sydney underground film festival
This Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Sydney Underground Film Festival is taking place at The Factory Theatre, in Marrickville. Established in 2007, the festival is committed to supporting ‘alternative’ films – both feature length and short. The festival’s goal is to promote independent and experimental works that have been produced outside of the established film industry in Australia and across the globe. With a total of 87 films this year, opening and closing night parties, Q&A with filmmakers, works from acclaimed directors and seven Australian premieres, the festival is guaranteed to be an interesting event! I briefly spoke with one of the directors of the festival, Stefan Popescu who gave me a run down on this year’s entrants.
What is the selection process based on?
Really pushing the art of cinema, whether it be in form or content. Some films entered are technically outstanding, yet if we don’t walk away pushed or pulled and if the film hasn’t resonated in some way, we won’t screen it.
Do you try to include a certain amount of Australian works?
Yes absolutely. We love to have an Australian contingent. We have a couple of local filmmakers who are repeat offenders as we like their work so much! It is also worthy to note that we don’t give Australian films special treatment – if they get in, it’s on the strength on works.
Are there certain themes/issues that have been a focus in the films this year?
We always look for themes that other film festivals overlook like subversion, dissent, sexuality, confrontation, left politics, difference and diversity. This year a theme of civil disobedience is a strong theme and sexual depravity is a close second.
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The 2010 festival opens with Oliver Stone’s film South of the Border – a highly controversial documentary that sees Stone traveling to South America where he meets figures such as Chávez, Morales and Castro, to discuss US government coup attempts, CIA involvement and various other issues.
Other features include the bizarre Trash Humpers by Harmone Korine (who brought us Kids in the past). Filmed in a documentary style, the opening of film draws a direct linkage to its title – it’s a very odd and somewhat creepy film that will certainly leave you thinking!
On a somewhat lighter note, American: The Bill Hicks Story chronicles the life of comedian Bill Hicks, who sadly passed away at 32 years of age in 1994. He was renowned for challenging mainstream ideals, religion and politics, and he frequently criticised consumerism and popular culture. With effective editing techniques, interviews with his friends and family, and footage of many of his stand up performances, the film is an interesting depiction of his life – from his upbringing to his dangerous experimentation with drugs and alcohol abuse, to his rise to stardom, and finally to his death.
The festival’s closing feature, Red White and Blue is an intense drama about a promiscuous young woman struggling with HIV and her relationship with a deranged older man. The final scenes are quite graphic, but the film is extremely well acted by everyone involved.
This is just a small taste of the films that will screening this weekend, so if you’re in Sydney and are interested in watching something different and/or controversial, then make sure you attend the SUFF.
