From Down Under

September: A drama about the impact of aboriginal citizenship on two childhood friends living in the remote Australian outback in the 1960s

Now in its 11th year, the only major festival in Europe celebrating Australian and New Zealand cinema is going from strength to strength - with more free screenings and a greater variety of films on show. Here the festival’s director, Bernard Bories, tells The Riviera Times about the festival's origins and reveals highlights from this year's programme.

What was the inspiration behind Cinema des Antipodes?
Years ago, I saw the Peter Weir film Picnic at Hanging Rock. It was incredible and sparked in me a curiosity for Australian film. I discovered that there were many great movies coming from that part of the world but there was no festival in Europe dedicated to them. I decided to organise one myself, now it's my passion.

The festival appears to be going from strength to strength. What has been the key to its success?
Antipodean films are known but also unknown. What I mean is that there is an awareness that good films  come out of Australia and New Zealand, and people see the ones with movie stars attached. This helps to trigger an interest in discovering what else Antipodean cinema has to offer. The festival also has a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere, between a professional film festival and an informal family event, which visitors love.

Why Saint-Tropez?
Saint-Tropez has the intimacy of a small village; this allows the film professionals and general public to mix, to meet and engage with each other. Also, there are strong links between Saint-Tropez and the Antipodean community in France, with many associations in the area. Of course, it's very beautiful, too, and  the good weather helps!

Tell us about the 2009 festival programm?
The number of films coming out of Australia and New Zealand increases every year and the quality is of a very high standard. On the opening night we have Dean Spanley, a powerful feature that brings together three great actors: Peter O'Toole, Sam Neil and Brian Brown. Then we have Accidents Happen, a  black comedy starring Geena Davies; the premier of Samson and Delilah, a dark but sublime film by aboriginal director Warwick Thornton; and Lucky Country, which takes you to the heart of the bush. We hope to close the festival with acclaimed director Jane Campion's latest, Bright Star.

You’ve expanded the children's festival so what is there for young audiences?
Many of the films in the Junior Antipodes tackle important subjects.
For example, September is set in 1968, when the aboriginals were granted citizenship, and focuses on the friendship between  teenage boys, one white and one  aboriginal. Another, The Strength of Water, tells the story of twins living in a remote Maori community. Alongside Junior Antipodes, we have expanded our documentary strand and this has a strong grounding in contemporary issues also.

What are the festival prizes ?
We have competitions: for short films, features and screenplays. The short film winner is picked by 150 local children whilst this year’s feature competition is exciting because  Hollywood actor Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace, Lantana) is chairing the jury and is coming to Saint-Tropez. Finally, we have a new competition for scripts by emerging New Zealand screenwriters. My  hope is that one of these screenplays will be filmed and we have the world premiere at the festival!  

Cinema des Antipodes: 12th to 18th October; free entry
www.festivaldesantipodes.org/

HM