The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) today announced that Australian producer Patricia Lovell will deliver this year’s Longford Lyell Lecture in Canberra on Tuesday 23 October 2007.
The annual lecture offers a national or international screen personality the opportunity to discuss cultural issues of major relevance to the art, industry and scholarship of the moving image.
Lovell’s lecture, The Long Road to Picnic – the Hazards of Being a Film Producer, will explore what lured her into the challenging world of film production at a time when it was viewed as a risky business in Australia. Lovell will reveal how the work of French filmmakers like Cocteau and Truffaut influenced her adolescence in country New South Wales and ultimately drew her towards the cinematic mastery evident in Picnic at Hanging Rock.
‘We are delighted to welcome Patricia Lovell as our Longford Lyell lecturer this year,’ said NFSA Director Paolo Cherchi Usai. ‘She is one of Australia’s most notable producers, a great lover of cinema and one of the NFSA’s staunchest supporters. On top of all of this, she is a wonderful story-teller who will generously draw us into her experience of life in Australia’s film world over the past 40 years.’
Emerging from her initial dynamic work in television and radio, Lovell
quickly became one of the most important figures involved in the ‘renaissance’
of the Australian feature film industry from the mid-1970s into the 1980s.
During this period she produced Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Break
of Day (1976), Summerfield (1977), Gallipoli (1981) and Monkey
Grip (1982). The successful production of these iconic titles in such quick
succession has been largely attributed to Lovell’s firm but flexible production
style.
quickly became one of the most important figures involved in the ‘renaissance’
of the Australian feature film industry from the mid-1970s into the 1980s.
During this period she produced Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Break
of Day (1976), Summerfield (1977), Gallipoli (1981) and Monkey
Grip (1982). The successful production of these iconic titles in such quick
succession has been largely attributed to Lovell’s firm but flexible production
style.
Lovell’s contribution to the Australian film and television industry has been recognised with an MBE in 1978, a Member of the Order of Australia in 1986, Cinema Pioneer of the Year (2002), and an AFI Longford Life Achievement Award in 2004.
The Longford Lyell Lecture pays homage to two of Australia’s most successful early film pioneers, Raymond Longford (1878–1959) and his partner Lottie Lyell (1890–1925). Their 1919 silent film The Sentimental Bloke is one of only five of their productions that have survived to the present day. Restored by the NFSA, it continues to be celebrated as one of Australia’s best feature films of all time.
The 2007 Longford Lyell Lecture will be presented in Arc, the NFSA’s new cinema in Acton, at 6:15pm, Tuesday 23 October 2007. The lecture will be followed by a reception to celebrate Patricia Lovell’s career.
Entry to the Longford Lyell Lecture and reception is free but bookings are essential. For reservations call Gail Sauer on 02 6248 2162.
[release from Avviso]