As a result of the near-absence of the virus, plus generous subsidies from the Australian government, the country's film industry has been humming along at an enviable pace for months compared to other locales
Village Roadshow Studios in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
In the photo posted to Instagram, actors Chris Hemsworth, Idris Elba and Matt Damon, all wearing 1980s-style sweats, embrace. They are maskless. Touching. Happy, even. The caption reads: “A little 80s themed party never did any harm!”
Their fans, indignant, peppered the post with comments. What of the pandemic? Social distancing? Masks? We are still, after all, suffering through a pandemic that has all but crippled the travel industry and blocked most people from casually taking off for vacation in paradise.
But the Hollywood brigade was in Australia, a country that has effectively stamped out the coronavirus, allowing officials to ease restrictions for most gatherings, including parties (with dancing and finger food). As a result of the near-absence of the virus, plus generous subsidies from the Australian government, the country’s film industry has been humming along at an enviable pace for months compared to other locales.
Australia has managed to lure several Hollywood directors and actors to continue film production. In effect, many celebrities, including Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Melissa McCarthy, have found freedom from the pandemic there.
As one person wrote on Hemsworth’s Instagram post: “Before you comment, remember that not everyone lives in America.”
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