“Holy Smoke” is a comedy-drama movie from 1999 that tells the story of Ruth, who becomes influenced by a guru in Delhi, India, and subsequently, her Sydney-residing parents hire an expert to revert this condition. To this end, Ruth is used into returning to Australia where she’s confined to an outback cabin with the specialist, leading to a disordered situation. The movie features Kate Winslet as Ruth, Harvey Keitel as the specialist PJ Waters, and Julie Hamilton playing Ruth’s mother, amongst others.
Where it Filmed?
The movie was primarily filmed across various geographies including Kogarah and Disney Studios in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the city of New Delhi, and the town of Pushkar, both in India, and at Flinders Ranges in South Australia. These wide-ranging locations cumulatively reflect the movie’s diverse thematic elements. The filming was carried out from July 6, 1998, to October 1, 1998.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Kate Winslet | Ruth |
| Harvey Keitel | PJ Waters |
| Julie Hamilton | Mum |
| Sophie Lee | Yvonne |
| Dan Wyllie | Robbie |
| Paul Goddard | Tim |
| Tim Robertson | Dad |
| Kerry Walker | Puss |
| Samantha Murray | Prue |
| Simon Anderson | Fabio |
| Pam Grier | Carol |
| Eva Martin | Devotee |
| Mira Wright | Devotee |
| Polly Wright | Devotee |
| Lior Aizenberg | Devotee |
| S. Samaran | Devotee |
| Michelle Abel | Devotee |
| Adina Kumar | Devotee |
| Jeff Silverman | Devotee |
| Andreas Wagner | Devotee |
| Vandana Mohindra | Devotee |
| Savrash | Dancing Boy |
| Saurabh Srinivasan | Dancing Boy |
| Robert Joseph | Miriam’s Taxi Driver |
| Valerie Thomas | Miriam’s Double |
| Arif | Boy Who Runs with Taxi |
| John Samaha | Chatiwali – Shiva’s Diner |
| Jane Edwards | Priya |
| Miranda Cleary | Priya’s Daughter |
| Tamsin Carroll | Jodie |
| T’mara Buckmaster | Zoe |
| Ante Novakovic | Man with Trolly |
| Diana Kotatko | Woman with Trolly |
| Patricia Lemon | Woman with Trolly |
| Ethan Coker | Toddy Barron |
| Ellie Burchell | Tiffany Barron |
| Morgan Watt | Boyfriend |
| Luke Testa | Boyfriend |
| William Mackay | Boyfriend |
| David Franco | Boyfriend |
| Eleanor Knox | Meryl |
| The Angels | Band |
| Doc Neeson | The Angels |
| Rick Brewster | The Angels |
| John Brewster | The Angels |
| Jim Hilbun | The Angels |
| Brent Eccles | The Angels |
| Mark Gray | Dope Peddler |
| Cameron McAuliffe | Seducer |
| Tim Rogers | Seducer |
| Eric Schussler | Cult Video Reporter |
| Robert Lee | Cult Video Reporter |
| Marshall Applewhite | Self – States Beliefs of Heaven’s Gate (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Susan Atkins | Self – Manson Follower |
| Under Arrest (uncredited) (archiveFootage) | |
| Mary Brunner | Self – Manson Follower with ‘X’ on Forehead (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Mark Duncan | Bar Tender (uncredited) |
| Mike Duncan | Bar patron (uncredited) |
| Jay Finocchiaro | Airport Passenger (uncredited) |
| Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme | Self – Manson Follower |
| with ‘X’ on Forehead (uncredited) (archiveFootage) | |
| Sandra Good | Self – Manson Follower |
| with ‘X’ on Forehead (uncredited) (archiveFootage) | |
| Leslie Van Houten | Self – Manson Follower |
| Under Arrest (uncredited) (archiveFootage) | |
| David Koresh | Self – Preaches to Followers (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Patricia Krenwinkel | Self – Manson Follower |
| Under Arrest (uncredited) (archiveFootage) | |
| Nalini Krishan | Poor Beggar Girl / Voice Over’s (uncredited) |
| Pui Fan Lee | Tori Winters (uncredited) |
| Charles Manson | Self – Speaks to Reporters (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Hak Ja Han Moon | Self (with Rev. Moon) (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Sun Myung Moon | Self – Officiates at Mass Wedding (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Osho | Self – Watches Girls Dance (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Steve Rutherford | Poolside swimmer (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- The film was helmed by Jane Campion, who also serves as co-writer along with Anna Campion.
- The lead actors, Kate Winslet, Harvey Keitel, and Julie Hamilton, were complimented by the supporting cast including Sophie Lee as Yvonne, Dan Wyllie as Robbie, Paul Goddard as Tim, Tim Robertson as Dad, and others.
- The movie received critical acclaim and audiences’ appreciation alike, and it was acknowledged with 2 wins and 3 nominations in the awards circuit.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Latitude: -33.9643523
- Longitude: 151.1372588
- Place ID: ChIJGQY04ua5EmsRAL0yFmh9AQU
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Kogarah NSW 2217, Australia
- Timezone: Australia/Sydney
- Location Name: Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
- Latitude: 26.4885822
- Longitude: 74.5509422
- Place ID: ChIJLypX5SLdazkR6vLNL5E9c7g
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
- Timezone: Asia/Calcutta
- Location Name: Disney Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Latitude: -33.8930692
- Longitude: 151.2239525
- Place ID: ChIJgwYKMfqxEmsRoq4AGHp2gpM
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Building 16/38 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021, Australia
- Timezone: Australia/Sydney
