An Unforgettable Occasion

The nines aligned and September's CinéfestOZ brought the bright lights of film and celebrity to Busselton as it celebrated its second year.

From the moment the crowds began arriving, the CinéfestOZ Movie Crew poured on the hospitality with sensational food, and outstanding Clairault wines, French beers and soft drinks.

With every moment the sound of laughter and happy talk increased in volume, accompanied by the Franco background sounds of 'Pascale' and the band. The foyer was bursting at the seams by the time Festival Chairman, David Barton, commenced his opening address and to rapturous applause thanked visitors, sponsors and a myriad of community helpers for their support.

Freshly arrived French film executive Jérôme Paillard, was welcomed by the huge crowd and George Basha, writer and lead actor in 'The Combination' was afforded special applause when he humbly confessed that CinéfestOZ was his first ever attendance at a film festival.

The housekeeping over, the audience retired to Cinema 1 and 2 to watch, 'My Year without Sex' and 'Paris 36'.

Be-suited gents carried choc bombs and popcorn was the running rage for those in the little black numbers and after the movies ended, thrilled by what they had seen, the crowd headed for the Vasse Festival Bar to enjoy a nightcap.

To say it was sensational was an understatement - this was more than community fun, this was a night to remember because it drew together the lovers of film and a truly appreciative, diverse audience who may never have experienced such moments.

We'll keep you informed and if you missed last night, do not miss the Premiere event on Saturday - if it's half as good again it will be a remarkable block buster.

'The Critic'

Arriving at Cinema 2 last night, I wondered if my sense of anticipation may have overtaken me. I had heard so much about 'The Combination'. Its impact on the Sydney community, its deletion from NSW screens and how it had a message, "that must be told". I'd met lead actor and writer George Basha and he turned out to be one of the most charming and down to earth men I've ever met. So where was the downside here?

If there was one, I couldn't find it, because 'The Combination' is as brilliant as it is powerful. It is a 'love story', beautifully scripted and the cinematography is nothing short of exceptional. Heavily interwoven into the story is the underlining themes of racism and the hard to face facts about why second generation immigrant young men and women are driven to separate sides of the divide in an effort to gain their fellow countrymen's respect.

The film is extraordinary, the music is stunning; the acting superb. Nothing about this movie leaves you with a sense of lacking. Its dialogue is wholesome and well crafted and its message is challenging for every Australian.

Basha has created a modern day Australian parable, a story of our time; it's factual and shocking but it's one hell of a film and it will definitely go into my home collection. If you missed it on the big screen you've missed a treat but don't despair I'm told that it's out on DVD as of next week.

'The Critic'

Sunday Crime Time

"Jean-François Richet has made two pictures that complement and build on each other with widescreen verve."

Screen International
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A Hard Bargain for Love

"Charlotte Gainsbourg, who really is something in just about every film she appears in, is divine in this. It's a funny, heart-warming tale about love, commitment and family." 
Margaret Pomeranz - ABC's 'At the Movies' VIEW >>

Inspired by the Booker Prize winning novel by J.M. Coetzee

"...it's one of the most powerful statements in cinema
this year."
David Edwards, The Blurb
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