Most people would have heard of, or at least recognise actor Bryan Brown, he’s an iconic part of Australian film, prolific in the 70s and 80s. There’s no doubt he’s brilliant, but it’s his daughter Matilda Brown who’s come into her own acting, writing and producing, that deserves kudos for creating this gem of mini-series….
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The Complex is the latest horror offering from Director Hideo Nakata, who’s credited with directing the original versions of the Ring 1 & 2. To complement the release, a 12 episode drama titled Kuroyuri Danchi was aired prior, which follows events leading up to those that take place in the film. Although the film debuted…
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We’ve all witnessed it, whether on the news at an extreme scale, in our schools or workplaces, and may have been a victim or an instigator at some point. Bullying is a social sticking point, something that floats in and out of our peripheral vision, whether we acknowledge it or not. Director Shin Su-Won pulls the matter…
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In 1950s upstate New York in the small fictional town of Hammond, a group of 15 year old girls band together under the weight of post-war culture which aims to crush them with its sexist, oppressive ideals. Mostly hailing from broken homes where abuse and violence are the norm, these spirited young women form a…
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The closing night screening of Drinking Buddies as part of the Possible Worlds Film Festival was aptly capped off with pre-drinks (thanks to sponsors 4 Pines and Wild Turkey) and the announcement of the best American and Canadian film winners, as voted by this year’s jury. Passionately put by our presenter, it’s about fighting to bring back the social…
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If Evil Dead (the original 80s version not the dodgy remake), met the Supernatural brothers in an alleyway and they got into a fight, this film would most likely emerge, dusting itself off, out of the aftermath. (aka David Wong) horror comedy is chock-a-block full of dark slapstick humour, freakishly mind boggling scenes and enough gristly gore to make one’s stomach…
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the AU review caught up with Devin Townsend, one of the most industrious and odd (in a good way) multi-genre musicians, especially on the progressive metal/rock scene, to talk about his latest album Epicloud, the return of vengeful coffee loving alien Ziltoid and how having warm pee in bag sloshing against your leg could be distracting. How are you?…
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The surprisingly provocative nature of fruit is explored in The Fruit Hunters adapted from Adam Gollner’s book of the same title. This tantalising documentary delves into the history and cultivation of nature’s candy and the passionate characters that search the globe for the most elusive varieties. Through a combination of CGI effects, historical re-enactments and cultivator/preservationist narratives, director Yung…
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In it’s eight year, the Possible Worlds Film Festival has broadened its focus, premiering ten films from the United States in addition to the usual Canadian cinematic experiences offered to Australia. Within the ten Canadian films on the programme sits exploitative drama Diego Star, a probing look at social justice directed by up and comer, Frédérick Pelletier. The Diego…
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The Numbers Station is a government conspiracy based thriller, revolving around a concept which should have been an easy sell for Danish Director Kasper Barfoed. Unfortunately, ambiguous story telling and poor character development leave this film with only a few redeeming features, which are so subtle, you could blink and miss them. Emerson (John Cusack) is a burnt…
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Pop rock connoisseurs Lime Cordiale took over The Standard Friday night for the launch of their single ‘Bullshit Aside’ off pending EP Falling up the Stairs. The Sydney based quartet led by brothers Oli and Louis Leimbach are gaining some well-deserved attention, with their latest release picked up by the good folks over at Triple J. They’ve put out an…
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This year’s Russian Resurrection Film Festival marks its 10th anniversary as the largest festival of Russian Cinema outside of Russia. Showcasing a cross section of Russian culture over a variety of film genres, the program welcomes award winning Director of comedy musical Hipsters Valery Todorovsky. Set in 1950s Soviet Russia, Hipsters follows the relationship between Mels (Anton Shagin) who is a member of…
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The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) is currently touring the country as a medium for showcasing, engaging and informing audiences of pressing and lesser known human rights issues. After a two week stint in its hometown of Melbourne, HRAFF landed at the Chauvel Cinema for Sydney’s opening night, screening a documentary directed by Harry Freeland titled In the…
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Ringleader of the dark realms Travjamjar returns with his second and last exhibition in Australia, as he gears up to pursue a career in the U.S. On display at Wedge Gallery in Kinokuniya (The Galleries, Sydney) and finishing up at the Foresight Gallery in Newcastle, the macabrely titled “Infanticide”, is the latest batch of creations…
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The live action adaptation of popular manga series Rurouni Kenshin (aka Samurai X) has proven itself a box office hit in Japan and it seems news travels fast, with original and encore sessions at the 16th Japanese Film Festival screenings selling out. A 45 minute delay caused by technical issues did little to deter an eager crowd, who lined…
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The Japanese Film Festival turns sweet 16 this year, and is screening the latest and greatest Japanese films on offer to celebrate. Slotting into the program is the beautifully crafted anime adventure, Friends: Naki on the Monster Island directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryūichi Yagi. Takeichi a naïve boy from a poor village goes in search of an infamous Monster…
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Human Meat Factory is a stop animation short created by Korean born director Anna Han. Aimed at engaging audiences by providing an animal’s perspective of the slaughter industry, the short will be screened as part of the 4th Seoul International Extreme-Short Image & Film Festival in Korea and the 6th Sydney Underground Film Festival. At a touch…
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Originally titled El Infierno (aka Hell), Luis Estrada’s black comedy El Narco is a brutally twisted, yet darkly humorous perspective on the political, social and economic impacts of drug trafficking in Mexico. Released on the bicentennial of Mexican Independence Day 2010, the controversial film has found commercial and critical success in its home country despite attempts to stop its…
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Madman Entertainment once again hosted the Reel Anime festival this September, showcasing four upcoming Japanese animated releases. Screenings at Dendy Newtown included the launch of the highly anticipated adaptation of part one of Kentaro Miura’s best-selling Berserk Golden Age Arc trilogy, ‘The Egg of the King’ as directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka (Lunar games). Set in…
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Madman Entertainment once again hosted the Reel Anime Festival this September, showcasing four of the latest and highly anticipated Japanese animated releases. Screenings at Dendy Newtown included Wolf Children, a film directed by Mamoru Hosada (Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time), which follows the story of a young lady and her relationship with a wolf man. Nineteen year-old…
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Over the weekend I found myself in the simple yet elegant Galerie pompom, gazing upon Rochelle Haley’s mesmerising exhibition ‘Dead Precious’, on the final day of its showing. Comprised of thirteen water colours on paper, the collection captures an intriguing combination of sparkling precious gems, nestled amongst crisp clean skeletal remains. Rochelle’s inspiration stems from…
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What started as bored doodling on public transport to pass time turned into a full blown obsession for Newcastle artist Travjamjar, the fruits of which have now been realised in the launch of his first solo exhibition ‘Language of the Mad’. Hosted at The Wedge Gallery located in Kinokuniya (The Galleries, Sydney CBD) concluding Monday,…
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