At a press meet at the Australian Embassy in Maharajgunj on Tuesday, Ambassador Grace highlighted how the Embassy has been giving continuation to its annual film festival in the capital so that Nepali filmgoers get to relate their lifestyle to Australian culture and can also understand Australian filmmaking trends.[break]
“This is the 8th Australian film festival we’re hosting in Kathmandu. It’s a huge platform for us to communicate with Nepali movie buffs through cinematic approaches. We believe to have more audiences this year because of the fact that we’ve selected some of the most highly acclaimed movies of Australia,” the envoy added.
Highlighting more about the fiesta, festival director Rajesh Gongaju explained, “What make this festival more delightful are the short films that we’ve brought in from this year. All eight short-listed movies of the festival will be followed up by short films; most of them were nominated at the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals.”
The promising scriptwriter added, “This festival is giving an access to cinema. In Kathmandu, we normally have access to Hollywood, Bollywood and Kollywood movies. We’re missing a lot. We can’t deny the fact that Australian movies are one of the finest in the world. We’ve made sure that the audiences get to see award-winning Australian films in their original print. In fact, we’ve brought 70mm celluloid prints so that audiences don’t have to compromise on quality screening.”
The press meet was followed by the screening of Cracker Bag, one of the short films of the festival. Directed by Gledyin Ivin, the 14-minute piece dealt beautifully with different moods and expressions and revolved around child psychology. Entry to the festival will cost you Rs 30 each. All proceeds will go to the betterment of the Til Ganga Eye Center.
Festival Calendar
February 19, Friday: CHOPPER
Screening at: 6 pm
Duration: 90 mins (invitation only)
Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Synopsis: A psychological portrait of a notorious crime figure which looks at the real motivation behind ambitions he presents to the world.
February 20, Saturday: BOOTMEN
Screening at: 2 pm
Duration: 88 mins
Directed by: Dein Perry
Synopsis: Young Newcastle steel worker Sean is determined to escape his small-town existence. Despite many obstacles, including personal tragedy, he finally beats the odds and realizes his dream of forming a successful tap group. Every great journey begins with a single step.
February 20, Saturday: KENNY
Screening at: 5 pm
Duration 103 mins
Directed by: Clayton Jacobson
Synopsis: From the biggest festival to the smallest church social, Kenny Smyth delivers porta-loos to them all. Part philosopher, part comedian and all heart, Kenny is one of the cogs in society’s machinery; a knight in shining overalls taking care of business with his faithful ‘Splashdown crew.’
February 21, Sunday: TWO HANDS
Screening at: 2 pm
Duration: 90 mins
Directed by: Gregor Jordan
Synopsis: The footage follows the misadventures of Jimmy, an aspiring young ex-street kid who loses gangster dollars and has to pull his first ‘job’ to avoid the bullet. Also screening CHOPPER at 5 pm
February 22, Monday: MALL BOY
Screening at: 2 pm
Duration: 82 mins
Directed by: Vincent Glarusso
Synopsis: Shaun spins between chaos at home, hanging around the mall with his mates and girlfriend, small time crime ditching school, avoiding his youth worker. His dad is just out of jail and Shaun’s hoping that things are about to get better. Wrong, as his world tips further off its axis, Shaun realizes that he is the only one who can change his life.
February 22, Monday: RABBIT PROOF FENCE
Screening at: 5 pm
Duration: 94 mins
Directed by: Philip Noyce
Synopsis: Three little girls are snatched from their mothers’ arms and spirited 1,500 miles away to an orphanage. Denied their very identity and forced to adapt to a strange new world, they will attempt the impossible – a daring escape.
February 23, Tuesday: MULLET
Screening at: 2 pm
Duration: 85 mins
Directed by: Vincent Sheehan
Synopsis: Life in a small coastal fishing town is turned upside down when Eddie Maloney returns to face everything that he walked out on three years ago. Mullet is a warm, often comic look at love, relationships and the great Australian solution to everything…the Barbie.
February 23, Tuesday: LOVE SERENADE
Screening at: 5 pm
Duration: 97 mins
Directed by: Shirley Barrett
Synopsis: Two sisters in an Australian country town develop a fierce and competitive crush on their new neighbor, a brooding and self-centered radio personality.
[Other short movies to be screened are Birthday Boy, Cracker Bag, Foot Note, Harvie Krumpet, Mother Tongue, and Green Bush.]
Related story
Australian Ambassador Felicity Volk awards women bird guides
