Sydney Film Festival 2022 Kicks Off

The 2022 Sydney Film Festival commenced last Wednesday, with the powerful feature omnibus We Are Still Here opening the festival. The program features an eclectic range of local, and international, films and television, many of which were brought to life with the help of Cameron’s clients.

First off is 6 Festivals, the coming of age comedy-drama that follows three teenage best friends who go to extreme lengths to attend six music festivals; featuring some of Australia’s most popular music acts performing live. The film was shot by cinematographer Hugh Miller.

The debut feature film of writer-director Del Kathryn Barton, Blaze, will have its Australian premiere following the World Premiere at the Tribecca Film Festival last week. The film, which Del directed and co-wrote with Cameron’s client Huna Amweero, tells the story of a young girl who accidentally witnesses a woman being violently attacked, leaving her catatonic with shock and struggling to make sense of what she saw. She retreats into imaginary worlds, where Zephyr, the shimmering magic dragon who has been her companion since childhood, allows her to activate her own rage and ultimately find renewal. Blaze, which is a hybrid live-action, VFX and animation work, was brought to life by an array of Cameorn’s clients, which includes: Costume Designer Margot Wilson, Production Designer Alex Holmes, Editor Dany Cooper and Cinematographer Jeremy Rouse.

The hugely anticipated biopic, Elvis, which was written by Cameorn’s client Craig Pearce, is screening across the festival after receiving a twelve-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival last month.

Mystery Road: Origins, the latest chapter in the hugely successful series will debut all of its six episodes at the festival on Saturday, June 18th. Origins is set in 1999 and follows Constable Jay Swan, a charismatic young officer who arrives at his new station in a town called Jardine. Fresh from the city and tipped for big things, Jay might be the new copper, but he’s not new to this town. His estranged father Jack lives here, as does the woman who will change his life forever, Mary. The series was executive produced by Cameorn’s client Blake Ayhsford, who has worked across all seasons of the series.

Cinematographer Steve Arnold shot the critically acclaimed influencer slasher film, Sissy, which sees an influencer encounters her childhood tormentor on a hen’s weekend. The film debuted at the SXSW festival in March to rapturous acclaim.

Following its World Premiere at SXSW, Seriously Red, had its local premiere on Saturday at the festival. Cameron’s client, Krew Boylan wrote the film and also stars in the lead role of Red, a self-confessed clown who is one of the boys. Red wants to make something of herself and be a success but she’s just not passionate about her 8.30am-6pm office job. After being fired for sexual harassment, Red decides to take herself seriously and become a Dolly Parton impersonator. As Dolly, Red navigates a glossy new career, two bouncing silicon breasts and an intense relationship with a Kenny Rogers impersonator. However, this comes at a cost. The more Red becomes Dolly, the happier she thinks she is but the more her previous life rejects her. To find herself she first has to become someone else. Krew stars alongside an impressive cast, which includes Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Celeste Barber and Wayne Blair.

We Are Still Here, is an unparalleled First Nations celebration, interweaving eight stories by 10 directors from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Through eight heroic protagonists, the film traverses 1000 years exploring stories of kinship, loss, grief and resilience. The film was cut by editor Roland Gallois.

The New Zealand feature film, Whina, is a stirring biopic of trailblazing Māori leader Dame Whina Cooper, who broke gender boundaries, championed Māori rights, fought for the land and stayed true to her heart. The film was cut by editor Chirs Plummer.

The final film, You Won’t Be Alone, which stars Noomi Rapace and Alice Englert, follows a young witch who is left to the woods by her isolated mountain village in 19th-century Macedonia. This intricate and detailed world was brought to life by Cameron’s client, Production Designer Bethany Ryan.

You can purchase tickets to all of the above here.