Indie Gems October 21, 2011

A Festival of Fresh International Films
Riverside Theatres
October 22 & 23

Indie Gems, a festival of fresh international films returns to Riverside Theatres for a weekend of diverse and exciting screenings on Saturday, 22 October and Sunday, 23 October.

Don’t miss this great line-up of recent independent films, showcasing some of the best local and international talent such as Naseeruddin Shah, Natar Ungalaaq, Saskia Burmeister, Valerie Bader, Shane Porteous, Jack Thompson and Gary Sweet to name a few.

There’s also a short film program showcasing award winning shorts including; The Telegram Man along with a collection of short films produced by young local talent from Western Sydney presented by the Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE).

Short Film Program



The Telegraph Man

Director James F. Khehtie
Writer Victoria Wharfe McIntyre

Duration 15mins
(Short Film Program duration 105mins) The Telegraph Man
Pertinent & Beautiful in its Compassion

During the long years of World War 2, Australia’s small farming communities paid a terrible price. In the rural towns of New South Wales, one family each week discovered that their son or husband or brother or father would not be coming home. In the throws of such grief, one seldom considers the man who delivers the news.

The Telegram Man takes us into the world of Bill Williams, the man who must deliver the worst kind of news and John Lewis who is destined to hear it. John Boyne’s poetic short story American Farm ’44 has been transported to the Australian Outback allowing us to explore, through the micro- cosmos of Bill and John, how World War 2 forever changed the face of Australian Culture.
Featuring Jack Thompson, Gary Sweet and Sigrid Thornton
Dates and Times: Sat, 22 at 3:30pm & Sun, 23 Oct at 2pm



The Necessities of Life

Director Benoit Pilon
Writer Bernard Emond

Rated PG
Duration 102mins The Necessities of Life
What does a human being need to live?

Far from home, an ailing Inuit hunter experiences a rebirth and finds hope again when he forges an unlikely friendship with a young boy.

Set against the backdrop of 1950s-era tuberculosis epidemic in the Far North of Canada, Tivii (Natar Ungalaaq) is taken to a sanatorium in Quebec City. Uprooted, far from his loved ones and faced with a completely alien world, he finds himself unable to communicate with anyone. When his nurse, Carole (ÉvelineGélinas) realizes that Tivii’s illness is not the most serious threat to his well-being, she arranges to have a young orphan, Kaki (Paul-André Brasseur) transferred to the institution. The boy is also sick, but has experience of both worlds and speaks both languages. By sharing his culture with Kaki and opening it up to others, Tivii rediscovers his pride and energy. Ultimately he also rediscovers hope through a plan to adopt Kaki, bring him home and make him part of his family.

Date and Time: Sat, 22 at 5:30pm



Black & White & Sex

Director & Writer John Winter

Rated MA15+
Duration 91mins Black & White & Sex
An Intimate Film About Sex…

Candid and seductive, Angie is determined to set the record straight about sex. As she reveals herself, layer-by-layer, she also exposes the man who is interviewing her…

Sometimes provocative and confronting, sometimes tender, poignant and sexy, Black & White & Sex takes you behind the scenes and into Angie’s very special world. There’s a question here for every man – and an answer for every woman. Anyone who pays is welcome - but leave your expectations at the door… sex is never black and white.

WithKatherine Hicks, Anya Beyersdorf, Valerie Bader, Roxane Wilson, Michelle Vergara Moore, Dina Panozzo, Saskia Burmeister, Maia Thomas, Matthew Holmes.

Date & Time: Sat, 22 at 7:30pm



Amal

DirectorRichie Mehta
Writers Shaun Mehta & Richie Mehta

Rated M
Duration 101mins Amal
Sometimes the poorest of men are the richest
Amal, a multi-layered portrait of contemporary India, follows an auto-rickshaw driver in New Delhi, Amal who is content with his small, but vital role in life. One day he drives an eccentric billionaire who, disguised as a vagabond, is searching the streets for the last morsel of humanity and someone he can leave all his money.

Amalserves up a visual feast for audiences. Filmed on location in New Delhi, India, this modern day fable asks the important question of what success means to each individual and ultimately reveals that the poorest of men are sometimes the richest.

With RupinderNagra, KoelPurie, Naseeruddin Shah, Roshan Seth, SeemaBiswas, VikSahay, TanishaChatterjee

Date & Times: Sun, 23 at 5:30pm & 7:30pm



Centre Place

DirectorBen Shackleford
Story by Shelley Egan
Script by Shelley Egan, Max Dann& Krista Dalby

Rated PG
Duration 85mins Centre Place
Lizzie was looking for a chance, then chance found her

Set in Melbourne’s stylish and fashionable lane-way culture, Lizzie is a lost soul living in denial. At 28, she would prefer to stay in a shallow relationship than take charge of her own life. Desperate for love to be the answer to her problems, Lizzie ignores the truth about her relationship and herself. However, when Simon, her "perfectly rich and perfectly perfect" boyfriend, dumps her on the eve of their departure to Paris, Lizzie's life goes into a tail spin. Her illusions begin to unravel when her estranged father and an old flame re enter her life, forcing her to confront her fears. In the end, Lizzie realises that she needs to find herself before she is able to find love. This may mean leaving Centre Place forever...

This is Lizzie's unique story but also the story of an entire generation; living in limbo and not ready to grow up.

Date & Time: Sun, 23 Oct at 1:30



Codgers The Movie

Director Wayne Harrison
Writer Don Reid

Rated M
Duration 86mins Codgers The Movie
You wouldn’t be dead for quids!

Five Aussie codgers meet at the gym each week to exercise, chew the fat, sling off, sing and have a bloody good laugh! Among the jokes and the secrets, the back strain and biceps, they learn that ‘difference’ is more to do with your point of view and that no matter what, ‘you wouldn’t be dead for quids!’

WithRonald Falk, Ron Haddrick, Edwin Hodgeman, Jon Lam, Russell Newman, Shane Porteous

Date & Time: Sun, 23 at 3:30pm

Caught Inside

Director Adam Blaiklock
Writers Adam Blaiklock, Matt Tomaszewski, Joe Velikovsky.

Rated Ma 15+
Duration 91mins Caught Inside
Anyone can be a weapon

Surfing charters are meant to be a trip to Paradise. With six male surfers stuck on a boat, there's bound to be some friction. When two of the surf crew are replaced with girls - the heat is turned way up. The one single girl on board, Sam has Bull and Rob wrapped around her finger but the frustrated, psychotic, Bull soon decides -she'll get what she's asking for and molests her.

Outraged, the others abandon Bull on an island, but the ever-determined Bull returns and takes control of the boat. He attacks the crew and holds them hostage. He harasses Sam and tortures the others. It's a nightmare battle of wits, on board the yacht, as the five imprisoned friends must survive the fury of the psycho at the helm.

With Ben Oxenbould, Daisy Betts, Sam Lyndon, Simon Lyndon, Leeanna Walsman, Harry Cook, Peter Phelps.

Date & Time: Sun, 23 at 7:30pm

FREE Film Makers’ Workshops:

DIY Digital Cinema Workshop

Date & Time: Sun, 23 Oct at 4pm
Workshop Duration 60 Minutes Australian Film Producer and Distributor John L. Simpsonis hosting a special one-off workshop supported by Screen Australia’s Innovative Distribution Scheme on Digital Screenings around Australia. Simpson’s company Titan View was one of two distribution companies in 2011 that was awarded the Innovative Distribution Grant to map out a new way for Australian filmmakers to find audiences for their films. With the belief that films are a very important part of the culture of any society, Simpson’s aim is to take Australian films to as wide an audience as possible.

Who should attend?
Filmmakers who are keen to get their films out there!
Participants will discover first-hand how to build an audience for their film and learn useful, practical tips on how to take their films far and wide.

Transition from Short Films to Features

Date & Time: Sat, 22 Oct at 2pm
Workshop Duration 60 Minutes
Ideal for filmmakers making the transition from short films to features!

Professional filmmakers are holding an open discussion providing practical advice to emerging filmmakers on taking the next step in their filmmaking career. During the course of this workshop filmmakers will gain invaluable insight into the complex world of filmmaking and distribution. Rarely taught information – this workshop shouldn’t be missed!

Indie Gems
at Riverside Theatres, cnr of Church and Market Streets Parramatta
Dates: Saturday, 22 & Sunday, 23 October
Ticket Prices: Adults: $16; Conc $12*
ALL FILM WORKSHOPS FREE (Bookings Essential)
Bookings: Riverside Theatres Box Office on 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au
*Transaction Fees Apply