David Stratton is synonymous with Australian cinema. Having been involved with the local scene since arriving in Australia in the 1960s, he directed the Sydney Film Festival for 17 years before going on to become one of the country’s most respected and watched film critics. Now audiences get to see a bit more of his personal journey through cinema when DAVID STRATTON: A CINEMATIC LIFE is released into cinemas on 9 March 2017 from Transmission Films.
Following some of the same ground as his 2008 autobiography I Peed on Fellini, the cinematic musings and influences of the bearded gent will be accompanied by commentary from some of the most recognisable names in Australian cinema including Gillian Armstrong, Eric Bana, Bryan Brown, Russell Crowe, Judy Davis, Nicole Kidman, George Miller, Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, Fred Schepisi, Warwick Thornton, Jacki Weaver and Hugo Weaving.
Using unique archive footage and memorable moments from the films themselves, the series focuses on some of our deepest preoccupations via the many and wonderfully varied depictions of ourselves onscreen. It’s through Australian films that David comes to understand his new home and himself, as his country forges its own identity on the silver screen.
Written and directed by Sally Aitken (Getting Frank Gehry, Streets of Your Town) and produced by Jo-anne McGowan and executive produced by Jennifer Peedom (Sherpa), Stratton will accompany the film from late February with a series of special screenings.
