Berlin’s International Forum of New Cinema section has selected two Australian independent features Corroboree and Son of A Lion. It is the first time since 2002 that the Forum, renowned for an emphasis on young filmmakers and experimental genres of filmmaking has selected Australian films in its lineup.
This announcement takes the total number of Australian films screening at Berlin this year to nine with five features, one documentary and three shorts to screen across the Panorama, Forum and Generation sections of the festival.
Corroboree was written by Ben Hackworth and Peter Savieri, directed by Ben Hackworth and produced by Matteo Bruno. The film’s Berlin screening follows on from its successful international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September.
Son of A Lion was written by Benjamin Gilmour in collaboration with the people of Kohat and Darra Adam Khel, Pakistan. It was directed by Benjamin Gilmour, produced by Carolyn Johnson, co-produced by Benjamin Gilmour and Jeff McDonald with Hayat Khan Shinwari attached as executive producer. Post-produced with AFC Indivision funding, Son of A Lion will also have a cross-section screening at the Berlinale with one screening in the Generation program. The film recently has its international premiere at Pusan in 2007.
Corroboree and Son of A Lion join the previously announced feature films The Black Balloon (directed by Elissa Down screening in Generation 14plus), Hey, Hey It’s Esther Blueburger (directed by Cathy Randall screening in Generation Kplus) and September (directed by Peter Carstairs screening in Generation 14plus). Other Australian films selected for Berlin include the documentary film Darling (directed by Julian Shaw screening in Panorama) and the three shorts Meditations on a Name (directed by Bonnie Elliot screening in Generation 14plus), Nana (directed by Warwick Thornton screening in Generation Kplus) and Yolk (directed by Stephen Lance screening in Generation 14plus).
The 58th Berlin International Film Festival runs 7-17 February 2008.
Corroboree
(96 mins)
Production Company: I Won’t Grow Up Pty Ltd
Producer: Matteo Bruno
Director: Ben Hackworth
Writers: Ben Hackworth, Peter Savieri
International Sales: Shoreline Entertainment
Australian Sales: I Won’t Grow Up Pty Ltd
Cast: Conor O’Hanlon, Rebecca Frith, Susan Lyons, Natasha Herbert, Jane
McArthur, Ian Scott, Jethro Cave, Margaret Mills
Synopsis: A beautiful young man is invited to a mountain retreat by a dying theatre director. Over the course of a weekend, the young man will encounter five actresses who each portray key women from the director’s life.
Son of A Lion
(92 mins)
Production Company: Carolyn Johnson Films
Exec Producer: Hayat Khan Shinwari
Co-Producers: Benjamin Gilmour and Jeff McDonald
Producer: Carolyn Johnson
Director: Benjamin Gilmour
Writers: Benjamin Gilmour in collaboration with the people of Kohat & Darra
Adam Khel, Pakistan
International Sales: Fortissimo Films
Cast: Niaz Khan Shinwari, Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad
Produced and Developed with the assistance of the Australian Film Commission
Synopsis: In the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, a widowed father expects his only son to follow in his footsteps.
[release from Avviso PR for the AFC]