Press Release
Sydney Film Festival announces two new films in the 2013 program, the Australian premiere of the feature film The Bling Ring, directed by Sofia Coppola; and the World Premiere of the Australian short film Aboriginal Heart, directed by Michelle Blanchard. The two films will screen together on Thursday 13 June at 9:15pm at Event Cinemas George Street, and again on Saturday 15 June at 8pm at Dendy Opera Quays.
Straight from Cannes, SFF will screen the Australian premiere of The Bling Ring. Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation) is renowned as a chronicler of the dark side of life among the privileged and famous. She follows up her Golden Lion-winning Somewhere with another atmospheric story of Hollywood alienation – this time with a criminal twist. The film is based on the true story (documented by Vanity Fair) of a gang of fame-obsessed juvenile thieves who tracked celebrity targets via social media and stole millions in luxury goods from their homes. Emma Watson (Harry Potter) leads a terrific ensemble; in a deliciously 'meta' casting coup, real-life 'Bling Ring' victim Paris Hilton cameos as herself. As ever, Coppola portrays her own milieu with cool detachment and transcendent beauty.
Aboriginal Heart is set in remote NSW. A young city doctor gets bamboozled by the gentle cunning and stunning art of a group of local Aboriginal women. The cast features Adam Demos, Valerie Bugmy and Erica Dixon. Michelle Blanchard is an Indigenous filmmaker and currently Deputy Director of the Koori Centre at the University of Sydney. She is a descendant of the Nugi/Nunnuccal clans, North Stradbroke Island (Minjeeribah), Queensland.
Sydney Film Festival celebrates its 60th anniversary this 5-16 June, bringing a packed program of screenings and special events to even more venues across Sydney. For tickets and full up-to-date program information please visit www.sff.org.au.
ABOUT SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
Sydney Film Festival screens feature films, documentaries, short films and animations across the city at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne. The Festival is a major event on the New South Wales cultural calendar and is one of the world’s longest-running film festivals. For more information visit www.sff.org.au
Sydney Film Festival also presents 12 films that vie for the ‘Official Competition’; a highly respected international honour that awards a $60,000.00 cash prize based on the decision of a jury of international and Australian filmmakers and industry professionals. Previous Sydney Film Festival Official Competition winners include: Alps (2012); A Separation (2011) – which went on to win an Academy Award®; Heartbeats (2010); Bronson (2009); and Hunger (2008).
The 60th Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW, the Federal Government through Screen Australia, and the City of Sydney. The Festival’s Strategic partner is the NSW Government through Destination NSW.
What: Sydney Film Festival
When: 5-16 June, 2013
Tickets & Info: 1300 733 733 www.sff.org.au