SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2016
This prestigious film festival, which is regarded as one of the most prominent in the world amongst filmmakers, celebrates its 63rd presentation and audiences should be mesmerised by the alluring program showcasing 244 films from 60 countries.
This culturally diverse film festival boasts 25 world premieres (of which five are Australian), 139 Australian premieres and three international premieres. There are also 12 films in competition for the illustrious Sydney Film Prize, which includes the Australian produced Goldstone.
The popularity of this iconic event is exemplified by the expansion in venues, with newly added locations at the University of New South Wales and Carriageworks.
New to the festival for 2016 is Beyond Cinema, a free event where audiences can interact with three unique filmmaking technologies and techniques. Enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience nine virtual reality works in Down the Rabbit Hole: Virtual Reality, or walk inside one of two experimental films and even find themselves at the intersection of an Iranian bazaar.
For the first time teenagers will be permitted to attend screenings at the festival with a selection of 93 feature films receiving a 15+ classification. There’s also an array of family orientated films including the premiere of blockbuster comedy Ice Age: Collision Course and Spielberg’s highly anticipated The BFG.
Many other events including the gala opening and closing nights, Q&A’s, red carpet premieres, meet the filmmaker talks and gourmet cinema packages highlighting the ever-growing variety of entertainment available to festivalgoers..
Australian produced Goldstone opens the S.F.F and director/screenwriter Ivan Sen is honoured that his follow-up to 2013 film Mystery Road was selected.
“This is a great platform for all filmmakers regardless whether they’re experienced or up and coming. It’s a step up for the talent and their films as they’re noticed nationally and internationally,” explained Sen.
“Goldstone is a spinoff from Mystery Road. The only connection between the two films is they share the same character, indigenous detective Jay Swan, a role portrayed by Aaron Pederson. Mystery Road was more of a ‘whodunit’ whereas Goldstone is a drama-driven thriller”.
Sen says that when he penned Mystery Road he wrote the role specifically for Aaron Pedersen. “It was always going to be him. We became close on the set of this film and it was actually Aaron who was keen to do another film – he was the spark,” continued Sen. “It was also quite a coup getting Jacki Weaver on board. She’s a busy actress who returns to Australia for Aussie productions – she has presence and I would have been disappointed if I couldn’t get her.”
As to a third film in the series? An enthused Sen replied, “Never say never.”
Graig Boreham is an award-winning filmmaker whose short films have been screened in over 200 international film festivals. His directorial and screenwriting debut in feature films has been rewarded with his coming-of-age drama Teenage Kicks being selected for a world premiere screening at the S.F.F.
Shot entirely in Sydney over a five-week period on a shoestring budget, this film revolves around a teenager who is approaching adulthood and feels responsible for the death of his brother. Feelings of guilt and shame are compounded by the confusion over his own sexual identity.
“The idea for this film came from when I used to work with homeless queer kids at a housing refuge. They were a great bunch of kids but the stories I heard were sad and horrible,” explained Boreham. “The tagline of the film is ‘how do we deal with things that life throws at us’?”
“The predominantly young cast were fantastic to work with. They were keen to throw themselves into the project. Miles Szanto and Daniel Webber bounced off each other – they just clicked. Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires) and Charlotte Best were wonderful – they both have such as amazing screen presence”.
Boreham compares his relationship with producer Annmaree J Bell to a marriage. “We’ve developed a trust and a great working relationship. She’s a wonderful producer and we have a great collaboration – something you keep in this industry”.
Boreham says it was hard filming on a limited budget and stresses that when you’ve never made a film before it’s very difficult to receive funding.
“It’s a massive privilege having my film selected to screen at the festival and also to present it to an audience. It’s not an easy feat for a small film to make a dent in the market. Critical acclaim at the S.F.F is a great accolade for us and it’ll now make funding the next project much easier,” Boreham concluded. (MMo)
HOT PICKS
Viva (Ireland) – Popular in film festivals worldwide, this is the emotional story of a troubled drag queen living in Cuba who wants to steal the spotlight from divas at a local club.
On Richard’s Side (Australia) – The third documentary in the series about a mother’s concern as to how she will care for her intellectually disabled son as he grows older.
Coconut Hero (Canada) – A quirky, warm-hearted, coming-of-age family film centring on an eccentric teenager whose preoccupation with death leads to an ironic and unexpected chain of events which gives him a new outlook on life.
A Good Wife (Serbia) – A compelling mystery develops when a lady discovers her husband was once involved in war crimes. Should she stand by her husband or ensure that justice prevails?
Cuckold (South Africa) – An unusual love-triangle develops when an adulteress returns to her husband and also connects with his friend.
Mustang (Turkey) – Five vivacious young sisters are transformed into home prisoners by their parents when their behaviour with local boys is deemed as undignified. Loss of childhood is explored in this award-winning film.
Festival runs Jun 8–19. Various venues. $19-$155 (10 films). Tickets & info: sff.org.au
Goldstone screenings:
Jun 8, 7.30pm, State Theatre (Opening Night Gala).
Jun 10, 7.30pm, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
Jun 11, 2.30pm, State Theatre.
Jun 12, 8.30pm, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne.
Teenage Kicks screenings:
Jun 11, 8.30pm, Event Cinemas George Street.
Jun 16, 6.15pm, Dendy Newtown.
BY MARK MORELLINI
