Manuscript — VIII

Flicking through the proofs of this issue prior to it hitting the printing press, I’m thoroughly impressed. Not so much by the issue itself – I think it’s wonderful, of course, but I’m not so narcissistic as to think the work I produce is definitive in its approach – but by the people in it. We often give Australia’s cultural landscape a bad rap, deeming it a cottage industry, lacking in depth, and with a serious case of Tall Poppy Syndrome. It might be small, and certainly we don’t like to prop ourselves up too high, but I challenge you to flick through this issue and tell me there’s not brilliant talent emerging from our country.

What’s interesting about our artistic exports is that the world is beginning to see a different side to our culture as new talent emerges and existing icons stake a return. Case in point: Noah Taylor, a Melbourne rocker who disappeared to Brighton a few years ago only to emerge with a slew of forthcoming film releases and a scary-as-fuck role in hit show Game of Thrones. When I first saw Mr Taylor in that role of Locke, and soon after caught his brilliant sell-out show at Olsen Irwin, I knew we needed him on our cover. I admire the art of reinvention, of examining and rediscovering what it is that drives you to create, and with his many projects on the go, Mr Taylor is an inspiring talent.

It’s excellent that Mr Taylor returns to the spotlight, adding some diversity and interest to our screens, but simultaneously it’s thrilling to see fresh blood, too. In State of the Arts [page 22] we profile some of Australia’s brightest emerging talent across the fields of acting, music, dance, design and writing. Included are some familiar faces – ex-Van She member Tomek Archer and previous Manuscript cover star, Australian Ballet’s Rohan Furnell among them – but also some names that we’re certain are to be the next big things. Thomas Cocquerel, a 24-year-old NIDA graduate, left the day after our shoot for Amsterdam, where he’s currently filming a part in The Kidnapping of Freddy Heineken, a film based on a true story told in its literal title, opposite Anthony Hopkins and fellow Australian Sam Worthington. Movement, meanwhile, is an electronic band to have emerged from Sydney’s west and recently signed with hit-after-hit record label Modular People. I’m personally honoured that these very talented men grace our pages, made possible with the support of Dior Homme, whose resort collection is worn throughout. 

Editor-in-Chief & Publisher: Mitchell Oakley Smith
Cover Photograph: Paul Scala