A former director of TV commercials, Fred Schepisi made his mark in the late 1970s and early 80s with sensitively handled dramas which defied easy categorization and were therefore somewhat underrated. Schepisi is generally attracted to stories pitting strong outsiders against small-minded establishments which are recounted with a smooth and straightforward filmmaking technique even when shifting back and forth between flashbacks, time zones and diverse locations. He has also proved a master at translating difficult material (i.e., plays and novels) into entertaining and captivating feature
