Another of the Australian filmmakers whose successful work in their homeland brought Hollywood calling, P J Hogan burst into international awareness when his first feature as director and writer, "Muriel's Wedding", debuted to a 15-minute standing ovation at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight. A box-office champ, "Muriel's Wedding" dominated the Australian Film Institute Awards, earning eleven nominations and winning four. Basically an ugly-duckling story that relied on broad humor to make its point, the film benefited from Hogan's capabilities with actors. He elicited
