In an encouraging boost for local filmmakers, the Melbourne International Film Festival has announced that they will be premiering seven Australian films as part of their 2013 program. From end of the world dramas, to dictator exploring docos, and a star studded Tim Winton penned collaboration, the selections indicate a rich vein of diversity within the our local industry at the moment.
The Turning
Director: Rob Connolly (who’s also the producer), Tony Ayres, Justin Kurzel and
Claire McCarthy, Rhys Graham, Ashlee Page, Shaun
Gladwell, Benedict Andrews, Yaron Lifschitz, Stephen Page, Cate
Blanchett, David Wenham, Ian Meadows and Mia Wasikowska. The top-shelf
cast includes Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, Callan
Mulvey, Susie Porter and Harrison Gilbertson
Staring: Rose Byrne, Hugo Weaving, Callan Mulvey, Miranda Otto.
A collection of short films based on stories by Australian writer Tim Winton. The film has been divided into seventeen chapters, hence the exhaustive directors list. Recent international multi-director offerings have been a bit of a let down but the common thread of Winton’s source material may provide enough thematic cohesion to buck the trend. And the talent alone, will make this one of the events of the year.
These Final Hours
Director: Zak Hilditch
Staring: Nathan Phillips, Sarah Snook, Daniel Henshall, Jessica De Gouw
A self-obsessed young man makes his way to the party-to-end-all-parties
on the last day on Earth, but ends up saving the life of a little girl
searching for her father. Their relationship ultimately leads him on the
path to redemption.
Patrick
Director: Mark Hartley
Staring: Charles Dance, Rachel Griffiths, Sharni Vinson
The reworking of the 1978 Aussie creepy thriller of the same name is the story of a comatose murderer with psychic powers who has a crush on his nurse. Expect eerie chills.
My Mistress
Director: Stephen Lance
Staring: Emmanuelle Béart, Harrison Gilbertson, Rachael Blake
A teenager strikes up a relationship with a French S&M mistress as he struggles to cope after the suicide of his father.
Galore
Director:
Rhys Graham
Staring: Ashleigh Cummings, Maya Stange, Toby Wallace]
The saga of four teenagers caught up in the devastating Canberra bushfires of 2003.
Aim High In Creation
Director: Anna Broinowski
Staring: Kim Jon-Il (archival footage)
With the blessing of the North Korean government (!?), Broinowski examines the late dictators role in overseeing one of the world biggest film industries.
In Bob We Trust
Directors: Andrew de Groot Milburn, , Richard Lowenstein , Lynn-Maree Milburn
Staring: Father Bob.
The Ghost Pictures production profiles Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire who was forced by the church
hierarchy to retire at 75 but continues to fight for the poor and serve
the community.
via SBS
Pictures by Getty Images
