Revelation Perth International Film Festival opened with James Bond – in person – on Thursday night.
An expectant opening night audience was offered martinis by tuxedoed bar staff under the big screen of the perfectly-suited art deco-clad Luna Leederville – once named best Indie-Urban Cinema in Australia.
But not before they they had navigated the red carpet, the star of which was Australia’s George Lazenby, Australia’s Bond – ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ – who was on-hand to witness his own world premiere of ‘Being Bond’.
‘Being Bond’ is a humorous and “mostly” accurate docu-comedy of Lazenby’s life focusing heavily on his 20s where his real life rocketed – à la Bond – through high-school failure, his jobs as motor mechanic, car salesman, and male model, a sojourn in London and of course landing the lead Bond role without ever having acted a day in life. All before turning his back on the lot.
It’s a ripping yarn, well delivered and made all the more poignant with Lazenby’s large as life presence in the front row. The storytelling continued in person after the film with Lazenby regaling the assembled with ‘what happened next’ – meaning ‘life after being blackballed by Hollywood’ for his anti-establishment conduct which included conducting promotional engagements wearing a non-Bond beard and also refusing follow-up contracts worth millions. Hollywood’s majesties were clearly not amused.
George Lazenby © Howard Duggan
The after-party at neighbouring Babushka hit the mark: steel band, roaming spotlights, Bond memorabilia and a thumping party tracklist – all very Bond.
This is the Festival’s 20th year and is showing at Lunas Leederville and SX until 19th July. Check scenestr’s full preview of the 2017 Revelation Perth International Film Festival here.
