festival fever
Melbourne may be experiencing arctic temperatures but before Locarno and Venice Film Festivals open their doors later this month, it was the hottest place on the planet for film lovers. And our programmers have been watching more films than could be good for any normal human psyche. To bring you a slice of the MIFF pie we’ve got some great giveaways for August (see below). This year was also the launch of the first crop of MIFF Film Fund Premieres, with six new Australian documentaries, including the exceptional documentary Celebrity: Dominick Dunne, which was co-produced by AFF Board member Sue Maslin.
AFF INVESTMENT FUND NEWS
Sweet news from China for the appropriately named People’s Republic of Animation. Their co-produced animation with the Shanghai Animation Group, Sweet & Sour has won the Golden Monkey Award for best international collaboration at the China International Cartoon & Digital Arts Festival 2007. After its festival run in China finishes up later in the year, it should then show on CCTV or Shanghai TV over there. PRA will have a DVD compilation due out in September too. It'll contain Sweet & Sour, Carnivore Reflux, Errorism and a special feature available via their website www.thepra.com.au
SUBSCRIBER OFFERS
Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden? dir:Morgan Spurlock (M)
Oscar nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me) takes on a franchise even more lethal than McDonald’s—Al Qaeda. With no military experience, knowledge or expertise, Morgan Spurlock sets off to do what the CIA, FBI and U.S. military have all failed to do: find the world’s most wanted man.
To win a double pass please send an email with your name and postal address to rsvp@picturethis.net.au with "Where in the World" in the subject box.
The Edge Of Love dir: John Maybury (M)
Legendary poet Dylan Thomas and Vera Phillips were childhood sweethearts; fast forward ten years and the two reconnect in war-time London. She’s working as a singer whilst he’s churning out propaganda scripts for government. The two feel the thunderbolt once more, but Thomas is now married to the adventurous Caitlin. Despite their love-rival status, the women form a surprising friendship. Starring Keira Knightly, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy and Matthew Rhys.
To win a double pass please send an email with your name and postal address to rsvp@picturethis.net.au with "The Edge of Love" in the subject box.
Not Quite Hollywood dir: Mark Hartley
The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation. Free-wheelin’ sex romps, blood soaked terror tales! High-octane action extravaganzas! There are the main ingredients of Not Quite Hollywood, the first detailed examination and celebration of Australian genre cinema of the 70s & 80s. www.notquitehollywood.com.au
In cinemas August 29. Madman Cinema
To win a double pass please send an email with your name and postal address to rsvp@picturethis.net.au with "Not Quite Hollywood" in the subject box.
In Bruges dir: Martin McDonagh
Bruges the most well-preserved medieval city in the whole of Belgium, is a welcoming destination for travellers from all over the world. But for hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), it could be their final destination. A difficult job has resulted in the pair being ordered (right before Christmas by their London boss Harry - two-time Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) to go and cool their heels in the storybook Flemish city for a couple of weeks.
In cinemas September 4. Icon Film Distribution.
To win a double pass to the advance preview screenings Friday 29 - Sunday 31 August please send an email with your name and postal address to rsvp@picturethis.net.au with "In Bruges " in the subject box.
Caramel dir: Nadine Labaki (M)
Centred around a Beirut beauty salon owned by the beautiful Layale, this colourful and sensual microcosm is where several generations of women come to talk liberally about men, sex and motherhood between haircuts and sugar waxing with caramel. Written, directed and starring superstar of tomorrow Nadine Labaki, Caramel has become the most internationally acclaimed and exposed Lebanese film of all time - Lebanon’s answer to Sex and the City.
In cinemas September 18. Hopscotch Films.
To win a double pass to see Caramel on Wednesday 10 September at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas (Adelaide) CLICK HERE.
Persoplis dir: Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud.
Marjane Satrapi’s spectacular graphic novels about her life as a rebellious young woman in and out of Iran before and after the Islamic Revolution, have caused a worldwide sensation. This vibrant, groundbreaking animated adaptation won the Jury Prize at Cannes and is an Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Film.
In cinemas August 21. Roadshow
To win your tickets, CLICK HERE and fill in ALL of your details, and type 'Persopolis' in the 'which film?' field. Tickets are limited, and will fly out the door, so be quick!
media resource centre & mercury cinema highlights
Seniors on Screen: An Over 50s Club for the Digital Age
The MRC is presenting an exciting new program of films and seminars tailored specifically to a mature audience. Upcoming films include The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, Charade, Unfolding Florence and Big Fish.
1 August – 5 December
Tickets Seniors $4 General Public $11/$9
Global Metal dir: Sam Dunn & Scot McFadyen (M) 
Metal fan and anthropologist Sam Dunn explores the underbelly of the world’s emerging extreme music scenes. From Indonesian death metal to Chinese black metal to Iranian thrash metal, this documentary reveals a worldwide community of metalheads who are creating a new form of cultural expression in societies dominated by conflict, corruption and mass-consumerism. This Mercury Cinema exclusive is presented by the MRC and Big Star Records who are giving away 3 double passes to the Saturday night session of this banging documentary.
9:15pm Fri 22 August & 9pm Sat 23 August.
Tickets $11/$9
Antistatic Reeldance Festival
Building on the strong foundations of the local dance scene, this program of events integrates sessions from ReelDance Festival 2008 and the 5th biannual Australian International Dance Film Festival with exclusive South Australian content and professional development events.
22 – 31 August
Tickets $11/$9 Season Pass $44/$36
The Reeldance Awards
Australia/NZ 2006-2007 110mins
The finalists in the ReelDance Awards for new Australian and New Zealand dance on film. This selection of the best recent shorts by local performers, choreographers and filmmakers has been inspired by ancient architecture, the tensions between nature and technology, familial relationships, the mysteries of Eastern culture, the inner workings of the mind… and beef farming. Win one of 3 double passes to this opening night screening.
Fri 22 August 7 30pm
To win tickets for selected MRC programs please contact the MRC 8410 0979 or for more information visit www.mercurycinema.org.au.
POSITION VACANT - SAFC / AFF INDUSTRY LIASION CO-ORDINATOR
The South Australian Film Corporation Screen Industry Programs is seeking an Industry Liaison Co-ordinator initially based at the SAFC and then at the AFF during the peak festival period. For more information visit the SAFC website www.safilm.com.au or call Melissa Eldridge on (08) 8348 9320.
