By LOUIS B. HOBSON -- Calgary Sun
September 15, 1997

Aussie Russell Crowe says he comes to Hollywood to make movies like L.A. Confidential so he can assist the Australian film industry.

"After I'd made The Quick and the Dead and Virtuosity in America, I was able to bring a great deal of development money back home with me.

"I just shot a movie in Australia called Heaven's Burning that was financed by a Japanese investor who knew my American work."

Crowe says he learned this ploy from fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman.

"Nicki is the princess of Australian cinema. She is incredibly supportive of our industry. It's just that Nicki isn't the kind of person to trumpet her generosity.

"She almost single-handedly revitalized children's theatre through her financial donations.

"It's so cruel that people assume she has abandoned her homeland just because she married Tom Cruise. Nicki is the most glamorous, gracious woman to walk this planet."