Brace yourself Sydney. I’ll be paying you a visit in June.
I haven’t attended the Sydney Film Festival before but I’m making the effort to do so in 2012. I’d love to be able to return to the Toronto Film Festival again this year but I won’t be able to given it’s a huge investment of my time and money. Plus, I have another holiday planned for November. Perhaps I’ll get back to Toronto in 2013 but for now, Sydney is at the front of my mind.
I'll be doing a special Sunday afternoon show on ABC Digital (which can be heard around Australia) covering my time at the Festival and hopefully there'll be some good stories and good films to talk about.
I’ll be at the Festival for 3 days – flying down on the morning of Friday, June 8 and returning in the evening on Sunday, June 10. I’m squeezing 9 films into the calendar and for those interested, here’s what I’ll be seeing. The plot overviews come from the IMDB.
Where Do We Go Now?
Friday, June 8 – 6pm
A group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village. Winner of the audience award at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival.
Jeff, Who Lives At Home
Friday, June 8 – 8:30pm
Dispatched from his basement room on an errand for his mother, slacker Jeff might discover his destiny (finally) when he spends the day with his brother as he tracks his possibly adulterous wife.
First Position
Saturday, June 9 – 10am
A documentary that follows six young dancers from around the world as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world.
Beasts Of The Southern Wild
Saturday, June 9 – 12pm
Faced with her father's fading health and environmental changes that release an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy leaves her Delta-community home in search of her mother.
Not Suitable For Children
Saturday, June 9 – 4pm
A young playboy who learns he has one month until he becomes infertile sets out to procreate as much as possible. An Australian film that stars Ryan Kwanten
Moonrise Kingdom
Saturday, June 9 – 9pm
A pair of young lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and find them. The latest from director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums) and the cast includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Frances McDormand.
Bully
Sunday, June 10 – 9:30am
A documentary on peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America.
On The Road
Sunday, June 10 – 2pm
Dean and Sal are the portrait of the Beat Generation. Their search for "It" results in a fast paced, energetic roller coaster ride with highs and lows throughout the United States. Stars Viggo Mortensen.
Undefeated
Sunday, June 10 – 4:30pm
A documentary on an underdog football team who look to reverse their fortunes with coach Bill Courtney. Winner of the 2012 Academy Award for best documentary feature.
If you’re going to be in Sydney yourself for the Festival, do let me know (through email, Facebook, Twitter) and I’ll try to say hi.
Hopefully it’ll be a great few days.