{"id":10739,"date":"2012-06-10T09:00:17","date_gmt":"2012-06-09T23:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=10739"},"modified":"2018-05-15T06:54:20","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T20:54:20","slug":"the-alternative-opening-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/the-alternative-opening-night\/","title":{"rendered":"The alternative opening night"},"content":{"rendered":"

lastminute lovely Angela donned her best movie critic hat and hit one of winter\u2019s best cultural events, the Sydney Film Festival.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As one of the world\u2019s longest-running film festivals, the Sydney Film Festival<\/a> is definitely an event not to be missed. The 12-day event showcases 156 titles: 67 features, 43 documentaries, 33 short films, 13 retrospective titles, including 18 world premieres, 106 Australian premieres, 31 Australian productions and films from 51 countries in 49 languages. That\u2019s quite a list!
\nThe festival is split up into 10 different sections: Features, Focus on India, FOXTEL Aust. Doco. Prize, International documentaries, Official competition, Retrospectives, Short films, Sound on screen, Special presentation and Freak me out.
\nFrom the \u2018Freak me out<\/a>\u2019 section I was lucky enough to see zombie flick with a difference, Harold\u2019s Going Stiff<\/em> on the opening night of the festival.
\nThe first screening of the festival at the George Street cinemas (one of many city venues playing over the 12 day event) was a more low-key night than the gala opening at the State Theatre (who needs red carpets anyway?), but the movie did not disappoint.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Curator of the \u2018Freak me out\u2019 section of the festival, film critic Richard Kuipers, gave a quick intro to his opening night selection, and a few other must-see films in this category. These are his top picks and a bit about them:<\/p>\n

Livid<\/a><\/em> (France)<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cA French haunted house.\u201d
\nOk, Good<\/a><\/em> (USA)<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cThe unravelling life of a struggling actor.\u201d
\nThe Warped Forest<\/a><\/em> (Japan)<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cWords cannot explain.\u201d
\nKiller Joe<\/a><\/em> (USA)<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cAbsolutely fantastic!\u201d
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To get you in the mood to be surely freaked out, the short film Perished<\/em> was played before the main event. Now I\u2019m not a hardcore horror fan; all the gore, suspense and blood curdling screams are just not my cup of tea. And this movie had me covering my eyes for most of it (which is a probably a compliment!)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that it was unbearable to watch, it was actually quite good and kept you captivated for its entirety \u2013 I\u2019m just a big wuss.
\nWritten by Australian director, producer team Stefan Androv Radanovich and Aaron McCann it is one of the many short films playing at this year\u2019s festival.
\nSuitably in the mood for the night\u2019s main showing, we sat back ready to enjoy but not really sure what to expect.
\nFilmed in Bradford in the UK and sharing the sister city link with Sydney as the only other UNESCO City of Film in the world, Harold’s Going Stiff<\/em> is a zombie movie unlike any other I\u2019ve seen before.
\nFrom director and screen writer Keith Wright and producer Richard Guy, this movie is sure to surprise and delight. Described by Richard Kuipers as \u201ca zombie film with a lot of differences… it almost brought a tear to my eye”, Harold’s Going Stiff<\/em> is a sweet and humorous take on the standard zombie theme. I give it \u2605 \u2605 \u2605 \u2605 lastminute lovely stars.
\nThere are a bucket-load of great films screening at this year\u2019s Sydney Film Festival, and other events happening around the CBD including free screenings, live music, talks and exhibitions. For more info on what\u2019s on and where pick up a SFF hub program.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not in Sydney not to worry – it\u2019s a travelling festival!<\/p>\n

The festival visits 16 different locations over Australia, so check the SFF website<\/a> to find out when it\u2019s in your town.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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