Corroboree
, an independent first feature film by producer Matteo Bruno, directed by Ben Hackworth has been invited to screen in official selection at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival. It will screen as part of the Forum programme, one of two Australian narrative films to screen in the category in over 30 years (the other was Rachael Perkins One Night The Moon). The Forum category is renowned for boosting the early careers of internationally acclaimed auteurs such as Greenaway, Kaurismaki, Oliveira, Jost, Bela Tarr and Tsui Hark.Corroboree was written by Ben Hackworth and Peter Savieri and beautifully photographed by Katie Milwright. It stars Rebecca Frith, Susan Lyons, Margaret Mills, Natasha Herbert, Jane McArthur and newcomer Conor O’Hanlon.
‘Berlin is the perfect platform to launch this film into the European market. I’m delighted for Ben and the rest of the team that Corroboree has been internationally recognized; this will hopefully be a signpost for future collaborations.’ – Producer, Matteo Bruno.
Corroboree is a portrait of the process of making theatre – a visually stunning film about a dying director’s and motley band of actresses’ atonement of the man’s sins and attempt at some kind of catharsis.
Compared by Cannes selector Laurent Jacob as the work of a ‘modern Mankiewicz,’ the film had its world premiere at Sydney International Film Festival, followed by Perth Revelation, Brisbane and Melbourne International Film Festivals (where it had sold out sessions). The film had its international premiere as part of the ‘discovery’ section at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where it was represented by US sales agent Shoreline Entertainment.
‘I’m honored to be accepted into one of the world’s best film festivals. It’s exciting to see this film travel.’ Says director Ben Hackworth.
Director Ben Hackworth’s past credits include Martin Four which screened in official selection at 2001 Cannes Film Festival, and along with his next short Half Sister, went on to screen at many prestigious international film festivals. Ben’s AFC funded short film Violet Lives Upstairs won best short fiction at the Film Critics Circle of Australia in 2003. In 2005, he was accepted into the Cannes Film Festival Residence in Paris where he developed his other feature script for The Serpent. With this script, he has recently been accepted into another residency in Normandy to complete the shooting draft.
[release from I Won’t Grow Up]