January 31 - Geoffrey Wright

Happy 61st Birthday, Geoffrey Wright! Born today in 1959, this Australian screenwriter and film director, years later, graduated from the Swinburne Film and Television School with a Diploma of Arts in Film and Television 

  

Afterwards, Wright worked as a movie critic for both the "Melbourne Age" and Radio 3AW prior to making his feature debut with his poignant 1989 Australian short drama film 'Lover Boy'. 

  

Three years later, Wright caused quite a stir in writing and directing the film of which he is best known. 

This was the powerful and controversial 1992 Australian drama/crime film 'Romper Stomper'. It was through this film of which Wright gained cult success. 

  

The film fallows Hando (Russell Crowe) and Davey (Daniel Pollock). Both are the leaders of a racist neo-Nazi skinhead youth gang who spend their nights attacking Vietnamese immigrants in a rough section of blue-collar suburban Melbourne.  

  

On the run after losing badly in a fight against the new Vietnamese owners of their local pub, the pair hook up with teenage junkie Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie).  

  

She suggests robbing the mansion of her rich and sexually abusive father Martin (Alex Scott). However, the girl's presence begins to drive a wedge between the longtime friends. 

  

Post release, 'Romper Stomper' received mixed reviews, but was a substantial box office hit. On a budget os A$1.8 million, the film eventually grossed $3.3 million. 

  

Wright later won a handful of awards and was even nominated for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) Award for Best Director. However, he didn't win. This occurred at the 34th Australian Film Awards in mid-October 1992. 

  

Tragically, Australian actor Daniel Pollock, who played Davey, committed suicide before the film's release.  

  

The character of Hando was originally written for Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn. However, Mendelsohn did not look menacing when his head was shaved.  

  

Crowe, however, had shaved his head, gotten into character, and had been persistently contacting Wright to reconsider his casting decision. When Wright decided Mendelsohn didn't have the look, the role went to Crowe. 

  

It was Crowe’s performance in 'Romper Stomper' that convinced Cutis Hanson to cast him as plainclothes Officer Wendell "Bud" White in his 1997 American neo-noir crime/thriler drama film 'L.A. Confidential'. 

  

The Australian crime/political thriller television series Romper Stomper was released on the Australian video streaming service Stan on January 1. 

  

The series was co-written and co-directed by Wright. However, the seres only lasted for one season. 

  

Wright has been active from 1980–present. 

  

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@Amazon 

January 31 - Derek Jarman

Happy Birthday, Derek Jarman! Born today in 1942 as Michael Derek Elworthy Jarman, this English gardener, gay rights activist, diarist, author, stage designer, artist and visionary film director is best known for co-writing and directing the 1986 British drama/history film 'Caravaggio'. 

Jarman passed from HIV/AIDS in London, England, United Kingdom on February 19, 1994. He was 52. Jarman had been active from 1970–1994. 

#borntodirect 

@BFI 

January 30 - National Croissant Day

Happy National Croissant Day! On January 30th In the United States, today recognizes a flaky pastry enjoyed at every meal.  Croissants are a buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.   

The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. Laminating the dough is a process by which butter is folded into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body. 

 
Click play and enjoy a story about National Croissant Day featuring our founder, Marlo Anderson.  If you enjoy the two-minute show, subscribe with your favorite podcast player.

https://thenationaldailyshow.com/national-croissant-day-january-30-2020-on-the-national-day-calendar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=national-croissant-day-january-30-2020-on-the-national-day-calendar 

Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the kifli, of kipfel, of which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This traditional yeast bread is more like a roll.

Credit for the croissant we know today is given to nineteenth-century Austrian military officer August Zang. 

Also an entrepreneur who founded the Viennese daily Die Presse, he also had a major influence on French baking methods. In 1939 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris, France, introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.

HOW TO OBSERVE

If you're feeling flaky, stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant. Be sure to give your baker a shout out as well! 

Of course, you can always try baking your own. National Day Calendar® has even provided a recipe to try below. 

Croissants 

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/6916/croissants/?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=croissant&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p2i5 

Use #NationalCroissantDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

The earliest that National Day Calendar® has found today's observance being celebrated is in 2006. However, they continue researching the origins of this buttery food holiday. 

#NationalCroissantDay
@allrecipes 

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January 30 - Nick Broomfield

Happy 72nd Birthday, Nick Broomfield! Born today in 1948 as Nicholas Broomfield, this English documentary writer, producer and film director's self-reflexive style has been regarded as influential to many later filmmakers. In the early 21st century, he began to use non-actors in scripted works, which he calls "Direct Cinema".  

Broomfield is best known for directing two films regarding American serial killer and prostitute Aileen Wuornos. These include the 1992 American crime/political drama documentary 'Aileen Wuronos: The Selling of a Serial Killer' and the 2003 American drama/political drama documentary film 'Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer'.

Broomfield generally works with a minimal crew, recording sound himself and using one or two camera operators. He is often seen in the finished film, usually holding the sound boom and wearing the Nagra tape recorder.

Broomfield has been active from 1971–present.

#borntodirect 

@nickbroomfield1 

@BFI 

January 30 - Delbert Mann

Happy Birthday, Delbert Mann! Born today in 1920 as Delbert Martin Mann Jr., this American television and film director, years later, won the Oscar for Best Director at the 28th Academy Awards late March 1956. This was for his 1955 American black and white drama/romance film 'Marty'. 

The film had been adapted from a 1953 teleplay, of which Mann had also previously directed. From 1967 to 1971, he was president of the Directors Guild of America. 

Mann had been active from 1949–1994. 

#borntodirect 

@tcm