The 69th Sydney Film Festival is coming in hot – a sneak peek of the first announced films of the programme is here.
“This first taste of the festival’s 2022 programme gives audiences a snapshot of the selection and flavour of films featured in our first full-scale festival since the pandemic began,” Festival Director Nashen Moodley says.
“The past few years have been tough for the film industry, with many films halting production across the globe. Now the world is starting to open back up again, we’re seeing a resurgence of gutsy, innovative and compelling storytelling. It’s an exciting time to be programming a film festival when there is such a wealth of ground-breaking films, giving audiences an opportunity to discover unique and timely stories from home, and across the world.”
Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes show audiences that revenge is a dish best shared on Instagram, in 'Sissy'. A success at SXSW, this clever Australian horror sees an influencer (Aisha Dee) encounter her childhood tormentor on a hen's weekend.
'The Forgiven' from John Michael McDonagh features Jessica Chastain and Ralph Fiennes depicting the entitlement of Westerners, juxtaposed with the lives of ordinary Moroccans in a neo-colonial society.
Luke Cornish's Sydney documentary 'Keep Stepping' is about two remarkable female performers, training for Australia's biggest street dance competition.
'The Forgiven'
'6 Festivals' from Macario De Souza is an emotional tale of friendship and a celebration of Australia's iconic festival scene. It features cameos from the likes of Bliss N Eso and Peking Duk.
'Please Baby Please' is a genderqueer musical, starring Andrea Riseborough and Demi Moore as a 1950s Manhattan couple unlocking a sexual awakening from within themselves, after witnessing a violent incident. Meanwhile, French filmmaker Mikhaël Hers presents a slice-of-life drama set in 1980s Paris, 'The Passengers Of The Night'. It stars Charlotte Gainsbourg as a single mother rediscovering herself after being left by her husband.
There are international festival favourites hitting the screen too.
'Blue Moon' depicts a young woman rebelling against her dysfunctional family in a gripping first feature by Romanian writer-director Alina Grigore.
'Please Baby Please'
Toronto 2022 NETPAC Award and London Film Festival 2022 Audience Award winner 'Costa Brava, Lebanon' stars Nadine Labaki and Saleh Bakri. It follows a family who quit life in Beirut for a more peaceful existence in the mountains, only to find that escape is not so easy.
From Sundance comes 'Calendar Girls' from Maria Loohufvud and Love Martinsen, and 'Sirens' from Rita Baghdadi.
European cinema will have a strong presence throughout the festival, with talents like 'Gentle' starring Eszter Csonka, 'Hinterland' from director Stefan Ruzowitzky and 'Incredible But True' from Quentin Dupieux.
Check out more information at the Sydney Film Festival website.
Sydney Film Festival is on from 8-19 June.
