Matthew Bate's SUMMATION OF FORCE VR continues to tour the world after its premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival’s New Frontier program. The work has screened at Berlinale EFM, South by South West, True False, Taipei Int FF, The Geneva Int FF, Sydney FF, MIFF 2018, Open City London, Bergen Int FF, and took out the inaugural Imagine VR Award at the Imagine Film Festival in Amsterdam.
Look out for the short documentary ART OF THE GAME – premiering at the 2018 Adelaide Film Festival – which looks, in part, at the making of this incredible artwork.
We’ve been busy this year with Sophie Hyde’s sophomore feature film ANIMALS being shot on location in Ireland earlier this year. The feature drama is the first Irish/Australian international co-production of its kind! Helmed by producer Rebecca Summerton and UK producer Sarah Brocklehurst (Black Pond) alongside Irish producer Cormac Fox (The Young Offenders), the film is an adaptation of the cult book of the same name by Emma Jane Unsworth. The production was full to the brim of talented crew who were able to feed off the supportive energy of the creators to create a fully-fledged international family. ANIMALS stars Holliday Grainger (Cinderella, My Cousin Rachel, Strike) and Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development, Search Party, Transparent). ANIMALS follows the longtime friendship of Laura and Tyler – delving into all the beautiful, icky and glorious moments of female friendship. Keep your eyes peeled for this one.
Adelaide Film Festival opens this week - here are Closer's Sophie Hyde's top pics for the fest!
THE NIGHTINGALE
This story looks magnificent and relevant and writer/ director Jennifer Kent is fantastic. I can't wait to see this.
RAFIKI
Same sex love, banned in Kenya, looks gorgeous…What more do you want.
BEAUTIFUL BOY
Timothée Chalamet! Steve Carell. That poster. Two men being all emotional. I want to see everything about this film.
ACUTE MISFORTUNE
This looks ace. Made by Australian actor Tom Wright directing Daniel Henshall and Toby Wallace (both actors I really rate) about an artist and a journalist and their meeting/friendship.
WAJIB
Screening as part of the the Arab Women Directors program which generally looks great and features films we might not otherwise get a chance to see. The director Annemarie Jacir previously made WHEN I SAW YOU - a really beautiful film that I was lucky enough to see previously at AFF.
TERROR NULLIUS
I've heard so much about this piece - I think we should all just go and see it.
AT ETERNITY'S GATE
Julian Schnabel has made some stunning films - I'd watch anything he made.
HOTEL MUMBAI
Of course I can't wait to see Tilda in this movie, but also super keen to see first feature from the lovely local director Anthony Maras leading his star studded cast.
Two fab docs from Goodpitch which are sure to stimulate action:
DYING TO LIVE about organ donation + HAPPY SAD MAN about male depression.
ISLAND OF THE HUNGRY GHOSTS
Another documentary I've heard so many good things about and i feel like might be worth a watch without knowing too much about it (my favourite way to see films at a festival)
THE ART OF THE GAME
Screening as part of the ART ON SCREEN program. It's a Closer Productions shindig, with Matt Bate collaborating again with photographers Trent Parker and Narelle Autio. Their previous collabs have been beautiful.
I’m also hosting Q&A's for these two sessions. Come along to learn about the filmmakers process and be inspired by their passion:
LOVE IN THE TIME OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS
A local film that sparked my attention on first read of the program.
THE FAMILY LAW
Australian series by the lovely Benjamin Law.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and see some movies!