And of course... seeing you lot!
cx
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Anticipation
In only five days I will touch down in the UK for the first time since I left in November 2006. After almost three years, here are things I'm most looking forward to:
Walking down London's South Bank
Eating smoked mackrel
Topshop!
Hennes!
Going to the theatre in London
English trains (yes, really!)
The green, damp English countryside
Double decker buses
Squirrels!
And of course... seeing you lot!
cx
And of course... seeing you lot!
cx
Saturday, 15 August 2009
City2Surf
I crave patience from those of you who have run marathons, fun-runs, half marathons and the like. I've never attempted anything like this before, and so have to fill you in on my City2Surf experience. After very little training (see previous post) the big day finally arrived. I had a large dinner of potatoes the night before and a good night's sleep. Woke up nice and early, had a huge bowl of porridge, a litre of gatorade (a disgusting sodium-laced energy drink) and donned my running shorts and trainers. The time had come to face the ultimate challenge...
It was early and cold when I hopped on the bus into the city. Don't forget, early August is still winter here, and I was only wearing shorts! Luckily, every other bugger on the bus was on their way to City2Surf too,so we all felt equally stupid. There was also a sense of excitement and togetherness too, which was unusual for a Sunday morning bus ride.
The race begins
Now this is no ordinary fun run. It's the biggest fun run in the world, so I was one of 75,000 people convening on Sydney for the route towards the beach. This meant that, as I wasn't 'seeded', by the time I actually got to cross the starting line, the winner had already crossed the finish line, 14k and 41 minutes before me. Undeterred, I ploughed on, dodging the thousands of people in front of me, attempting to keep a steady jogging pace. The atmosphere was simply wonderful. The sense of excitement, camaraderie, enthusiasm and mutual support was amazing, and certainly motivated me. After running towards the famous Coca Cola sign in Kings Cross, I ran through the tunnel towards Rose Bay. 'I can do this' I thought, and pressed on.
The route is beautiful, snaking through bays, past the harbour water, towards the ocean. A stunning sunny winter's day made for a perfect setting. However, this was no ordinary 14k run. Sydney is one of the hilliest cities in the world, and I was running towards the famous 'heartbreak hill', which was at the half way point. The main problem with this hill was that every time you thought you'd scaled it, you'd turn a corner and there would be another uphill stretch! It was agonising.
The thing that kept me running was the desire to achieve my personal goal, and the realisation that if I stopped to walk, I'd probably never pick up speed to jog again! But the spur of the crowd cannot be denied. If I saw a tottering old man in front of me, I was spurred on ('I can't let an old man beat me!') And people who live on the route all hang out on their balconies and in their gardens, watching the thousands of mad people run past, and cheering us all on. Rock bands played on pub roofs, a brass band played in a bus shelter, bogan teenagers sprayed thankful runners with garden hoses, it all helped to keep us pressing on.
Band on the roof
At the 7k mark I had blisters on my feet and didn't think I could finish it. But then every kilometre after that there was a marker, which I kept my eye out for. Also there were volunteers handing out water and gatorade. I had read lots of advice on keeping sodium levels up so I made sure I drank lots of gatorade. By 11k my shins hurt, but I was nearly there! Just a short way to go!
As I headed down from North Bondi towards the finish line, there were hundreds of people lining Campbell Parade cheering us on, some of whom had already finished themselves. By this stage I was running near some guys promoting their stretcher-bearing service. They had run the whole way holding aloft a girl on a stretcher! I sped up so I wasn't behind them!
Towards the finish line
So I ran the whole way, but cautiously, as I wasn't sure of my physical abilities, having never run anything before. I did it in 106 minutes, which is pretty cool (I was in the top half of runners!) and I felt like I had energy to spare.
At the end I got my medal, glowing with pride, and then met up with a friend who'd run it in 72 mins (overachiever!) and went for a big lunch. Of course I was hideously stiff for about two days and could barely walk, but it was worth it, I felt great. Next year I'm determined to finish in less than 90 minutes, so watch this space!
Triumphant with medal
So my next challenge is called Sydney to the Gong. This is a 90k bike ride, from Sydney through the Royal National Park towards Woollongong. It's to raise money for MS Australia, and as both of my grandfathers died of MS it's a cause close to my heart. Don't just wish me luck, sponsor me! It's on 1 November, so I'll have 3 weeks after I return to Sydney from my Europe trip to get in some training.
And, in other news, it's less than a week before I board my plane to London! Woo hoo!
cx
It was early and cold when I hopped on the bus into the city. Don't forget, early August is still winter here, and I was only wearing shorts! Luckily, every other bugger on the bus was on their way to City2Surf too,so we all felt equally stupid. There was also a sense of excitement and togetherness too, which was unusual for a Sunday morning bus ride.
Now this is no ordinary fun run. It's the biggest fun run in the world, so I was one of 75,000 people convening on Sydney for the route towards the beach. This meant that, as I wasn't 'seeded', by the time I actually got to cross the starting line, the winner had already crossed the finish line, 14k and 41 minutes before me. Undeterred, I ploughed on, dodging the thousands of people in front of me, attempting to keep a steady jogging pace. The atmosphere was simply wonderful. The sense of excitement, camaraderie, enthusiasm and mutual support was amazing, and certainly motivated me. After running towards the famous Coca Cola sign in Kings Cross, I ran through the tunnel towards Rose Bay. 'I can do this' I thought, and pressed on.
The route is beautiful, snaking through bays, past the harbour water, towards the ocean. A stunning sunny winter's day made for a perfect setting. However, this was no ordinary 14k run. Sydney is one of the hilliest cities in the world, and I was running towards the famous 'heartbreak hill', which was at the half way point. The main problem with this hill was that every time you thought you'd scaled it, you'd turn a corner and there would be another uphill stretch! It was agonising.
The thing that kept me running was the desire to achieve my personal goal, and the realisation that if I stopped to walk, I'd probably never pick up speed to jog again! But the spur of the crowd cannot be denied. If I saw a tottering old man in front of me, I was spurred on ('I can't let an old man beat me!') And people who live on the route all hang out on their balconies and in their gardens, watching the thousands of mad people run past, and cheering us all on. Rock bands played on pub roofs, a brass band played in a bus shelter, bogan teenagers sprayed thankful runners with garden hoses, it all helped to keep us pressing on.
At the 7k mark I had blisters on my feet and didn't think I could finish it. But then every kilometre after that there was a marker, which I kept my eye out for. Also there were volunteers handing out water and gatorade. I had read lots of advice on keeping sodium levels up so I made sure I drank lots of gatorade. By 11k my shins hurt, but I was nearly there! Just a short way to go!
As I headed down from North Bondi towards the finish line, there were hundreds of people lining Campbell Parade cheering us on, some of whom had already finished themselves. By this stage I was running near some guys promoting their stretcher-bearing service. They had run the whole way holding aloft a girl on a stretcher! I sped up so I wasn't behind them!
So I ran the whole way, but cautiously, as I wasn't sure of my physical abilities, having never run anything before. I did it in 106 minutes, which is pretty cool (I was in the top half of runners!) and I felt like I had energy to spare.
At the end I got my medal, glowing with pride, and then met up with a friend who'd run it in 72 mins (overachiever!) and went for a big lunch. Of course I was hideously stiff for about two days and could barely walk, but it was worth it, I felt great. Next year I'm determined to finish in less than 90 minutes, so watch this space!
So my next challenge is called Sydney to the Gong. This is a 90k bike ride, from Sydney through the Royal National Park towards Woollongong. It's to raise money for MS Australia, and as both of my grandfathers died of MS it's a cause close to my heart. Don't just wish me luck, sponsor me! It's on 1 November, so I'll have 3 weeks after I return to Sydney from my Europe trip to get in some training.
And, in other news, it's less than a week before I board my plane to London! Woo hoo!
cx
Thursday, 6 August 2009
In training
Hi folks. Apols once again for the tardiness of posting: this is due to a couple of reasons. One is that my gorgeous shiny new red camera has died. Yes, despite being my New Best Friend, it decided one morning that it didn't want to turn on. So I've sent it back to Canon to be rejuvenated, and unfortunately you won't see many pics for a while.
The other reason is that I've been in training. Somewhat foolishly a few months ago I decided that the City2Surf would be a good thing to aim for post-festival. This is a 14k run from the city to (yes, you guessed it) 'the surf' (ie Bondi Beach). About three quarters of the way round there is the notorious 'heartbreak hill' which is, well, I think you can imagine what it is, and just picture me trying to run up it! Argh! Basically, since the festival I have been attempting to become a runner. My occasional morning forays on the cliffs don't really count, apparently, as this is actually quite a long way, and my usual route is just over 4k.
The route
Coupled with the series of bugs and colds and general post-festival run-down-ness, I haven't really progressed very far through the downloadable training program, and I'm now left with two days, yes TWO DAYS, left. Yes, it's this Sunday, setting off from Hyde Park at 9am. Erm, wish me luck!
Apart from that I'm busy trying to organise my Europe trip, and enjoying having a life again. I went to see the Flaming Lips who were awesome in concert, journeyed north across the harbour to see Jet live at Luna Park, and even did a spot of lawn bowling. Enjoying the glorious Australian winter, wondering what to pack for a UK September!
Luna Park ferris wheel with Harbour Bridge in background
Accessorising in red
Cycling home across the harbour bridge
It sure ain't Blackpool
cx
The other reason is that I've been in training. Somewhat foolishly a few months ago I decided that the City2Surf would be a good thing to aim for post-festival. This is a 14k run from the city to (yes, you guessed it) 'the surf' (ie Bondi Beach). About three quarters of the way round there is the notorious 'heartbreak hill' which is, well, I think you can imagine what it is, and just picture me trying to run up it! Argh! Basically, since the festival I have been attempting to become a runner. My occasional morning forays on the cliffs don't really count, apparently, as this is actually quite a long way, and my usual route is just over 4k.
Coupled with the series of bugs and colds and general post-festival run-down-ness, I haven't really progressed very far through the downloadable training program, and I'm now left with two days, yes TWO DAYS, left. Yes, it's this Sunday, setting off from Hyde Park at 9am. Erm, wish me luck!
Apart from that I'm busy trying to organise my Europe trip, and enjoying having a life again. I went to see the Flaming Lips who were awesome in concert, journeyed north across the harbour to see Jet live at Luna Park, and even did a spot of lawn bowling. Enjoying the glorious Australian winter, wondering what to pack for a UK September!
cx
Monday, 27 July 2009
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!
It's a topsy-turvy world Down Under, and one of the things I've found it hardest to get used to is the timing of the seasons. While I hear all about your Northern Hemisphere heatwaves, we're shivering in our 18-degree winter, and when you're all snuggling up in your best Christmas knitwear, we're hanging out beachside enjoying barbecues.
Mum and Keith got a taste of this first hand when they came over for Christmas in 2007. It makes no sense at all to have a full roast dinner with all the trimmings because none of the vegetables are in season, and it's far too hot to be slaving over a stove/oven all day! And without the usual cold weather it's very difficult to feel Christmassy at all in December here, with Christmas pop songs blasting out in the department stores while all around are wearing shorts and summer frocks.
Merry Christmas!
So, this weekend I remedied all of that for a bunch of European friends, and held 'Christmas in July'. This is somewhat of a tradition for Northern Hemisphere-types as the days get shorter and the nights get colder, and thoughts turn to Christmas. Like the queen and her several birthdays, why not have Christmas when it SHOULD be timed?
So Christina and I decked our halls with tacky Chrimbo decorations, fairy lights and baubles. I had even trekked to the Christmas shop to buy off-season crackers, so we were armed with bad jokes and silly hats. And in a moment of inspiration, Christina made an authentic (ish) nativity scene from her smurf collection!
The Smurf nativity
The invite list consisted of Germans, Italians, Scots and English, with a few honourary Aussies, and I ambitiously set about to make a full roast a la Doreen Daniels for 15 people! Improvisation was called for and the cushion-topped milk crates made an indoor appearance as we only had 8 chairs.
German, English, Italian-Aussie
As is always the way in Australia, coincidences abound. Oli's English guest Seb turned out to be a guy I used to work with at the BFI. Small world! He's now working for Amnesty in Australia.
Housemate Oli, Seb and Katie
I roasted two fat birds, made pigs in blankets, mum's parsnip bake, roast tatties and even sprouts! Yes, they weren't going to get away with not eating their English greens, ho ho ho. 15 people was a little ambitious for my small electric (ie crap) oven, and I really could have done with Granny's hostess trolley to keep everything warm.
Masterchef at work
Everyone brought a Secret Santa present and Nick doubled up as Father Christmas, which was all very exciting. Mariah Carey told us that all she wanted for Christmas was you, George Michael sang of his broken heart, and sleighbells were ringing. My friend Ariane made little trifles, and Nick set fire to a brandy-soaked Christmas pud he'd made earlier.
Santa and his little helper
In true Christmas form we drank lots of mulled wine, swapped tales of family Christmasses, monopoly tournaments and generational differences at Trivial Pursuit. Funnily enough, with the wintry weather outside and the seasonal cheer inside, it really did feel like Christmas, much more so than it ever does on December 25 in Australia.
Dessert queen Ariane and Matt
Kris Kringle stocking
So I think this may become an annual event, (perhaps with slightly warmer food next time, and Yorkshire puds that have risen properly!) It's now 'Boxing Day' and I'm making chicken stock and tidying up, wearing my best Christmas knitwear. Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas in July.
cx
Mum and Keith got a taste of this first hand when they came over for Christmas in 2007. It makes no sense at all to have a full roast dinner with all the trimmings because none of the vegetables are in season, and it's far too hot to be slaving over a stove/oven all day! And without the usual cold weather it's very difficult to feel Christmassy at all in December here, with Christmas pop songs blasting out in the department stores while all around are wearing shorts and summer frocks.
So, this weekend I remedied all of that for a bunch of European friends, and held 'Christmas in July'. This is somewhat of a tradition for Northern Hemisphere-types as the days get shorter and the nights get colder, and thoughts turn to Christmas. Like the queen and her several birthdays, why not have Christmas when it SHOULD be timed?
So Christina and I decked our halls with tacky Chrimbo decorations, fairy lights and baubles. I had even trekked to the Christmas shop to buy off-season crackers, so we were armed with bad jokes and silly hats. And in a moment of inspiration, Christina made an authentic (ish) nativity scene from her smurf collection!
The invite list consisted of Germans, Italians, Scots and English, with a few honourary Aussies, and I ambitiously set about to make a full roast a la Doreen Daniels for 15 people! Improvisation was called for and the cushion-topped milk crates made an indoor appearance as we only had 8 chairs.
As is always the way in Australia, coincidences abound. Oli's English guest Seb turned out to be a guy I used to work with at the BFI. Small world! He's now working for Amnesty in Australia.
I roasted two fat birds, made pigs in blankets, mum's parsnip bake, roast tatties and even sprouts! Yes, they weren't going to get away with not eating their English greens, ho ho ho. 15 people was a little ambitious for my small electric (ie crap) oven, and I really could have done with Granny's hostess trolley to keep everything warm.
Everyone brought a Secret Santa present and Nick doubled up as Father Christmas, which was all very exciting. Mariah Carey told us that all she wanted for Christmas was you, George Michael sang of his broken heart, and sleighbells were ringing. My friend Ariane made little trifles, and Nick set fire to a brandy-soaked Christmas pud he'd made earlier.
In true Christmas form we drank lots of mulled wine, swapped tales of family Christmasses, monopoly tournaments and generational differences at Trivial Pursuit. Funnily enough, with the wintry weather outside and the seasonal cheer inside, it really did feel like Christmas, much more so than it ever does on December 25 in Australia.
So I think this may become an annual event, (perhaps with slightly warmer food next time, and Yorkshire puds that have risen properly!) It's now 'Boxing Day' and I'm making chicken stock and tidying up, wearing my best Christmas knitwear. Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas in July.
cx
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Das Kapital
After my last post, mum skyped me and told me that I'm now officially OLD. Thanks mum. So I decided to throw my newfound TV-addict status out the window and escape Sydney for a weekend away.
The Nation's Capital. Can you guess where it is yet?
Contrary to what you may believe, Sydney is not the capital of Australia. Neither is Melbourne. In 1908, when the two cities were vying for the title of capital, it was decided instead that a purpose-built city would be the capital, in an inland site between the two rivals. Thus, Canberra was born. Having lived in Australia for nearly three years, I'm slightly ashamed that I've never visited the nation's capital, and what better excuse did I need but a Vanity Fair photography exhibition visiting from London's National Portrait Gallery.
NPG Aus-style
Luckily for me, my friend Lucy went to uni in Canberra and has lived in the vicinity nearly all her life, so she agreed to be my tourguide for the weekend. We stayed at her parents' place, a huge property with several acres of land, a lake, a log fire, a Shetland pony and two dogs. We left Sydney and drove through the countryside for about four hours, eventually leaving the freeway and driving along with Kangaroos jumping by the side of the road, much to my glee!
Lucy's parents' garden
Two cute little dogs greeted us when we arrived: Lilly and Magpie. Despite regularly professing myself to be 'not a dog person' I was charmed by their boisterous enthusiasm.
Bonding with Magpie
Canberra is the centre of parliamentary power for this country, and I visited not only Parliament House, but also Old Parliament House, which was where political decisions were made from 1927 to 1988. A dazzling white building it houses the Senate and the House of Representatives, complete with old red leather seats and displays telling the political history of Australia.
Sitting in the Speaker's Chair
After a dose of the 'Old School' I wandered up to Capital Hill where the swanky new building sits. This is where KRudd makes his decisions, and has been Parliament House since 1988.
Gazing up Capital Hill towards Parliament House
The Kangaroo and the Emu adorn Parliament House
As well as being the seat of political power, Canberra is a real cultural capital of Australia, with the National galleries and museums located here rather than the other state capitals. The Vanity Fair portrait exhibition was well worth the trip, reminding me of just what a cultural leader that magazine is. I then wandered round the National Gallery of Australia, which had a pretty decent collection, including some outdoor sculptures near the lake.
The NGA, complete with mid-air sculpture
On Saturday evening we hit the town, going for dinner and drinks at some of Lucy's favourite places, with her Canberra chums.
Out with my host, Lucy
Then after a sleep-in on Sunday we took the dogs for a bracing walk. It's the middle of winter here and Canberra is a good 6-7 degrees colder than Sydney, reaching an icy 13 degrees when we were there. Brrrr.
Lucy showed me round Bungendore, a small village where she used to live, which was so cute, complete with early colonial style houses -- plenty of verandahs. This area was built around the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake George. Driving past it now is incredibly sad, as the drought in Aus has caused the entire lake to dry up. Now the 'Lake' is pasture to countless cows and sheep, and the banks hold a huge wind farm to generate electricity.
Colonial property in Bungendore
Bracing against the cold on a verandah
Australia's landscape is changing, even since I've been here. I love seeing the changes as it makes me feel more grounded here and makes me feel more at home.
So now I'm back in Sydney, and true to form have snuggled up in front of the TV to watch the Masterchef season finale, armed with a bottle of Shiraz Grenache and a fish supper. My weekend away in Canberra was fun, but I don't think you need much longer than that to explore this small country town. I'll probably nip back every now and then to check out exhibitions touring to the National cultural institutions, but other than that, Sydney will always be Capital to me.
Stormy Sydney skies, but still home sweet home
cx
Contrary to what you may believe, Sydney is not the capital of Australia. Neither is Melbourne. In 1908, when the two cities were vying for the title of capital, it was decided instead that a purpose-built city would be the capital, in an inland site between the two rivals. Thus, Canberra was born. Having lived in Australia for nearly three years, I'm slightly ashamed that I've never visited the nation's capital, and what better excuse did I need but a Vanity Fair photography exhibition visiting from London's National Portrait Gallery.
Luckily for me, my friend Lucy went to uni in Canberra and has lived in the vicinity nearly all her life, so she agreed to be my tourguide for the weekend. We stayed at her parents' place, a huge property with several acres of land, a lake, a log fire, a Shetland pony and two dogs. We left Sydney and drove through the countryside for about four hours, eventually leaving the freeway and driving along with Kangaroos jumping by the side of the road, much to my glee!
Two cute little dogs greeted us when we arrived: Lilly and Magpie. Despite regularly professing myself to be 'not a dog person' I was charmed by their boisterous enthusiasm.
Canberra is the centre of parliamentary power for this country, and I visited not only Parliament House, but also Old Parliament House, which was where political decisions were made from 1927 to 1988. A dazzling white building it houses the Senate and the House of Representatives, complete with old red leather seats and displays telling the political history of Australia.
After a dose of the 'Old School' I wandered up to Capital Hill where the swanky new building sits. This is where KRudd makes his decisions, and has been Parliament House since 1988.
As well as being the seat of political power, Canberra is a real cultural capital of Australia, with the National galleries and museums located here rather than the other state capitals. The Vanity Fair portrait exhibition was well worth the trip, reminding me of just what a cultural leader that magazine is. I then wandered round the National Gallery of Australia, which had a pretty decent collection, including some outdoor sculptures near the lake.
On Saturday evening we hit the town, going for dinner and drinks at some of Lucy's favourite places, with her Canberra chums.
Then after a sleep-in on Sunday we took the dogs for a bracing walk. It's the middle of winter here and Canberra is a good 6-7 degrees colder than Sydney, reaching an icy 13 degrees when we were there. Brrrr.
Lucy showed me round Bungendore, a small village where she used to live, which was so cute, complete with early colonial style houses -- plenty of verandahs. This area was built around the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake George. Driving past it now is incredibly sad, as the drought in Aus has caused the entire lake to dry up. Now the 'Lake' is pasture to countless cows and sheep, and the banks hold a huge wind farm to generate electricity.
Australia's landscape is changing, even since I've been here. I love seeing the changes as it makes me feel more grounded here and makes me feel more at home.
So now I'm back in Sydney, and true to form have snuggled up in front of the TV to watch the Masterchef season finale, armed with a bottle of Shiraz Grenache and a fish supper. My weekend away in Canberra was fun, but I don't think you need much longer than that to explore this small country town. I'll probably nip back every now and then to check out exhibitions touring to the National cultural institutions, but other than that, Sydney will always be Capital to me.
cx
Monday, 13 July 2009
Culinary delights
You'll have to excuse my time lag since the last post, dear readers. I know it's unusual for me to let much longer than a week go by between updates, but Australia is in the grip of a TV renaissance, and I have to confess, I am hooked!
Yes, this winter's craze on the box is the first ever series of... Masterchef Australia! And. It. Is. Awesome. TV.
And to top it all it's on every single night of the week. Can you believe it. It's getting more viewers than Michael Jackson's funeral, every single evening. Madness! I've witnessed people running home along Bondi Road, clutching their takeaway pizzas, shouting "Quick, quick, we have to get home in time for Masterchef!".
Julie always cries. Makes GREAT TV
Ingredients used in the recipes which have never even been heard of Down Under are now flying out of the stores. Campbell's Real Stock, which sponsors the show, is experiencing an unprecedented boost in sales.
Poh is an artist: her dishes always look pretty
It's also been a perfect antidote to the post-festival comedown, which I've experienced since the middle of June. I'm completely exhausted, have of course developed a cold now that my adrenaline reserves are depleted, and I'm tired like a nana and need to be in bed by 9.30pm!
I used to want Chris to win, but he's a smug bastard so now I'm not so sure
So while mum and Keith are living it up in Corfu, gallavanting off in their boats around the island, basking in the Mediterranean summer heat, I'm rugging up in Sydney's winter months, and becoming a TV addict. Hurrah.
cx
Yes, this winter's craze on the box is the first ever series of... Masterchef Australia! And. It. Is. Awesome. TV.
And to top it all it's on every single night of the week. Can you believe it. It's getting more viewers than Michael Jackson's funeral, every single evening. Madness! I've witnessed people running home along Bondi Road, clutching their takeaway pizzas, shouting "Quick, quick, we have to get home in time for Masterchef!".
Ingredients used in the recipes which have never even been heard of Down Under are now flying out of the stores. Campbell's Real Stock, which sponsors the show, is experiencing an unprecedented boost in sales.
It's also been a perfect antidote to the post-festival comedown, which I've experienced since the middle of June. I'm completely exhausted, have of course developed a cold now that my adrenaline reserves are depleted, and I'm tired like a nana and need to be in bed by 9.30pm!
So while mum and Keith are living it up in Corfu, gallavanting off in their boats around the island, basking in the Mediterranean summer heat, I'm rugging up in Sydney's winter months, and becoming a TV addict. Hurrah.
cx
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Yet more films
Despite the fact that I was pretty much working flat out during the festival, I did manage to catch some of the movies, either by sneaking in the back of the auditorium during the screenings, or before the festival itself on screeners or private screenings. Here's a run-down on the flicks I caught that I hadn't already seen in Toronto or Adelaide:
Looking for Eric
A failed postman and avid Manchester United fan starts being 'visited' by Eric Cantona, who gives him philosophical assistance and helps him get his life back on track. This funny Ken Loach film (yes, really!) opened the festival, and I loved its touching humour. It went to a dark place and I was worried for a bit that it wouldn't come back, but the climactic scene of a group of Cantona-mask-wearing football fans trashing a house was hilarious, and it left you with a spring in your step at the end.
****
500 Days of Summer
AKA 500 Days of Boredom and Cliche. Awful film featuring simperingly cute Zooey Deschanel and irritating buffoon Joseph Gordon-Levitt in an 'offbeat romantic comedy', complete with cute karaoke scene, kookie semi-animated scenes and yawnsome soundtrack. 'Oh I love The Smiths'... etc. Couldn't wait for it to end. Bah.
*
Black Dynamite
Hilarious spoof of 70s Blaxploitation flicks, complete with fake continuity errors such as boom mics in shot and hastily-swapped actors mid fight. Our hero Black Dynamite fights crack in the orphanages, combats illegally-produced malt liquor and seeks vengeance for his brother's death. All while looking totally hot and fighting terrific kung-fu. Loved it.
****
The September Issue
A documentary on how the famous September issue of Vogue magazine is put together, in particular focusing on the relationship between legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her creative director Grace Coddington, who have worked together for twenty years. I had great hopes for this doco, which has been touted as a 'real life Devil Wears Prada' but unfortunately it fell short for me. The filmmakers didn't get deep enough within the central relationship, and Wintour clearly held back from revealing herself beyond the surface. Disappointing, but the queues of twenty-something women at the festival's sell-out screening didn't seem to think so!
***
Contact
In 1964 as part of the space race, rocket tests were carried out in the Australian outback, and when government officials were sent to the area to check that it was uninhabited, they encountered a group of Aboriginal women and children who had never seen white people before, and who were living off the land in a completely traditional way. The group were rounded up and taken to a settlement, and in this incredibly moving documentary, they are shown video footage of the first contact in the 60s, and as older women are taken back to their original home, to retell the story of this contact. I felt angry, enlightened and hugely moved by this doco, which is actually really funny at times, and the original photos and video footage are amazing.
*****
Liza with a Z
I love Liza! This incredible film is a live performance shot by the genius Bob Fosse in 1972 -- an on-stage performance filmed with multiple cameras and choreographed by Fosse with the intention to release it as a film. Liza runs through some great numbers, some original and many from their film of the same year, Cabaret. She has some awesome costume changes, and looks hot. Crikey, she was 26 when it was made. I want that red dress!
****
Disgrace
I read Booker Prize-winning book Disgrace about 10 years ago when it first came out, and intensely disliked it, in particular the central character, played by John Malkovich in this film adapation. He is a college professor dismissed in disgrace after having an affair with a student, and he goes to stay with his daughter on her South African farm, uncovering some of the uncomfortable truths of Apartheid in the process. My reaction to the film was pretty much a mirror of my reaction to the book, but I still found it thought-provoking and debate-inspiring, which I suppose gives it some merit.
**
Wake in Fright
This Australian outback tale was made in 1971, and we saw a brand new print with a packed-out house at the State Theatre (2000-seater art deco picture palace in the heart of Sydney). What an incredible film! It really showed the bawdy grittiness of male outback life, in particular the drink and the gambling, and it tells it with a sharp wit and a keen eye for detail. There's a particularly gory and terrifying kangaroo hunting scene, which was quite shocking, but I urge you to see this if it ever gets a UK release. I'm now reading the book that it was based on, which is really well written. Great stuff.
*****
Coraline
This stop-motion 3D animation is everything a children's movie should be -- dark and creepy, not too saccharine-sweet. The 3D wasn't too 'pointy-pointy' either -- it was immersive and at times wonderful. Coraline is a small child whose parents don't pay her much attention, so when she finds a door in the wall that takes her to another world with alternative parents, the appeal is immediate, until she discovers all is not quite what it seems... Yes, nothing hugely innovative, but it's good fun. The humour of the aging aunt-type neighbours played by French and Saunders isn't as biting as it could be, but it's worth a look.
***
Beautiful Kate
This Australian film tells the story of a family with dark secrets from the past, and features just about every Aussie actor around, including many who I've only come to recognise since moving here. It's beautifully shot, with some interestingly realised flashback sequences, and some stunning views of the landscape. I really admired the way the subject matter (I won't give too much away here) is handled, without sensationalism or cliche, and I really hope this film finds an audience. The poster design that has been released for the film's forthcoming release does not do the film justice, and it will be interesting to see how it fares.
****
And these are the ones I missed that I'm desperate to catch:
Bronson
Every Little Step
An Education
Dead Snow
Wanda
Big River Man
Art & Copy
Last Ride
Valentino: The Last Emperor
We Live In Public
Will let you know what I think if I manage to catch a screener post-fest.
cx
Looking for Eric
A failed postman and avid Manchester United fan starts being 'visited' by Eric Cantona, who gives him philosophical assistance and helps him get his life back on track. This funny Ken Loach film (yes, really!) opened the festival, and I loved its touching humour. It went to a dark place and I was worried for a bit that it wouldn't come back, but the climactic scene of a group of Cantona-mask-wearing football fans trashing a house was hilarious, and it left you with a spring in your step at the end.
****
500 Days of Summer
AKA 500 Days of Boredom and Cliche. Awful film featuring simperingly cute Zooey Deschanel and irritating buffoon Joseph Gordon-Levitt in an 'offbeat romantic comedy', complete with cute karaoke scene, kookie semi-animated scenes and yawnsome soundtrack. 'Oh I love The Smiths'... etc. Couldn't wait for it to end. Bah.
*
Black Dynamite
Hilarious spoof of 70s Blaxploitation flicks, complete with fake continuity errors such as boom mics in shot and hastily-swapped actors mid fight. Our hero Black Dynamite fights crack in the orphanages, combats illegally-produced malt liquor and seeks vengeance for his brother's death. All while looking totally hot and fighting terrific kung-fu. Loved it.
****
The September Issue
A documentary on how the famous September issue of Vogue magazine is put together, in particular focusing on the relationship between legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her creative director Grace Coddington, who have worked together for twenty years. I had great hopes for this doco, which has been touted as a 'real life Devil Wears Prada' but unfortunately it fell short for me. The filmmakers didn't get deep enough within the central relationship, and Wintour clearly held back from revealing herself beyond the surface. Disappointing, but the queues of twenty-something women at the festival's sell-out screening didn't seem to think so!
***
Contact
In 1964 as part of the space race, rocket tests were carried out in the Australian outback, and when government officials were sent to the area to check that it was uninhabited, they encountered a group of Aboriginal women and children who had never seen white people before, and who were living off the land in a completely traditional way. The group were rounded up and taken to a settlement, and in this incredibly moving documentary, they are shown video footage of the first contact in the 60s, and as older women are taken back to their original home, to retell the story of this contact. I felt angry, enlightened and hugely moved by this doco, which is actually really funny at times, and the original photos and video footage are amazing.
*****
Liza with a Z
I love Liza! This incredible film is a live performance shot by the genius Bob Fosse in 1972 -- an on-stage performance filmed with multiple cameras and choreographed by Fosse with the intention to release it as a film. Liza runs through some great numbers, some original and many from their film of the same year, Cabaret. She has some awesome costume changes, and looks hot. Crikey, she was 26 when it was made. I want that red dress!
****
Disgrace
I read Booker Prize-winning book Disgrace about 10 years ago when it first came out, and intensely disliked it, in particular the central character, played by John Malkovich in this film adapation. He is a college professor dismissed in disgrace after having an affair with a student, and he goes to stay with his daughter on her South African farm, uncovering some of the uncomfortable truths of Apartheid in the process. My reaction to the film was pretty much a mirror of my reaction to the book, but I still found it thought-provoking and debate-inspiring, which I suppose gives it some merit.
**
Wake in Fright
This Australian outback tale was made in 1971, and we saw a brand new print with a packed-out house at the State Theatre (2000-seater art deco picture palace in the heart of Sydney). What an incredible film! It really showed the bawdy grittiness of male outback life, in particular the drink and the gambling, and it tells it with a sharp wit and a keen eye for detail. There's a particularly gory and terrifying kangaroo hunting scene, which was quite shocking, but I urge you to see this if it ever gets a UK release. I'm now reading the book that it was based on, which is really well written. Great stuff.
*****
Coraline
This stop-motion 3D animation is everything a children's movie should be -- dark and creepy, not too saccharine-sweet. The 3D wasn't too 'pointy-pointy' either -- it was immersive and at times wonderful. Coraline is a small child whose parents don't pay her much attention, so when she finds a door in the wall that takes her to another world with alternative parents, the appeal is immediate, until she discovers all is not quite what it seems... Yes, nothing hugely innovative, but it's good fun. The humour of the aging aunt-type neighbours played by French and Saunders isn't as biting as it could be, but it's worth a look.
***
Beautiful Kate
This Australian film tells the story of a family with dark secrets from the past, and features just about every Aussie actor around, including many who I've only come to recognise since moving here. It's beautifully shot, with some interestingly realised flashback sequences, and some stunning views of the landscape. I really admired the way the subject matter (I won't give too much away here) is handled, without sensationalism or cliche, and I really hope this film finds an audience. The poster design that has been released for the film's forthcoming release does not do the film justice, and it will be interesting to see how it fares.
****
And these are the ones I missed that I'm desperate to catch:
Bronson
Every Little Step
An Education
Dead Snow
Wanda
Big River Man
Art & Copy
Last Ride
Valentino: The Last Emperor
We Live In Public
Will let you know what I think if I manage to catch a screener post-fest.
cx
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