# Alexandra's Project

Alexandra's Project is a 2003 Australian drama thriller film written and directed by Rolf de Heer and starring Gary Sweet and Helen Buday.

## Plot

Upon returning home from work on his birthday, Steve, a middle class husband and father of two, finds the house dark and his family not home. He notices a chair, his television set, and a video tape obviously set out for his viewing. He turns the TV and VCR on, and begins to watch a tape made for him by his wife, Alexandra. The first clip shows his wife and children wishing him a happy birthday, but after the kids leave the room, Alexandra begins a striptease, and it appears to be nothing more than a birthday gift. As it progresses, however, it becomes clear that the tape is designed to humiliate and torture Steve for marital problems that Alexandra has been stewing about for years. As part of her 'show', Alexandra feigns breast cancer, has sex with their neighbour, and tells Steve that neither she nor their two children are ever coming home.

## Cast

* Gary Sweet as Steve
* Helen Buday as Alexandra
* Bogdan Koca as Bill
* Jack Christie as Sam
* Samantha Knigge as Emma
* Eileen Darley as Christine
* Geoff Revell as Rodney
* Philip Spruce as Taxi Driver
* Nathan O'Keefe as Man at Door
* Peter Greena as Chairman
* Martha Lott as Female Worker
* Cindy Elliott as Female Worker
* Gemma Falk as Female Worker
* Nicole Daniel as Female Worker
* Duncan Graham as Male Worker
* Michael Ienna as Male Worker

## Production

De Heer originally wanted to make the film so he could use a single location and use up various fragments of ideas he had accumulated.

## Release

The film's world premiere was 14 February 2003 as part of the Berlin International Film Festival and was released regularly as Cinema release on 8 May 2003 in Australia.

## Reception
### Box office

Alexandra's Project took $844,494 at the box office in Australia.

### Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has rating of 53% based on 19 reviews, with an average 5.56/10 rating. The Cultural Post gave it three out of five stars.

### Accolades

| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Film | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Film | Domenico Procacci | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Film | Julie Ryan | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Actress | Helen Buday | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Editing | Tania Nehme | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Original Music Score | Graham Tardif | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Sound | James Currie | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Sound | Rory McGregor | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Sound | Nada Mikas | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Sound | Andrew Plain | Nominated |
| Berlin International Film Festival | Golden Bear | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| Chicago International Film Festival | Gold Hugo for Best Feature | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Director | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Rolf de Heer | Won |
| FCCA Awards | Best Film | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Film | Domenico Procacci | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Film | Julie Ryan | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Actor - Male | Gary Sweet | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Actor - Female | Helen Buday | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Supporting Actor - Male | Bogdan Koca | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Editing | Tania Nehme | Nominated |
| Golden Trailer Awards | Best Foreign Dramatic Trailer | Best Foreign Dramatic Trailer | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Direction | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Actress | Helen Buday | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Sound | James Currie | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Sound | Nada Mikas | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Sound | Andrew Plain | Nominated |
| Montreal World Film Festival | Golden Zenith for Best Film from Oceania | Rolf de Heer | Won |
| Valladolid International Film Festival | Golden Spike | Rolf de Heer | Nominated |
| Valladolid International Film Festival | Best Actress | Helen Buday | Won |

## Home media

Alexandra's Project was released by Fandango Australia / Palace Films as a DVD in 2003.