Andrew Pike
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Andrew Franklin Pike is an Australian
film historian The history of film chronicles the development of a visual art, visual art form created using history of film technology, film technologies that began in the late 19th century. The advent of film as an artistic medium is not clearly defined. Th ...
,
film distributor A film distributor is a person responsible for the marketing of a film. The distribution company may be the same as, or different from, the production company. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. The distributor may set ...
and exhibitor, and
documentary A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...
producer and
director Director may refer to: Literature * ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine * ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker * ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty Music * Director (band), an Irish rock band * ''D ...
. Pike formed Ronin Films, an Australian
film distribution Film distribution, also called film exhibition or film distribution and exhibition, is the process of making a film available for viewing to an audience. This is normally the task of a professional film distributor, who would determine the marketin ...
company, with his first wife, Merrilyn Fitzpatrick, in 1974, and remains managing director of the company. He has produced and directed many documentaries since 1982, and co-authored several books, notably ''Australian Film 1900-1977'' (1998). Pike has been honoured with numerous awards, including a plaque on the ACT Honour Walk in Canberra City; Medal Order of Australia; and an
honorary doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or '' ad hon ...
from the
University of Canberra The University of Canberra (UC) is a public university, public research university with its main campus located in Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The campus is from Belconnen Town Centre, and from Canberra's Civic, Australian ...
.


Early life and education

Andrew Franklin Pike was born in
Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...
,
South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...
. He moved to
Canberra Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...
to study at
Australian National University The Australian National University (ANU) is a public university, public research university and member of the Group of Eight (Australian universities), Group of Eight, located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton, A ...
(ANU). He started studying English and History, before joining the film group and graduating with B.A. (Hons) in 1969. He then completed an
M.A. A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...
(1973) on the history of
Australian cinema The cinema of Australia began with the 1906 production of ''The Story of the Kelly Gang'', arguably the world's first feature film. Since then, Australian crews have produced many films, a number of which have received international recogni ...
at ANU.


Career

Pike started working as a cinema manager. During this time, he wrote many articles on film, which were published in journals and newspapers, as well as conducting research for his first book. He was then given the opportunity to work for three years as a consultant to the film collection of the
National Library of Australia The National Library of Australia (NLA), formerly the Commonwealth National Library and Commonwealth Parliament Library, is the largest reference library in Australia, responsible under the terms of the ''National Library Act 1960'' for "mainta ...
. This included the acquisition of films for study purposes in schools and universities. His next position was as a
research fellow A research fellow is an academic research position at a university or a similar research institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a p ...
in the Department of Pacific and South-East Asian History at ANU, where he worked for three years. He was engaged as a consultant on regional cinemas by the
New South Wales Film and Television Office ---> Screen NSW, formerly known as the New South Wales Film and Television Office, or FTO, and before that the New South Wales Film Corporation, is a brand name that is part of Create NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales that is r ...
and became active in promoting an expansion of audiences and a wider public appreciation of all aspects of cinema. In 2017, Pike was appointed director of the
Canberra International Film Festival The Canberra International Film Festival (CIFF) is an annual film festival held in Canberra, Australia. It is a cinema celebration across an 11-day program in October/November each year. It is a showcase of films from Australia and around the gl ...
.


Ronin Films and Electric Shadows

In 1974, Pike formed Ronin Films with Merrilyn Fitzpatrick (Pike). The Canberra-based company was involved in many innovative distribution and marketing activities. In its first two decades, the company imported to Australia 120 feature films from Europe and Asia, and distributed many Australian films, including the feature films ''
Strictly Ballroom ''Strictly Ballroom'' is a 1992 Australian romantic comedy film directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann in his feature directorial debut. The film is the first in his '' Red Curtain Trilogy'' of theatre-motif-related films; it was followed by 1 ...
'', '' Shine'' and ''
Road to Nhill ''Road to Nhill'' is a 1997 Australian comedy-drama film directed by Sue Brooks. The film won the "Golden Alexander" (first prize) for Best Feature-Length Film at The International Thessaloniki Film Festival. Produced by Sue Maslin, it was shot ...
'', which achieved national success. The firm also developed an interest in films from China and Japan, importing many films from the Chinese " Fifth Generation" directors in the 1980s, and organising many Chinese directors to visit Australia, including
Chen Kaige Chen Kaige ( zh, s=陈凯歌, link=no; born 12 August 1952) is a Chinese filmmaker. A leading figure of the fifth generation of Chinese directors, Chen is known for his visual flair and epic storytelling.Berry, Michael (2002). "Chen Kaige: His ...
,
Wu Tianming Wu Tianming (; December 5, 1939 – March 4, 2014) was a Chinese film director and producer who was considered one of the leading "Fourth Generation" directors. Biography Wu was born in Sanyuan County, Shaanxi Province, China on December 5, ...
, Zhang Zeming,
Huang Jianxin Huang Jianxin (born 14 June 1954) is a Chinese filmmaker. He also writes film scripts under the pen name Huang Xin. He is normally considered part of the fifth generation of Chinese filmmakers (a group that includes Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou and T ...
, and
Tian Zhuangzhuang Tian Zhuangzhuang (; born April 1952 in Beijing) is a Chinese film director, producer and actor. Tian was born to an influential actor and actress in China. Following a short stint in the military, Tian began his artistic career first as an am ...
. The firm was actively involved in the beginnings of the French Film Festival in Sydney in the 1990s, and frequently worked with the
Alliance française (; "French Alliance", stylised as ''af'') is an international organization that aims to promote the French language and francophone culture around the world. Created in Paris on 21 July 1883 under the name ''Alliance française pour la propa ...
and the French Embassy to host festivals and other French film events at Ronin's cinemas. As an exhibitor, the company ran several
art cinema An art film, arthouse film, or specialty film is an independent film aimed at a niche market rather than a mass market audience. It is "intended to be a serious, artistic work, often experimental and not designed for mass appeal", "made prima ...
s including the Academy Cinema in Sydney for four years during the early 1990s, and Electric Shadows Cinemas in Canberra from 1979 to 2006. For many years Pike wrote programme notes for a weekly newsletter that was emailed to 4,500 cinema patrons in Canberra. Ronin is a leading distributor of documentaries, and specialises in the educational market. Their collection includes many films from the
CAAMA The Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) is an organisation founded in 1980 to expose Aboriginal music and culture to the rest of Australia. It started with 8KIN-FM, the first Aboriginal radio station in the country. Based in ...
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) collection.


Other activities


NFSA

Pike has been associated with the
National Film and Sound Archive The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), known as ScreenSound Australia from 1999 to 2004, is Australia's audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting, and providing access to a national c ...
(NFSA) in various ways since the 1970s. He was a member of its Advisory Council from 2000 until 2003, and later a member of its first governing board, from 2008 until 2012. In 1999 Pike was instrumental to the founding of the Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive, an association dedicated to supporting NFSA's work and to promote the principles of best practice in the
film archive An archive is an accumulation of Historical document, historical records or Historical source, materials, in any medium, or the physical facility in which they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated ove ...
profession. He was elected president of the association in 2004, was on the board from 2008 until 2012, and is patron of the organisation.


Other roles

Between 1989 and 1992, Pike was a board member of the
Australian Film Commission The Australian Film Commission (AFC) was an Australian government agency was founded in 1975 with a mandate to promote the creation and distribution of films in Australia as well as to preserve the country's film history. It also had a product ...
. In 2000, he instigated forums on film culture at both the
Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...
and Melbourne Film Festivals. In 2003 Pike was a founding member and secretary of the ACT Film and Television Council. From 2008 to 2012, he was a member of the
ACT Government The Government of the Australian Capital Territory, also referred to as the Australian Capital Territory Government or ACT Government, is the executive branch of the Australian Capital Territory. The leader of the party or coalition with the Con ...
's Cultural Council, advising the Arts Minister on arts policy and strategies. He also served as chairman of the ACT Screen Investment Fund for the ACT Government, and was a member of the ACT's Arts Advisory Council in 2013. He chaired the MPA APSA film development fund for the
Asia Pacific Screen Academy Asia ( , ) is the largest continent in the world by both land area and population. It covers an area of more than 44 million square kilometres, about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8% of Earth's total surface area. The continent, which ...
from 2010 to 2015. Pike has a regular segment on
Radio National ABC Radio National, more commonly known as Radio National or simply RN, is an Australian nationwide public service radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). From 1947 until 1985, the network was known as ABC Radio 2. ...
talking about film history, and has a keen interest in policy issues affecting the film industry.


Recognition and awards

*1986: The
Australian Film Institute The Australian Film Institute (AFI) was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Cinema of Australia, Australian film indu ...
's
Byron Kennedy Award The Byron Kennedy Award is an annual film and television award presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) to Australian filmmakers. History The award was named after Byron Kennedy (18 August 1949 – 17 July 1983 ...
"for his unorthodox and comprehensive contribution to the film industry" *1993: Special award by the
Film Critics Circle of Australia The Film Critics Circle of Australia (FCCA) is an association of cinema critics and reviewers. It includes journalists in "media, television, major national and state papers, radio, national and state, online and freelance writers, Australian ...
for contributions to the film industry *2003: Appointed by the French Government to the rank of
Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres The Order of Arts and Letters () is an order of France established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture. Its supplementary status to the was confirmed by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Its purpose is the recognition of significant co ...
for his work in the distribution and exhibition of
French cinema The cinema of France comprises the film industry and its film productions, whether made within the nation of France or by French film production companies abroad. It is the oldest and largest precursor of national cinemas in Europe, with prima ...
in Australia *2004: Named by ''
The Canberra Times ''The Canberra Times'' is a daily newspaper in Canberra, Australia, which is published by Australian Community Media. It was founded in 1926, and has changed ownership and format several times. History ''The Canberra Times'' was launched in 1 ...
'' as one of 75 Canberra citizens who have contributed to the shape and vitality of the local community *2005: Plaque on the ACT Honour Walk in Canberra City in its inaugural year, for contributions to the city * 2007:
Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of then ...
(OAM), in the Australia Day honours list, "For service to the film industry, particularly through the promotion of Australian, independent and foreign films, and to the community" *2007:
Honorary doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or '' ad hon ...
from the
University of Canberra The University of Canberra (UC) is a public university, public research university with its main campus located in Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The campus is from Belconnen Town Centre, and from Canberra's Civic, Australian ...
, for services to the film industry and to the community. *2009: Jury member for the
Asia Pacific Screen Awards The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) is an international cultural initiative overseen by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy and headquartered in Australia, sometimes called "Asia-Pacific Oscars". In order to realise UNESCO's goals of promoting a ...
*2012: NSW Cinema Pioneer of the Year by Cinema Pioneers' Association *2013: Delivered the Theo Barker Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Bathurst District Historical Society and
Charles Sturt University Charles Sturt University is an Australian multi-campus public university located in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, Australia, Victoria. Established in 1989, it was named in honour of Captain (British Army and Royal ...
, on "Men and Women of the Bush in Early Australian Cinema" *2014: Co-winner, Promotion of Indigenous Recognition at the
UNAA Media Peace Awards The United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) is the official United Nations Association of Australia, working on behalf of the United Nations core body to promote its overall aims and ideals, and equally seeking to build support for the ...
, with Ann McGrath, Ronin Films, for ''Message from Mungo''


Publications

Pike researched and co-authored (with Ross Cooper) the book ''Reference guide to Australian films 1906–1969'', published by
Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the publishing house of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world. Its first book was printed in Oxford in 1478, with the Press officially granted the legal right to print books ...
in 1980, and ''Australian Film 1900-1977'' in 1998. He also co-authored with Ray Edmondson, ''Australia's Lost Films: The loss and rescue of Australia's silent cinema'' (published 1982).


Filmography

''
Angels of War ''Angels of War'' is a 1982 Australian documentary film, created by Andrew Pike, Hank Nelson and Gavan Daws, about the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels in Papua New Guinea in World War 2. Production ''Angels of War'' cost $80,000 with funding provided by ...
'' (co-director with
Hank Nelson Hyland Neil "Hank" Nelson (21 October 1937 – 17 February 2012) was one of Australia's foremost historians of the Pacific, particularly Papua New Guinea. His interest in the region began in 1966 when he took a teaching position at the Admini ...
and
Gavan Daws Gavan Daws is an American writer, historian and filmmaker residing in Honolulu, Hawaii. He writes about Hawaii, the Pacific, and Asia. He is a retired professor of history at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Daws is originally from Australia and ...
) in 1982. The film was an award-winning documentary about the experiences of the people of
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is an island country in Oceania that comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and offshore islands in Melanesia, a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean n ...
in World War II. It was broadcast by ABC TV and won several awards including the Golden Sesterce for Best Documentary at the Nyon Film Festival (Switzerland) and Best Documentary in the
Australian Film Institute The Australian Film Institute (AFI) was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Cinema of Australia, Australian film indu ...
's annual awards. ''Man Without Pigs'' (co-producer with Chris Owen) in 1990. The film, directed by Chris Owen, offers insight into the dynamics of village life in Papua New Guinea and the antagonism aroused when conflict between traditional custom and Western values occurs in an isolated community. The film won the Best Documentary Award at the Hawaii Film Festival and was broadcast by SBS in Australia. ''Oh, Beethoven!'' (producer) in 1999. The documentary follows Dr Susan West and the children from Ainslie Primary School, Canberra, in a special performance of a work about
Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most revered figures in the history of Western music; his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire ...
's life. This is followed by discussion about West's innovative approach to music education. ''Man of Strings'' (co-producer) in 1999. Directed by Gary Kildea, this documentary portrays the life and work of Czech-born violinist, Jan Sedivka, a leading violinist and string teacher in Australia. ''Betelnut Bisnis'' (co-producer with Chris Owen) in 2006. This documentary, directed by Chris Owen, explores the life of a family in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, who make a precarious living by trading in
betelnut The areca nut ( or ) or betel nut () is the fruit of the areca palm (''Areca catechu''). The palm is originally native to the Philippines, but was carried widely through the tropics by the Austronesian expansion, Austronesian migrations and ...
, one of the world's most widely used narcotics. ''Across The Plateau'' (co-producer with his daughter, Harriet Pike) in 2007. This documentary, directed by Paul Liu and Zhang Zeming, is a bicycle story from China, about a group of friends in southern China who share cycling treks of epic scale. ''The Chifleys of Busby Street'' (director) in 2008. This feature-length documentary, made with historian Robin McLachlan, is a portrait of Australian Prime Minister
Ben Chifley Joseph Benedict Chifley (; 22 September 1885 – 13 June 1951) was an Australian politician and train driver who served as the 16th prime minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949. He held office as the leader of the Labor Party (ALP), and was n ...
, and his wife Elizabeth. ''Electric Shadows: The Story of a Cinema'' (co-producer with Harriet Pike) in 2009. This documentary looks at the history of the Electric Shadows cinema, and considers its emergence as something of an icon in the Canberra cultural scene. ''Emily in Japan'' (director) in 2009. This documentary explores the behind-the-scenes story of a major exhibition of paintings by the Indigenous artist
Emily Kame Kngwarreye Emily Kam Kngwarray (c.1914-1996) was born in her Ancestral lands, Alhalker located in the Sandover region of the Northern Territory, Australia. One of the world’s most significant contemporary painters to emerge in the twentieth century Kngw ...
which toured Japan attracting record crowds. The film was broadcast by ABC TV. '' Into the Shadows'' (consulting producer) in 2009. A feature-length documentary, directed by Andrew Scarano and Phil Hignett, about Australian cinema history, released nationally in cinemas by Ronin Films, and broadcast by ABC TV. ''How To Run A School Concert'' (director and producer) in 2010. A short documentary telling the story behind a huge interactive concert for school children and the community, surveying international song through the ages. ''Message from Mungo'' (co-directed with Ann McGrath) in 2014. This feature-length film explores the relationship between archeologists and
Indigenous Indigenous may refer to: *Indigenous peoples *Indigenous (ecology) In biogeography, a native species is indigenous to a given region or ecosystem if its presence in that region is the result of only local natural evolution (though often populari ...
communities at
Lake Mungo Lake Mungo is a dry lake located in New South Wales, Australia. It is about 760 km (472 miles) due west of Sydney and 90 km (56 miles) north-east of Mildura. The lake is the central feature of Mungo National Park, and is one of seve ...
in the south-west of
New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...
, one of the world's richest archaeological sites. The film won a UNAA Media Award from the
United Nations Association of Australia The United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) is the official United Nations Association of Australia, working on behalf of the United Nations core body to promote its overall aims and ideals, and equally seeking to build support for the ...
, and was invited to screen at many festivals.


References


External links

* *
Andrew Pike
on
Screen Australia Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government's key funding body for the Australian screen production industry, created under the ''Screen Australia Act 2008''. From 1 July 2008 Screen Australia took over the functions of its predecess ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pike, Andrew Living people 1946 births People from Adelaide Australian film producers Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia