Australian Film Festival

Press, 12 November 1981, Page 16

Australian Film Festival

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The Academy starts a twoweek retrospective of recent Australian films tomorrow. All but one, “In Search of Anna,” have had a Christchurch release previously but most have only, been seen for short runs. “Stir,” (6 and 8.15 p.m, tomorrow and Saturday). Prisoners in one of Australia’s maximum security prisons put together an ultimatum to the governor. When it is rejected, they riot in what has been described as the toughest film to come out of Australia. “Blue Fire Lady” (2 p.m., Saturday). A young girl whose mother was killed in a horse riding accident follows her natural • love despite paternal intervention. The

girl and the fiery grey filly. Blue Fire Lady, work together through a tumultuous Australian racetrack existence until attaining equestrian success. “Thirst” and “The Devil’s Playground” (7.30 p.m., Sunday). “Thirst” is the macabre story of an attempt by a secret society to brainwash a

beautiful young career woman into believing that she is an heiress of their goulish traditions. “The Devil’s Playground" uses the setting of a college seminary to reveal the effects of rigid institutional control on people of a variety of ages and backgrounds. "Between Wars” (6 and 8.15 p.m., Monday and Tuesday) traces the career of Dr Trenbow from the trenches and shell-shock casualties of World War I through the Roaring Twenties and Depression thirties to World War 11. This portrait is set against the political and social development of Australia during that period. “In Search of Anna” (6 and 8.15 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday) is a contemporary love story set in an old Buick travelling up the east coast of Australia from Melbourne to Queensland. The story follows Tony as he leaves behind his five-year prison term and criminal connections in Melbourne. He takes to the road to begin a search for his first schoolboy love, Anna, who now lives in Queensland. The other six movies to be shown during the second week are “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “Dot and the Kangaroo,” “High Rolling,” “Picture Show Man," “Journey Among Women” and “Newsfront.”