By Dan Cunningham
The red dust of the Australian outback or the lush greenery of the New Zealand ranges might seem jarring with the image of provincial France, but the 19th edition of a certain film festival would attest otherwise. Once more, Antipodean oeuvre will take on the coastal vistas of Saint Tropez, with the best and brightest of our filmmaking talent on show at the 19th Annual Festivale Des Antipodes. Historically, the festival been a European proving ground for young Aussie and Kiwi directors alike, with Paul Ireland’s Footscray homage Pawno taking out the coveted Grand Jury Prix last year.
It would seem that the eternal antipodean rivalry can offer up stiff competition on any nation’s soil with strong entries from both sides vying for best feature. In the Australian corner, Indigenous director Rachel Perkins brings an outback murder mystery to life with her screen adaptation of the best-selling novel Jasper Jones. While Perkins’ much loved Bran Nue Dae was a hit on Australian shores, Jasper Jones looks set to garner acclaim from European critics. Celebrated Kiwi director Lee Tamahori brings veteran clout to another novel-adaptation — Mahana is story of a bitter family rivalry, from the visionary behind Once We Were Warriors, which sees the filmmaker return to New Zealand after an extended dalliance with Hollywood, and reuniting with Jake the Muss himself, Temuera Morrison.
This year’s program has no shortage of antipodean cinema giants, and will showcase notable contributions to our cinema, both past and present. Revitalised after 40 years in the annals of Australian film history, Peter Weir’s The Last Wave will be treated upon festival goers in a reprinted screening of the legendary director’s 1977 cult classic. Esteemed film critic and national treasure David Stratton’s impact upon Australian cinema cannot be overstated. A Cinematic Life documents his incomparable zeal for the big screen and will surely prove to be a festival highlight.
In competition this year are Joe Cinque’s Consolation, That’s Not Me, The Legend of Ben Hall, Kiwi film The PA Boys and the aforementioned Mahana and Jasper Jones.
Other features screening include classics such as Forty Thousand Horsemen, Malcolm and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, plus the more recent Red Dog: True Blue and Aussie indie Innuendo by Saara Lamberg.
Documentaries and a huge selection of Antipodean shorts round out the program, as well two remarkable features to bookend the week-long proceedings. Opening the festival is Sophie Mathieson’s Parisian debut Drama, a ‘stunning romantic comedy drama’ set in the picturesque French capital. Closing film The Catch is a heart-warming portrayal of everyday life in New Zealand’s scenic Kaipara Harbour.
The Festivale Des Antipodes takes place from the 9-15 October.
