Film Society partners with ABC Open to create local stories

Over the past few months, Colleen Hughson, ABC Open Producer and Port Fairy Film Society member, delivered a number of filmmaking workshops to interested punters in the community. The workshops were supported by the film society and run at the Port Fairy Community House.

The aim of the workshops was to create a number of photo stories on the theme of change. So workshop participants found subjects and stories that interested them and created short films (2-3 min duration) through audio and photographs.

You watch the stories by going to the abc southwestvic local website:

www.abc.net.au/southwestvic/open

You can find out more about ABC Open and ABC Projects by visiting the ABC Open website http://open.abc.net.au/

You would be amazed with the diversity of the stories and the quality of the projects created locally by the community. If you are impressed with the stories then let the filmmakers know by making a comment on the ABC Open South West Vic page: http://open.abc.net.au/posts/4072

The ABC Open website was launched on September 15th. You can read all about the ABC Open project, how to get involved, who is doing what around Australia and how you can create your own local story to contribute to ABC Open by checking out the website or by contacting Colleen Hughson at the local ABC Radio Station.

We hope you enjoy the stories

“Welcome” to come to Port Fairy

A Kurdish boy from Iraq trying to reach the UK strikes up an unusual friendship with a middle-aged Frenchman.

This month the Port Fairy Film Society has the pleasure of screening “Welcome” a provocative and topical French film by writer director Philippe Lioret. The film is described as an emotionally affecting drama about intersecting lives, unlikely friendships and the hope of new beginnings. It depicts a modern day migration dilemma where Bilal, a modern 17 year old Kurdish refugee, has spent the last three months of his life traveling across Europe to reunite with his girl friend who has emigrated to England.

Without the required documentation he decides to swim across the channel and goes to the local swimming pool hoping to train. There he develops a friendship with Simon the swimming instructor who is initially uninvolved and indifferent to Bilal, but over time they form a strong bond which establishes the human connection across race, age, culture and political divides. This deeply personal story shines a light on the impact of decisions and laws made by modern governments which affect the lives of asylum seekers and refugees and those who become part of their struggle. This particular film was widely received and debated in France due to a controversial French law which penalizes those citizens who help refugees. It is indeed food for thought as a deeply personal reflection on the issues of illegal immigrants given the current conversation in the Australian landscape.

Welcome was screened to the French and European Parliaments.

Welcome is rated M and screens this Friday at the Reardon Theatre Bank St Port Fairy at 7:30pm.

South Solitary a Fundraiser for Pakistan

On 24 September, the Port Fairy Film Society will screen a fundraiser for Pakistan Disaster Relief.

Whilst the Port Fairy Film Society encourages everyone to support the Pakistan disaster relief in whatever way they feel they can, the PFFS will screen “South Solitary” as a fundraiser for the purchase of water purification filters for water purification plants used by the Australian Red Cross.

The plants have their origin in Port Fairy from Peter O'Keeffe and Bob Handby. A further marvelous example of what we can do.

http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/handbys-key-role-in-pakistan-floods/1913025.aspx

Whilst the pumps are beyond the scope of our fundraiser, we can contribute directly to this program through the purchase of filters. The pumps use a number of different types of filters, from paper filters costing seven dollars to carbon filters at one hundred and eighty dollars each. Depending upon the nature of the water to be purified the pumps can use up to two sets of filters per day.

The cost of these filters is normally borne by the Red Cross programs.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/pakistan-floods-how-to-help-20100823-13dv5.html?rand=1282621764740

“South Solitary” is a gentle romantic drama by Shirley Barrett set on a remote Tasmanian lighthouse in the 1920s when Meredith Appleton (Miranda Otto) arrives with her uncle, (Barry Otto) the replacement light house keeper. The island is home to the assistant keeper(Rohan Nicol), his family(Essie Davis, Annie Martin) and their hand (Marton Csokas).

In giving “South Solitary” four stars, David Stratton, ABC, said “Performances are outstanding MIRANDA OTTO is particularly fine….. Stunningly photographed by Anna Howard, SOUTH SOLITARY is a very special film, both original and in its own way, quite a daring one." Margaret 3 Stars.The film opened this year’s Sydney Film Festival. The film was shot at Cape Nelson and Cape Otway. (M) 120 mins

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2946032.htm

Icon Films, the film distributors, have supplied the film for the fundraiser at a reduced rental. Thank you, Icon.

South Solitary will screen at 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Peter O’Keeffe will outline the uses of the water purification pumps prior to the screening.

Tickets, $12 and $10 concession, can be booked on ph. 5568 1339 and purchased at the door, the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre ph 5568 2682 and in Warrnambool. Tea coffee and biscuits will be provided.

http://www.worldvision.com.au/Issues/Emergencies/Current_Emergencies/Pakistan_Floods.aspx

White Ribbon screens again this Friday 27 August

The Port Fairy Film Society wishes to apologize for the technical problems we encountered during last Friday's screening of The White Ribbon.

The problem has been fixed.

A further screening of The White Ribbon will be held at 7.30 pm this Friday 27 August at the Reardon Theatre.

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER is the August Classic Matinee

At 1.30pm on Tuesday 24 August, the PFFS screens AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER as the first film in our second season of Tuesday Classic Matinees of f

our monthly Classic films from the 30’s 40’s 50’s 60’s.

When Nickie(Carey Grant) meets Terry(Deborah Kerr) going to N.Y. they agree to meet in 6 months time on the Empire State Building, even though they are engaged to others. G (119 mins) 1957. One of the most popular romances, inspiring Sleepless in Seattle.

See the Trailer:

http://www.spike.com/video/affair-to-remember/2672750

Two shorts from The Stories from Moyne produced by ACMI & MSC will be screened before the film.

The four TUESDAY AFTERNOON CLASSIC MOVIE MATINEES are a

t 1.30pm on the Fourth Tuesday of the Month, August to November, at the Reardon Theatre, Bank St, Port Fairy.

Admission is by membership of the Port Fairy Film Society. Concession rates for members of the Port Fairy Senior Citizens Club, Moyneyana House Residents and the Day Centre.

Film Society Memberships are available at door & from PFSCC, MH & the DC.

All Welcome. Free Tea, Coffee and Conversation .

White Ribbon…Dark but brilliant

The Port Fairy Film Society is proud to present this months Friday night film “The White Ribbon”

The White Ribbon (German) is a 2009 black and white drama written and directed by Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke. The story darkly depicts society and family in a northern German village just before World War I, and the landscape leading to the rise of Nazism. The film explores a series of strange events beginning in the village school which then continue to unfold in the community. The film is full of clues but explanations are not easily given or found which has the effect of making it mesmerizing and tantalising to the viewer.

According to Haneke, the film is about "the origin of every type of terrorism, be it of political or religious nature.”

This film is described as both disturbing and thought provoking and has generated a wide variety of responses and opinions.

The At the Movies crew of Margaret and David describe the film as “Impressive” both giving it four stars.

Other critics describe it in this way: “The White Ribbon is a stark, contemplative and hauntingly brilliant film” and “Unlike conventional thrillers, this film does not restore a moral order to the universe. Rather, it questions it. It must be seen.”

“The White Ribbon” premiered at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in May 2009 and won the Palme d'Or, followed by positive reviews and several other major awards, including the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

See The Trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi712247065/

The Film is rated M and screens at 7:30 on Friday August 20^th at the Reardon theatre Bank Street. Memberships go on sale from 7:10. Free tea and coffee, lollies for sale.

This Friday ACMI in the Regions—stories from Moyne

“ACMI in the Regions—stories from Moyne”

Short films showcasing stories of the Yambuk, Port Fairy and Caramut townships. A co-production by the Australian Centre for Moving Image, Arts Victoria and the Moyne Shire Council.

Friday 13 August, 6.45pm Reardon Theatre, Bank Street, Port Fairy

Please RSVP to: cmidgley@moyne.vic.gov.au OR 5568 0584

http://www.moyne.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_Id=2358