Our Brother Site, Design Federation did a fantastic interview with Australian Writer/Director Claire McCarthy about her film, The Waiting City and you watch it at Design Federation

Rev is very much a work in progress. Since 1990, the event has developed from a range of alternative and independent screen culture activities and experiments to what is regarded as one of Australia’s most unique annual screen activities. Taking place in cinemas, bars and clubs around the country this strange brew embraced live music, performance, movies and all manner of strange and unusual activity.

Since 1997, audience figures for the event have increased at an average rate of 30% each year, rapidly outgrowing the intimate surrounds of the Greenwich Club. Today, the event includes in excess of 100 international films presented over 75 sessions at established cinema and nightclub venues across Perth. Revelation is Australia’s fastest growing annual film event.

It sees over 500 films submitted for selection from local and international filmmakers and includes an active, creative and argumentative screen conference component. Programmed as part of the Australian film festival season, Revelation actively interacts where possible with the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand International Film Festivals and a range of Australian screen culture organisations with program and print sources and curated projects and guests and as a result fills the gap in the development of a truly national independent screen community.

Revelation was (and still is)  concerned with the conservative nature of film distribution and exhibition practice in Australia. It has always sought to deliberately challenge current marketplace modes and biases through unusual and contextualised screening concepts, focused curation and active interaction with industry guilds, independent curators, the academic community and other Arts related activity and practitioners.

Revelation maintains its focus on progressive and inspiring works and embraces audiences of all ages, tastes and backgrounds. Like the films it presents, the event maintains an energy and enthusiasm for the industry quite unlike any other film festival in the country.

What: Revelation – Perth International Film Festival
When: 8th till 18th July 2010
Where: In & around Perth
Cost: Varies

Little Big Shots is Melbourne’s International Film Festival for kids. Now in its sixth year, it includes around 80 films from over 20 countries. The festival allows children to see international material that would never otherwise make it to Australia. A 10-member children’s jury will vote on their favourite films in two categories: the best Australian adult-made film and the best Australian child-made film. The winning films will be screened at the Little Big Shots. An Australia-wide tour of the festival follows.

Our competition for the Fish Tank movie tickets has now closed. Thank you to everyone that entered we had an overwhelming response. The winners are listed below and your prizes will be sent this week. Thanks again to Transmission Films for your generous support!

Max Munroe – Scone NSW
Mary Scunthorpe – Allawah NSW
Sandie Harrison – Paradise SA
Maggie Thornton – Redcliffe QLD
Joey Catcher – Cairns QLD
Benjamin Fisher – Tourak VIC
Danny Thomas – Richmond VIC
Sarah Taylor – Penshurst NSW
Mini Koury – Burney TAS
Adam Ball – West Richland WA

Writer/Director Pene Patrick feels that truth should be at the heart of good Australian cinema.  Her debut film, Playing for Charlie, delves into the life of working-class Melbourne teenager, Tony Hobbs, as he struggles to find a balance between caring for his dependent family, and pursuing a rare opportunity for personal triumph.

An important new voice has emerged in the Australian film industry – one that looks poised to tear apart the current model of chasing the next blockbuster and set about creating a culturally-enriching body of work.

Two Flat Whites chats with Pene Patrick…

TFW:  Playing for Charlie is a humble film but it’s very strong in heart.  This is your directorial debut for a feature-length film.  You also wrote the screenplay.  Have you always written from such raw emotional territory?

Pene Patrick:  Well I think I’ll always go to the heart of a character.  That’s when I most lose interest in a film, when they haven’t gone to the heart of a character, and instead they’re being used to comment on something.

TFW:  How did you develop your writing?

Well it developed through my acting training which involved a very intense and serious training period in New York.  I was taught to look for the truth of humanity and the truth of the character in a situation.

TFW:  The actor who plays Tony Hobbs, Jared Daperis, resonates on the screen.  He seems an odd choice for the part, but it really pays off.  Was this intentional?

I think I cast him because he’s not a stereotype.  I see a lot of stereotypes in Australian films.  He has an international universality about him.  The thing that really excited me is that he has a boy / man quality: a wisdom.  He was an embodiment of everything I was trying to do in the film.

TFW:  I think his performance guides the wonderful score, written by Lisa Gerrard.

Yes her score is a character in the film, that’s what I love about it.  She’s brought another level to the narrative.  She’s come in and given a lovely river for everything to flow.

TFW:  It reminded me of Jane Campion’s ‘Bright Star’ in that respect.

Oh lovely, thank you.

TFW:  Audiences for Playing for Charlie are responding positively to the optimism in the film.  I did too, although I found some elements melancholic, particularly the Thomas Gray poetry whispered at one point; “Full many a flower is born to blush unseen”.  I felt this line reflected the fate of many disadvantaged young Australians: kids who don’t have the full opportunities to explore their talents.

Yes that was the core note from which the film sprung from.  But I also want the audience to see that it’s not always the case and that it is possible to move forward.  Tony is so certain and has a solid rock faith which I attribute to his upbringing and his relationship with his father.  These are good elements in this boy from a working-class background.  It’s actually a very positive statement about working-class values, so it’s very uplifting in that way.

TFW:  Producer Jan Chapman recently encouraged Australian film-makers to be “courageous and challenging,” and to “keep an Australian national spirit whilst appealing to an international audience.”  Do you agree with her?

Yes, and I think the issues in Playing for Charlie are universal.  It transcends race, class, and spirituality.  Tony’s boy to man journey is everyone’s journey.  It’s such a crucial time, the boy to man phase.  Playing for Charlie is about the struggle to protect that which is really vulnerable in us – whether that is our sex, or our race, or our art.

TFW:  Do you think films can make a difference?

Yes they get the issues out there.  Playing for Charlie explores the difficulties relating to young carers.  Since the film opened we have had a letter from the Minister for Health’s office – two years ago they provided a lot more resources and money to aid young carers.  Radio National has done a program on young carers.  There are thousands of people in Tony Hobbs’ situation in Australia so it’s important to tell these honest stories and bring greater awareness.

Playing for Charlie is in limited theatrical release at the Cinema Nova in Carlton, Melbourne.

Interview by Ryan Nance.

Two Flat Whites in conjunction with our friends at Transmission Films are giving ten (10) lucky people the chance to win a double pass to the film Fish Tank, which screens in cinemas nationally from the 27th May 2010.

FISH TANK is the story of Mia (KATIE JARVIS), a volatile 15-year-old, who is always in trouble and who has become excluded from school and ostracized by her friends. One hot summer’s day her mother (KIERSTON WAREING) brings home a mysterious stranger called Connor (MICHAEL FASSBENDER) who promises to change everything and bring love into all their lives.

Please email your name, postal address and where you heard about the competition to info {at} twoflatwhites(.)com for your chance to win!

Competition closes Sunday, 23rd May 2010.

Sydney’s artistic fraternity came together in force this week to reward and recognise the city’s most creative and innovative characters. The 2009 SMAC Awards, held at Helm Bar, saw leading musos Kim Moyes, Kirk Pengilly alongside Archibald prize winner, Del Kathryn Barton and Academy Award winning director, Steven Soderbergh, turn up to honour and celebrate this year’s winners.

Muso turned politician John Wardle, who has tirelessly campaigned to get the POPEs abolished, took home the most prestigious award of the evening, the SMAC of the Year. The SMAC of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding artist, professional, or group/collective in any field in Sydney who forwards the cultural fabric of Sydney. John’s work has since opened the floodgates for Sydney musicians to be able to play ‘string free’ in venues across the state.

Oscar-winner, Cate Blanchett, was awarded Best Performer following her performance in A Streetcar Named Desire for The Sydney Theatre Company – her award was collected by her husband Andrew Upton. Fergus Brown was awarded Best Sydney Song for ‘John, She Was Never Only Dancing.’

In the music categories, electronic trio Seekae won Best Live Music Act whilst the Best Music Event went to Nick Cave’s All Tomorrow’s Parties. The Record of the Year award went to the Lost Valentinos for their debut album, Cities of Gold, whilst The Red Rattler was awarded Best Collective and Sherlock’s Daughter picked up Next Big Thing – Music.

Sydney artist, Wade Marynowsky was given the accolade for Best Artist with Semi Permanent, the annual design convention, winning Best Arts Event and the Sydney Festival winning Best Major Festival. I Heart Kings Cross was awarded the Remix in the City Award for rethinking what’s possible and getting creative within the ever colourful area. The event saw the community come together to knit giving residents and visitors an insight into the creativity of one of Sydney’s best loved suburbs.

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The 11th SFS Festival is around the corner and all preparations have started for these two amazing days and nights which will take place at the Palace Academy Twin on the 15th and 16th of December.

More then 60 short films are currently in the production and what awaits us is an exiting range of eye-opening documentaries, engaging dramas and contemplative thesis films, which will be shown on the big screen in this highly anticipated event!

Each festival more than 500 film-lovers join us in celebration of another semester completion testifying to the high caliber of short films made by the new generation of talented filmmakers.

Seen & Heard is a film festival that battles the celluloid ceiling, celebrates the diverse and extraordinary work of women filmmakers and their not-to-be-underestimated diverse and extraordinary audiences. Seen and Heard in 2010, its second year, will follow on from a showcase of questions on class, race, ability/disability, gender and sexuality.Gender equality behind the camera is serious business. Seen & Hear are seeking films of high quality in which women have played significant production roles.

What: Seen & Heard 2010
When: 14th to 17th January 2010
Where: The Red Rattler, 6 Faversham St, Marrickville, Sydney
Contact: lucy {at} seenandheardfilms(.)com

Aspiring young filmmakers and film lovers are invited to the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Deerubbin Centre (1st floor), 300 George Street, Windsor on Saturday 14 November from 1pm until 2.30pm, for the launch of ‘CHICK FLICKS’ – a digital storytelling screening by young women in Western Sydney.

The event will be officially launched by Hawkesbury Mayor Bart Bassett, and will kick off with a screening of 14 mini films about young women, by young women, telling stories of what they treasure, love and hope for in today’s world.

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