Posted by KB on February 26, 2010
The stars amassed at Randwick Ritz this week for a very special Popcorn Taxi screening of Mad Max. The 1979 Aussie classic was followed by a Q&A with original cast and crew in their first reunion in 31 years.
The night kicked off the very first Australian Film Festival; two weeks of solely Australian film running from February 24th to March 7th. On our radar is the Australian Short Film festival, and a screening of Bad Boy Bubby.
But it’s not just a showing of films; the festival aims to promote and nurture the Australian film industry through workshops, events and competitions for budding filmmakers.
On March 7th, the festival will close with a film-themed food festival on the streets of Randwick.
For the full program of events, visit the Australian Film Festival website.
australian film festival, randwick ritz, mad max, short films
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on February 9, 2010
A celebration of the sung and unsung creative heroes we adore the guts out of.
Since we profiled him for our film issue at the end of 2008, Sydney director Kris Moyes has been a very busy bee. He is currently working on a film for Sydney fashion label Romance Was Born as well as a personal animation project; perfect Favourite Folk fodder.
As part of the exclusive LA-based Directors Bureau, of which Sofia and Roman Coppola are members, Kris has come a long way from making videos with friends as a hobby. He was a pivotal force in creating the visual identity of the Modular brand when it was just starting out, generating some amazing videos with limited budgets.
Says Kris, “My thoughts on small budget videos are that what you lack in budget, you make up for in creative freedom.”
Kris wasted no time in conquering the international music world. With the likes of Sia, Wolfmother, Beck, Franz Ferdinand, Hercules & Love Affair, The Presets and Architecture in Helsinki under his belt, he has a talent for creating original, artistic and at times kooky music videos. When he isn't getting muddy at the Agua Fria outside of Marfa Texas, his interpretation of music takes viewers on a journey from sparkly hand puppets in Softlightes video for ‘Microwave’ to a sign language break up on Sia’s ‘The Girl You Lost To Cocaine’.
While we wait with bated breath for his new projects to go public we will just have to make do with running his videos on repeat.
Do you know someone who should be Kluster's next favourite folk? Drop us a line at info@kluster.com.au. Continue...
kris moyes, modular, directors bureau
Posted by Mel Shanker on January 29, 2010
Tetro is the latest fine offering written, directed and released by Francis Ford Coppola. The drama plays out in modern day La Boca, Buenos Aires, as young American Bennie (newcomer 19-year-old Alden Ehrenreich, dead-ringer for Leo circa the days of The Beach and Romeo + Juliet) comes to Buenos Aires to find his brother Angie (Vincent Gallo), now known as Tetro. Intrigue surrounds Tetro’s reasons for never returning to America, having left to write and escape their domineering father, a virtuosic conductor (Klaus Maria Brandauer) 10 years previously. The story unravels as Bennie decodes the script of Tetro’s unpublished play.
The modern day scenes are filmed in rich black and white, film noir-style with flashbacks from the past shot in grainy hand-held style home video, or dramatized through ballet or theatre sequences. Simple images from the film - like ambulance lights flashing against Tetro’s face as he watches the scene of another car crash in his life - sit with you long after it’s over, much like a well-composed Robert Doisneau scene. Musical themes drive the plot of this story and the soundtrack is, unsurprisingly, an important additional character in this film. Playful accordion riffs accompanying Bennie’s daily discovery of Buenos Aires life, introduced by Tetro and his girlfriend, (played warmly by Maribel Verdú from Y tu Mama Tambien and Pan’s Labyrinth) melt into wistful soaring oboe solos to accompany scenes dealing with Bennie’s feelings of abandonment, while dramatic symphonic interludes back Tetro’s fiery eruptions of anger, guilt and jealousy.
The grand themes of transcending the father, innocence lost, rivalry and betrayal are dealt with in the melodramatic style of an opera or ballet. Tetro won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, particularly those obsessed with a film’s resolution being unforeseeable, but we loved the style of this film and would happily see it again. It’s on limited release, so catch it while you can.
tetro, francis ford coppola
Posted by Kristen D on January 13, 2010
When I hear ‘blockbuster’, I usually run the other way. The terms SCI-FI and CGI bring on nausea, and 3D makes me shiver. I never saw Titanic as I have a weak stomach and just couldn’t stand the hype.
So when I was told I had a ticket to see Avatar in 3D at the IMAX, I dragged my heels all the way to the cinema. We all know it cost $250 million and is the most talked about film of the year, but what would Avatar do for me, a non-believer?
As it turned out, I had to eat my words.
Avatar is a feast for the senses. It’s utterly breathtaking and really makes Earth dwelling a bit depressing, when you are invited into such a spectacular and intricate new world full of startling creatures and unfathomable plant life. Welcome to the planet Pandora.
We start off by meeting Jake, a former marine who was paralysed during a military mission, played by our lovely Sam Worthington. After the death of his twin, Jake is persuaded to become part of the Avatar project, in which humans take on the form of indigenous four metre Na’vi, who inhabit the beautifully unspoilt Pandora. Humans don’t understand their ways and need to get a precious mineral from the planet to keep our poor old raped Earth alive. They figure that by infiltrating the Na’vi, they can gain a greater understanding of their culture and how to ultimately defeat them and take what is theirs. This part of the movie is all pretty quick, thankfully, and then we get into the good stuff. Continue...
avatar, sci fi
Posted by KB on December 24, 2009
It's hard to believe that Psycho, voted one of the greatest horror films of all time, will be 50 years old in 2010. The graphic shower scene, in combination with Bernard Herrmann's now-famous score, created a classic movie moment known even to those not familiar with the film.
On January 5, the Sydney Lyric Orchestra will bring Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece to life, as they play a live accompaniment to the film. A specially cut digital print will be projected on to the Big Screen of the Opera House Concert Hall, for a looming, spine-tingling experience.
Tickets are limited so get in quick.
Psycho's 50th Anniversary
January 5 2010
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
psycho, sydney opera house
Posted by kluster on November 23, 2009
Everybody knows us Australians sure do love our short films. We go mad for the things. Like a kid at a barbie trying to get his hands on the last chocolate-coated ice cream.
Enter Bondi Short Film Festival. As the name suggests this little film festival combines two things Australian countrymen loves to love; the beach and short films.
This year judges include Filmic Founder Dov Kornits, filmmaker Gracie Otto, Balibo’s Damon Gameau and Australian Director David Caesar. The judges will select the winners from the pool of 14 finalists.
Check out trailers for some of our favourite finalists below:
bondi short film festival