Nora	....	thanks

Production Companies

• India Take One Productions (production services)
• Miramax Films

Distributors

• New Films International (1999-2000) (non-USA) (all media)
• Bac Films (1999) (France) (theatrical)
• Miramax Films (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2000) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Channel Four Films (2000) (UK) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2000) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2000) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Cecchi Gori Group (2000) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2000) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Sky Jemah Films (2000) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2000) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2001) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Shôchiku Eiga (2003) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Gativideo (200?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Paris Vídeo (200?) (Brazil) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Animal Logic

Other Companies

• Alison Barrett Casting  casting
• Spectrum Films International  post-production facilities

Also Known As:

Holy Smoke! (USA) (video box title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality and language.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:R21 | Germany:12 | USA:R (cut) | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:L | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) (video rating) | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Taiwan:R-18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:R | Chile:18 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-18 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Australia

Company:

India Take One Productions

Trivia:

According to an interview following the shoot, Kate Winslet admitted that in the urination scenes there was bag taped to her leg to pull off the effect. Finally she got frustrated and asked Jane Campion if she could just urinate herself. Campion did one take this way, but the urine was harder to control than Winslet had thought, and the take was scrapped.

Goofs:

Continuity: When at first Ruth is in the middle of a circle of her relatives, she has a jewel in the middle of her forehead. Then the jewel disappears for a while and then reappears for the remainder of the scene.

Quotes:

PJ: I don't hate women. I love ladies.
Ruth Barron: Ha! Ladies! You wouldn't know any. I bet you date little Barbie dolls, don't you? "Oh, you're so brainy, you're so big! Can I suck your dick?" Can I be alone now?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2000-02-12)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Maya, Mayi Ma - The Celebration

Smoked Poison

Jane Campion takes us to dark territory again in 'Holy Smoke' but this time with a touch of comedy. I am surprised at the negative response so many have claiming that it is anti-feminist blah blah blah or that it is a comedy with no substance. On the contrary, I find 'Holy Smoke' to be a provocative piece full of substance.

The refreshing novel concept is pretty daring and Campion balances both dark humour and intensity. She tackles various relevant themes such as respect and care within the family (the mother is the only one who seems to be concerned about what happened to her daughter in India while the father is totally indifferent), sexual manipulation, spirituality vs brainwash, power control and so on. The viewer is totally absorbed on how the de-programmer 'saves' Ruth but things take unexpected turns and we start questioning who exactly this PJ Waters is. The relationship between PJ and Ruth gradually becomes reminiscent of that between Lolita and Humbert (from Kubrick's 'Lolita'). The dysfunctional family is portrayed in a funny light but the characters's (especially the women's) despair and struggle is evident such as Mom being concerned about her daughter and Yvonne who is unhappy with her sex life. Campion, with the help of the actors, creates this whole mysterious atmosphere through the characters. We are given some nice glimpses of the isolated dry Australian landscape.

The performances are terrific. Kate Winslet, even though occasionally switches back to her own British accent, acts phenomenally. She already made a brave choice by choosing such a risky role and the actress just shows how comfortable she is in the skin of her character and mesmerizes the viewer. Harvey Keitel does nothing short of a fine job but he is obviously overshadowed by Winslet. The supporting cast, especially Sophie Lee (as Ruth's desperate and sleazy sister-in-law) and Julie Hamilton (as the concerned and loving mother).

'Holy Smoke' is a well-made and brave film. Clearly it is not for everyone. There are very few movies that are both funny and thought-provoking. 'Holy Smoke' is one such captivating film.