Award-winning Australian films in Jakarta
Joko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta
Family ghosts and culture clashes are the dominant themes of six award-winning films screening from Oct. 4 to Oct. 9 at the Australian Film Festival, dubbed by organizers as Kine Kangguru.
The festival will mark the beginning of a six-week celebration of film in the capital. It will be followed by the Italian Festival, the Asia-Pacific Film Festival, the Independent Films Festival, and the 3rd Jakarta International Film Festival (JIFFEST).
With cinemas here appearing reluctant to screen alternatives to the familiar Hollywood fare, events like this should be embraced.
Amy (drama, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. invitation only; Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m.) Written by David Parker. Directed by Nadia Tass. Starring Alana De Roma, Rachel Griffiths, Ben Mendelsohn, Nick Barker, Kerry Armstrong.
What if you could only communicate through songs? The answer can be found in this interesting film, which centers on the story of eight year old Amy (De Roma), daughter of former rock star Will Enker (Barker).
Traumatized by her father's death, Amy can no longer speak or hear. Her mother, Tanya (Griffiths), moves to the city to seek help.
Hotel Sorrento (drama, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.). Written by Richard Franklin and Peter Fitzpatrick, based on the play by Hannie Rayson. Directed by Richard Franklin. Starring Caroline Goddall, Caroline Gillmer, Tara Morice, Joan Plowright, Ray Barret.
This film tells the story of life inside a ramshackle home nicknamed Hotel Sorrento.
Widower Wal Moynihan lives in the seaside resort with his oldest daughter and her teenage son.
When Wal's two other daughters return home, the family reunion reopens some old wounds.
Kiss or Kill (thriller/mystery, Oct. 7, 4:30 p.m.). Written and directed by Bill Bennett. Starring Frances O'Connor, Matt Day, Chris Haywood, Barry Otto, Andrew S. Gilbert, Barry Langrishe.
Nikki and Al think they know each other well. The two lovers believe they have perfected a robbery scam, but everything goes wrong when one of their victims accidentally dies and they are forced to leave town.
Radiance (drama, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.). Written by Louis Nowra, based on his stage play. Directed by Rachel Perkins. Starring Rachel Maza, Deborah Mailman, Trisha Morton-Thomas.
After following separate paths for years, three sisters return home when their beloved mother dies.
Oddly, nobody else shows up at the funeral. As the sisters search for answers in a ramshackle house on the remote Queensland coast, some family ghosts are about to emerge.
Looking for Alibrandi (Drama, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.) Written by Melina Marchetta based on her novel. Directed by Kate Woods. Starring Greta Scacchi, Anthony LaPaglia, Elena Cotta, Kerry Walker, Pia Miranda.
Based on the most stolen library book(!) in Australian schools, this film tells the story of three generations of Italian-Australian women living under the same roof.
The grandmother, Nonna Katia, is a bitter matriarch who believes the family has been cursed by her daughter's decision to have a child outside marriage.
But the story centers around young Josie, a scholarship student at an exclusive Catholic College.
She has her eyes on two different boys, one a privileged student from neighboring St. Anthony's, the other the captain of the local high school.
Following a tragedy, Josie's view of an ideal world is shattered and the arrival of a third man, her father, adds to the complications.
Soft Fruit (drama, Oct. 9, 7 p.m.). Written and directed by Christina Andreef. Starring Jeanie Drynan, Linal Haft, Genevieve Lemon, Russel Dykstra, Sacha Horler, Alicia Talbot.
Mom's dying. Three sisters and their brother return home after living apart for years.
Despite their differences, the siblings are determined to comfort their mother during her final weeks.