Over the last 14 years, Jack Hutchings has edited four short films that have screened in competition at the Cannes Film Festival: Yardbird (2012), Jerrycan (2008), Nature’s Way (2006) and Cracker Bag (2003). His latest feature, Berlin Syndrome, is a German-set thriller that premiered at this year’s Sundance. The film concerns an Australian tourist in Berlin who has an erotic fling with a schoolteacher that turns into a tale of captor and prisoner. The film marks the return of director Cate Shortland, whose last film Lore screened at festivals across the world. Below, Hutchings discusses his working dynamic with Shortland, the importance of test screenings and shaping the […]...
- 1/26/2017
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
After starring in Martin Scorsese.s Hugo, Steven Spielberg.s Lincoln and Tim Burton.s Dark Shadows, Gulliver McGrath is playing his first co-lead role in an Australian feature.
Not bad for the Aussie actor who turned 17 last month.
In Boys in the Trees McGrath and Toby Wallace (Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of Inxs, Parer.s War) are playing teenagers who embark on a surreal journey on Halloween night in 1997.
The feature debut of writer-director Nicholas Verso, it starts a five-week shoot in Adelaide on Monday, funded by the South Australian Film Corp., Mushroom Pictures and private investors.
The producer is Mushroom Pictures. John Molloy with Hedone Productions. Kate Croser and Sandy Cameron as co-producers.
Verso wrote the feature in 2011 and then went through the Afc.s Springboard, which funded his short The Last Time I Saw Richard, which was named best short fiction film at the Aacta Awards.
Not bad for the Aussie actor who turned 17 last month.
In Boys in the Trees McGrath and Toby Wallace (Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of Inxs, Parer.s War) are playing teenagers who embark on a surreal journey on Halloween night in 1997.
The feature debut of writer-director Nicholas Verso, it starts a five-week shoot in Adelaide on Monday, funded by the South Australian Film Corp., Mushroom Pictures and private investors.
The producer is Mushroom Pictures. John Molloy with Hedone Productions. Kate Croser and Sandy Cameron as co-producers.
Verso wrote the feature in 2011 and then went through the Afc.s Springboard, which funded his short The Last Time I Saw Richard, which was named best short fiction film at the Aacta Awards.
- 9/25/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Mubi is excited to announce a collaboration with the Cannes Court Métrage (Short Film Corner) to exclusively screen during the Festival de Cannes (May 14-25) a collection of short films previously shown in the Official Competition.
The retrospective varies from country to country, but highlights include: Cannes Jury President Jane Campion's Peel (1982), a short from 2013 Camera d'Or winner Anthony Chen, Ah Ma, Chef de meute from Un Certain Regard alum Chloé Robichaud (Sarah Prefers to Run), Your Face (1987), a hand-drawn animation from Bill Plympton, and Waiting for P.O. Box, the first Syrian film to screen in Competition at the festival.
Retrospective lineup (depending on your country):
Ah Ma (Anthony Chen, Singapore, 2007)
Yardbird (Michael Spiccia, Australia, 2012)
Maya (Pedro Pio, Cuba, 2010)
Arena (João Salaviza, Portugal, 2009)
Chef de meute (Chloé Robichaud, Canada, 2012)
More than Two Hours (Ali Asgari, Iran, 2013)
Cross (Maryna Vroda, France, 2011)
Waiting for P.O. Box (Bassam Chekhes,...
The retrospective varies from country to country, but highlights include: Cannes Jury President Jane Campion's Peel (1982), a short from 2013 Camera d'Or winner Anthony Chen, Ah Ma, Chef de meute from Un Certain Regard alum Chloé Robichaud (Sarah Prefers to Run), Your Face (1987), a hand-drawn animation from Bill Plympton, and Waiting for P.O. Box, the first Syrian film to screen in Competition at the festival.
Retrospective lineup (depending on your country):
Ah Ma (Anthony Chen, Singapore, 2007)
Yardbird (Michael Spiccia, Australia, 2012)
Maya (Pedro Pio, Cuba, 2010)
Arena (João Salaviza, Portugal, 2009)
Chef de meute (Chloé Robichaud, Canada, 2012)
More than Two Hours (Ali Asgari, Iran, 2013)
Cross (Maryna Vroda, France, 2011)
Waiting for P.O. Box (Bassam Chekhes,...
- 5/14/2014
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Australia hasn.t had a film selected for official competition at the Cannes Film Festival or the Un Certain Regard sidebar since 2011 and in the Directors. Fortnight section since 2009.
But the prospects are looking brighter this year. According to If.s straw poll among industry figures, David Michôd.s The Rover, Rolf de Heer.s Charlie.s Country and Zak Hilditch.s These Final Hours are promising candidates for one or more of the festival.s competitive sections.
The official competition line-up for the 67th Cannes festival and Un Certain Regard will be unveiled on Thursday night local time by fest director Thierry Frémaux.
Baz Luhrmann.s The Great Gatsby was the opening night film in Cannes last year, out of competition. Julia Leigh.s Sleeping Beauty was the last Australian film to screen in competition in 2011, the same year that Ivan Sen.s Toomelah was invited to Un Certain Regard.
But the prospects are looking brighter this year. According to If.s straw poll among industry figures, David Michôd.s The Rover, Rolf de Heer.s Charlie.s Country and Zak Hilditch.s These Final Hours are promising candidates for one or more of the festival.s competitive sections.
The official competition line-up for the 67th Cannes festival and Un Certain Regard will be unveiled on Thursday night local time by fest director Thierry Frémaux.
Baz Luhrmann.s The Great Gatsby was the opening night film in Cannes last year, out of competition. Julia Leigh.s Sleeping Beauty was the last Australian film to screen in competition in 2011, the same year that Ivan Sen.s Toomelah was invited to Un Certain Regard.
- 4/16/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Tribeca’s 12th annual festival, running from April 17-28, recently announced that their festival awards, including the top juried world competitions going to The Rocket, The Kill Team, Whitewash and Oxyana. See below for the official press release.
2013 Tribeca Film Festival Announces Awards
* * *
The Rocket, The Kill Team, Whitewash And Oxyana
Win Top Awards In Juried World Competitions
* * *
Sandy Storylines Wins First-ever Bombay Sapphire Award For Transmedia
* * *
Festival Awards $155,000 In Cash Prizes
[April 25, 2013 – New York, NY] – The 12th annual Tribeca Film Festival, co-founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, and presented by founding sponsor American Express, announced the winners of its competition categories tonight at a ceremony hosted at the Conrad New York in New York City. The Festival runs through April 28, 2013.
The world competition winners for narrative and documentary films were chosen from 12 narrative and 12 documentary features from 14 countries. Best New Director prizes were awarded to a first-time director for both narrative and documentary films,...
2013 Tribeca Film Festival Announces Awards
* * *
The Rocket, The Kill Team, Whitewash And Oxyana
Win Top Awards In Juried World Competitions
* * *
Sandy Storylines Wins First-ever Bombay Sapphire Award For Transmedia
* * *
Festival Awards $155,000 In Cash Prizes
[April 25, 2013 – New York, NY] – The 12th annual Tribeca Film Festival, co-founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, and presented by founding sponsor American Express, announced the winners of its competition categories tonight at a ceremony hosted at the Conrad New York in New York City. The Festival runs through April 28, 2013.
The world competition winners for narrative and documentary films were chosen from 12 narrative and 12 documentary features from 14 countries. Best New Director prizes were awarded to a first-time director for both narrative and documentary films,...
- 4/26/2013
- by Christopher Clemente
- SoundOnSight
For short films, the Tribeca Film Festival is a must. Winning the award for Narrative Short or Best Documentary Short automatically qualifies a film for the Academy Awards. Their track record isn’t too bad either. Shawn Christensen’s Curfew had its New York premiere at the Festival and went on to win the Academy Award.
This year, Tribeca will show 60 short films in eight categories, from a variety of new and returning directors (including Christensen with Grandma’s Not A Toaster), and featuring performances from a number of Hollywood stars. Elijah Wood plays a standup comic who attempts a daring set in Setup,...
This year, Tribeca will show 60 short films in eight categories, from a variety of new and returning directors (including Christensen with Grandma’s Not A Toaster), and featuring performances from a number of Hollywood stars. Elijah Wood plays a standup comic who attempts a daring set in Setup,...
- 3/11/2013
- by Lindsey Bahr
- EW - Inside Movies
Julius Avery’s Son of a Gun begins shooting late February
Principal photography will begin late February on Australian film-maker Julius Avery’s debut feature film Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor.
The shoot will take place in Perth, Kalgoorlie and Melbourne.
Joining McGregor is Australian actor Brenton Thwaites, who recently finished production on Disney’s Maleficent alongside Angelina Jolie. Thwaites will play the protege to McGregor’s master criminal.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander has been cast in the role of Tasha. Vikander was recently seen in Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina.
Australian actor Jacek Koman, previously in Romulus My Father, will play crime boss Sam.
Avery said of the cast: “Combining the exceptional calibre of Australian actors with award winning international talent is going to be a privilege.”
Avery wrote the script with script editor John Collee. Timothy White, producer of Two Hands is producing through Southern Light...
Principal photography will begin late February on Australian film-maker Julius Avery’s debut feature film Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor.
The shoot will take place in Perth, Kalgoorlie and Melbourne.
Joining McGregor is Australian actor Brenton Thwaites, who recently finished production on Disney’s Maleficent alongside Angelina Jolie. Thwaites will play the protege to McGregor’s master criminal.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander has been cast in the role of Tasha. Vikander was recently seen in Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina.
Australian actor Jacek Koman, previously in Romulus My Father, will play crime boss Sam.
Avery said of the cast: “Combining the exceptional calibre of Australian actors with award winning international talent is going to be a privilege.”
Avery wrote the script with script editor John Collee. Timothy White, producer of Two Hands is producing through Southern Light...
- 2/6/2013
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Short film Yardbird was named Best Australian Short Film at Flickerfest. The film was directed by Good Oil’s Michael Spiccia, written by Julius Avery and produced by Jessica Mitchell.
The film had previously been accepted into the Cannes International Film Festival.
The award is Academy accredited which means the film may be entered for consideration to the Oscars.
Avery has written and will soon direct his first feature film Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor.
Meanwhile, Mirrah Foulkes won Best Direction of an Australian Short for her film Dumpy Goes to the Big Smoke. It was produced by David Michod and Michael Cody.
The full line-up of winners.
International Award Winners:
Renault Award for Best International Short Film (Academy® Accredited):
Tiger Boy (Italy)
Director/Producer: Gabriele Mainetti
Wri: Nicola Guaglianone
Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation (Academy® Accredited):
Edmond Was A Donkey (France/Canada)
Wri...
The film had previously been accepted into the Cannes International Film Festival.
The award is Academy accredited which means the film may be entered for consideration to the Oscars.
Avery has written and will soon direct his first feature film Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor.
Meanwhile, Mirrah Foulkes won Best Direction of an Australian Short for her film Dumpy Goes to the Big Smoke. It was produced by David Michod and Michael Cody.
The full line-up of winners.
International Award Winners:
Renault Award for Best International Short Film (Academy® Accredited):
Tiger Boy (Italy)
Director/Producer: Gabriele Mainetti
Wri: Nicola Guaglianone
Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation (Academy® Accredited):
Edmond Was A Donkey (France/Canada)
Wri...
- 1/21/2013
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Michael Spiccia's short film Yardbird has won the 2013 Flickerfest Award for Best Australian Short Film while Italian short Tiger Boy has been crowned Best International Short Film.
Yardbird follows a young girl who lives in a remote wrecking yard who takes on the local bullies when they travel out to torment her father. The 13-minute short had its world premiere at the 2012 Cannes International Film Festival (see Cannes interview below). It was produced by Jessica Mitchell and written by Julius Avery, who.is currently set to direct his.debut feature film, Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor, in Western Australia.
Tiger Boy is set in a suburb of Rome where Matteo, a nine year-old boy, is abused by his school headmaster. Only through his relation to his hero,.Italian wrestler The Tiger, can he find the courage to rise against his enemy.
Festival director Bronwyn Kidd said: "We...
Yardbird follows a young girl who lives in a remote wrecking yard who takes on the local bullies when they travel out to torment her father. The 13-minute short had its world premiere at the 2012 Cannes International Film Festival (see Cannes interview below). It was produced by Jessica Mitchell and written by Julius Avery, who.is currently set to direct his.debut feature film, Son of a Gun, starring Ewan McGregor, in Western Australia.
Tiger Boy is set in a suburb of Rome where Matteo, a nine year-old boy, is abused by his school headmaster. Only through his relation to his hero,.Italian wrestler The Tiger, can he find the courage to rise against his enemy.
Festival director Bronwyn Kidd said: "We...
- 1/20/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Four Australian short films have been selected to the Berlin International Film Festival.
The films are: You Like it, I Love It by writer director James Vaughan, The Amber Amulet written by Matthew Moore and Genevieve Hegney, directed by Moore; Summer Suit by director/producer Rebecca Peniston-Bird and writer Francesca Sciacca and Yardbird directed by Michael Spiccia and written by Julius Avery. Yardbird was accepted into Cannes last year.
The announcement:
Australian short films will have a strong presence at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival, with four films selected to screen in the Generation program, a section devoted to children and young people.
The films selected will include the world premiere of The Amber Amulet in Generation Kplus, the story of a superhero, a beagle, an amulet made of amber, and the potential that is locked inside all of us. The film is directed by Matthew Moore and co-written...
The films are: You Like it, I Love It by writer director James Vaughan, The Amber Amulet written by Matthew Moore and Genevieve Hegney, directed by Moore; Summer Suit by director/producer Rebecca Peniston-Bird and writer Francesca Sciacca and Yardbird directed by Michael Spiccia and written by Julius Avery. Yardbird was accepted into Cannes last year.
The announcement:
Australian short films will have a strong presence at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival, with four films selected to screen in the Generation program, a section devoted to children and young people.
The films selected will include the world premiere of The Amber Amulet in Generation Kplus, the story of a superhero, a beagle, an amulet made of amber, and the potential that is locked inside all of us. The film is directed by Matthew Moore and co-written...
- 1/11/2013
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
From horror to doco, Colin Delaney speaks to five film-makers about their feature length debut.
Director Kevin Smith famously funded his first film, Clerks, by selling off his prized comic book collection. Pedro Almodovar’s first foray into features was so technically flawed, he reportedly put it down to personal style. And finishing Hard Eight was a baptism of fire, according to Paul Thomas Anderson, who has been quoted as saying: “I learned all the lessons I needed to learn on the first film about protecting myself and how to keep a lock on the editing room door.” Such are the trials and trade offs of film-makers when it comes to making their first feature.
The reality, according to Screen Australia, is that between 1970 and 2011, approximately 70 per cent of first-time producers, directors and writers didn’t go on to make a second film. Martha Coleman, head of development at Screen Australia,...
Director Kevin Smith famously funded his first film, Clerks, by selling off his prized comic book collection. Pedro Almodovar’s first foray into features was so technically flawed, he reportedly put it down to personal style. And finishing Hard Eight was a baptism of fire, according to Paul Thomas Anderson, who has been quoted as saying: “I learned all the lessons I needed to learn on the first film about protecting myself and how to keep a lock on the editing room door.” Such are the trials and trade offs of film-makers when it comes to making their first feature.
The reality, according to Screen Australia, is that between 1970 and 2011, approximately 70 per cent of first-time producers, directors and writers didn’t go on to make a second film. Martha Coleman, head of development at Screen Australia,...
- 12/19/2012
- by Luke
- Encore Magazine
A Cautionary Tail
Forty-seven Australian short films have been selected in the forthcoming Flickerfest across five programs.
The selection includes 13 world premieres including Nash Edgerton and Spencer Susser’s The Captain, which was selected for the Sundance Film Festival last week, and A Cautionary Tail, an animation directed by Simon Rippingale and written by Erica Harrison, and starring Cate Blanchett and David Wenham.
Across the five local programs there are also four Australian premieres and 18 Nsw premieres.
The selection also includes past Sydney and Melbourne International Film Festival picks Dave’s Dead, written by Luke Ryan and directed by Alethea Jones, who won Flickerfest’s People’s Choice Award in 2011 and Tropfest in 2012; Yardbird, written by Julius Avery and directed by Michael Spiccia, which went to Cannes Film Festival and won at Sydney Film Festival, and Dumpy Goes to the Big Smoke, written and directed by Mirrah Foulkes.
The Best Australian Film Award,...
Forty-seven Australian short films have been selected in the forthcoming Flickerfest across five programs.
The selection includes 13 world premieres including Nash Edgerton and Spencer Susser’s The Captain, which was selected for the Sundance Film Festival last week, and A Cautionary Tail, an animation directed by Simon Rippingale and written by Erica Harrison, and starring Cate Blanchett and David Wenham.
Across the five local programs there are also four Australian premieres and 18 Nsw premieres.
The selection also includes past Sydney and Melbourne International Film Festival picks Dave’s Dead, written by Luke Ryan and directed by Alethea Jones, who won Flickerfest’s People’s Choice Award in 2011 and Tropfest in 2012; Yardbird, written by Julius Avery and directed by Michael Spiccia, which went to Cannes Film Festival and won at Sydney Film Festival, and Dumpy Goes to the Big Smoke, written and directed by Mirrah Foulkes.
The Best Australian Film Award,...
- 12/13/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Actor/director Leah Purcell added to writing team for Redfern Now series two
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
- 11/12/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has invested almost $5.5 million in two feature films, My Mistress and Son of a Gun, as well as a second series of indigenous TV program Redfern Now.
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
- 11/12/2012
- by Staff Reporter
- IF.com.au
Trainspotting and Star Wars star Ewan McGregor has been cast in a new Australian thriller Son of a Gun, to be directed by first time feature film-maker Julius Avery.
The film is a heist thriller, written and directed by Avery, with McGregor set to play a master criminal, who takes on an apprentice.
Avery previously won the Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival and a Best Short Film award at the AFIs for his 2008 film Jerrycan.
Avery told Encore: “I’d always had Ewan up there in my top of the list and it just so happened, my agent in the Us reps Ewan, and he put us together. Ewan read the script and connected with it and we had a good chat and felt he was right for the role.”
Avery also wrote Yardbird, directed by Good Oil’s Michael Spiccia, which screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The film is a heist thriller, written and directed by Avery, with McGregor set to play a master criminal, who takes on an apprentice.
Avery previously won the Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival and a Best Short Film award at the AFIs for his 2008 film Jerrycan.
Avery told Encore: “I’d always had Ewan up there in my top of the list and it just so happened, my agent in the Us reps Ewan, and he put us together. Ewan read the script and connected with it and we had a good chat and felt he was right for the role.”
Avery also wrote Yardbird, directed by Good Oil’s Michael Spiccia, which screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
- 10/15/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Alps, an offbeat film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, has won the fifth $60,000 Sydney Film Prize, which is billed as being for films that are courageous, audacious and cutting-edge.
Lanthimos.s follow-up to Cannes Un Certain Regard winner Dogtooth, is about a group of people who operate a business replacing the recently deceased for the sake of those left behind.
.Alps melds pathos, black humour and taut menace in a film that is at once challenging and highly rewarding,. said jury chair, the Sydney-based director and actor Rachel Ward. .A finely calibrated, absurdist study of power and identity, Alps is intelligent, uniquely emotive filmmaking from an important new voice in Greek cinema."
The decision was announced to the media and festival guests yesterday afternoon at the Cruise Bar at the Overseas Passenger Terminal overlooking the harbour. To the Sydney Film Festival closing night crowd at the State Theatre a few hours later,...
Lanthimos.s follow-up to Cannes Un Certain Regard winner Dogtooth, is about a group of people who operate a business replacing the recently deceased for the sake of those left behind.
.Alps melds pathos, black humour and taut menace in a film that is at once challenging and highly rewarding,. said jury chair, the Sydney-based director and actor Rachel Ward. .A finely calibrated, absurdist study of power and identity, Alps is intelligent, uniquely emotive filmmaking from an important new voice in Greek cinema."
The decision was announced to the media and festival guests yesterday afternoon at the Cruise Bar at the Overseas Passenger Terminal overlooking the harbour. To the Sydney Film Festival closing night crowd at the State Theatre a few hours later,...
- 6/18/2012
- by Sandy George
- IF.com.au
A Greek drama has won Sydney Film Festival’s top prize, beating out eleven other films including two Australian productions, as a film about a director’s method for dealing with a relationship break-up won him best Australian documentary.
Alps, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and co-written by Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou, has won the Sff Official Competition prize, worth $60,000.
Two Australian films were in the running; Dead Europe directed by Tony Krawitz, and Lore directed by Cate Shortland.
Rachel Ward, the festival’s jury chair said: “Following a secret club whose members are paid to act as replacements for the recently deceased, Alps melds pathos, black humour and taut menace in a film that is at once challenging and highly rewarding. A finely calibrated, absurdist study of power and identity, Alps is intelligent, uniquely emotive filmmaking from an important new voice in Greek cinema.”
Lanthimos said from Greece: “”I never...
Alps, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and co-written by Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou, has won the Sff Official Competition prize, worth $60,000.
Two Australian films were in the running; Dead Europe directed by Tony Krawitz, and Lore directed by Cate Shortland.
Rachel Ward, the festival’s jury chair said: “Following a secret club whose members are paid to act as replacements for the recently deceased, Alps melds pathos, black humour and taut menace in a film that is at once challenging and highly rewarding. A finely calibrated, absurdist study of power and identity, Alps is intelligent, uniquely emotive filmmaking from an important new voice in Greek cinema.”
Lanthimos said from Greece: “”I never...
- 6/17/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The Melbourne International Film Festival has announced its first 30 films.
Joining the The Sapphires, already announced as the opening night film, two Australian thrillers have been selected in the feature film section.
The directorial debut by the Colin and Cameron Cairnes, 100 Bloody Acres, is a gruesome comedy starring Angus Sampson and Damon Herriman.
Last Dance, by first-time director David Pulbrook, editor of The Cup and Hotel Sorrento, tells of the fallout of a terrorist attack on a synagogue by surviving bomber Sadiq Mohammad, played by Underbelly’s Firass Dirani as he seeks shelter in the house of holocaust survivor Ulah Lippman, played by Julia Blake.
Joining the Australian films are Sundance and Cannes winner Beasts of the Southern Wild, directed by Benh Zeitlin and Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.
In the documentary section Paul Kelly: Stories of Me, about Australian musician Paul Kelly while Make Hummus Not War, tries to answer which nationality – Lebanon,...
Joining the The Sapphires, already announced as the opening night film, two Australian thrillers have been selected in the feature film section.
The directorial debut by the Colin and Cameron Cairnes, 100 Bloody Acres, is a gruesome comedy starring Angus Sampson and Damon Herriman.
Last Dance, by first-time director David Pulbrook, editor of The Cup and Hotel Sorrento, tells of the fallout of a terrorist attack on a synagogue by surviving bomber Sadiq Mohammad, played by Underbelly’s Firass Dirani as he seeks shelter in the house of holocaust survivor Ulah Lippman, played by Julia Blake.
Joining the Australian films are Sundance and Cannes winner Beasts of the Southern Wild, directed by Benh Zeitlin and Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.
In the documentary section Paul Kelly: Stories of Me, about Australian musician Paul Kelly while Make Hummus Not War, tries to answer which nationality – Lebanon,...
- 6/5/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
It's a special moment for any filmmaker to find out that one of his movies has made it to the Cannes Film Festival, but for Australian filmmaker, Michael Spiccia, the moment was even more unexpected when his short "Yardbird," was selected as part of the official selection. Not only was this his first time at Cannes, this is also his first film.Made with filmmaker Julius Avery, who wrote the script and was at Cannes in 2008 with his film "Jerrycan," the pair made waves on the French Riviera one production meeting at a time.Back Stage sat down with the two filmmakers to talk about the film and casting.What is the film about?Michael Spiccia: The film is about essentially a small girl who takes on the town bullies that come to torment her dad.Julius Avery: Michael and I got together, and we spent a lot...
- 5/30/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Emily Cegielski)
- backstage.com
Two Australian films will feature in competition at the Sydney Film Festival, while five local features will get their world premieres.
Dead Europe, directed by Tony Krawitz, and Lore directed by Cate Shortland will compete In Competition, which carries a $60,000 prize.
For both films the festival will be their world premiere, along with other local features Not Suitable For Children, Mabo and Being Venice.
Krawitz’s Dead Europe is written by Louise Fox, adapted from a Christos Tsiolkas novel of the same name. It is produced by Liz Watts of Porchlight Films and Oscar-winner Emile Sherman of See Saw Films. The film is about an Australian photographer who visits his ancestral homeland of Greece after his father’s death. It will be Dead Europe’s world premiere.
Also in competition is Lore, Cate Shortland’s first film since debut Somersault. Again produced by Liz Watts, the film is an adaptation...
Dead Europe, directed by Tony Krawitz, and Lore directed by Cate Shortland will compete In Competition, which carries a $60,000 prize.
For both films the festival will be their world premiere, along with other local features Not Suitable For Children, Mabo and Being Venice.
Krawitz’s Dead Europe is written by Louise Fox, adapted from a Christos Tsiolkas novel of the same name. It is produced by Liz Watts of Porchlight Films and Oscar-winner Emile Sherman of See Saw Films. The film is about an Australian photographer who visits his ancestral homeland of Greece after his father’s death. It will be Dead Europe’s world premiere.
Also in competition is Lore, Cate Shortland’s first film since debut Somersault. Again produced by Liz Watts, the film is an adaptation...
- 5/9/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Cate Shortland and Tony Krawitz, who are married to each other, both have films among the 12 titles in competition at next month.s Sydney Film Festival.
Lore, a drama set during World War II and based on the novel The Dark Room by Rachel Seiffert, is Shortland.s feature film follow-up to Somersault, while Dead Europe, also set in Europe but a contemporary story adapted from a novel by Christos Tsiolkas, is Krawitz.s first dramatic feature film after his acclaimed short Jewboy and the recent documentary The Tall Man. Tsiolkas also wrote The Slap, on which the acclaimed television series was based.
The other debuts in the competition line-up include Korean filmmaker Yuen Sang-Ho.s The King Of Pigs, Us director Benh Zeitlin.s Beasts of the Southern Wild and Brazilian Kleber Mendonca Filho.s Neighbouring Sounds.
The veterans in the program include Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, with their...
Lore, a drama set during World War II and based on the novel The Dark Room by Rachel Seiffert, is Shortland.s feature film follow-up to Somersault, while Dead Europe, also set in Europe but a contemporary story adapted from a novel by Christos Tsiolkas, is Krawitz.s first dramatic feature film after his acclaimed short Jewboy and the recent documentary The Tall Man. Tsiolkas also wrote The Slap, on which the acclaimed television series was based.
The other debuts in the competition line-up include Korean filmmaker Yuen Sang-Ho.s The King Of Pigs, Us director Benh Zeitlin.s Beasts of the Southern Wild and Brazilian Kleber Mendonca Filho.s Neighbouring Sounds.
The veterans in the program include Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, with their...
- 5/8/2012
- by Sandy George
- IF.com.au
An Australian film has been added to the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection.
The Sapphires, produced by Goalpost Pictures’ Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne and first time feature director Wayne Blair has been accepted to screen in official selection, out of competition in a midnight screening.
The film is Australia’s only feature film to be selected by the festival this year.
The film is an adaptation of the stage musical that sees three Aboriginal singers plucked from a remote Aboriginal mission to become the next Supremes and entertain the troops in Vietnam. The film stars Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Chris O’Dowd and newcomers Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell.
De Fresnes said: “From the moment we first heard of these amazing young Aboriginal women, we knew the story of how they discovered soul music and dared to live their dream had all the ingredients to captivate and enchant cinema audiences.
The Sapphires, produced by Goalpost Pictures’ Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne and first time feature director Wayne Blair has been accepted to screen in official selection, out of competition in a midnight screening.
The film is Australia’s only feature film to be selected by the festival this year.
The film is an adaptation of the stage musical that sees three Aboriginal singers plucked from a remote Aboriginal mission to become the next Supremes and entertain the troops in Vietnam. The film stars Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Chris O’Dowd and newcomers Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell.
De Fresnes said: “From the moment we first heard of these amazing young Aboriginal women, we knew the story of how they discovered soul music and dared to live their dream had all the ingredients to captivate and enchant cinema audiences.
- 5/1/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Not a single Australian feature film has made it into competition at the Cannes Film Festival following the line-up announcement.
While two Australian directors will see their films in competition to win an award, no local productions have made the cut.
Chopper director Andrew Dominik’s new film Killing Them Softly, formerly titled Cogan’s Trade, starring Brad Pitt and Ben Mendelsohn will compete. The film also features Australian actress Bella Heathcote.
The Proposition director John Hillcoat’s Lawless will also run in competition. Hillcoat teamed up with The Proposition’s screenwriter Nick Cave on the script and on screen, Guy Pearce and with fellow Australians Jason Clarke and Mia Wasikowska as well as Gary Oldman and Shia La Bouffe for the film set in depression-era Virginia.
As previously announced Yardbird, by Good Oil’s Michael Spiccia will compete in the short film competition, as will Night Shift by Zia Mandviwalla...
While two Australian directors will see their films in competition to win an award, no local productions have made the cut.
Chopper director Andrew Dominik’s new film Killing Them Softly, formerly titled Cogan’s Trade, starring Brad Pitt and Ben Mendelsohn will compete. The film also features Australian actress Bella Heathcote.
The Proposition director John Hillcoat’s Lawless will also run in competition. Hillcoat teamed up with The Proposition’s screenwriter Nick Cave on the script and on screen, Guy Pearce and with fellow Australians Jason Clarke and Mia Wasikowska as well as Gary Oldman and Shia La Bouffe for the film set in depression-era Virginia.
As previously announced Yardbird, by Good Oil’s Michael Spiccia will compete in the short film competition, as will Night Shift by Zia Mandviwalla...
- 4/20/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
This morning the official 2012 Cannes Film Festival line-up was announced after the selection committee saw 1,779 films submitted from 26 different countries. Of those, 54 have been chosen (so far) including the opening night film which will be Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom and the closing night film comes from the late Claude Miller's Therese D. starring Audrey Tautou. Looking over the list the most universally recognized names are among a stacked competition list that includes the likes of Wes Anderson, Jacques Audiard, Leos Carax, David Cronenberg, Lee Daniels, Andrew Dominik, Matteo Garrone, Michael Haneke, John Hillcoat, Sangsoo Hong, Sangsoo Im, Abbas Kiarostami, Ken Loach, Cristian Mungiu, Jeff Nichols, Alain Resnais, Walter Salles and Thomas Vinterberg. Those names alone should pique any film fans interest and that's just the competition. Go exploring further and you'll find David Cronenberg's son Brandon Cronenberg along with the likes of Xavier Dolan, Bernardo Bertolucci, Fatih Akin...
- 4/19/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
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