With this his second (and last) Festival, Artistic Director Lynden Barber has again shown an astute ability to mix the provocative with the seductive, the challenging with the entertaining, giving patrons a snapshot of the concerns and amusements of filmmakers from around the world. Andrew L. Urban samples the menu.In a world troubled by violence, defeated by poverty, racked by intolerance and engulfed in conflict, it’s appropriate that a major film festival such as Sydney’s should gather fi...
The vibrancy of a film festival can be measured by a willingness to juxtapose films that confound thematic linkage, offering surprises and revelations in an ocean of film from around the world: this year’s program, Lynden Barber’s second as Artistic Director, suggests he is more interested in challenging us than placating us. He wants us to ‘go deeper’. Andrew L. Urban previews the 53rd Sydney Film Festival (June 9 – 25, 2006).With over 120 feature length films and more than 60 shorts ...
DISCOVERIES AND WINDOWS TO WORLD CINEMA PLEASE PATRONSDiscoveries at this year’s Sydney Film Festival included the Urban Cinefile Audience Award winning low budget Australian drama, Blacktown and as a window on world cinema, the program boasted the likes of the award winning drama Brothers (Denmark) and the animated short Journey to Mars (Argentina), plus Kontroll (Hungary), Moolaade (Senegal), Life Is A Miracle (Serbia) and Howl’s Moving Castle (Japan, Closing Night Film). But there was st...
The theme for Friday’s Sydney Film Festival’s opening night was Sparkle! and it certainly did. The State Theatre, already dazzling with its marble staircase, mirrored and tapestry-covered walls, and second largest cut crystal chandelier in the world suspended over the three-tiered auditorium, provided the perfect venue for the red carpet entrance, accompanied by bright lights, snapping flash bulbs. And…pink diamonds, worn by some of the festival guests and provided by the night’s sponsor...
Opening Night last Friday for the Sydney Film Festival was a sparkling affair Sparkle was the official theme, and Pink Diamond specialist Mondial Neuman the sponsor) with the Festival's first ever Red Carpet reception (thanks to Premier Technologies and hosted by this publication's Andrew L.Urban) described by Jane Campion as "a bit too Hollywood" for her liking, but she recalled with pleasure the high drama and big response to the festival screening of her highly acclaimed, Angel At My Table.Th...
Sydney Film Festival runs from Friday June 10 – Saturday June 25, 2005. Sydney Film Festival (SFF) Artistic Director Lynden Barber today heralded a new era for the Festival when he presented his inaugural program with the announcement of new venues, new red carpet events, new ticketing options and interactive filmmaker forums.Joined by NSW Minister for Tourism, Sandra Nori and SFF President Cathy Robinson, Lynden said his first program was all about diversity, not only reflected in the selecti...
