Wednesday, March 17, 2010

CLASSIC MOVIES TAKE OFF IN PORT FAIRY…


"South Pacific", the 1958 musical (PG 150 mins plus interval ) starring Mitzi Gaynor, Juanita Hall and Rossano Brazzi makes this Pacific interlude one of the most popular of the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals.
"South Pacific" is the second film in our Classic Matinee season. The February screening of "Singing in the Rain" was well attended by 60 members, including residents from Moyneyana Hostel and Belfast House. There were some really lovely reminiscences from some who saw it originally at the Reardon Theatre in 1955. One viewer was an usherette at that time and another lady said with a shy smile, that she was courting.
"South Pacific" screens at 1.30pm Tuesday 23 March for members. Membership concessions for the Classic matinees can be purchased through the Port Fairy Senior Citizens Club (5568 1755) and the Port Fairy Day Centre.

BRAN NUE DAE ……Being home never felt so good


The Port Fairy Film Society is looking forward to bringing south west movie goers the eagerly awaited Australian musical “Bran Nue Dae” this Friday at the Reardon Theatre.
Set on Australia’s west coast, Bran Nue Dae is a road movie, coming of age, comedy musical which celebrates the adventure of finding home.
Bran Nue Dae is described by critics as a hybrid of film genres; musical, comedy, road-trip & love story.
Bran Nue Dae was originally a 1990 musical set in Broome, Western Australia that tells stories and highlights issues relating to Indigenous Australians in a humorous way. It was a play written by Jimmy Chi, his band “Kuckles and Friends” and was the first Aboriginal musical.
The musical has been turned into a feature film directed by Rachel Perkins starring Ernie Dingo, Geoffrey Rush, Jessica Mauboy, Missy Higgins, Deborah Mailman, Magda Szubanski and Dan Sultan.
The story is set in the summer of 1965 and centres on Willie, a young man who is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port of Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and his girl. However, his mother returns him to the religious mission for further schooling. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion, he runs away from the mission on a journey that ultimately leads him back home.
Bran Nue Dae director Rachael Perkins does a marvellous job of creating a film that captures the energy, fun, music and cheekiness of the original play. She is quoted as saying
“…hopefully the audience will appreciate it for being light, for it being entertaining, and for it being joyous and celebratory and a little bit silly, you know, and mad, because that's what we intended it to be.”

Bran Nue Dae can't be accused of failing to be a crowd pleaser, and word of mouth should help spread the film's accomplishments.

David Stratton from “At the Movies” in his 2009/10 summer movies review says “BRAN NUE DAY represents a really enjoyable visit to the movies this summer…..I’m giving it four stars”

BRAN NUE DAE will be shown at 7:30 at the Reardon Theatre Bank St. Port Fairy. It is rated PG and has some sexual references. For one night only, so be there early as previous monthly screenings have filled fast. Your patience is asked to sign up your memberships. Doors open 7:10pm.