Robert Connolly's film adaptation of Tim Winton stories takes an eventful turn HOW do Australian films compete with Hollywood blockbusters as cinematic events? Robert Connolly has a novel answer: bring together 17 disparate directors and an enticing cast of performers under the umbrella of one of the few Australian creators who may be considered his own brand. Tim Winton is to Australian modern culture what JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien and Marvel Comics are to Hollywood: a bankable commodity. Yet most previous attempts to bring the popular author's novels to screen have been modest and producer Connolly admits The Turning, his film of Winton's book of connected short stories, is no more expensive than a standard independent Australian film. But, he adds: "It is a cinema event. And what I love is it is so Australian.