Newsclipping #202: Australian Films, Enroute to Atlanta

For those whose exposure to Australian film is limited to "Muriel's Wedding," an extraordinary retrospective of cinema from Down Under will be coming to Chicago this May at The Film Center of the Art Institute. New York's Museum of Modern Art selected 23 films spanning 25 years. This ambitious series will travel throughout the U.S. and will culminate in Atlanta at the Summer Olympics. Several of the films contain queer content, and many feature rich female performances.

As far as I'm concerned, the program highlight will be "Picnic at Hanging Rock." Director Peter Weir has made some solid Hollywood flicks, including "Witness" and "Dead Poets' Society," but "Picnic" is reportedly his masterpiece. I say reportedly because I haven't seen it, as it's not available on video and is no longer in U.S. distribution. "Picnic" is about three girls who disappear on a school field trip. This truly is a one-time opportunity you shouldn't miss.

The Film Center is located in the theater of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago at the corner of Columbus and Jackson. There's even going to be a raffle for a trip to Sydney.

GAY CHICAGO MAGAZINE; by Bryce Tache


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