The main theme of this year’s festival is freedom. In addition to films, debates, exhibitions and discussions about Czechoslovak emigration to Australia and New Zealand will take place in the Václav Havel Library as part of the festival.
Tradition of genre movies
Australian cinematography is in high demand at film festivals for its high quality. Although the production of films in these two countries is not extensive, movies from Australia and New Zealand are appreciated at the most attractive film festivals, such as Cannes, Venice and Toronto.
“Aussie cinema” has a great tradition of genre movies. The films on the festival’s programme this year will concentrate mainly on the clash of indigenous and European cultures, immigration and tolerance – topics that have been important to Australian and New Zealand cinematography for a long time.
Aboriginal Songs
Nine films will be screened at the festival. ‘Ladies in Black’, a film that precisely yet humorously demonstrates the prejudice associated with the Australian nation, will open the festival. The singer Jessie Lloyd will sing Aboriginal songs at the opening ceremony.
The theme of the clash of European and Aboriginal cultures also resonates through the romantic comedy ‘Top End Wedding’, in which a young lawyer Lauren rediscovers her own Aboriginal roots.
New Zealand nostalgia
The current hit in New Zealand cinemas is the film ‘Daffodils’, an unusual musical romance with cult New Zealand songs from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Vai means water
The film ‘Vai’, which will be screened in Ponrepo Cinema, is perhaps the most exotic film on this year’s programme. It also discusses the themes of freedom and emancipation. The word ‘vai’ means ‘water’ in some languages from the Pacific islands. The unique film was made by nine women from the Pacific countries of Fiji, Tongo, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and New Zealand. The directors focused on the experiences of women who abandon their families and traditions for education and work.
Priscilla celebrates 25 years
The film ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is a classic movie of Australian cinematography. The movie, which celebrates the freedom of sexual minorities, is significantly lighter than ‘Vai’.
The screening of the legendary drag queen road-trip movie will be preceded by a live drag show by the group Hanky Panky right on the stage of the Lucerna cinema.
For further information about the festival, please visit: http://aussiefilmfest.cz/en/.