From The Archives

Simon Bonney
-Filmography-

(1996-2001: Los Angeles/Canberra)

Filmography: a chronological overview of all films/movies/TV series and promo clips
with music/involvement by the Australian artist Simon Bonney.
Date format is DD-MMM-YY.
-Information in grey italics is uncertain-


Films/Movies/TV Series

1996-2000: Simon Bonney works in the film industry in Los Angeles, CA (US). First (1996-1998) as a truck driver. He obtained his driving licence @ the El Camino trucking school in Palmdale, East LA. As a Teamster he drives 10-wheelers, presumably transporting equipment from and to film sets. Simon has done somewhat similar manual work as a roadie on Scratch Acid's European tour (December 1986/January 1987) and as lighting engineer on the Bad Seeds North American tour (Sep/Oct 1990).

Later (1998-2000) he works as (key) grip on 14 films, with a tiny acting part in one. In 2000 Simon attends a film directors course @ The American Film Institute's Center For Advanced Film & TV Studies in Los Angeles,CA (US). In December 2000 @ the Actors workshop, Simon Bonney directs students for a scene based on "A Gentle Woman" ("Une femme douce", a 1969 French drama) by Robert Bresson.

In 2001 Simon returns to Sydney, Australia (Bronwyn and the 2 kids had returned the year before) to study for a degree (Master Of Fine Arts) @ the Sydney Film School.


Northern Exposure -front NORTHERN EXPOSURE, TV series (1994)

Plot summary: A recently graduated New York City physician, Dr. Joel Fleischman, is sent to practice in the town of Cicely, Alaska. Early episodes deal with Fleischman's culture shock in the small town.

Info: American comedy-drama television series that ran for 6 years on CBS TV (from 1990-1995), with a total of 110 episodes.

Notes: 45 mins colour/episode. Commercially available.

Simon's role: "Someone Loves You" (from his first solo album "Forever") used in the S5.E24 "Lovers and Madmen" (aired 23-May-94). Soundtrack released on CD "(More Music from) Northern Exposure" (Geffen).

Photo: Screen capture from opening credits.


Underworld -front UNDERWORLD, a film by Roger Christian (1996)

Plot summary: After spending seven years behind bars, Johnny Crown [Denis Leary] is back on the street, with lots of cash, a psychotherapy degree and a burning desire to find and punish gangsters who had killed his father. One of the people involved is Frank Gavillan [Joe Mantegna], who unwillingly follows Johnny in his demonical and ultraviolent crusade.

Info: Thriller. Premiered at the Mystfest-International Mystery Film Festival, Cattolica (IT) in June 1996.

Notes: 95 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Music. "The Lonely Stars" and "The Water's Edge" (from his -as yet- unreleased third solo album "Eyes Of Blue") are used on the soundtrack. Also used are Gallon Drunk's "Eternal Tide" and "Mr Slinky's".

Photo: Poster for movie.


The Night Caller -front THE NIGHT CALLER, a film by Robert Malenfant (1998)

Plot summary: An emotionally disturbed woman [Tracy Nelson] works the graveyard shift at a convenience store, and is becoming increasingly fed up with her job. To pass the time, she listens to a late-night San Diego radio show hosted by Dr. Lindsey Roland [Shanna Reed]. She goes to desperate measures to meet this successful radio psychologist, even if it means killing in order to do so.

Info: Thriller. Premiered on video (US) in June 1998.

Notes: 91 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Grip in the camera and electrical department. A grip's responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Kill The Man -front KILL THE MAN, a film by Tom Booker (1999)

Plot summary: Two owners [Luke Wilson and Joshua Malina] of the "Long Shot Copies" shop struggle against a superchain copy store, which opens across the street. Then they start a series of gimmicks and a war against the other copy store, particularly after they are visited by a corporate thug.

Info: Comedy. Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (US) on 24-Jan-99.

Notes: 88 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Key grip. A key grip's responsibility is to coordinate with the electric and camera departments the lighting and camera movement and setup. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips.

Photo: Cover of VHS tape.


Sugar Town -front SUGAR TOWN, a film by Allison Anders and Kurt Voss (1999)

Plot summary: Portrays the Los Angeles music scene, sending up both its sleazy side of sex and drugs and the New Age fake spirituality. The film interconnects several story-lines featuring musicians at various stages of success ranging from aspiring stars to studio players to washed-up rock gods. The cast blends actors with real musicians, who mostly play fictionalised versions of themselves. John Taylor [Duran Duran], Michael Des Barres [Power Station], and Martin Kemp [Spandau Ballet] play has-been stars of the '80s who, now old and forgotten, start a band in an attempt to reclaim their fame. John Doe [X] also appears, along with actors such as Rosanna Arquette and Ally Sheedy.

Info: Comedy/music. Filmed over a period of three weeks. Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (US) on 26-Jan-99. Allison Anders also made "Border Radio" (1987) and "Gas Food Lodging" (1992), a directed a episodes of the TV series "Sex and the City" and "Orange Is The New Black". Kurt Voss directed "Ghost On The Highway" (2006), a portrait of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and the Gun Club.

Soundtrack also has "Boys From Detroit" written by Bronwyn Adams and performed by The Venusians.

Notes: 92 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Acting (Band member #1). Music. "Lonely Stars" (from his -as yet- unreleased third solo album "Eyes Of Blue") and "A Part Of You" (from his first solo album "Forever") are used on the soundtrack.

Photo: Poster for movie.


The Lot -front THE LOT, TV series (1999)

Plot summary: Portrays a fictional studio Sylver Screen Pictures during the 1930s and the pursuits of its classic movie stars (such as Barbara Stanwyck, Greta Garbo and Shirley Temple).

Info: Drama. The TV series aired for 2 seasons and 17 episodes on the AMC (American Movie Classics) TV network from August 1999 to April 2001. Starring a.o. Rue McClanahan, Holland Taylor, Linda Cardellini and Jonathan Frakes.

Notes: 30 mins colour/episode. Not commercially available.

Simon's role: Grip in the camera and electrical department. A grip's responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras.

Photo: Screen capture opening credit.


Buddyboy -front BUDDY BOY, a film by Mark Hanlon (1999)

Plot summary: The story of an introvert whose religious conviction begins to crumble under the weight of a cruel and strange existence. The film's title character, Francis [Aidan Gillen], lives with his invalid, abusive mother [Emmanuelle Seigner] in a dingy tenement apartment, and has suffered a life of unrelenting misfortune and brutality. Over time, he has withdrawn from the world and into himself, silently observing others rather than interacting with them. His only solace has been his Catholicism.

Info: Drama/Thriller. Premiered at the Venice Film Festival (IT) on 05-Sep-99.

Notes: 105 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Key grip. A key grip's responsibility is to coordinate with the electric and camera departments the lighting and camera movement and setup. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Third Miracle -front THE THIRD MIRACLE, a film by Agnieszka Holland (1999)

Plot summary: The Vatican sends a priest [Ed Harris] to verify some miracles, performed by a woman who has been nominated for sainthood. During his investigation, the priest, who is experiencing a crisis of faith, re-discovers his own purpose in life.

Info: Drama. Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (CA) on 13-Sep-99.

Notes: 120 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Music. "Saw You Falling" (from his "Forever" album) used on the film soundtrack.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Dropping Out -front DROPPING OUT, a film by Mark Osborne (2000)

Plot summary: Emile Brockton's [Kent Osborne] life has become a meaningless procession of banal activities that prompt him to spice things up the only way he can devise: by killing himself. However, the road to suicide is filled with distractions.

Info: Comedy. Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (US) in January 2000.

Notes: 109 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Simon's role: Key grip. A key grip's responsibility is to coordinate with the electric and camera departments the lighting and camera movement and setup. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips.

Photo: Poster for movie.


The Crow -front THE CROW: SALVATION, a film by Bharat Nalluri (2000)

Plot summary: The third entry in "The Crow" series follows Alex Corvis [Eric Mabius], a death row convict framed for the murder of his girlfriend. Three years later, he is sentenced to death in the electric chair. Soon after the execution, Alex is resurrected by a mystical crow and gifted with supernatural abilities.

Info: Comedy. Premiered on video (US) on 23-Jan-00.

Notes: 109 mins colour. Commercially available. Filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah (US).

Simon's role: Grip in the camera and electrical department. A grip's responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Punks -front PUNKS, a film by Patrik-Ian Polk (2000)

Plot summary: The film follows the trials and tribulations of a group of gay African American friends. While black gay life is explored in the film, universal aspects of friendship plays at the plot's forefront.

Info: Comedy/Music. Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (US) on 25-Jan-00.

Notes: 91 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Grip in the camera and electrical department. A grip's responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Spanish Judges -front SPANISH JUDGES, a film by Oz Scott (2000)

Plot summary: A con-artist hires two ruthless low-level criminals to cover him during a deal, ending with three criminals, two dueling pistols, and one night they'll never forget.

Info: Crime/Drama. Premiered at the Newport Beach International Film Festival (US) on 06-Apr-00.

Notes: 98 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Rigging grip. A rigging grip is responsible for the setting, hanging and focussing of lighting instruments and constructing scaffolding used in making film sets.

Photo: Poster for movie.


The Heist -front THE HEIST, a film by Kurt Voss (2000)

Plot summary: When Jack [Luke Perry], a small criminal, is just out of jail after six months, he has nowhere else to crash then the place where his brother Moe [Richmond Arquette], a penniless jazz musician, lives. Their life suddenly gets a new perspective when they observe a robbed armored car is parked downstairs by three black hardened criminals.

Info: Action. Premiered on video (DE) in April 2000. Kutt Voss also made "Border Radio" (1987) and "Ghost on The Highway: A Portrait of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and The Gun Club" (2007).

Notes: 81 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Key grip. A key grip's responsibility is to coordinate with the electric and camera departments the lighting and camera movement and setup. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Partners -front PARTNERS, a film by Joey Travolta (2000)

Plot summary: After stealing a briefcase, a drifter finds himself caught in the middle of an international crime caper.

Info: Crime/Drama. Premiered on video on 20-Jul-00.

Notes: 90 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Key grip. A key grip's responsibility is to coordinate with the electric and camera departments the lighting and camera movement and setup. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Enemies of Laughter -front ENEMIES OF LAUGHTER, a film by Joey Travolta (2000)

Plot summary: Nerdy-looking Paul [David Paymer] is a neurotic, failed sitcom writer with a lackluster love life. But his best pal [Judge Reinhold] has an idea that might turn things around when he decides to film Paul's life and turn his romantic disasters into a comedic documentary.

Info: Comedy/Romance. Premiered at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (US) on 09-Nov-00.

Notes: 90 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Key grip. A key grip's responsibility is to coordinate with the electric and camera departments the lighting and camera movement and setup. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips.

Photo: Poster for movie.


Sadness film SADNESS, a film by Simon Bonney (2000/2012)

Plot summary: The short film is made in a style reminiscent of Jean Cocteau. It follows two children [Rose-Lee Bonney and Ben Bonney] as they witness their mother's [Bronwyn Adams] descent into depression and her subsequent escape into a magical otherworld.

Info: A 35mm surrealist short film, written and directed by Simon Bonney. Filmed in Los Angeles during 2000. Bronwyn Adams contributed original art and was in charge of set dressing and costume design. In 2012, a new soundtrack with music by the 2012 incarnation of Crime and the City Solution was added. Director of photography: Daniel Aranya.

Notes: 8 mins colour. Format MPEG-4, 480x360. Available as download to fans who pledged for the 2012 tour @ PledgeMusic.com.

Photo: Screen capture.


Rabbit-Proof Fence -front RABBIT-PROOF FENCE, a film by Phillip Noyce (2002)

Plot summary: Western Australia, 1931. Government policy includes taking half-caste children from their Aboriginal mothers and sending them a thousand miles away "to save them from themselves." Three girls escape and for days they walk the Outback following a fence that keeps rabbits from settlements, eluding a native tracker and the regional constabulary.

Info: Adventure. Premiered in Australia on 04-Feb-02.

Notes: 94 mins colour. Commercially available.

Simon's role: Grip in the camera and electrical department. A grip's responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras.

Photo: Poster for movie.






Promo music video clips

There Can Only Be One- clip THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE

Recording info: (4:02 mins)

Note: Released May-92. Track from the "Forever" album. Video tape by T V P Video Dubbing (London).


Don't Walk Away From Love clip DON'T WALK AWAY FROM LOVE

Info: The video recounts the road trip across America (along Route 40) that Simon and his (pregnant) wife Bronwyn took in 1992 from their newly adopted home in Los Angeles to New York (to play a series of acoustic shows). Surprisingly, in this clip, Bronwyn and their daughter (who by 1994 had briefly returned to Australia) are replaced by a lookalike redheaded woman and lookalike girl.

Recording info: (4:15 mins). Directed in 1995 by British music video director Dani Jacobs. Produced by Hannah Moore and George Weisser for Swivel, a video production company. Filmed in Pima County/Tucson/Little Nogales Spring, Arizona (US).

Note: Released 27-Feb-95. Track from the "Everyman" album.


Eyes Of Blue- clip EYES OF BLUE

Recording info: (4:48 mins)

Note: Released 05-Mar-19. Track from the "Past, Present, Future" album.


Eyes Of Blue- clip A SWEETER KIND OF PAIN

Recording info: (5:01 mins)

Note: Released 16-Apr-19. Track from the "Past, Present, Future" album.



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