Press Release from Screen Australia
Screen Australia, in partnership with the Sydney Film Festival, is pleased to present two masterclasses with acclaimed international documentary filmmakers. The sessions are designed for documentary makers and industry professionals who are interested in improving their understanding of the art and craft of storytelling. They will be moderated by journalist Sandy George.
Masterclass #1 Think Big – Independent Collaboration
In this masterclass we bring together the work of three seriously talented documentary makers to explore all aspects of their most recently applauded work and investigate the importance of having a highly functional and collaborative relationship between director and producer.
Joshua Oppenheimer is the director of The Act of Killing, a film that has stunned audiences across the world since its release last year. Oppenheimer explores politically induced insanity through documenting the mass killings in Indonesia, following the CIA-funded military overthrow of the Indonesian government in 1965. Oppenheimer uses re-creations to capture the reality of torturer and victim with devastating results.
Director Andreas Dalsgaard explores the notion of the mega-city in his film The Human Scale. By 2050, 80 per cent of people will live in cities. Dalsgaard shines a light on the work of Gehl Architects and a company that argues the need for sharing and community to combat shortage of resources and the threat of ecological disaster.
Signe Byrge Sørensen is the producer of The Act of Killing and The Human Scale along with many other internationally acclaimed productions. The prolific Dane has made documentaries throughout the world under her production company Final Cut for Real.
Masterclass #2 Think Big – Telling Family Secrets
Oscar®-nominated director Sarah Polley interviews members of her family about her late mother and the story behind her own conception in her intimate, award-winning, confessional documentary Stories We Tell. Polley builds an insightful understanding of family, through the excavation of truth, weaving the inconsistency of memory through her story. The result is a highly original and experimental portrayal of family. Polley will discuss how she managed the contradictions of story and the decisions she made in the pursuit of truth. The masterclass includes a screening of Stories We Tell.
DETAILS
MASTERCLASS #1 Think Big – INDEPENDENT COLLABORATION
Friday 7 June 2013
9.45am arrival for 10am start
10am–12pm Masterclass followed by refreshments
Sydney Film Festival Hub at Lower Town Hall
483 George Street (enter on Druitt Street)
Cost: $20 Buy tickets to Masterclass #1
Note that The Act of Killing and The Human Scale will be screened at the SFF. Please click on the film names to buy tickets for these screenings.
MASTERCLASS #2 Think Big – TELLING FAMILY SECRETS
Friday 14 June 2013
9–11am Private screening of Stories We Tell (restricted to masterclass ticket holders only)
Cinema 6, Event Cinemas 505–525 George Street
11–11.30am Refreshments at the Hub
11.30am–1.30pm Sarah Polley in conversation with Sandy George
Sydney Film Festival Hub at Lower Town Hall
483 George Street (enter on Druitt Street)
Cost: $30 (includes screening) Buy tickets to Masterclass #2
Places are strictly limited. Discounted cost for both workshops $45. Buy tickets for both masterclasses.