With the nights getting warmer it can mean only one thing. Time to dust off the picnic basket and head to UWA Somerville for another smorgasbord of outdoor filmic fun. Thanks to the Perth Festival Lotterywest Films, I’ve had a sneak peak at a couple of the movies and can tell you we’re in for an intriguing seventeen weeks.
Starting on November 30th 2020, the festival runs until March 2021. You may think that’s plenty of time, that you can miss the first few weeks and catch up later. I can assure you that strategy only ends in tears as movies quickly get sold out.
Lotterywest CEO Susan Hunt PSM said Lotterywest Films is a unique cinematic experience that Western Australians looked forward to every year.
‘We are extremely proud to once again be supporting this year’s Perth Festival, which hosts Lotterywest Films at one of Perth’s most loved outdoor venues, with a program of stunning homegrown and international films,’ she said.
This year there will be films from seventeen different nations, so make sure you pack your reading glasses. Here’s just a couple that I’m looking forward to.
The Father. I’m particularly interested in The Father with Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman. From what I’ve seen the powerful performances hint that this will be one not to miss. That said the subject matter may be too close to the bone for those with elderly parents.
The Furnace. Set in the rugged outback of Western Australia. Set in 1897 Gold Rush times, a young Afghan cameleer (Ahmed Malek) tries to escape the harsh conditions and becomes involved with a mysterious bushman (David Wenham). Turns out the bushman is on the run with stolen Crown gold. What could possibly go wrong?
Another Round. At a drunken dinner party four middle-aged teacher friends decide to maintain in a constant state of intoxication throughout the work day. With Mads Mikkelsen in the lead role this is sure to be an intriguing ride.
Supernova. Starring Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth, this tender love story follows their characters on a nostalgic road trip after one of them with diagnosed with a debilitating illness.
Sweat. Fitness motivator celebrity Sylvia has hundreds and thousands of followers, yet she misses true intimacy. She is forced to confront the disconnect between her public and private existence.
And that’s just the beginning there so many others that look interesting, like stories that will take us into the worlds of an undercover octogenarian in Chile, to streetkids in Iran and a stubborn French donkey.
Perth Festival Film Program Associate Tom Vincent has hand-picked 17 distinctive and diverse films from around the world and without compromise, almost a quarter of the line-up is Australian, emphasising the immense talent here in our backyard. Perth Festival’s commission of Fist of Fury Noongar Daa is a special addition to the season as a bonus 18th film.
‘In light of everything else over the past nine months, it has been fantastic to see the independent film industry shine and thrive,’ explains Vincent. ‘With the hiatus of blockbusters, independent cinema has come to the forefront to showcase fresh and alternative takes on shared life experiences, under-represented communities, and at the end of it, the joy and intrigue of pure imagination.’
It will be interesting to see how many planes fly over during the films this year. Good luck making your choices.
Tickets are $19. Gates open at 6pm.
For more information go to Perth Festival 2021.
