Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF) 11th – 14th September

Christian Slater and Anthony Hopkins in Slipstream

Into its second outing, this year’s festival promises to pack over 100 films into four days of alternative appreciation. Those fortunate enough to partake in the pre-festival action earlier in the month will no doubt already have passes secured and waiting. Others who are less pro-active can purchase passes through The Factory Theatre.

If you can’t spare the time (or money) for the entire four-day extravaganza, entry into any of the days will more than likely satisfy with the wealth of showings on offer. Those more mainstream inclined can take in the Australian premiere of Slipstream, starring Anthony Hopkins and Christian Slater, screening on September 12th. Sex Galaxy, directed by Mike Davis, looks sure to provide many an anarchist with a fun Saturday night.

Festival Passes and Ticket Prices:

Festival Pass $70 ($65 Conc)
Opening Night – Includes food & drink $35 ($30 Conc)
Closing Night & After Party – $25 ($20 Conc)
One Day Pass – $25 ($20 Conc)
Individual Session Tickets – $12 ($10 Conc)

The Ten

The Ten

Made on a shoe-string budget and shot in 2006, those scanning the cast list will likely wonder why it’s only seeing the light of day now, two years later – and on a straight-to-DVD release. Winona Ryder, Liev Schreiber, Paul Rudd, Famke Janssen, and even Jessica Alba grace this 90-minute feature. So why the delay? Funding problems? Creative differences? Studio mismanagement? Sadly, it’s a much simpler reason: the film is bad. Really, really bad. Featuring 10 interrelated stories based on the Ten Commandments, unsuspecting viewers will be expecting a dark satire indicting religious fanaticism. Instead, they get a string of nonsensical sketches that rank closer to low-brow than high-art. It’s anybody’s guess as to what attracted the well-known cast (and it’s a long list) to this project.

One of Our Own

One of Our Own

A fairly happily married couple resorts to unusual measures after suffering a miscarriage. While Diane (Claire Rankin) and Stellan (Josh Randall) suffer the loss of what would have been their first-born, the two’s anguish quickly steers them into an opportunity never before thought of: surrogacy. Diane and Stellan don’t find themselves in murky waters over your run-of-the-mill substitute mother scenario however. You see, professional surrogate Cathy (Kate Beahan) prefers to do things the old-fashioned way. So begins the descent into a cesspool of moral ambiguities that’s both touching and hilarious. Josh Randall, last seen on the now defunct TV series Ed, is a standout as the conflicted and intrigued Stellan. Australian Kate Beahan (Chopper, Love is a Four-Letter Word) is equally impressive as the weirdly fertile Cathy. One of Our Own is one of those gems that suffer from its own quirky brilliance. Probably impossible to market upon its release, this charming offering is definitely worth your time.

Network Seven: Programming Geniuses.

Heroes: Noah Bennet (Jack Coleman) and Elle Bishop (Kristen Bell)

Heroes. Fasttracked… After the Olympics.

Baha. Baha ha ha ha ha.