Buddies (1983 film)
Buddies is a 1983 Australian comedy/drama film directed by Arch Nicholson and written by John Dingwall. Dingwall won the Best Original Screenplay AFI Award for the script. The film was not a great success in 1983, as no Australian distributor wanted to release it, but Dingwall took it around the country cinemas himself, where it was well received. Plot. Young miners Mike (Colin Friels) and Johnny (Harold Hopkins) work in the gem fields of central Queensland around Emerald. Conflict arises when their pick-and-shovel operation is threatened by a large scale bulldozer operator. Production. John  Dingwall wrote the script and decided to produce it himself. He raised the money with the help of Rex Pilbeam, a former mayor of Rockhampton. Most of the money was raised in Queensland, including investment from the Queensland Film Corporation. Shooting took place on location in Emerald, Queensland and lasted six weeks. Box office. According to Dingwall, the film tested extremely well with audiences but there was a difficulty in marketing it. "Buddies" grossed $81,777 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $215,891 in 2009 dollars. Awards and nominations. At the 1983 AFI awards "Buddies