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Australia is a difficult location for film festivals. Not only is it
geographically remote, which limits the chances of having international
stars drop by, and increases the expenses paid to fly over those who do, as
well as those required to ship the movies themselves -- additionally, the Australian population is
largely concentrated in a few major centres which are themselves
geographically remote from one another. No wonder then that by now many of
the State capitals are each hosting their own festivals, and that these
festivals all take place within a few weeks of each other, in the
Australian winter -- this way, movie copies as well as journalists and
celebrities can be passed on from one festival to the other.
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The Brisbane International Film Festival (affectionately known as BIFF) is
in a disadvantaged position in this procession: of the three major film
festivals held in Australia's largest cities (Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane), it is not only the youngest by far, but also third in line -- when it
comes to be Brisbane's turn, therefore, many of the movie journalists and
other film buffs following the festival season have already turned back to
their day jobs, and many of the guests present at the other festivals are
already on their way home, often with the reels of their movies as part of
their luggage. Brisbane festival organisers are nothing if not stubborn,
though, and year for year persevere in bringing home the best festival
programme possible.
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The audience appears to reward such efforts. Judging by the lengths of the
queues outside the inner-city Hoyts Regent, BIFF's main venue, viewer
turnout has been steadily increasing for a few years now, and indeed
festival screenings have slowly taken over more and more of the Regent's
cinemas. Viewers, too, must show an amazing quality of perseverance, not
only in the queues -- with roughly 15 different screenings to choose from
each day, it's easy to use up multiple 'Take 10' passes during the festival
(provided you had the foresight to take the week off).
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Perseverance paid off for viewers and organisers of the 1998 BIFF: for this
reviewer, highlights of the festival included the new Australian drama
In the Winter Dark, based on a novel by Tim Winton and blessed with
a highly effective cast as well as intelligent cinematography and editing,
the quirky Japanese Postman Blues, a screwball comedy with a final
twist, and Hal Hartley's latest film Henry Fool (again, great
performances by the leading actors), as well as the documentary Unmade
Beds about the ups and downs of four more or less middle-aged New York
singles in their struggle with love, sex, and the dating game.
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As in previous years, the festival included the strong presence of
Asian-Pacific movies that is a particular plus of festivals in this
region of the world, but regrettably no other major focus areas (as it had,
if memory serves, in past years). That said, it was accompanied by
screenings and seminars dealing with New York's 'No Wave Cinema' of the
late 1970s, and (for late-night comic relief) screenings of
'Blaxploitation' movies. For future festivals, though, a stronger topical
spotlight on particular countries of genres should perhaps be reintroduced.
The success of this year's festival, in any way, should have given its
organisers the will to persevere in their efforts to firmly establish
Brisbane on the festival calendar, and its patrons the energy to persevere
through yet another year of the Armageddons and Hope Floatses
the Hollywood industry continues to unload on us.
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Details
7th Brisbane International Film Festival.
Hoyts Regent and other venues, Brisbane, 30 July to 9 Aug. 1998.
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Citation reference for this article
MLA style:
Axel Bruns. "Festival of Perseverance: The 7th Brisbane International Film Festival." M/C Reviews 9 Oct. 1998.
[your date of access] <http://www.uq.edu.au/mc/reviews/screen/biff.html>.
Chicago style:
Axel Bruns, "Festival of Perseverance: The 7th Brisbane International Film Festival," M/C Reviews 9 Oct. 1998,
<http://www.uq.edu.au/mc/reviews/screen/biff.html> ([your date of access]).
APA style:
Axel Bruns. (199x) Festival of Perseverance: The 7th Brisbane International Film Festival. M/C Reviews 9 Oct. 1998.
<http://www.uq.edu.au/mc/reviews/screen/biff.html> ([your date of access]).
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