SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2014 ANNOUNCES OPENING NIGHT FILM
Announcement posted by Sydney Film Festival 10 Apr 2014
Sydney Film Festival today announced the Australian premiere of 20,000 Days on Earth, an innovative film about international cultural iconNick Cave, as the Opening Night Film to screen at the State Theatre at 7:30pm on Wednesday 4 June.
Sydney Film Festival’s Opening Night is proudly presented, for the second year running, by Audi.
Tickets go on sale at 9am Thursday 10 April via sff.org.au or 1300 733 733
20,000 Days on Earth is the first feature-length film by UK visual artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, who recently collaborated on a sound installation with Scott Walker as part of Vivid Live 2013. Forsyth and Pollard take a fascinating approach in this visually astonishing and highly stylised imagination of Cave’s 20,000th Day on Earth, all to a narration by Cave himself.
“We're blown away to be invited to open the mighty Sydney Film Festival,” said Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard. “It’s a total thrill to bring the film not only to Nick’s home country but also back to the city where we shot the climactic live performance at Sydney Opera House that closes 20,000 Days on Earth.”
“We are very proud to confirm this eagerly anticipated Australian Premiere as our Opening Night Film,” said Festival Director Nashen Moodley. “Imaginative, intimate, daring and defying easy categorisation, 20,000 Days on Earth is not just a scintillating portrait of a visionary artist, but a tremendous work of art in itself.”
“Simply astounding, razor-sharp, dynamic”
“Incredible. Puts most music films to shame. So inventive and inspiring.”
20,000 Days on Earthwas recently awarded the Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary and the Editing Award: World Cinema Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival 2014.
NB: In addition to film-only tickets available from 9am on Thursday 10 April, a strictly limited number of ‘Film and Party’ tickets are also available. ‘Film and Party’ tickets include entry to the Opening Night Film and the exclusive afterparty at Keystone’s Bungalow 8.
Last week, Sydney Film Festival announced 32 films to be featured in this year’s event in advance of the full program launch on Wednesday 7 May. Last week’s early announcement comprised 32 titles including one World Premiere, 19 Australian premieres, 13 features, 11 documentaries and a special eight-film retrospective of maverick American filmmaker Robert Altman, with his son and filmmaker Michael Altman attending the Festival as one of our many special guests. The full Sydney Film Festival program is announced on Wednesday 7 May at 10am.
20,000 Days on Earth
Directors: Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard | UK | 2013 | 95 mins | In English
Drama and reality collide in this extraordinary portrait of musician and cultural icon Nick Cave. Artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard take a fascinating approach in this visually astonishing and highly stylised imagination of Cave’s 20,000th day on Earth, all to a sparkling narration by Cave himself. Through his visits to his archive and a long and revealing session with his therapist, a picture of the artist, his origins, and his creative process is beautifully drawn. The filmmakers also follow Cave into the studio as he writes and records his hit album Push the Sky Away. Along the way, we witness fascinating and humorous conversations between Cave and his friends and collaborators like Kylie Minogue, Ray Winstone, Blixa Bargeld and Warren Ellis. Capturing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds live at Sydney Opera House helps reveal the massive impact Cave has and the deep devotion he inspires. Imaginative, intimate, daring and defying easy categorisation, 20,000 Days on Earth is not just a scintillating portrait of a visionary artist, but a tremendous work of art in itself.
Note: Flexipasses and subscriptions to Sydney Film Festival 2014 are on sale now. Please call 1300 733 733 or visit sff.org.aufor more information.
The Sydney Film Festival Opening Night film is presented by Audi Australia and our Opening Night Party is supported by Keystone Group.
ABOUT SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
Sydney Film Festival screens feature films, documentaries, short films and animated films across the city at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays, the Art Gallery of NSW, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, the Apple Store, SFFTV at Martin Place, Skyline Drive-In, and the Festival Hub at Town Hall.
The Festival is a major event on the New South Wales cultural calendar and is one of the world’s longest-running film festivals. For more information visit www.sff.org.au
Sydney Film Festival also presents 12 films that vie for the Official Competition, a highly respected international honour that awards a $60,000 cash prize based on the decision of a jury of international and Australian filmmakers and industry professionals. Previous Sydney Film Prize winners include: Only God Forgives (2013), Alps (2012), A Separation (2011) – which went on to win an Academy Award, Heartbeats (2010), Bronson (2009) and Hunger (2008).
The 61st Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW, the Federal Government through Screen Australia, and the City of Sydney. The Festival’s Strategic partner is the NSW Government through Destination NSW.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Amber Forrest-Bisley Director Cardinal Spin
E: amber@cardinalspin.com.au P: 02 8065 7363 M: 0405 363 817
Katie Eastment Communications Advisor Cardinal Spin
E: katie@cardinalspin.com.au P: (02) 8065 7363 M: 0435 918 466
Sophie Hodges Publicity Manager Sydney Film Festival
E: sophie@sff.org.au P: 02 8220 6619 M: 0403 959 528