The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is experiencing a major milestone this year in turning 60. To celebrate, festival organisers have pulled out all the stops with an amazing program, including Michael Rappaport’s highly anticipated documentary on legendary hip hop crew A Tribe Called Quest, the latest flick from Belgian auteurs Dardenne brothers direct from its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as Kriv Stenders’ Australian feelgood comedy Red Dog that stars American actor Josh Lucas alongside local talents Rachael Taylor, Noah Taylor, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Luke Ford, and the titular hero played by four legged acting superpower Koko.
Think Marley and Me meets Priscilla Queen Of The Desert meets people who say “streuth”.
The full program officially launches July 5 but here’s a few of the highlights…
SUBMARINE (Directed by Richard Ayoade)
15-year-old Oliver Tate has two objectives: To lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother and an ex-lover who has resurfaced in her life.
THE KID WITH THE BIKE (Directed by the Dardenne brothers)
Cyril, 11 years old, has been left in children’s home, for what he has been told is temporary, and sets out to find his father who left him there. By chance he meets the hairdresser Samantha, who allows him to live with her on weekends. Another person who offers Cyril his company is a local drug dealer.
EL BULLI: COOKING IN PROGRESS (Directed by Gereon Wetzel)
Attention food lovers. This fascinating documentary takes a look into the meticulous preparation that goes into one of the most imaginative and exotic menus in the world and the starred chef at the helm: El Bulli’s head chef Ferran Adrià is known as the best, most innovative and craziest cook in the world.
BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST (Directed by Michael Rappaport)
An emotional front row seat to the spiralling egos and tensions that would eventually tear Quest apart.
The 2011 Melbourne International Film Festival will run from 21 July – 7 August. For further information visit www.miff.com.au
