By Keeva Stratton
As the cooler months arrive, so does a decadent feast for Sydney cinephiles, the Sydney Film Festival 2014. Tickets are selling fast, and while it would be impossible to cover the entire program, we thought we might tempt you with a few morsels we’re very much looking forward to seeing.
20,000 Days on Earth
This year’s opening night film will have lovers of Australian cinema and music enjoying a rare treat. 20,000 Days on Earth, which offers a fictionalised portrayal of Australian music legend Nick Cave’s 20,000th day on earth, will provide the perfect entrée into our favourite Aussie film festival.
Boyhood
Filmed over 12 years and intimately portraying one family’s story, Boyhood is a powerful film by Richard Linklater. At nearly three hours in length, it provides ample rewards for avid festivalgoers looking for an immersive experience on the human condition.
The Rover
Cannes has been buzzing with excitement from the positive reviews of David Michod’s latest offering. Having wowed us with his brutal yet brilliant portrayal of a crime dynasty family in Animal Kingdom, we look forward to his latest film, starring Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce. This dark thriller is keeping audiences on the edge of their seat, and we can’t wait to experience it.
Dior and I
While not in competition, fashion lovers will relish the insights into one of fashion’s greatest houses, in Dior and I. Designer Raf Simons has eight weeks to create his first Dior Haute Couture collection, and this film takes the viewer into the rarely seen highs and lows that come with such a challenge.
The Redfern Story
This local documentary takes an in-depth and powerful look at the origins of the first all-indigenous theatre company. Hear from the company’s pioneering members, as they tell the remarkable story of the National Black Theatre.
Frank
A bizarre and dark comedy about a pop band’s attempt to make it, Frank is being hailed as a fan favourite. Starring Michael Fassbender (who is nearly unrecognisable) along with Maggie Gyllenhaal, it’s sure to delight those who enjoy a little quirk at their festival.
Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets
In the 1990s, a British band captured the dark irony of a hapless life, set to a toe-tapping beat. They were Pulp, and in this documentary, we experience their love of music and their fans’ endearing love of them. The film follows the band on their last hometown concert, and will be rejoiced by all—common or otherwise.
Music lovers may also want to check out the Jimi Hendrix biopic, Jimi: All Is By My Side, or the documentaries Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty and Keep on Keepin’ On, which respectively covers the lives of Texas blues guitarist Johnny Winter and 89-year-old Jazz legend Clark Terry.
The Sydney Film Festival gives Sydney-siders a unique view into the world of cinema, and brings to life our alleyways for a whole city celebration. With stories from around the world that cover everything from the enacting of gay marriage laws in the US to the lives of men with multiple wives, the festival is certain to take us on a remarkable journey. This year, the festival will also include classic screenings of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Rebel Without a Cause, and a series of Robert Altman films, including A Wedding, Nashville and even M*A*S*H.
If you’ve never ventured out on a frosty evening to take part, you really are missing out on one of the year’s best cultural events. This year’s festival will run from June 4 to 15, and tickets are currently selling at www.sff.org.au, where you can also find a complete program of films.
