by Dov Kornits
“Rather than highlighting one director, we’re celebrating the vital work of ten remarkable women,” said David Stratton in a press release. “This retrospective pays tribute to not only these pioneering filmmakers, who tirelessly forged their own path forward, but to all the talented women who have crafted important and enduring films in this country.
“In the era of the #MeToo movement, the barriers that once faced women filmmakers are perhaps crumbling at a quicker pace – in the meantime, let’s celebrate the titanic achievements of our women filmmakers, and these landmark works that have irrevocably shifted the industry landscape forever.”
The films being screened are:
NFSA Restores: The Cheaters (1930) – Paulette McDonagh (screening with a score performed live by Jan Preston)
Malcolm (1986) – Nadia Tass
High Tide (1987) – Gillian Armstrong
Sweet (1989) – Jane Campion
Waiting (1991) – Jackie McKimmie
Bedevil (1993) – Tracey Moffatt
Love Serenade (1996) – Shirley Barrett
Blessed (2009) – Ana Kokkinos
Beautiful Kate (2009) – Rachel Ward
The Babadook (2014) – Jennifer Kent
“From an influential silent masterpiece, to the only feature film by artist Tracey Moffatt, these works are immaculately-crafted showcases of truly revolutionary women filmmakers,” said Sydney Film Festival Director, Nashen Moodley. “The films are brought to life with performances from the highest calibre of Australian acting talent, including Miranda Otto and Frances O’Connor, Bryan Brown and Ben Mendelsohn – all who have delighted audiences at the Festival in previous years.”
The program – co-presented by the National Film & Sound Archive (NFSA) – is officially entitled ‘Essential Australian Women Directors – 10 Trailblazers Selected by David Stratton’, and will play at the Art Gallery of New South Wales between June 5 and 10 as part of the Sydney Film Festival (5 – 16 June), and will also screen at NFSA’s Arc cinema in Canberra between June 28 and July 7.
“Women have been an essential driving force in our film industry since its early days,” commented NFSA General Manager, Collection and Access Meg Labrum. “From the pioneering McDonagh Sisters to Jennifer Kent, David Stratton’s selection truly is an abridged history of Australian film through a female gaze. We hope Sydney and Canberra audiences, particularly the new generations of aspiring female filmmakers, will feel empowered by the work of these fierce creative minds that came before them.”
Tickets to the Canberra season at Arc cinema, NFSA (Acton, ACT) are $15 Adult, $13 Concession, and season passes ($100 / $90) also available. Tickets are available in person and online soon.
