By Travis Johnson
Formerly the home of Aussie outback classics The Proposition and Mystery Road, which were both filmed nearby, the Queensland town of Winton is also home to the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, an annual celebration of cinema in the heart of the Never Never.
Under the direction of Greg Dolgopolov and Mark Melrose, this year’s festival, which runs from June 29 – July 7, promises an absolute smorgasbord of filmic fun, including the opening night film, In Like Flynn. Directed by Russell Mulcahy and starring Thomas Cocquerel, Corey Large, William Moseley, Clive Standen, David Wenham, Isabel Lucas and Callan Mulvey, this period adventure tells of the early exploits of future star Errol Flynn, searching for gold in the wilds of 1930s New Guinea.
In Like Flynn kicks off nine days of great Australian cinema, both new and old. Fresh to the big screen we have the likes of Brothers’ Nest, the black dramedy from the team behind Kenny; heartfelt zombie drama Cargo, starring Martin Freeman and David Gulpilil; political music doco Midnight Oil 1984; and Ben Elton’s music festival rom-com, Three Summers.
Deep cuts from the vault include 1989’s haunting, fantastical coming of age drama Celia, 1997’s outback noir Kiss or Kill; the pioneering 1918 Australian film The Sentimental Bloke; 1982’s car-crazy Running on Empty; and the searing 1988 drama, Shame.
Plus there’s a whole host of extracurricular activities, including the Outback Film Festival Classic Motorcycle Ride. For full info, shoot over to the official site.
