February 20 at Mark and Kim’s. We watched two good docos…
Wild Will / Doco / 7 mins
Directed by Kieran Watson-Bonnice
About an Australian boxer
Harold: A portrait of Harold Blair / Doco
Produced by John Moore
This documentary reveals how Harold emerged from the Queensland Reserve system in 1945 to become the last renown tenor of the concert hall era. Touted by the media as the first Aborigine to sing opera and a model of assimilation, Harold made a fantastic journey from the Mission to the Conservatorium in Melbourne. Here he met Dorothy Eden, who ignored the prejudices of the day and became his wife. Harold went on to study in New York where he found blacks succeeding at all levels of society. In 1952 he returned to Australia at the invitation of the ABC, determined to strive for equal rights for his people. This is a moving account of Harold’s story, revealed through compelling archival footage, recordings of his singing and contemporary interviews with those who were close to him. http://sensiblefilms.com/portfolio/harold-a-portrait-of-harold-blair/ ).
Let us know of any more films made by bushlanders that you know of, as we hope — depending on how this first film night goes — to do it another couple of times this summer.
screening on Saturday night 16 January saw 30 of us launch the bush cinema at Kim and Mark’s — with two films made by neighbours Kieran and Tim.
‘Caravan’ / Short Drama / 6 minutes
Directed by Keiran Watson-Bonnice
Three-year-old Theo and his six-year-old cousin Jonas, explore the
contents of what appears to be an abandoned caravan.
Filmed on location in the Bushlands.
Website: http://redlodgefilms.com/caravan/
‘Camp 32’ / DocuMentary / 65 minutes
Directed by Tim Purdie & Andrew Blogg
Hom Chhorn has a young family and a comfortable life in suburban Melbourne, yet remains traumatised by childhood memories of the atrocities he witnessed as a boy. At age 6, he was imprisoned by the Khmer Rouge at a remote site in rural Cambodia. There are no records of the labour camp where Hom bore witness to a daily succession of cruelty, starvation, disease and cold blooded executions. After 33 years, Hom returns to Cambodia to find Camp 32. A taxi ride in remote Cambodia leads to a remarkable reunion that will change Hom’s life forever. This film does not contain any graphic images, however it does include survivor testimonies that may be upsetting to some viewers.
Website: http://www.camp32.com/
Some reviews
“Thanks for screening your film. I really enjoyed it and would love to talk more about it when we get the chance.”
“Unforgettable.”
“It would be great to do another while the weather is good!”
… and so we are.
Cheers,
Tim Purdie, John Moore, Bruce Armstrong, Mark Carter, and Kieran Watson
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