Film in Revolt chatted with Clare Sawyer, the family/youth film programmer at Sydney Film Festival which kicks off next week.
What film do you think will surprise or challenge SFF young audiences this year and why?
My choice of the most challenging film in the family program is Dressage which will give cinema goers an insight into Iranian class structures and a revealing look at Iranian youth. It sounds dry but in fact, it’s an exciting portrayal of an uncompromising young girl who sets her own path.
How many countries does your program encompass this year?
The films are from six countries; one from New Zealand, two from the U.S., one Iranian film, and two International co-productions, including Maya the Bee: The Honey Games which is an Australian German co-production.
Ok – Give us three words to describe each of the films screening in the youth program
Maya the Bee: The Honey Games – Sweet, plucky and buzzy
Skate Kitchen – Edgy, hip and dynamic
The Changeover – Spooky, witchy and romantic
Dressage – Challenging, eye-opening and rebellious
The Breadwinner – Inspiring, mythic and political
Do you have any special guests out here for the festival?
Miranda Harcourt, Erana James and members of the film team will be here for The Changeover and also it will be the Australian Premiere of Maya the Bee: The Honey Games so we will have some cast and crew attending that screening too.
How many films do you watch before deciding on the final programme?
I watch at least 45-55 films each year and each year my decisions were based on getting a great mix of films that will appeal to the range of audiences that the Family program covers, that’s audiences from 3 to 24 so it’s a pretty wide berth.
If you had to choose one film as a DO NOT MISS film in the program, which one and why?
That is such a hard question but I have got to say Speak Up that is in the Screen Day Out program is a fabulous documentary. It’s about some French college students who are preparing for a public speaking competition in Paris, and mixes slam poetry and performance in an inspiring way.
I also think that The Changeover is fantastic. For those who love a supernatural edge to their films, this one is for you. It’s come from the independent New Zealand film scene but not comedic like a lot of other films we are seeing from N.Z.
Of course, I also adore all the puppies in Pick of the Litter!
Can you tell us a little bit more about Screen Day Out? This is a first for the festival.
This is an exciting new program strand for the festival curated for Secondary school students and features special guests Q and A’s at the end of the screenings. Film gives such insight into other people’s lives and creates empathy in our increasingly fractured society, so to have a move into the educational sphere from Sydney Film Festival is a great new direction.
Thanks Clare!
Sydney Film Festival Family and Youth Program
Screen Day Out