Rl and art rec

[ash48]

RL and chat about Australian films..

You know how, after you've had a really interesting conversation and met some awesome people it kind of leaves you on a high? Well, that's me at the moment. My sister is here for the Perth Writers Festival and I sat in on a panel that had Michael Adams (Empire Film critic and author of Showgirls, Teen Wolves an Astro Zombies" and Australian film director Anthony Buckley. Probably best known for his films "Caddie" and "The Oyster Farmer". The panel was fantastic - talking about the Australian Film industry and film in general, but the best part was sharing a drink with these guys afterwards and chatting about the film industry. Squeee.

I don't know. Just hearing stuff about Bruce Beresford and Fred Schepisi and then getting to talk about All Time Bad Movies.... \0/. This guy, Michael Adams, set himself a quest to find the worst movie ever made and watched a bad movie a day for a whole year. 365 movies. That's what the book is about. And I kinda love movies that are so bad, they're good. :)

My favourite part was sharing the fact that we both laughed out loud and thoroughly enjoyed the film 2012. Even though it's a ridiculous film. He was saying that Australian film critic (probably our most well known) David Stratton was at the same screening and kept giving him dirty looks for laughing so much... Hee! David then went on to proclaim on his TV show, that the film was good for a laugh.

But my all time favourite moment was when someone arrived with a box for my sister and he said "That might have Gwyneth Paltor's head in it". HA! I nearly spat my drink all over him. (And yes it did remind me of Dean's "What's in the box" line!)

So. Yes. I love that stuff. I did 4 years of film study many years ago, and it brought back so many great memories of that time. Not least how much I enjoy watching and discussing film.

One very interesting point he brought up in the panel discussion was why Australian film makers aren't "allowed" to make "genre" films. He was actually told by a film funding body that "we don't make genre films" as though genre is a dirty word. And it's true. Aus films seem to have to be "meaningful" and 'worthy". Which of course is not a problem at all - but we need a balance I think. Some "bums on seats" film - just good old fashioned entertainment. I mean - look at Saw. Couldn't get Aus backing - was picked up by the US and the franchise is now worth around 1 billion dollars.

I am quoting all this stuff - but I find it immensely interesting.

Enough of that. I could talk about that stuff forever.

Art rec

Now I have to rec this incredible piece of artwork. Though I'd be surprised if you'all haven't seen it already. It's by petite_madame called Winchesters' Laundry Day"

I'd love to adequately put into words why I love this so much. It's not just that the boys are perfect but it's the whole scene. The feel of it is SO spot on. It's that sense of normality demonstrated in the washing machines and their expressions, matched with the bizzareness of the bloodied clothing, the smoking gun and skeleton. Jaw droppingly good.

Wow. I blabbed. I'm still on a high. \o/

Comments

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

sounds lovely! Glad you had such a good time. Sounds like that guy needs to watch the movie Amazon just recommended to me tonight (see my last post for details and lolz). :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hee! I just read your post! That's hilarious...

And yes. I had such a wonderful time. I could have spent hours talking about this stuff..

[balistik94.livejournal.com]

I've heard about this problem with genre films in Australia as I've been watching/reading/listening to a lot of stuff about the Mad Max movies (huge fan) and how the initial reviews weren't great because australia wasn't used to this kind of movies. Sucks that things haven't changed much 30 years later.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Ah yes. This is so interesting. Really, it's quite remarkable that Mad Max even got made (and yes, I'm a fan too..*g*) though it was at the tail end of the 70's which is considered the "best" decade of Australian film. In terms of funding and the era when some of the best (and most notable) films were made.

What amazes me is that when we do produce those genre films they are often a big success (I'm thinking Razorback (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087981/) and Wolfcreek (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416315/)) and yet (apparently) when these types of films are pitched to funding bodies they are often knocked back - in favour of more "worthy" films. It makes little sense. I bet they're kicking themselves when they knocked back "Saw".

And Whee! Mad Max. Such an awesome film. :)

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

Hee! The re post...*chuckle* I did wonder a bit about the lonely link...

Sounds like you really had a blast there. Good for you!
And about 'meaningful' and 'worthy', I have enough of that in real life. I'm totally into entertainment when watching films.

And the 'Winchester's Laundry Day' is fantastic. I would have missed it without the rec.

:D:D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hee! *head desk* No idea. Must have hit post or something weird..

And I agree... too much "meaningful' in real life. Though I like a good meaningful film. As long as I'm entertained. :)

And isn't that artwork AMAZING?! So glad you found it via the rec. :)

*squish*

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

Though I like a good meaningful film. As long as I'm entertained.

...beeing meaningful entertained....hahaha....nice! :)

*hugs*