Australian director Phillip Noyce bags Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award

Renowned Australian director Phillip Noyce was honoured with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in Cinema at the gala closing ceremony of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. In his acceptance speech, the legendary filmmaker recalled his first experience of watching cinema in Mumbai in 1978.

“What an experience it was! It felt as though I was watching films for the very first time. The Indian audience is unlike any other – fully immersed in the emotion of the film, as though they were part of it. There is nothing like the Indian audience,” said an elated Noyce.

Remembering the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, Noyce said, “Growing up in Australia, we were all inspired by the work of Satyajit Ray. I have drawn from his approach in my own work, particularly when casting. Like Ray, when I couldn’t find indigenous Australian actors for my films, I looked to cast real people who could simply be themselves.”

He further expressed deep gratitude to Ray, “In the world of Australian cinema, we filmmakers owe a debt to Satyajit Ray that goes far beyond any award. His influence continues to guide and inspire us.” Noyce also shared his thoughts on the evolving nature of filmmaking. “We must once again turn to Satyajit Ray’s cinematic philosophy — less is more. As technology evolves, so must we. Let movies become smaller and ideas get bigger. That, I believe, is the future of cinema,” he asserted.

Noyce’s filmography includes iconic films like Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, Salt, The Saint, The Bone Collector and more. His collaborations with celebrated actors like Harrison Ford, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Denzel Washington and Michael Caine underscore his lasting impact on cinema. Noyce has received numerous awards, including the AACTA Awards and the prestigious Longford Lyell Lifetime Achievement Award.

Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, an international honour instituted by IFFI, was previously bestowed upon luminaries such as Martin Scorsese, Bernardo Bertolucci and Dilip Kumar, Wong Kar-wai and Michael Douglas.

Paying a tribute to vetarans, seven restored classics were screened at IFFI 2024 as well. These include silent film Kaliya Mardan, Awara, Saat Hindustani, Hum Dono, Harmonium, Devadasu and Seemabaddha.