Australian films to screen in NZ For Festival

4 April, 2007

Australian films to screen for the first time in NZ as part of United Travel Australian Film Festival

Tourism Australia and Rialto cinemas are proud to present the United Travel Australian Film Festival as part of G’Day NZ Australia Week (Monday 23 April to Sunday 29 April).

The festival will show an array of significant Australian documentaries and feature films celebrating Australian life, culture and history.

Tourism Australia Regional Manager, Vito Anzelmi, said the festival is a selection of some of Australia’s finest recent and past films, representative of all elements of Australian life.

“As part of G’Day NZ Australia Week we wanted to give Kiwis the opportunity to view various Australian films, some of which have not been screened in New Zealand cinemas before.

“New Zealanders and Australians share a passion for films. In 2006, Australian films grossed $40 million in the Australian Box office with 84 million cinema tickets sold in 2006 alone!

“Through the United Travel Australian Film Festival, Kiwis will have the opportunity to get a taste of some of the significant and more unique films that have been produced across the Tasman,” he said.

The festival features several significant films that highlight Australian history, culture and indigenous heritage including:

• The Story of the Kelly Gang (Classic/Documentary) – The world’s original feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, premiered in Melbourne in 1906. This will be the first public screening of the film in New Zealand, with nearly one quarter of the original reel remaining. Screenings of the black and white, silent film will be accompanied by a live performance by Tama Kamena, one of New Zealand’s leading accompanying pianists. Two short films, Thunderbolt (1910) and The Romantic Story of Margaret Catchpole (1911), will follow the screening. (Screenings Anzac Day, Wednesday 25 April and Saturday 28 April at 4:30pm, 6:30pm and 8.30pm)

• Kanyini (Documentary, 2005) – This will be the first public screening of this film, which has not been released in Australia yet. The film follows the story of Bob Randall, who lives beside the greatest monolith in the world, Uluru in Central Australia. Bob gives the viewer insight into why Indigenous people are now struggling in a modern world and what can be done for indigenous people to move forward. A performance by Aboriginal dance troupe, Descendance, will precede the 6.30 screening at 6pm. (Screenings: Monday 23 April at 4.30pm, 6.30pm)

• Three Dollars (Drama/Comedy, 2005) – Based on a novel by Elliott Permand and directed by Robert Connolly, this is the story of Eddie (David Wenham), an honest, compassionate man who finds himself with a wife, a child, and three dollars. His life is rich with the pleasures and pains of love, family, friendship and marriage with very little money. (Screenings: Tuesday 24 April at 4.30pm, 6.50pm)

• God on my Side (Documentary, 2006) – Follows journalist Andrew Denton’s (who also produced and directed the film), trip to the 2006 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Texas. (Screenings: Thursday 26 April at 4.30pm, 6.30pm and Sunday 29 April 6.30pm)

• Last Train to Freo (Drama/Thriller, 2006) - Two thugs from the Perth suburb of Midland catch the last train to Fremantle. When a young woman boards the train a few stops later, they begin talking and find out not everyone on the train is who they seem to be. Last Train to Freo is the directorial debut of actor Jeremy Sims. (Screenings: Friday 27 April at 4.30pm, 6.30pm)

• Opal Dream (Drama/Family), 2005 - A young girl’s relationship with her imaginary friends resonates throughout her town in the Australian Outback. (Screenings: Sunday 29 April at 4.30pm)

Tickets are available at Rialto, online at www.rialto.co.nz or call (09) 369 2417.

G’Day NZ Australia Week features a number of other events that highlight Australian food and wine, film, arts and indigenous culture, including the G’Day NZ Corporate Golf Challenge on Monday 23 April, the Spirit of Mateship Gala Dinner on Tuesday 24 April, and The Lindemans Longest Australian Lunch on Friday 27 April and a performance from Aboriginal Dance Troupe, Descendance, at the Auckland Museum on Saturday 28 April.

For more information on The United Travel Australian Film Festival or any other G’Day NZ Australia Week events please visit www.australiaweek.co.nz

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