30 years after the release of “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” the cult classic from director Stephan Elliott is getting a sequel. Original trio of stars Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving will return to their roles for the new film.
Elliott will return as director, writer and producer, and is seeking a producing partner for the sequel. The colorful 1994 film follows a transgender woman named Bernadette (Stamp) and two drag queens, Adam Whitely/Felicia Jollygoodfellow (Weaving) and Tick/Mitzi Del Bra (Pearce) as they road trip around the Australian Outback in a bus nicknamed Priscilla.
Plot details for the sequel are still under wraps, but it will feature a grown-up version of Tick’s 7-year-old son from the original flick.
David Stratton praised the film after its premiere at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival in his Variety review, writing, “Although the film doesn’t make concessions to a straight audience,...
Elliott will return as director, writer and producer, and is seeking a producing partner for the sequel. The colorful 1994 film follows a transgender woman named Bernadette (Stamp) and two drag queens, Adam Whitely/Felicia Jollygoodfellow (Weaving) and Tick/Mitzi Del Bra (Pearce) as they road trip around the Australian Outback in a bus nicknamed Priscilla.
Plot details for the sequel are still under wraps, but it will feature a grown-up version of Tick’s 7-year-old son from the original flick.
David Stratton praised the film after its premiere at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival in his Variety review, writing, “Although the film doesn’t make concessions to a straight audience,...
- 4/20/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
After 57 years in the business, Australia’s most prolific film critic is finally signing off
It’s late November and the venerable film critic David Stratton is giving his last lesson on world cinema at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education. After 35 years of showing up for his students, some of whom have returned this in kind by enrolling for 32 consecutive years, Stratton is not here tonight. At least not in a physical sense.
While he had kept coming to the city from the Blue Mountains through Covid, deteriorating eyesight and more recently a spine fracture, an unexpected month in hospital had really stuck a spoke in his wheels. Four weeks from the course’s scheduled end, Stratton asked the director Claude Gonzalez to step in to take over.
It’s late November and the venerable film critic David Stratton is giving his last lesson on world cinema at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education. After 35 years of showing up for his students, some of whom have returned this in kind by enrolling for 32 consecutive years, Stratton is not here tonight. At least not in a physical sense.
While he had kept coming to the city from the Blue Mountains through Covid, deteriorating eyesight and more recently a spine fracture, an unexpected month in hospital had really stuck a spoke in his wheels. Four weeks from the course’s scheduled end, Stratton asked the director Claude Gonzalez to step in to take over.
- 12/22/2023
- by Kate Hennessy
- The Guardian - Film News
Sydney, June 11 (Ians) These days Jane Campion — Palme d’Or and Oscar-winning film director — is celebrated for a vein of heartfelt cinema that is aching and quirky, rather than gushing, writes ‘Variety’.
She’s also an intelligent and determined female pioneer who has had to struggle for her present standing in a male-dominated industry.
The Sydney Film Festival this week is showcasing and contextualising Campion’s body of work, ‘Variety’ reports. Its screening programme includes all nine of her feature films, from “Two Friends” to “The Power of the Dog”, and a selection of her shorts.
“For our 70th edition, we wanted to present a retrospective commensurate with the milestone, reflecting the audacious and boundary pushing filmmaking synonymous with our festival and region. There was no one more appropriate than Jane Campion,” said Sff Director Nashen Moodley in notes ahead of the event.
India, incidentally, is being represented at the Festival,...
She’s also an intelligent and determined female pioneer who has had to struggle for her present standing in a male-dominated industry.
The Sydney Film Festival this week is showcasing and contextualising Campion’s body of work, ‘Variety’ reports. Its screening programme includes all nine of her feature films, from “Two Friends” to “The Power of the Dog”, and a selection of her shorts.
“For our 70th edition, we wanted to present a retrospective commensurate with the milestone, reflecting the audacious and boundary pushing filmmaking synonymous with our festival and region. There was no one more appropriate than Jane Campion,” said Sff Director Nashen Moodley in notes ahead of the event.
India, incidentally, is being represented at the Festival,...
- 6/11/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
These days Jane Campion – Palme d’Or and Oscar-winning film director – is celebrated for a vein of heartfelt cinema that is aching and quirky, rather than gushing. She’s also an intelligent and determined female pioneer who has had to struggle for her present standing in a male-dominated industry.
The Sydney Film Festival this week is showcasing and contextualizing her body of work. Its screening program includes all nine of her feature works, from “Two Friends” to “The Power of the Dog,” and a selection of her short films.
“For our 70th edition, we wanted to present a retrospective commensurate with the milestone, reflecting the audacious and boundary pushing filmmaking synonymous with our festival and region. There was no one more appropriate than Jane Campion,” said Sff director Nashen Moodley in notes ahead of the event.
On Saturday, the festival screened Julie Bertucelli’s 2022 documentary “Jane Campion, the Cinema Woman...
The Sydney Film Festival this week is showcasing and contextualizing her body of work. Its screening program includes all nine of her feature works, from “Two Friends” to “The Power of the Dog,” and a selection of her short films.
“For our 70th edition, we wanted to present a retrospective commensurate with the milestone, reflecting the audacious and boundary pushing filmmaking synonymous with our festival and region. There was no one more appropriate than Jane Campion,” said Sff director Nashen Moodley in notes ahead of the event.
On Saturday, the festival screened Julie Bertucelli’s 2022 documentary “Jane Campion, the Cinema Woman...
- 6/11/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“In all my career, I’ve never felt a room like you,” said Warwick Thornton, the First Nations Australian director, after the screening of his film “The New Boy,” a story of spirituality and survival set in 1940s, that was the opening night title of the Sydney Film Festival. “The energy you give back to these children…,” he said before tailing off.
It was a churning, heartfelt moment that contrasted with Thornton’s bouncy earlier appearance on stage, when he joshed about having told the eight untrained school-age kids in his cast never to look directly at the camera while on set. And how he had to reverse that advice for when they, along with producer Kath Shelper, dominated the red carpet at Sydney’s grand State Theatre. Smile and wave for the paparazzi.
The film had premiered last month in competition at Cannes and was overlooked for major awards.
It was a churning, heartfelt moment that contrasted with Thornton’s bouncy earlier appearance on stage, when he joshed about having told the eight untrained school-age kids in his cast never to look directly at the camera while on set. And how he had to reverse that advice for when they, along with producer Kath Shelper, dominated the red carpet at Sydney’s grand State Theatre. Smile and wave for the paparazzi.
The film had premiered last month in competition at Cannes and was overlooked for major awards.
- 6/8/2023
- by Patrick Frater and Katherine Tulich
- Variety Film + TV
Champion Campion
The Sydney Film Festival will present ‘Jane Campion – Her Way,’ a retrospective of films by the pioneering director. Campion herself will appear in conversation with David Stratton on June 10 at the 2023 edition of the festival, its 70th anniversary presentation (June 7-18).
Held in association with Acmi and the National Film and Sound Archive, ‘Jane Campion – Her Way’ will encompass screenings of all nine of Campion’s feature films, as well as a selection of her short films. The selection will go on to tour the Acmi in Melbourne (June 15 – July 2) and at Nfsa in Canberra (July 20-30).
“For our 70th edition, we wanted to present a retrospective commensurate with the milestone, reflecting the audacious and boundary pushing filmmaking synonymous with our festival and region. Campion is a ground-breaking filmmaker who has made a profound impact on cinema with her daring and unforgettable films,” said Sydney Film Festival director Nashen Moodley.
The Sydney Film Festival will present ‘Jane Campion – Her Way,’ a retrospective of films by the pioneering director. Campion herself will appear in conversation with David Stratton on June 10 at the 2023 edition of the festival, its 70th anniversary presentation (June 7-18).
Held in association with Acmi and the National Film and Sound Archive, ‘Jane Campion – Her Way’ will encompass screenings of all nine of Campion’s feature films, as well as a selection of her short films. The selection will go on to tour the Acmi in Melbourne (June 15 – July 2) and at Nfsa in Canberra (July 20-30).
“For our 70th edition, we wanted to present a retrospective commensurate with the milestone, reflecting the audacious and boundary pushing filmmaking synonymous with our festival and region. Campion is a ground-breaking filmmaker who has made a profound impact on cinema with her daring and unforgettable films,” said Sydney Film Festival director Nashen Moodley.
- 4/18/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin Golden Bear winner ‘Alcarràs’ among titles.
Sydney Film Festival (June 8-19) has revealed the 12 titles that will play in competition at its 69th edition.
The titles include Carla Simon’s Catalan family drama Alcarràs, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale in February; Colm Bairéad’s Irish-language drama The Quiet Girl, which took the grand prize in Berlin’s Generation Kplus strand; and Alejandro Loayza Grisi’s Bolivian eco-drama Utama, winner of the grand jury prize at Sundance in January.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The sole documentary in the line-up is Sara Dosa’s Fire of Love,...
Sydney Film Festival (June 8-19) has revealed the 12 titles that will play in competition at its 69th edition.
The titles include Carla Simon’s Catalan family drama Alcarràs, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale in February; Colm Bairéad’s Irish-language drama The Quiet Girl, which took the grand prize in Berlin’s Generation Kplus strand; and Alejandro Loayza Grisi’s Bolivian eco-drama Utama, winner of the grand jury prize at Sundance in January.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The sole documentary in the line-up is Sara Dosa’s Fire of Love,...
- 5/11/2022
- by Sandy George
- ScreenDaily
Everybody has to start somewhere. Cate Blanchett — long before her two Oscars and starring roles in film, TV and on stage — had an oddball beginning in showbiz.
On March 28, 1994, Variety mentioned “Police Rescue,” a big-screen version of the hit Aussie TV series, in which she appeared. It’s sometimes listed as her film debut. It’s not.
After studying theater in her native Australia, she traveled; running out of money in Cairo, she worked briefly on the 1990 Egyptian film “Kaboria,” dancing in a party scene (which is visible on YouTube).
Variety wrote about other projects in which she appeared, like the TV series “Heartland” and “Bordertown.” But she was not mentioned by name until the 1996 review of the 51-minute film “Parklands.” Variety critic David Stratton disliked it and said Blanchett had “little to work with,” but he noted that she “is on the road to becoming Australia’s next prominent actress,...
On March 28, 1994, Variety mentioned “Police Rescue,” a big-screen version of the hit Aussie TV series, in which she appeared. It’s sometimes listed as her film debut. It’s not.
After studying theater in her native Australia, she traveled; running out of money in Cairo, she worked briefly on the 1990 Egyptian film “Kaboria,” dancing in a party scene (which is visible on YouTube).
Variety wrote about other projects in which she appeared, like the TV series “Heartland” and “Bordertown.” But she was not mentioned by name until the 1996 review of the 51-minute film “Parklands.” Variety critic David Stratton disliked it and said Blanchett had “little to work with,” but he noted that she “is on the road to becoming Australia’s next prominent actress,...
- 3/13/2022
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Showbiz dynamo Ann-Margret tries on ‘teenage hellion’ for size. She terrorizes the straight, impossibly patient John Forsythe, sending him on a weekend ordeal with razor-wielding hooligans. He can kiss both his marriage and his political ambitions goodbye: who will believe David when Jody claims he took advantage of her? Douglas Heyes’ sordid suspense thriller has a loser reputation but is big fun in the star-watching game: Ann-Margret has no choice but to go way over the top and chew scenery, and the direction doesn’t offer enough support. The technical remaster is excellent, and the disc extras generous.
Kitten with a Whip
Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint]
1964 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 84 min. / Street Date December 29, 2022 / Available from [Imprint] / 34.95au
Starring: Ann-Margret, John Forsythe, Peter Brown, Richard Anderson, Skip Ward, Patricia Barry, Diane Sayer, Ann Doran, Patrick Whyte, Audrey Dalton, Leo Gordon, Patricia Tiara, Nora Marlowe, Frances Robinson, Maxine Stuart, Jerry Dunphy, Doodles Weaver.
Kitten with a Whip
Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint]
1964 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 84 min. / Street Date December 29, 2022 / Available from [Imprint] / 34.95au
Starring: Ann-Margret, John Forsythe, Peter Brown, Richard Anderson, Skip Ward, Patricia Barry, Diane Sayer, Ann Doran, Patrick Whyte, Audrey Dalton, Leo Gordon, Patricia Tiara, Nora Marlowe, Frances Robinson, Maxine Stuart, Jerry Dunphy, Doodles Weaver.
- 2/12/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Claude Gonzalez and Frans Vandenburg have been following the stranger-than-fiction life of filmmaker John Farrow for over 10 years.
Born in 1904 in Marrickville, Sydney, John Farrow’s curious story ranges from fleeing Australia at age 17 to penning a Tahitian French Dictionary, winning an Oscar for co-writing Around the World in 80 Days, to being highly religious and conservative and married to the glamorous Hollywood star Maureen O’Sullivan. Yet on the flip side he obscured his past from his family and fathered an illegitimate son.
As a director, producer, writer and actor he was prolific, making 50 films and working with people like John Wayne, Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner. He fathered seven children, including Mia Farrow.
Gonzalez and Vandenburg’s documentary – part mystery, biography and film noir – includes interviews with family members in the US and Australia, and with leading filmmakers and critics including Bruce Beresford, Phillip Noyce, Philippe Mora,...
Born in 1904 in Marrickville, Sydney, John Farrow’s curious story ranges from fleeing Australia at age 17 to penning a Tahitian French Dictionary, winning an Oscar for co-writing Around the World in 80 Days, to being highly religious and conservative and married to the glamorous Hollywood star Maureen O’Sullivan. Yet on the flip side he obscured his past from his family and fathered an illegitimate son.
As a director, producer, writer and actor he was prolific, making 50 films and working with people like John Wayne, Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner. He fathered seven children, including Mia Farrow.
Gonzalez and Vandenburg’s documentary – part mystery, biography and film noir – includes interviews with family members in the US and Australia, and with leading filmmakers and critics including Bruce Beresford, Phillip Noyce, Philippe Mora,...
- 7/22/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Drive-in movies are back, and it took the deadly Covid-19 virus to resurrect them. With cinemas closed and large public gatherings not a good idea no matter what some bikers, party-types and comb-over presidents might think, some adventurous souls have met with success in recent months by rejuvenating the largely dead-and-buried American pastime of drive-in moviegoing.
Adapting to strictures designed to maintain safety guidelines for social distancing and non-physical contact transactions, a few entrepreneurs and drive-in operators have made a go of it this summer with a variety of programming approaches. It’s an open question whether or not this will trigger a long-term resurrection of an institution that reached its peak in the late 1950s, when more than 4,000 drive-ins dotted the United States map. I should think not, for a variety of reasons.
But for the moment, the newly resurrected drive-ins are providing a good excuse to get out...
Adapting to strictures designed to maintain safety guidelines for social distancing and non-physical contact transactions, a few entrepreneurs and drive-in operators have made a go of it this summer with a variety of programming approaches. It’s an open question whether or not this will trigger a long-term resurrection of an institution that reached its peak in the late 1950s, when more than 4,000 drive-ins dotted the United States map. I should think not, for a variety of reasons.
But for the moment, the newly resurrected drive-ins are providing a good excuse to get out...
- 8/25/2020
- by Todd McCarthy
- Deadline Film + TV
Kristian Connelly.
Cinema Nova has elevated general manager Kristian Connelly to CEO, a reward for 12 years’ exemplary service, and hired two creative content executives.
Announcing the promotion, Cinema Nova co-directors Natalie Miller and Barry Peak said: “Kristian has spearheaded Cinema Nova very successfully over more than a decade, making Cinema Nova the top-ranked art house venue in country. We look forward to even more successful and exciting times ahead.”
Connelly said: “It continues to be my absolute pleasure to lead our team under the direction of Natalie Miller and Barry Peak. We are coming off a record-breaking summer and as we survey a promising start to the decade, I look forward to reaching new heights with the evergreen Cinema Nova brand.”
Before joining Cinema Nova Connelly served as a film programmer for Village Cinemas for six years.
Meanwhile the cinema has added Gaurav Khazanchi and Lucy Fenwick Elliott to its...
Cinema Nova has elevated general manager Kristian Connelly to CEO, a reward for 12 years’ exemplary service, and hired two creative content executives.
Announcing the promotion, Cinema Nova co-directors Natalie Miller and Barry Peak said: “Kristian has spearheaded Cinema Nova very successfully over more than a decade, making Cinema Nova the top-ranked art house venue in country. We look forward to even more successful and exciting times ahead.”
Connelly said: “It continues to be my absolute pleasure to lead our team under the direction of Natalie Miller and Barry Peak. We are coming off a record-breaking summer and as we survey a promising start to the decade, I look forward to reaching new heights with the evergreen Cinema Nova brand.”
Before joining Cinema Nova Connelly served as a film programmer for Village Cinemas for six years.
Meanwhile the cinema has added Gaurav Khazanchi and Lucy Fenwick Elliott to its...
- 1/30/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Sam Neill. (Photo: Ross Coffey)
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) will next month bestow actor Sam Neill with its highest honour, the Longford Lyell Award.
First presented in 1968, the award honours Australian film pioneer Raymond Longford and his partner in filmmaking and life, Lottie Lyell. It recognises a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia’s screen environment and culture.
Neill joins previous recipients such as Peter Weir, Fred Schepisi, Jan Chapman, David Stratton, Don McAlpine, Al Clark, Jacki Weaver, Andrew Knight, Cate Blanchett, Phillip Noyce and most recently, Bryan Brown.
“I am very thrilled by this honour indeed,” said Neill. “And very surprised! Let me check just in case they’ve made a mistake…”
Neill made his feature debut in Roger Donaldson’s Sleeping Dogs in 1979, which led to a breakthrough role in Gillian Armstrong’s My Brilliant Career opposite Judy Davis.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) will next month bestow actor Sam Neill with its highest honour, the Longford Lyell Award.
First presented in 1968, the award honours Australian film pioneer Raymond Longford and his partner in filmmaking and life, Lottie Lyell. It recognises a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia’s screen environment and culture.
Neill joins previous recipients such as Peter Weir, Fred Schepisi, Jan Chapman, David Stratton, Don McAlpine, Al Clark, Jacki Weaver, Andrew Knight, Cate Blanchett, Phillip Noyce and most recently, Bryan Brown.
“I am very thrilled by this honour indeed,” said Neill. “And very surprised! Let me check just in case they’ve made a mistake…”
Neill made his feature debut in Roger Donaldson’s Sleeping Dogs in 1979, which led to a breakthrough role in Gillian Armstrong’s My Brilliant Career opposite Judy Davis.
- 11/22/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Paul Dravet is retiring after running the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace since Mike Walsh bought the then-dilapidated Cremorne cinema in 1986 and spent millions restoring it.
One of Australia’s most respected exhibitors and a staunch advocate for Australian films and upscale fare, Dravet departs on September 6.
“It’s hard to believe somebody as ageless as Paul Dravet is retiring. He’s supported our films, even when he didn’t want to, and always set a very high benchmark for taste and showmanship,” Transmission Films’ Andrew Mackie tells If.
“Without him, the exhibition world loses some of its shine. That said, I don’t quite believe he doesn’t still have a lot to contribute. He always struck me a somebody who lives for cinema.”
Universal Pictures MD Mike Baard concurred: “Paul, or Dravet as he is affectionately known, is one of our industry’s great showmen. His dedication to his...
One of Australia’s most respected exhibitors and a staunch advocate for Australian films and upscale fare, Dravet departs on September 6.
“It’s hard to believe somebody as ageless as Paul Dravet is retiring. He’s supported our films, even when he didn’t want to, and always set a very high benchmark for taste and showmanship,” Transmission Films’ Andrew Mackie tells If.
“Without him, the exhibition world loses some of its shine. That said, I don’t quite believe he doesn’t still have a lot to contribute. He always struck me a somebody who lives for cinema.”
Universal Pictures MD Mike Baard concurred: “Paul, or Dravet as he is affectionately known, is one of our industry’s great showmen. His dedication to his...
- 8/27/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Judy & Punch’. (Photo: Ben King)
Two Aussie films, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch and Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones, will be among the 12 features in official competition at this year’s Sydney Film Festival (Sff).
Also up for the festival’s $60,000 Sydney Film Prize are Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Never Look Away, which was nominated for two Oscars; recent Cannes selections such as Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory, Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite, and Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles’ Bacurau; Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award winner Monos, from directors Alejandro Landes and Alexis Dos; Joanna Hogg’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner The Souvenir; Nadav Lapid’s Golden Bear winner Synonymes, as well as Sacha Polak’s Dirty God, Teona Strugar Mitevska’s God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya, and Kiwi director Hamish Bennett’s Bellbird.
Sydney Film Festival launched the full program for its 66th...
Two Aussie films, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch and Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones, will be among the 12 features in official competition at this year’s Sydney Film Festival (Sff).
Also up for the festival’s $60,000 Sydney Film Prize are Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Never Look Away, which was nominated for two Oscars; recent Cannes selections such as Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory, Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite, and Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles’ Bacurau; Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award winner Monos, from directors Alejandro Landes and Alexis Dos; Joanna Hogg’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner The Souvenir; Nadav Lapid’s Golden Bear winner Synonymes, as well as Sacha Polak’s Dirty God, Teona Strugar Mitevska’s God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya, and Kiwi director Hamish Bennett’s Bellbird.
Sydney Film Festival launched the full program for its 66th...
- 5/8/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Palm Beach.’
Rachel Ward’s Palm Beach, a comedy-drama about a group of lifelong friends reuniting to celebrate a special birthday, will open the Sydney Film Festival at the State Theatre on Wednesday June 5.
Scripted by Ward and Joanna Murray-Smith, the film stars Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, Richard E Grant, Jacqueline McKenzie, Claire van der Boom, Aaron Jeffrey, Heather Mitchell, Matilda Brown and new faces Frances Berry and Charlie Vickers.
The good times roll at a Palm Beach house with loads of laughter, lavish meals, wine and music until tensions mount and new and old resentments surface over three days. Brown, Neill and Grant play former members of a one hit wonder band called Pacific Sideburns.
The inspiration stemmed from a Christmas in Wales which Brown and his wife Rachel spent with three other couples five years ago. It was a funny and warm occasion but when they...
Rachel Ward’s Palm Beach, a comedy-drama about a group of lifelong friends reuniting to celebrate a special birthday, will open the Sydney Film Festival at the State Theatre on Wednesday June 5.
Scripted by Ward and Joanna Murray-Smith, the film stars Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, Richard E Grant, Jacqueline McKenzie, Claire van der Boom, Aaron Jeffrey, Heather Mitchell, Matilda Brown and new faces Frances Berry and Charlie Vickers.
The good times roll at a Palm Beach house with loads of laughter, lavish meals, wine and music until tensions mount and new and old resentments surface over three days. Brown, Neill and Grant play former members of a one hit wonder band called Pacific Sideburns.
The inspiration stemmed from a Christmas in Wales which Brown and his wife Rachel spent with three other couples five years ago. It was a funny and warm occasion but when they...
- 4/29/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Warwick Thornton.
Director Warwick Thornton will turn his back on the limelight to experience life on an isolated beach in the remote Dampier Peninsula for Nitv series The Beach, one of seven documentary projects recently backed by Screen Australia.
The federal agency today announced that $965,000 of production was recently allocated through its Producer program and $720,000 through the Commissioned program. The agency also supported an additional 11 projects in its recent development round, including two natural history projects, a Vr production and two original format series.
“The Beach is one of the most important projects of my life. It’s about my life. It is my life,” said Thornton.
Other projects to receive production funding include a feature film about shark fanatic and filmmaker Valerie Taylor in The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story and an online animated series about the untold history of soccer, A Game of Three Halves.
‘The Real...
Director Warwick Thornton will turn his back on the limelight to experience life on an isolated beach in the remote Dampier Peninsula for Nitv series The Beach, one of seven documentary projects recently backed by Screen Australia.
The federal agency today announced that $965,000 of production was recently allocated through its Producer program and $720,000 through the Commissioned program. The agency also supported an additional 11 projects in its recent development round, including two natural history projects, a Vr production and two original format series.
“The Beach is one of the most important projects of my life. It’s about my life. It is my life,” said Thornton.
Other projects to receive production funding include a feature film about shark fanatic and filmmaker Valerie Taylor in The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story and an online animated series about the untold history of soccer, A Game of Three Halves.
‘The Real...
- 4/8/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘The Final Quarter’. (Photo: Wayne Taylor/Fairfax)
Ian Darling documentary The Final Quarter, which looks at Afl footballer and Indigenous leader Adam Goodes’ public call out of racism and Australia’s heated response, will premiere at the Sydney Film Festival in June.
The festival today unveiled the first 25 films on this year’s line-up, with the full program to launch on May 8.
Made using only archival footage aired at the time, Darling’s doco chronicles the final years of the Sydney Swans player’s career. Other Aussie films announced today include Sophie Hyde’s Animals, which made its world premiere at Sundance earlier this year, and Erica Glynn’s portrait of her mother and Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (Caama) co-founder Freda Glynn, She Who Must Be Loved, which also screened at the Adelaide Film Festival and Berlinale.
Leading the preview announcement is Amazing Grace, which captures never-before-seen footage, shot by Sydney Pollack,...
Ian Darling documentary The Final Quarter, which looks at Afl footballer and Indigenous leader Adam Goodes’ public call out of racism and Australia’s heated response, will premiere at the Sydney Film Festival in June.
The festival today unveiled the first 25 films on this year’s line-up, with the full program to launch on May 8.
Made using only archival footage aired at the time, Darling’s doco chronicles the final years of the Sydney Swans player’s career. Other Aussie films announced today include Sophie Hyde’s Animals, which made its world premiere at Sundance earlier this year, and Erica Glynn’s portrait of her mother and Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (Caama) co-founder Freda Glynn, She Who Must Be Loved, which also screened at the Adelaide Film Festival and Berlinale.
Leading the preview announcement is Amazing Grace, which captures never-before-seen footage, shot by Sydney Pollack,...
- 4/2/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘The Cheaters’.
Critic David Stratton has curated a program of 10 “essential films” directed by Australian female filmmakers for the Sydney Film Festival and the National Film and Sound Archive (Nfsa).
Among them is 1930s silent melodrama The Cheaters, from Paulette McDonagh, digitally restored by the Nfsa, and which will screen with a score performed live by Jan Preston. There’s also Shirley Barrett’s Love Serenade, which won the Camera d’Or in 1996; Nadia Tass’ comedy Malcolm; Tracey Moffett’s Bedevil; Gillian Armstrong’s High Tide, Jackie McKimmie’s Waiting, and Jane Campion’s Sweetie.
Films from more recent years include Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook; Blessed from Ana Kokkinos, and Rachel Ward’s Beautiful Kate.
The films will screen as a retrospective program at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from June 5-10, as part of Sydney Film Festival which runs June 5-16. The retrospective will also screen...
Critic David Stratton has curated a program of 10 “essential films” directed by Australian female filmmakers for the Sydney Film Festival and the National Film and Sound Archive (Nfsa).
Among them is 1930s silent melodrama The Cheaters, from Paulette McDonagh, digitally restored by the Nfsa, and which will screen with a score performed live by Jan Preston. There’s also Shirley Barrett’s Love Serenade, which won the Camera d’Or in 1996; Nadia Tass’ comedy Malcolm; Tracey Moffett’s Bedevil; Gillian Armstrong’s High Tide, Jackie McKimmie’s Waiting, and Jane Campion’s Sweetie.
Films from more recent years include Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook; Blessed from Ana Kokkinos, and Rachel Ward’s Beautiful Kate.
The films will screen as a retrospective program at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from June 5-10, as part of Sydney Film Festival which runs June 5-16. The retrospective will also screen...
- 3/27/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘The Combination Redemption’.
Sony’s psychological thriller Escape Room was the top title last weekend, yet with a mediocre result which would have normally seen the film opening at No. 5 or 6, as ticket sales continued to free fall.
Meanwhile the sequel to 2009 cult hit The Combination struggled to make an impact despite positive coverage by David Stratton and Fairfax Media’s Garry Maddox, underlining yet again the challenges facing most Aussie films which go out on limited screens with minimal P&A support.
Audiences are sick and tired of watching a vengeful Liam Neeson brandishing a gun, judging by the debuts of Cold Pursuit here and in the Us.
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex, eOne’s third last release before the distributor shuts at the end of March, fared Ok at upmarket locations but poorly at multiplexes.
A contender for the best foreign language Oscar,...
Sony’s psychological thriller Escape Room was the top title last weekend, yet with a mediocre result which would have normally seen the film opening at No. 5 or 6, as ticket sales continued to free fall.
Meanwhile the sequel to 2009 cult hit The Combination struggled to make an impact despite positive coverage by David Stratton and Fairfax Media’s Garry Maddox, underlining yet again the challenges facing most Aussie films which go out on limited screens with minimal P&A support.
Audiences are sick and tired of watching a vengeful Liam Neeson brandishing a gun, judging by the debuts of Cold Pursuit here and in the Us.
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex, eOne’s third last release before the distributor shuts at the end of March, fared Ok at upmarket locations but poorly at multiplexes.
A contender for the best foreign language Oscar,...
- 2/11/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
A rarely-seen queer film, starring Sandra Bernhard and a young Rose Byrne, will finally see the light of day. In a partnership with NewFest, New York’s Quad Cinema will show the film on the big screen for the first time since its release. Experimental filmmaker and queer film historian Jenni Olson lent a rare 35 mm print from her personal collection, and will introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion. Bernhard is not set to appear.
Released in 1994, “Dallas Doll” is Australian filmmaker Ann Turner’s loose riff on Pier Paolo Pasolini’s “Teorema,” with Bernhard in the Terence Stamp role. She plays an American golf pro who, on a trip to Australia, begins seducing her way through a bourgeois family and country-club set. The film received mixed reviews during its limited theatrical run, including from Bernhard herself, who made no secret of her feelings. She distanced herself from the film in interviews,...
Released in 1994, “Dallas Doll” is Australian filmmaker Ann Turner’s loose riff on Pier Paolo Pasolini’s “Teorema,” with Bernhard in the Terence Stamp role. She plays an American golf pro who, on a trip to Australia, begins seducing her way through a bourgeois family and country-club set. The film received mixed reviews during its limited theatrical run, including from Bernhard herself, who made no secret of her feelings. She distanced herself from the film in interviews,...
- 1/22/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Sam Neill and Bryan Brown.
Bryan Brown will receive this year’s Longford Lyell Award, the highest honour bestowed by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta).
Director Ian Dunlop was the first recipient of the honour named after film pioneers Raymond Longford and Lottie Lyell at the 1968 AFI Awards.
The roll call of honorees includes Peter Weir, Geoffrey Rush, Fred Schepisi, Jan Chapman, David Stratton, Don McAlpine, Al Clark, Jacki Weaver, Andrew Knight, Cate Blanchett and, last year, Phillip Noyce.
“In the 38 years since Bryan received his first AFI Award we have seen him firmly established as one of Australia’s most respected actors. As one of our earliest performance winners it is fitting that we honour Bryan this year as AFI | Aacta celebrates its 60th anniversary,” said AFI | Aacta CEO Damian Trewhella.
“We are full of admiration for Bryan’s commitment to his craft, his role...
Bryan Brown will receive this year’s Longford Lyell Award, the highest honour bestowed by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta).
Director Ian Dunlop was the first recipient of the honour named after film pioneers Raymond Longford and Lottie Lyell at the 1968 AFI Awards.
The roll call of honorees includes Peter Weir, Geoffrey Rush, Fred Schepisi, Jan Chapman, David Stratton, Don McAlpine, Al Clark, Jacki Weaver, Andrew Knight, Cate Blanchett and, last year, Phillip Noyce.
“In the 38 years since Bryan received his first AFI Award we have seen him firmly established as one of Australia’s most respected actors. As one of our earliest performance winners it is fitting that we honour Bryan this year as AFI | Aacta celebrates its 60th anniversary,” said AFI | Aacta CEO Damian Trewhella.
“We are full of admiration for Bryan’s commitment to his craft, his role...
- 11/27/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Backtrack Boys.’
Russell Crowe last week urged his 2.73 million Twitter followers to see Backtrack Boys in cinemas, lauding Catherine Scott’s feature documentary as really special and a great story.
A reasonable number of Crowe’s followers did so as Umbrella Entertainment launched the film as an alternate content release, which means exhibitors have the flexibility to run limited sessions.
Meanwhile writer-director Heath Davis’ drama Book Week began its staggered roll-out on eight screens via Bonsai Films.
Backtrack Boys examines a youth program run by rule-breaking jackaroo Bernie Shakeshaft (hailed by Crowe as a “good fella and a bit of a genius”) on the outskirts of Armidale Nsw. Voted as the top feature documentary at the Melbourne International Film Festival, the film collected $24,000 from one session on Saturday and Sunday on 44 screens, and $56,000 including festival screenings.
This opens theatrically in Australia on Thursday.
It’s really special.
Go and see it.
Russell Crowe last week urged his 2.73 million Twitter followers to see Backtrack Boys in cinemas, lauding Catherine Scott’s feature documentary as really special and a great story.
A reasonable number of Crowe’s followers did so as Umbrella Entertainment launched the film as an alternate content release, which means exhibitors have the flexibility to run limited sessions.
Meanwhile writer-director Heath Davis’ drama Book Week began its staggered roll-out on eight screens via Bonsai Films.
Backtrack Boys examines a youth program run by rule-breaking jackaroo Bernie Shakeshaft (hailed by Crowe as a “good fella and a bit of a genius”) on the outskirts of Armidale Nsw. Voted as the top feature documentary at the Melbourne International Film Festival, the film collected $24,000 from one session on Saturday and Sunday on 44 screens, and $56,000 including festival screenings.
This opens theatrically in Australia on Thursday.
It’s really special.
Go and see it.
- 10/28/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe and David Stratton. (Photo: Mark Rogers)
Two Australian productions, Stranger Than Fiction Film’s David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema and Endemol Shine Australia’s MasterChef Australia, are in contention for the 2018 International Emmy Awards.
Three-part series David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema, produced for the ABC, is nominated for the Arts Programming Award. It will compete against Canada’s Dreaming of A Jewish Christmas (Riddle Films), Dutch production Etgar Keret, gebaseerd op een waar verhaal (Baldr Film/Ntr Television) and Brazil’s Palavras Em Série (Words in Series) (Gnt/Hungry Man).
Stories of Australian Cinema, directed by Sally Aitken and produced by Jen Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan, sees the film critic and former co-host of ABC’s At The Movies and Sbs’s The Movie Show reflect on Australian films, including interviews from the likes of Nicole Kidman, Judy Davis, Russell Crowe and Jacki Weaver,...
Two Australian productions, Stranger Than Fiction Film’s David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema and Endemol Shine Australia’s MasterChef Australia, are in contention for the 2018 International Emmy Awards.
Three-part series David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema, produced for the ABC, is nominated for the Arts Programming Award. It will compete against Canada’s Dreaming of A Jewish Christmas (Riddle Films), Dutch production Etgar Keret, gebaseerd op een waar verhaal (Baldr Film/Ntr Television) and Brazil’s Palavras Em Série (Words in Series) (Gnt/Hungry Man).
Stories of Australian Cinema, directed by Sally Aitken and produced by Jen Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan, sees the film critic and former co-host of ABC’s At The Movies and Sbs’s The Movie Show reflect on Australian films, including interviews from the likes of Nicole Kidman, Judy Davis, Russell Crowe and Jacki Weaver,...
- 9/28/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
The International Emmys are living up to their name, with a globe-spanning set of nominees announced Thursday for this year’s awards. Endemol Shine, HBO, Fox and Sony all scored noms, while Amazon and Netflix landed just one apiece, a modest showing given their recent run at awards shows and their increasing number of international originals.
In the best actor category, Julio Andrade is nominated for Fox Networks Latin American drama “One Against All,” Billy Campbell for Canadian-produced “Cardinal,” Lars Mikkelsen for Scandi series “Ride Upon the Storm,” and Tolga Saritas for Turkish series “Soz.” The best actress noms include Thuso Mbedu for South African series “Is’thunzi” and Emily Watson in U.K.-produced “Apple Tree Yard.”
Netflix’s single nomination comes in the best comedy category for its Mexican show “Club of Crows.” Amazon’s is in the drama category, for its Indian cricket-themed series “Inside Edge.” It...
In the best actor category, Julio Andrade is nominated for Fox Networks Latin American drama “One Against All,” Billy Campbell for Canadian-produced “Cardinal,” Lars Mikkelsen for Scandi series “Ride Upon the Storm,” and Tolga Saritas for Turkish series “Soz.” The best actress noms include Thuso Mbedu for South African series “Is’thunzi” and Emily Watson in U.K.-produced “Apple Tree Yard.”
Netflix’s single nomination comes in the best comedy category for its Mexican show “Club of Crows.” Amazon’s is in the drama category, for its Indian cricket-themed series “Inside Edge.” It...
- 9/27/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix Spanish-language drama La Casa de Papel (Money Heist) is going head-to-head with Amazon’s Indian cricket thriller Inside Edge for an International Emmy.
The two shows are among a number of Svod titles to score nominations for the awards, which take place in New York on November 19.
This year, some 44 shows across 11 categories and 20 countries have been nominated. Other titles include Netflix comedy Club de Cuervos and Thai entertainment format The Mask Singer, which is being remade in the U.S. by Fox.
In addition to the awards, the Academy is presenting special awards to The Flash and Blindspot producer Greg Berlanti and Sophie Turner Laing, CEO of Endemol Shine Group.
“Looking at the diversity & geographic spread of this year’s nominations across all continents and platforms,” said Bruce L. Paisner, President and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, “it is clear that excellence in...
The two shows are among a number of Svod titles to score nominations for the awards, which take place in New York on November 19.
This year, some 44 shows across 11 categories and 20 countries have been nominated. Other titles include Netflix comedy Club de Cuervos and Thai entertainment format The Mask Singer, which is being remade in the U.S. by Fox.
In addition to the awards, the Academy is presenting special awards to The Flash and Blindspot producer Greg Berlanti and Sophie Turner Laing, CEO of Endemol Shine Group.
“Looking at the diversity & geographic spread of this year’s nominations across all continents and platforms,” said Bruce L. Paisner, President and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, “it is clear that excellence in...
- 9/27/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Amanda Duthie.
This year’s Adelaide Film Festival marks CEO and artistic director Amanda Duthie’s last – she is moving on to take up a new role as the South Australian Film Corporation’s head of production, development, attraction and studios.
Due to start at Safc in November, Duthie will be responsible for the agency’s production and development investment, as well as attracting both national and international production.
Duthie has helmed the Adelaide Film Festival since 2012, curating some five festivals despite it being officially a biennial event. Her tenure has also seen her run two Hybrid World Adelaide events and the 2013 Adelaide Festival of Ideas.
Duthie’s role also saw her responsible for the Adelaide Film Festival Fund, and she has led the commissioning of 58 projects, including 15 features and nine documentary features, as well as a variety of animation, Vr and installation works. Among them has been Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale,...
This year’s Adelaide Film Festival marks CEO and artistic director Amanda Duthie’s last – she is moving on to take up a new role as the South Australian Film Corporation’s head of production, development, attraction and studios.
Due to start at Safc in November, Duthie will be responsible for the agency’s production and development investment, as well as attracting both national and international production.
Duthie has helmed the Adelaide Film Festival since 2012, curating some five festivals despite it being officially a biennial event. Her tenure has also seen her run two Hybrid World Adelaide events and the 2013 Adelaide Festival of Ideas.
Duthie’s role also saw her responsible for the Adelaide Film Festival Fund, and she has led the commissioning of 58 projects, including 15 features and nine documentary features, as well as a variety of animation, Vr and installation works. Among them has been Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale,...
- 9/19/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Top 25 movies also include Animal Kingdom, Samson and Delilah, and Chopper
Mad Max: Fury Road, the 2015 feminist reincarnation of the Australian classic film that catapulted a young Mel Gibson to fame, has been named the greatest Australian film of the 21st century so far.
Fifty-one working Australian film critics voted to find the top 25 films of this century in a poll conducted by the film website Flicks.com.au. They included the beloved industry stalwarts Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, Guardian Australia’s Luke Buckmaster, News Corp’s Leigh Paatsch, Vicky Roach and Stephen Romei, and the Saturday Paper’s Rebecca Harkins-Cross, along with reviewers from Channel Seven, the ABC and others.
Mad Max: Fury Road, the 2015 feminist reincarnation of the Australian classic film that catapulted a young Mel Gibson to fame, has been named the greatest Australian film of the 21st century so far.
Fifty-one working Australian film critics voted to find the top 25 films of this century in a poll conducted by the film website Flicks.com.au. They included the beloved industry stalwarts Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, Guardian Australia’s Luke Buckmaster, News Corp’s Leigh Paatsch, Vicky Roach and Stephen Romei, and the Saturday Paper’s Rebecca Harkins-Cross, along with reviewers from Channel Seven, the ABC and others.
- 7/24/2018
- by Guardian staff
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.