Is there a guiding philosophy behind the curation of the films in the SUFF?
First and foremost, we aim to show films that provoke, push boundaries and are more on the adventurous side. Though we pay homage to the spirit of the historical underground, the exact definition of ‘underground cinema’ is always up for debate, so we see SUFF as a conduit for showcasing the year’s best independent films. We seek out films that are original, daring and that will leave a lasting impact.
Wiener-Dog is the new film from Todd Solondz. How would you explain his style to people who perhaps haven’t encountered his work yet?
Todd Solondz really is one of America’s greatest living filmmakers and we’re excited to have his latest film opening the festival. Solondz is a provocateur, and his films are pitch black. There’s really no one who makes films like him.
Trash Fire seems like another highlight. What is the film about?
The film features Adrian Grenier from Entourage. He stars as Owen, one of the biggest misanthropes committed to screen. His parents were killed in a fire when he was a child, his sister survived covered in burns and she now lives with his grandmother. Owen is in a relationship with a woman he despises but when he finds out she is pregnant, they decide to visit his family. I can’t give away much more but things quickly descend into madness from there, culminating in a finale that’s truly remarkable.
There are going to be three classics shown in retrospective: how did you go about selecting those three?
John Waters’ Multiple Maniacs is our closing night film. It’s hailed as a classic by the few people who have actually seen it. We’re also screening Naked Lunch, which celebrates its 25th birthday this year, and Carrie [below], which is turning 40. We’ll be screening a yet-to-be-released digitally remastered version of the the latter, which looks stunning.
What do you want audiences to think and feel as they walk away from SUFF films?
Everyone responds to films differently. We do our best to build a great atmosphere around the festival so hope to provide our audience with a good time and hope they’ll come away buoyed by the state of independent cinema. Film is worthless if it doesn’t make you feel, so whether you walk away challenged, confounded, aroused or violated, it’s all positive.
The 10th Annual Sydney Underground Film Festival runsThursday September 15 – Sunday September 18 at Factory Theatre, as part of Sydney Fringe.
