With many of us stuck watching films smothered beneath our duvet, laptop wedged under chin, it may thrill you to know Sydney Film Festival 2021 is back for its' 68th year in real, actual cinemas. This year the festival has been pushed back past its usual slot in July, to 18–29 August, in order to be in sync with international film releases. So it won't be long before you can dip into theatres throughout the CBD, Newtown, Cremorne and Western Sydney to catch this years finalists.
Among the line-up so far, they've announced 22 new films from both international and Australian filmmakers. Of these, you can expect a screening of Zola, the 2015 chaotic Twitter thread-turned film. The Kids, a documentary that revisits the cult 90's film Kids by Australian Director Eddie Martin. Along with, Writing with Fire, a moving look into the all-female team of journalists behind Khabar Lahariya, an Indian digital news site, who's grassroots reporting tackles the epidemic of violence against women in Uttar Pradesh. Plus many more.
One we're itching to watch is, Step into Paradise, a documentary by Amanda Blue that follows the relationship between the force that is Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson. "Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson have had an ongoing love affair with Australia for the past 45 years, but their most enduring romance has been with each other", said Blue. "Their inimitable friendship and creative collaboration defined a generation. Their standout designs told us something new about who we were and dared to celebrate what we saw in our own backyards" continued the filmmaker. Blue delves into the tragedies and triumphs that calcified these two as friends, designers and Australia's most iconic creatives.
And for the musically-minded, a loving tribute to Archie Roach and the late Ruby Hunter is coming to screens thanks to Philippa Bateman. Through vignettes of the Murray river–where Hunter was born– rehearsals and conversations, Bateman weaves together a story of culture, resilience, survival and country. The story of two of Australia's most cherished musicians.
Tickets for Sydney Film Festival 2021 go on sale July 21.
