2005 Review
Maurice Murphey's 2005 Film Festival Review
It's the day after the Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival and I want to thank the film contributors and the organisers of the Festival for inviting me to be one of the judges given the responsibility to choose the three winners of the festival. I'd like to congratulate...
Best Film and Best Director
Ken Smith for the mockumentary, Bovinian Rhapsody,
Over the top. Extraordinary plot. A jumble of ideas. A truly kaleidoscopic story that treads a really fine line of ridiculousness which Ken makes us accept. There are a couple of cows who should share this award.
The Runner Up and Best Animation
Damien Slevin for the animation, Wanker
So well drawn that many in the audience winced in recognition of those sort of artistic ‘events'. The drawing of the characters was spot on...
Third Place and Best Producer
Andy Rodereda for the kidult drama, Puppy Dog's Tails.
A very modern tale. This film should be sent to Canberra as required viewing for all politicians. Excellently made, very good performances, funny analogies. I longed for pictures to make the point more explosively at the end.
In making our decisions we judges were amazed at the quality of all the films in the festival. I would like to mention some of the individual contributions that I thought demanded recognition.
Best Script:
Puppy Dog's Tails. By Andy Rodereda
Capturing the boyish posturing in adult behaviour the story was funny with serious implications. I particularly liked the brief appearance of the only girl in the story.
Best Actress.
Chris and Ruth by Nick McDougall
Voice over work to rival those in the Simpson's
Note: I was aware and surprised how few women's roles were in the films
Best Actor:
The Hard Sell. By Andy Rasa
A fine and restrained comic performance in a story in which the lead performer can only react to the voices he hears on the phone. The audience laughter on the night proved how effective a performance it was.
Best Supporting Actor:
We must acknowledge the fine work of Atticus Jack Burless although his entry was too late to make the official judging.
Best Supporting Actress:
Atticus Jack's mother Fiona Burless
Best Camera:
Eddie and Joan. By Fiona Young & Marcelle Lloyd
The opening shot of this film was remarkable and the angles chosen to tell the story, inventive and witty.
Best Sound:
Andy Rasa for the coastal drama Listen
A very atmospheric piece set in a delightful location that held the audience with enigma and style.
Best Art Direction:
Nick McDougall Chris and Ruth.
What entertainment from such simple images. The eye movements alone were a delight of design.
Best Documentary:
Guntis Jansens satirical documentary The Trophy
stood out because as it used the animal documentary format to effectively illicit laughter and satire.
The other two documentaries, Making of the Circus by Guntis Jansens and Dare to Dream by Wojt Kowalk were documents rather than documentaries. I particularly admire the Festival for supporting this area of filmmaking - the historical documentation of important events in the community's life that can be kept for generations - particularly if it can be stored on a format which will survive.
I admired