Sydney Underground Film Festival
Image: HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS, showing at Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF).
The Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF) returns this year for its 17th presentation with a program of 20 feature-length films of which 13 are Australian premieres and 100 shorts.
The films screening at this festival are very unique and some of the adjectives that Festival Director Katherine Berger has used to describe them include dark, freaky, fascinating, hilarious, disturbing, insightful, insane, and plain old-fashioned fun!
The films seem to be getting crazier from one festival to the next and the festival is also building in popularity as many movie goers enjoy experiencing alternative cinema.
“The films at the SUFF take you on a journey, whether it be about something completely unbelievable or it’s a hilarious film where the point is to enjoy them in a crowd,” explained Berger. “It’s great to see some inventive, creative films utilising small budgets and limited sets but with hilarious, impressive and definitely zany results!”
When asked which are the three most unforgettably zany must see feature films screening at the festival she paused momentarily.
“Hundreds Of Beavers is completely absurd, Looney Tunes-inspired slapstick fun and it’s beauty is it sets up a completely ridiculous premise that comes full circle by the end of the film – and yes it does involve hundreds of beavers!”
Poundcake is wild with its script and this is also a favourite pick that Berger recommends. “It’s a hilarious pisstake about contemporary culture including online trolls, cancel culture, woke culture and political correctness. So while it seems on the surface as incredibly offensive, it’s clever and no one is safe!”
And the strange title of Onyx The Fortuitous And The Talisman of Souls should evoke interest and allure festival attendees to the closing night screening. “Based on the viral internet persona of writer-director-star Andrew Bowser, this film is mixed with his love of ’80s/’90s horror. He has created a completely zany film with awesome special effects! Plus there’s a free choc top for every guest – so it’s sure to please all the senses!”
As far as documentaries go, lovers of this genre should definitely put the opening night documentary Ukraine Guernica – Art Not War on their must see list. “Director George Gittoes and his Producer/Musician partner Hellen Rose head straight into the heart of Ukraine and start documenting what they are seeing and interviewing artists on the frontline. It’s an inspiring piece of filmmaking,” enthused Berger.
This festival doesn’t have as many events as it used to in past years. There’s a live performance at the opening night afterparty and some Q&A’s — one that should not be missed is after the Australian film Sleeping Beauties.
“Filmmaker Stuart Simpson has made several features with limited budgets and so it should be an inspiring and insightful talk after the film, especially for emerging filmmakers about being resourceful and getting their films sold.”
If readers of this publication are interested in watching any of the films at this festival now may be their only chance as most may never be seen on the big screen again. “Some films are getting smaller indie releases overseas, but generally most of the SUFF titles rely on festival screenings to build an underground, cultish following.”
When asked what audiences the SUFF would appeal to Berger was quick to respond. “We program a bunch of stuff for anyone (well not a lot under the age of 15!) but we definitely appeal to audiences who love getting adventurous with their film watching, who love zany films that make them laugh, and who ultimately want to get back to the good old fashioned cinema experience!”
September 7 – 10
Dendy Newtown, 261-263 King St Newtown
www.suff.com.au
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