Ladies in Black
LADIES IN BLACK
European premiere
+ drinks reception
+ Q&A with screenwriter & producer, Sue Milliken
DIRECTOR: Bruce Beresford
109 mins + introduction
Please note, this film is unclassified - we recommend +10 rating
Australian snacks will be on sale - cash only
Screened March 1, 2019
7.30pm Regent Street Cinema
ABOUT THE NIGHT
Huge thanks to everyone who helped to make our recent SOLD OUT European premiere of the fabulous LADIES IN BLACK such a wonderful evening!
Yet again, we managed to pack out the glorious Regent Street Cinema, and treat you all to a real gem of a film.
Producer Sue Milliken was gracious enough to join us all the way from Australia (via L.A.), giving a short introduction before the film, as well as a very illuminating post-screening Q&A, during which she offered some insights into the long and winding journey that her and Bruce Beresford took in bringing Madeline St John's only Australian-set novel, and 1950s Sydney, so vividly to the screen.
The film went down a real treat, and everyone seemed to agree with Sue's suggestion that it deserves a much wider audience in the UK.
As always, thanks to all who bought raffle tickets and gorged on Aussie lollies and snacks. Every sale helps us to fund future events, including the upcoming London Australian Film Festival. We are entirely self-funded, and volunteer-run, and without the consistently brilliant support of all you fine people, there is no way we'd be able to keep putting on the events that we do!
Extra special thanks must go to all our sponsors, supporters, and raffle prize donors for the event, including:
Sony Pictures UK, Sue Milliken, Allanah Zitserman, and Lumila Films
(for allowing us to screen the film),
The team at Regent Street Cinema
(for helping everything run as smoothly as ever),
James Mullighan
(for once again handling hosting/Q&A duties),
Manly Spirits Distillery
(for the fabulous pre-show tastings),
Vivien of Holloway
(for kitting out the LAFS ladies in glorious vintage gowns),
Tourism Australia, SANZA, Little Brown Books, and Sony Pictures UK
(for our wonderful raffle prizes).
ABOUT THE FEATURE
In late 1950s Sydney, sixteen year old Lisa (Angourie Rice) takes a summer job on the staff of Goodes, an exclusive department store as she awaits her final school year results.
Quiet, studious and sheltered by conservative parents (marvellously portrayed by Susie Porter and Shane Jacobson), Lisa harbours a secret hope to go to university.
At Goode’s her eyes are flung open to the cultural changes sweeping urban Australia through her interactions with the other staff, sales girls Fay and Patty (Rachel Taylor, Alison McGirr) and the vivacious immigrant Magda, manager "Model Gowns" (Julia Ormond).
LADIES IN BLACK perfectly captures the rumblings of powerful change for these very different groups of women.
Bruce Beresford, a master filmmaker, has made 2018's biggest Australian film and a classic that has wooed the critics and audience alike.
Come and experience the glorious costumes (winner Best Costume Design at the recent AACTA awards), a brilliant script (based on the bestselling novel by Madeline St John), and outstanding performances from a top ensemble cast.
SCREENWRITER & PRODUCER:
Sue Milliken
SCREENWRITER & PRODUCER:
Sue Milliken
DIRECTOR:
Bruce Beresford
CAST:
Julia Ormond, Angourie Rice, Rachel Taylor, Alison McGirr, Ryan Corr, Vincent Perez, Susie Porter, Shane Jacobson,Noni Hazlehurst
Sue has had an illustrious and prolific career, bringing to the screen some of Australia's best-loved films including The Fringe Dwellers, Black Robe, Sirens, Dating the Enemy, My Brother Jack, and the Indigenous films Crocodile Dreaming and The Redfern Story.
Last year, Sue was the 20th recipient of Chauvel Award at the Gold Coast Film Festival, which is named for Australian filmmakers Charles and Elsa Chauvel and acknowledges individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Australian screen industry.
She was awarded the A.O. (Officer of the Order of Australia) in the 2008 Queen's New Years Honours List for her services to the film and television industry, as an advocate for the development of the industry, for support and encouragement of Indigenous film makers, and as a producer.
Working closely with Bruce Beresford for 24 years to bring LADIES IN BLACK to the screen, we know she will have some brilliant stories and insights to share about this wonderful film, one of the highest grossing Australian films of recent years.
After the screening, Sue was in conversation with James Mullighan, former director of the Edinburgh and Cork film festivals.
Tony Middleton - Donor
INCLUDED IN THE TICKET
Ticket price includes drink reception.
Manly Gin Cocktails from Boutique Bar Brands
Manly Gin Cocktails from Boutique Bar Brands
Raffles sold on the night - cash only
Australian snacks and lollies (sweets) will be on sale - cash only.