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Sydney Film Festival Offers Exciting Free Talks
The Festival has announced the first instalment of its free talks program featuring an exciting line-up of talent
Attendees at this year's Sydney Film Festival are in for a treat with the line-up of free public talks recently unveiled. This dynamic program is set to feature a vast array of talented filmmakers and actors speaking about their films, careers and wider questions about the local and international film industry.
The festival will open with David Stratton as he converses with the cast and crew of Shirley Barrett's tender and sweeping South Solitary on June 3. Barrett will be joined by the film's producer Marian Macgowan and the main actors Miranda Otto, Barry Otto (Australia) and Marton Csokas (The Tree, Alice In Wonderland).
Comedian and director Ahmed Ahmed will be joining the Festival on June 4 to talk about his new feature Just Like Us. Ahmed, who has appeared in Hollywood hits such as Iron Man and You Don't Mess With The Zohan, tries his hand behind the camera in his directorial debut which breaks down cultural barriers by touring US based stand-up comedians through the Middle East.
There will also be a segment discussing the revival of the horror genre which will feature Australian directors Sean Byrne (The Loved Ones), Patrick Hughes (Red Hill) and Adam Blaiklock (Caught Inside). This will take place June 5.
As usual, there will also be a slew of talks with a number of the filmmakers and actors from the films in Official Competition. Scottish actress Shirley Henderson (pictured - Harry Potter, Trainspotting) will be interviewed by Ruth Hessey on June 5 about starring in Todd Solondz's Life During Wartime. Henderson will be joined by the film's producer Christine K. Walker.
Haitian director, writer and producer Raoul Peck will be questioned by Jason di Rosso from Radio National on June 7 about his film Moloch Tropical, his intriguing career as filmmaker and his perspective on international politics and history.
Award-winning director Brillante Mendoza will be discussing his film Lola, as well as his prolific filmmaking career, on June 8. His films combine an extraordinary capacity for social analysis with the raw dramatic potential of everyday life.
Romanian producer Daniel Mitulescu and lead actor George Pistereanu will be sharing views on their film If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle on June 9. The Chaser's Julian Morrow will also engage in a rare public talk on June 13 with director Chris Morris and lead actor Kayvan Novak whose film Four Lions is screening at the Festival.
Rounding out Official Competition discussions, Western Australian director Ben C. Lucas, producers Janelle Landers and Aidan O'Bryan, and lead actors Alex Russell and Oliver Ackland will take to the podium on June 14 to promote the world premiere of the feature Wasted on the Young.
The Sydney Film Festival runs from June 2-14. For more information about the films and talks on offer, visit the festival website.
Picture caption: Shirley Henderson at the Venice Film Festival 2009, courtesy of Getty Images. Taken by Pascal Le Segretain.