Indie Gems August 5, 2010

Indie Gems: A Festival of Fresh Aussie Films is screening at Riverside Theatres from August 5 to 19. The program is filled with a mixture of inspiring and entertaining Australian films, plus there’s a free filmmaker’s workshop.

“We have amazing film talent in Australia and our stories are so diverse – emotionally, culturally and historically. Indie Gems is a testament to the talent and diversity and has something for everyone. We’re thrilled to be screening such a fantastic range of films at Riverside Theatres” said Director of Indie Gems, John L Simpson.

Indie Gems is showcasing exciting films made in Australia by Australian filmmakers and opens with the thriller The Jammed directed by Dee McLachlan and featuring Saskia Burmeister, best known for her role in Hating Alison Ashley.

Much-loved Australian actor Colin Friels stars in the suspenseful drama that divulges the intensity of familial love, Blind Company directed by Alkinos Tsilimidos. Colin Friels first came to international attention as the lead in Nadia Tass’ feature Malcolm, a role for which he was named Best Actor at the 1986 AFI Awards, but it was Friel’s five years as the lead in Water Rats that brought him even greater acclaim.

Matthew Newton directs and stars in Three Blind Mice a comedy drama about three young Navy officers who hit Sydney for one last night on land before being shipped over to the Gulf to fight. Alongside Newtown is a fantastic cast including Ewan Leslie, Toby Schmitz, Brendan Cowell, Alex Dimitriades, Marcus Graham, Pia Miranda, Barry Otto, Gracie Otto, and Jacki Weaver. Notably Three Blind Mice is the late Charles “Bud” Tingwell’s final on screen performance.

Award winning Khoa Do directs Mother Fish, the inspiring story of four refugees fleeing Vietnam in 198o. The present melds with the past as a quiet factory worker relives the extraordinary journey when she and her sister took to the sea in a creaky river boat in search of a better life.

The diversity of the Indie Gems program extends to such films as; the sexy, dark drama Carmilla Hyde, the coming of age drama; Playing for Charlie, which explores the delicate relationship between a young mother and her teenage son after the recent death of his father; and Men’s Group, starring William Zappa the story of six very different men who come together in unlikely circumstances.

The program of short films includes works from Western Sydney, Lakemba – the story of two mates called Sef and Chux, and Small Boxes, which follows the journey of Alberto Alvarez, a 20-year old Australian Latino who lives with his mother and grandmother in the outer suburbs of Sydney. Making a change is difficult, and for Alberto it will mean learning about his identity and finding the courage to believe in himself.

Indie Gems closes with a screening of Girl Clock. This heart-warming, zany coming-of-middle-age comedy follows the journey of three normal women who would happily enjoy their forties, if only Mother Nature wasn't so cruel.

Indie Gems: A Festival of Fresh Aussie Films
At Riverside Theatres, Cnr Church & Market Streets Parramatta
All screenings: Adults: $12 Conc: $10
AFI Filmmakers Workshop: Free
Bookings: Riverside Theatres Box Office 02 8839 3399 or www.riversidetheatres.com.au