City Hub 30 March 2017

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city hub 30 MARCH 2017

Camperdown in the dark over dive site

BY STEPHANIE TILLER Camperdown community members are calling for better consultation and transparency over a proposed WestConnex dive site on Parramatta Road.

The dive site will be used for tunnelling and construction of the new M4-M5 Link, which connects M4 East at Haberfield and the New M5 at St Peters via Rozelle.

Parramatta Road, Pyrmont Bridge Road and Mallett Street in Camperdown border the proposed location of the site.

Lesley Treleaven, Spokesperson for Camperdown Residents Aware of WestConnex (CRAW), says the Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) and New South Wales Government need to provide more consultation for the site.

“I raised the lack of consultation with Camperdown residents at the Inner West Council meeting on February 28 and administrator Richard Pearson wrote to SMC requesting more information and to do whole community consultations with Camperdown residents.

“So far the response has been predictable silence.

“On the WestConnex website they claim there has been consultation with the community on the M4-M5 link. No such consultation has happened,” she said.

Ms Treleaven also raised concerns over the suitability of the location of the proposed dive site.

In its current form the site would sit opposite a kindergarten to-year-four primary school that also runs a year five-to-six transitional program for children with mental health disabilities.

“The site proposed in the triangle bounded

by Pyrmont Bridge Road, Mallett Street and Parramatta Road is opposite a school and in a densely populated area with already congested local roads.

“There will be upwards of 300 heavy trucks removing soil daily for about four years.

Camperdown community members protesting the proposed WestConnex dive site on Parramatta Road.

Credit: Camperdown Residents aware of Westconnex

“This site is totally unsuitable for a dive site and we call upon decision makers to rule it out categorically,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Sydney Motorway Corporation said they are committed to minimising community impacts as the roll out of WestConnex progresses.

“Updated design features for the M4-M5 Link were announced on 10 November 2016, including removal of the tunnel exit and entry ramps at Camperdown and a mainline tunnel of four lanes in each direction.

“At this time, a proposal to locate a midtunnel construction site between Pyrmont Bridge Road, Parramatta Road and Mallett Street, Annandale was released.

“Sydney Motorway Corporation and Roads

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and Maritime Services are having ongoing discussions with community groups and stakeholders, including the Department of Education regarding proposed construction sites,” they said.

A spokesperson for the Inner West Council said they were concerned about the impact the proposed dive site would have on Sydney’s Inner West community.

“Council’s Administrator wrote to SMC on March 1 calling on them to release information on the proposed Camperdown dive site and to conduct an immediate community consultation campaign.

“Inner West Council has not been formally consulted about the proposed Annandale/ Camperdown dive site and is not aware that

SMC has undertaken any formal consultation of residents on this matter,” they said.

Greens MP for Newtown, Jenny Leong, says the dive site will cause further traffic congestion on Sydney’s already gridlocked roads.

“Putting a ‘temporary’ construction site in Camperdown surrounded by residential, educational, health and local businesses is as ill-conceived as the other two proposed sites in Leichhardt.

“You just can’t put a major construction site right in the middle of one of Sydney’s busiest main roads, opposite a primary school and other educational facilities, and think that the constant movement of large semi-trailers hauling spoil for five years, won’t cause absolute havoc,” she said.

A petition created by Newtown Residents Against WestConnex and CRAW is calling on the NSW Premier, Minister for WestConnex and Minister for Roads to rule out the possibility of a dive site in Camperdown.

The petition has attracted approximately 200 signatures to date.

Ms Leong says it is time for Gladys Berejiklian to recognise this is a completely unworkable situation.

“It’s time for her and the Minister for WestConnex to take a deep breath and call a halt to construction so that alternate options can be considered,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Sydney Motorway Corporation says further community consultation will occur once the M4-M5 Link design report is released.

“Community members will have the opportunity to provide further feedback on the proposed mid-tunnel construction site when the M4-M5 Link design report is released in the coming weeks and during the EIS consultation period in the middle of this year,” they said.

A community meeting organised by CRAW and supported by the office of Jenny Leong will be held on April 2 to provide information to Camperdown residents about the proposed site.

March in March small but strong

By Jessica Hill The Sydney March in March didn’t live up to the success it had in 2014 but organisers and protesters still believe it’s an effective way to drive change.

Jessie-Lee Peacock, Sydney March in March Organiser, said there were less people in attendance than in previous years.

“It wasn’t the huge resounding success that the March in March 2014 was but it was certainly not a flop at all either.

“We would’ve liked to have seen more people there,” she said.

The March in March 2014 was a nationwide protest which attracted thousands of Australians marching against Federal government policies.

Mums4Refugees, a grassroots network campaigning for social justice for asylum seekers and refugees, were one of the groups who attended the March in March this year.

Mums4Refugees activist, Dulce Munoz, said the focus should not be on whether the march was a success in terms of the number of attendees.

She said events like the March in March are about exercising your rights and demanding better solutions.

“Every march is a lesson to be learned and opportunity to engage new members, to share our message and also it’s an opportunity to teach our kids the values of solidarity and compassion.

“We participated at the March because we believe in social change, in the power of unity and in the importance of participation and empowerment.

“We are responsible for our democracy, and we teach our kids by example, we stand up to bullies, to injustice, we have a powerful voice and we are using it,” she said.

Shaymaa Abdullah, who campaigns for issues such as Aboriginal affairs, Islamophobia and racism, believed the March in March was a success.

“It’s a way of addressing the government issues that affect our quality of life or infrastructure upgrades we don’t agree with.

“It’s great to have media coverage so our message has a greater chance of being heard,” she said.

Protesters come together at Belmore Park for the March in March.

Credit: Peter Boyle

Ms Abdullah said a rally alone is sometimes not enough to drive change.

“I have attended many rallies and I have seen some positive outcomes, but it all depends on how complex the issue is and how many people come together to raise their concerns,” she said.

Ms Peacock said organisers are in talks about whether the March in March is going to become an annual event.

“It would certainly be a positive move for the community.

“Networks are forming and there’s plans for future action beyond just protesting to actually make changes in the policies that we disagree with.

“They are going to look at what they can do in terms of submissions and there will be a public forum coming up first,” she said.

The March in March 2017 was held in Belmore Park in Sydney on Sunday 26th of March. city hub 30 MARCH 2017

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Indigenous group calls for treaty

BY Georgia Clark Members of the Indigenous community rallied for the recognition of Indigenous sovereignty in Redfern last week.

The move comes amidst the Government’s proposed alteration of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. The Young Women Speak out for Treaty forum was held in Redfern last week for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, to voice the ongoing need for better Indigenous sovereignty. The event featured four First Nations women, Amelia Kunoth-Monks from Eastern Arrernte, Lidia Thorpe from Melbourne, LyndaJune Coe and Natalie Cromb from Sydney.

Ms Cromb, a Gamilaraay woman said the Coalition Government’s amendments to 18C threaten Indigenous liberties, making the recognition of sovereignty a priority.

“Treaty is the mechanism in which we can hold the government to account for past and present atrocities, it is our means of asserting our sovereignty and ensure funding for the structures which will see our communities flourish.”

The forum comes as the Coalition last week announced it would stand its ground and approve modifications to 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act (“RDA”) by amending the words ‘offend, insult and humiliate’ and insert the word ‘harass.’

This will elevate the legal test required to prove discrimination and filter out “vexatious or frivolous” complaints.

But Cromb fears the move represents the watering down of minority rights.

“It’s just another gesture that diminishes aboriginal rights in this country as well as other minority rights, and shows the state of play in politics,” she said.

After a tense battle with the Coalition over

Speakers at the Time for Treaty Forum in Redfern. Credit: Barbara McGrady

RDA reform, the Federal Opposition says it stands its ground in terms of affording protections to minority groups under 18C, saying the move will make it easier to humiliate people on the basis of race.

But Federal Member for Moore, Ian Goodenough, says the amendments to 18C will not permit vilification or abuse, but will still provide protection while making the Act more relevant to contemporary Australia.

“The use and meaning of language has changed over a generation since Section 18C was introduced in 1995 - so what the terms “offend” and “insult” mean in everyday usage has changed.

Due to political correctness offence and insult can be taken at a lower level in today’s society. For example humour in poor taste can offend,” he said.

The Human Rights Commission argues in favour of the RDA as it exists today, saying that it affords protection to all Australians in its current form.

“Section 18C and 18D of the Racial Discrimination Act, as interpreted by the Courts, strike an appropriate balance between freedom of expression and protection from racial vilification.”

But Cromb says the Government’s modification of section 18C is yet another setback, saying she is stridently opposed to any reforms to the clause. It’s 18D which she says should be tightened to afford greater protections to minority groups, by placing limits on media.

Goodenough argues the Act will still provide sufficient protection to all minority groups, while

placing less pressure on the Courts by minimising frivolous litigation.

“All people are protected against harassment and intimidation. All Australians may encounter situations in which they are offended and insulted - but they need to resolve these situations without resorting to legal action,” he said.

While the discussion around Indigenous sovereignty has drawn more support with petitions such as Reclaim gaining traction, the group says the Government approach coming out of Canberra such as the Close the Gap campaign, have been a setback for Indigenous Australians. They say the time is ripe for recognition.

“Yolŋu calls are more urgent under increasing controls and coerced policies of the NT Intervention which have denied the Yolŋu their voice, structures and imposed massive changes to Aboriginal land tenure in the NT,” said Time for Treaty.

But Goodenough says the Coalition’s modification of the Act will help them at the next election.

“The Liberal Party will gain support from mainstream Australians who are concerned that political correctness is being taken too far. All Australians will be treated equally and protected from harassment and intimidation. Freedom of speech will promote constructive criticism and open debate in workplace and social settings promoting greater social integration and assimilation,” said Goodenough.

Cromb says Indigenous sovereignty and the protections that would be provided under a treaty document should be the priority of the Government and the Australian people.

“In order for the treaty to occur [we] require the unity of aboriginal people and a change of consciousness of white people,” she said.

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Nanny state stubs out smoking in Bondi

By Sathsara Radaliyagoda and Tommy Boutros Waverley Council will implement a smoking ban from March 30 on Hall Street in Bondi, in an attempt to match the success of a smoking ban placed on Oxford Street Mall in 2016.

The ban will be in place from 7 am to 9 pm and will include both sides of Hall Street.

Waverley Council says the aim of the ban is to protect members of the community from the unnecessary harm of passive smoking.

A spokeswoman for Waverley Council says that the risk of illness from passive smoking is heightened in Hall Street as it is a common smoking area in Bondi.

“Passive smoking is a community safety issue.

Hall Street is extremely popular, and the Council would like all people to be able to enjoy the area without experiencing passive smoke,” she said.

Research carried out by Cancer Council Australia indicates that long-term exposure to secondhand smoking can increase the risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers by 30 percent.

A spokesperson for Waverley Council says the decision to extend the smoke-free zone has been made to ensure their residents are not at risk.

However, the council has suggested some community members oppose the ban.

Bondi resident, Beril Von Hucktinstein, is one such person.

“I hardly ever comply and I’ve never seen anyone try and enforce the restriction on me.

“I didn’t realise there was a non-smoking zone till I noticed a small sign reading “smoking kills

Hall Street in Bondi will now be a designated no smoking area. Credit: WikiCommons

less than fascism” which I think describes the zone perfectly,” she said.

Local community member, Lucy Fountain, believes the extension to the smoke-free zone is a positive step forward for the council.

Ms Fountain is an advocate for creating healthier spaces for residents in the Bondi area and says she is strongly opposed to smoking in the area.

“As a mother and a health conscious individual, smoking to me is a big no-no,” she said.

Ms Fountain says that her children have also become concerned with excessive smoking around Hall Street and that the ban will be an effective way to reduce the risk of second-hand smoke in the area.

“As a local of Bondi...my kids and I are very conscious of people smoking near by, so we avoid those situations,” she said.

A spokesperson for Gusto Espresso Bar on Hall Street says he is uncertain whether the extension of the smoke-free zone will affect their customers or the workings of their business.

“It’s hard to say whether it’ll have any impact. Will smokers move away from frequenting Hall St cafes because they have to walk further to have a cigarette?

We can’t really say at the moment,” he said.

However, the spokesperson did reveal that passive smoking on Hall Street is a common occurrence, saying, “Most people have experienced passive second-hand smoking and if you’re a non-smoker then it’s not pleasant.”

A council review will take place in 12 months to determine the benefit of the smoke free zone.

Doesn’t your business deserve a pat on the back?

The City of Sydney has been supporting business awards programs since 2004. This year we are the proud Principal Partner of the Sydney City Region of the NSW Business Chamber Business Awards 2017.

Entries are open 18 April to 29 May 2017 to all businesses in our Local Government Area.

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02 9265 9333 citybusiness@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/business/business-support

Entry is subject to the NSW Business Chamber Business Awards Program terms and conditions.

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Turnbull fails Australian students

By Dylan Crismale and Tallulah Thompson Students from Sydney universities joined together as part of a nationwide protest against the Turnbull government’s move to limit the accessibility and quality of higher education.

Around 150 protesters gathered at the University of Sydney on Wednesday 22 March to rally under the slogan, ‘Make Education Free Again’, before taking to the streets in a march to UTS. April Holcombe, the education officer of the student representative council at USYD, said, “We’ve got a budget in a few months, so if we don’t send out a clear message here and around the country today that young people are willing to stand up and won’t take this s**t anymore, then we’ll get more of it.”

According to a press release by the National Union of Students, the demonstrations were organised in response to the Turnbull government’s move to cut 20 per cent of core university funding and to partially deregulate certain ‘flagship courses’.

A Higher Education Reform Options Paper published by the Australian Government in May 2016, stated: “the Government is committed to providing universities with additional flexibility to innovate, differentiate themselves and offer students more choice and higher quality offerings … institutions could be given the freedom to set fees for a small cohort of their students enrolled in identified high quality, innovative courses.”

But protesters, including Ms Holcombe, said university deregulation of any kind was a step in the wrong direction. “[Flagship course are] kind of a foot in the door for fee deregulation…rather than trying to bring in the whole thing at once, they think

Students from multiple NSW universities gathered at Sydney Uni to protest against the string of government attacks on higher education. Credit: Tallulah Thompson

a better strategy…is just to start with certain flagship courses … and then basically they can use that as an excuse to extend it slowly into every course,” she said.

In a submission to the Higher Education Reform Options Paper, the University of Sydney recommended the Government halt its plan as it would cause accessibility problems for lower socioeconomic status students and

would create tensions with other courses that are funded normally.

Joshua Lees, a postgraduate student at USYD said, “We have a bigger picture demand which is that education should be free like it was in the 70s and 80s, and clearly that our government could afford if they wanted to.

“They’re spending 50 billion on tax cuts for the rich, 50 billion on submarines, 17 billion

on fighter jets that don’t even work, so yeah, this is a question of political priority; education should be a right, not a privilege.”

Many protesters on the day also spoke about the trajectory of privatising higher education, as it moves towards a focus on profit making.

One such student is Sarah Garnham, from the University of New South Wales, where a trimester system will be implemented from 2019.

“It’s not just a technical change, moving to three terms rather than two, it’s actually being used to organise a massive restructure that will see 400 staff members lose their jobs and will see thousands more students pushed through the university at a quicker pace, which makes a lot more money for those at the top … I think it’s a real attack and puts students and staff under enormous pressure,” she said.

Addressing the crowd at USYD, NSW Greens MP, David Shoebridge, expressed his support for the the concerns of students and teachers.

“As a Greens MP in the NSW Parliament, I work closely with my Federal colleagues. We’re putting it on the agenda, we can’t do it alone.

Gatherings like this is how we will do it.

“This is a struggle for equity, a struggle for identity, but fundamentally it’s a struggle for universal free public education, and we’re going to do it together,” he said.

Anneke Demanuele, the National Union of Students Education Officer, said, “We’re not going to stop at just one protest, we want to have more demonstrations throughout the year, whether that be responding to specific budget attacks or just making the case for free education.”

The last of the national student-led protests was held in Perth yesterday, Wednesday 29 March.

Public Exhibition Mobile food vending vehicles local approvals policy The City of Sydney invites your feedback on its updated policy to manage food trucks and vans trading on City-owned roads and other public places

The City of Sydney invites your feedback on how busking is managed and supported in the city.

Our new discussion paper ‘Busking in the City of Sydney area’ reviews our past approach and explores new ways of supporting and regulating busking.

Sydney has a strong tradition of buskers who help make Sydney unique and entertaining. We encourage you to have your say.

You can see the paper at sydneyyoursay.com.au/ busking-in-city The document is open for feedback until 30 April 2017.

For more information call 02 9265 9333 or email council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au 8

city hub 30 MARCH 2017

cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected

HAVE YOUR SAY ON BUSKING IN THE CITY OF SYDNEY AREA

The ‘mobile food vending vehicles local approvals policy’ outlines the approval process for food trucks and vans. It also details where they can trade and their operational requirements.

The updated policy simplifies the permit structure, and clarifies approval, fitout and operational requirements.

The policy takes into consideration public health and safety, environmental protection, noise, pollution, parking and trading times.

We will consider all feedback and report the results to Council.

You can view the policy and give your feedback at sydneyyoursay.com.au by 5pm on Friday 28 April 2017. Or you can email nstent@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au with your feedback.

Printed copies are available for inspection at: • One Stop Shop (CBD) • Glebe Neighbourhood Level 2, Town Hall House, Service Centre 456 Kent Street, Sydney 186 Glebe Point Road Monday to Friday: 8am–6pm (cnr Wigram Road), Glebe Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm • Redfern Neighbourhood Service Centre • Kings Cross Neighbourhood 158 Redfern Street, Redfern Service Centre Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm; 50–52 Darlinghurst Road, Saturday: 9am–noon Kings Cross Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm; • Green Square Neighbourhood Saturday: 9am–noon Service Centre 100 Joynton Avenue, Zetland Monday to Friday: 10am–6pm Feedback marked ‘mobile food vending vehicles policy’ can also be posted to: Chief Executive Officer, Attention: Nicole Stent, Public Health Specialist City of Sydney, GPO Box 1591, Sydney NSW 2001

No Moore information

By Andrew Woodhouse I have rights. I have human rights enshrined in state, federal and universal laws, including the Four Freedoms - freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from fear, and freedom from want.

In New South Wales, I also have a legal right to know.

This inalienable right is contained in the Government Information Public Access Act (previously called the Freedom of Information Act [FOI]), effective 1 July 2010.

When Clover Moore was in State Parliament as the Honourable Member for Bligh, she championed these rights as part of her Charter of Reform, and was a public palladin for more access for more people, more of the time. This was designed to give greater accountability and transparency in local and state governments.

She sprouted these changes like a fountain as one of her major achievements: “FOI changes included reduced time for processing applications from 45 days.. to 21 days, stronger powers for the ombudsman, extension of FOI to fully cover local councils, and limited agency authority to refuse access on diversion of resources grounds.”

Hansard records show she said, “We aim to strengthen freedom of information legislation to make it more accessible and more affordable to the community. Having freedom of information legislation is one thing; implementing and using it is another.

Unfortunately, agencies and bureaucrats may not release information to members of the public even though they should do so under the Freedom of Information Act.” These words now haunt her, highlighting her hypocrisy.

As Lord Mayor things are very different indeed.

Costs of Sydney Council’s photocopying and search fees have risen dramatically. Council’s FOI little hovel, run by a coven of dumkins and bureau-trolls, toil away high up in Town Hall House.

Their disorganised desks look like left over bowls of last week’s lasagne - with just as many layers.

They lack formal training and use their very limited knowledge to find documents and allow access if there is no political fallout for their boss. Otherwise, they find reasons for refusal or claim extended rights for time extensions. When asked for legal justification for extensions none are provided.

This department was once independent and made its own decisions. After I accessed Clover Moore’s own DA for her own property and discovered it was approved in record time, it shut

Credit: LYNCH

down access and changed procedures. A junior staffer, told me, “We’ve been politicised”.

The department’s independence is now neutered with all major FOI decisions going to its legal governance section for scrutiny first. It seems to be another tentacle of Clover’s political party.

Staff have no qualms in trying to limit political fallout: they call me late at night offering deals such as cost reductions for GIPA (FOI) applications if I withdraw another part of my request. I refuse. It smells like bribery to me.

I am still waiting for council’s protocol on dealing with conflicts

Opinion

of interest with DA’s to be put on its website. I received this under a court subpoena some years ago. Council’s own janusfaced policy claims, “The City of Sydney is committed to the following principles regarding public access to information: open and transparent government; consideration of the overriding public interest in relation to access requests; proactive disclosure and dissemination of information, and respect for the privacy of individuals.”

But it’s just more motherhood statements and part of their business optics.

As Clover previously said when she was on the outside looking in, “Having freedom of information legislation is one thing; implementing and using it is another.” Now she’s on the inside looking out, it’s a different story.

Council’s FOI section only approved four requests for information in the last 15 months according to its own official website – if it can be believed.

City of Sydney Councillor, Craig Chung, a hawk-eyed watchdog for ratepayers rights, says council was only forced to update its disclosure log after he turned whistle blower. It hadn’t been updated since April 2015!

This negligence contravenes the GIPA Act. “Keeping an up-to-date and accessible disclosure log improves openness and transparency,” Mr Chung says, “especially about politically sensitive data regarding Clover’s infamously lavish, ratepayer-subsidised New Years’ Eve parties.”

When he issued a question on notice for this week’s council meeting. Suddenly, the log was updated.

“There is a clear culture against transparency in this council,” he maintains.

“Clover is frustrating live streaming council meetings. She has refused to allow public questions to the Lord Mayor and rejected moves by Councillor Scott to improve the transparency of the Housing Affordability Fund.”

He claims Clover wants a “Secret Sydney” and he insists the disclosure log must include all GIPA DA requests approved to businesses and residents, so council can be better connected with its ratepayers.

I agree. After all, whose council is it? There’s or ours?

Andrew Woodhouse is President, Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage & Residents’ Society.

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9

Opinion

Bye bye Bairdy

By D. E. Grieve QC For some extraordinarily uncompromising – and quite irrational – reason, shortly before Mr Baird’s retirement as NSW Premier, the government seduced the parliament into passing legislation to privatise the Land and Property Information Service (LPI). So, for the next 35 years, the crucially important process of land title registration will be administered by some privately funded corporate body.

We have not been able to discover the price for which the government proposes to flog off this crucial asset. But it is rumoured to be in the order of $1.5 billion. Given the annual return and the monopoly of the service, if that is the best price that the Treasurer can negotiate, quite obviously we would be better off if he were to run a corner store.

It seems that the government’s justification for this extraordinary legislation is that the proceeds are to be paid into the Restart New South Wales Fund to finance infrastructure projects. These projects are designed to improve public transport, roads, hospitals and other places of employment for members of the public service.

In other words, what the government has proposed is that a body of critical importance to the ownership and management of land in the state, which incidentally also provides a healthy financial return from its operation, should be sold to a privately owned enterprise. The proceeds of which may be ploughed into some capital project or projects without regard to proper economic analysis.

It is in fact an abrogation of fundamental governmental responsibility. Of necessity the service presently provided by the LPI is monopolistic. The buyer, whoever it may be, will apparently have an unfettered power to increase the prices for the services they provide in the future. Much has been said recently about the increasingly unaffordable prices within the Sydney

Contact: Mike Baird

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

property market. This privatisation of the LPI will only serve to pour petrol on the flames which already flare in that regard.

Above all, and most importantly, our property titles will henceforth be under the control of some presently unknown corporation. Who will control the corporation?

Where will it be located? Will it be subject to Australian law? One thing that can be fairly said with confidence is that it will not be the

subject of any parliamentary review. What controls over its confidentiality will exist?

What measures, if any, to prevent, or at least police, corruption within its organisation will be available? If loss or damage results to any citizen as a result of maladministration of the legislation – principally the Real Property Act – for which it will be responsible, what guarantee of its capacity to pay that loss or damage will exist?

It seems the legislation, as often happens in our parliaments, was passed without any proper consideration or scrutiny. None of the questions which I have posed appears to have been addressed.

The legislation to which I have referred is entitled the Land and Property Information (Authorised Transaction) Act 2016. The government should come to its senses and move its immediate repeal.

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Please email lawrence@altmedia.net.au

Keeping It Reel

Rita Bratovich In 1982, a group of Australian women formed Women In Film & Television (WIFT), an organisation that advocated for better representation of female workers in the industry. Some thirty-five years later, that group is as active and as relevant as ever perhaps even more so.

Women continue to be shunned in a screen industry that holds steadfast to an ingrained patriarchal infrastructure and psyche.That’s why festivals such as For Film’s Sake (FFS), created by WIFT, are vital. FFS (formerly World Of Women or WOW) curates films in which at least four of the key roles (director, producer, writer, cinematographer, lead protagonist) have been fulfilled by women. Festival Director Sophie Mathisen describes the FFS as being very inclusive, representing people from transgender, LGBTIQ, socio-economically disadvantaged, religious, cultural and disenfranchised communities.

“We want to make FFS the benchmark for ethical programming… we want to make sure we’re looking at the marginalised voices and make sure we give them a platform,” she explains.

As well as accepting submissions, Mathisen and her FFS colleagues keep abreast of festivals and industry activities around the globe to ensure they get a good range and calibre of films. What makes this festival particularly special is the presentation, or what Mathisen calls “activations”. Rather than all being shown in a cinema, they have engaged nine offsite activations, that is, unorthodox environments that will add a more ambient, immersive experience to the screenings. One film, Beijing Being will be shown in the Chinese Gardens, where people can walk around while viewing it.

“It’s really about making content special again… it’s not enough anymore to sit in a cinema passively,” says Mathisen.

Burqa Boxers, a documentary about a group of Muslim girls in India learning to box, will be

Tanya Duncan.

Photo: Phil Erbacher

preceded by an actual boxing match in which women from the festival will partake.

“We’ve got a few pretty insane things happening we’ve got a horror marathon in a car park. We’ve got a film that’s all about Beyonce so we’ve got a Beyonce dance party that precedes it.”

This year the festival is particularly exciting for film makers because it will debut The Big Pineapple competition. With a single winner receiving $50,000 cash and around $100,000 worth of post production to go towards making a film, the interest has been immediate and intense. Women are required to write a film pitch which, apart from the synopsis, must nominate female crew members in at least four key roles.

The judging panel consists of Mathisen and a selection

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of prominent female film makers. One of those is Louise Wadley, a writer and director whose most recent film, All About E, was a hit at the Mardi Gras Film Festival and has generally been well received on the circuit. It has been included in the FFS program.

For Wadley, it’s not just women, but diversity in any form that seems to be a problem.When she was casting the lead role in All About E, a young Arabic lesbian, she was repeatedly told: if you made her anglo-Australian your life would be so much easier I could get you this person or that person…

“They are really stuck in the dark ages,” Wadley comments, frustrated at the dogged opinion that diversity is not commercial.

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an example of how out of touch the industry conservatives are. “Everyone saw that project, it went around the houses for about 10 years before it finally got made.”

Going from being a gaffa (film set electrician) to co-founding Girls Own Pictures,Wadley has observed female exclusion at all levels. Her involvement in The Big Pineapple competition confirms it.

“I have been absolutely staggered by how many people are interested in this… all that tells me is that there are so few opportunities for women,” she laments.

Velinda Wardell ACS has been a member of the Australian Cinematographers Society since the beginning of her career. It was and continues to be a source of support, knowledge and networking. Four years ago, she helped form a women’s advisory panel to address issues and improve representation of female cinematographers.

While she acknowledges the value of festivals such as FFS and initiatives like The Big Pineapple, she still believes quotas are needed to get women into mainstream cinema and media.

Wardell’s own personal experience in the industry has been positive but she appreciates that many women, especially with technical skills, get ignored.

Also a Big Pineapple judge she sees side benefits to the competition.

“One of the things in the competition that I’ve been really excited about is seeing the flurry of people desperately trying to work out who the female cinematographers are in their area,” she says, explaining that it will raise visibility, forge relationships and perhaps give people the impetus to make their films, regardless of whether they win.

Her advice to young women entering the industry: “Turn up to technical evenings and screenings and enter work in awards, because … part of it is just participating.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Ellie, Abbie & Ellie’s Dead Aunt

High school is hard when you have to work up the courage to ask your crush to the school formal but it’s even more so when you’re grappling with your sexuality at the same time.

Tagged “a common love story rarely told”, Ellie, Abbie & Ellie’s Dead Aunt is the coming-ofage story of Ellie, an 18 year old girl, who falls for Abbey, another girl in her class. With the help of her fairy godmother – aka her deceased

aunt – Ellie must carve out her own romantic comedy in a world where girls traditionally fall for boys.

“So much of the way we form our view of the world is subconscious via media and culture and without realising it, people’s views of what a relationship should look like and what a love story should look like become so entrenched in us,” says Monica Zanetti, the writer-director and actor.

“The best thing about romantic comedies though is that you leave and you’ve got butterflies and you’re so happy and you just want to watch it again straight away and that’s what I wanted this story to be. Anyone can see it – no matter their preference or gender – and just get swept up in the story.” (ES) Until Apr 8, Various performance times.

Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville. $32+b.f.Tickets & Info: http://thedepottheatre.com

Crimes Of The Heart It would be easy to simply describe Beth Henley’s witty and character-driven play Crimes of the Heart as a wistful tragicomedy about the lives and loves of three sisters brought back together by a horrific act of violence. However, by setting the play five years after Hurricane Camille, a catastrophic category five disaster that fell on Mississippi in 1969, Henley has also allowed classic Southern Gothic tropes to permeate the story of these funny, frightened and brave women.

If this story sounds familiar to you it could be due to the 1981 Pulitzer Prize version of the play being adapted into a multi-Academy Award nominated film Laura Pike, Amanda McGregor and Renae Small. starring Sissy Spacek, Diane Keaton and Photo: Kate Williams Jessica Lange.

A cast of vastly talented and experienced Artistry and Red Line Productions presentation of actors including Caleb Alloway (Home and Away), the story this show is bound to strike an emotional Rowan Davie,Amanda McGregor (The Crucible), cord. (JA) Laura Pike (Hoges), Renae Small and Amy Until Apr 8,Tue-Sat 8:15pm or Sun 6:30pm.

Usherwood are being directed by Janine Watson, Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling St, winner of the 2016 Sandra Bates Directors Award. Woolloomooloo. $30-$42.Tickets & Info: With such a prestigious team helming Imperial www.redlineproductions.com.au

The Tragedy Of Romeo and Juliet Bard On The Beach are set to present their interpretation of the classic Shakespeare masterpiece The Tragedy Of Romeo and Juliet.

Whilst everybody knows the timeless tale of Romeo and Juliet, Bard On The Beach bring something new to the play because they have always been focused on presenting classical theatre the way they feel it is meant to be - raw, traditional,

honest and entertaining.

Bard on the Beach is a new, exciting and vibrant Shakespeare company, which was formed to fill the gap left by the closing of ‘Shakespeare by the Sea’ (SBTS).

Bard on the Beach was created by former actors of Shakespeare by the Sea who believe in entertainment and being true to the Shakespearean language.

If you want to get the most true experience of Romeo and Juliet this is the perfect show for you to check out. (JA) Mar 31-Apr 8, Various performance times.

The Greek Theatre, Addison Rd Community Centre, Marrickville. $19.54-$29.99.

Tickets & Info: www. bardonthebeach.net

REVIEW: The Importance Of Being Earnest

a&e

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The Importance Of Being Ernest is hilarious, well-acted and promises to be an enjoyable OuTa Town’s production of the Oscar Wilde classic night at the theatre.

Wilde’s dialogue is delivered cleverly in a farcical manner.This is a literary masterpiece that has withstood the ages.

Wilde’s commentary on English society in the 1800s is rich in witty satire. Cast members look authentic and well suited to the era, costumes are new and dapper.Wilde introduced a new character to the Victorian melodrama genre, the figure of the “dandy” (a man who pays excessive attention to his appearance).This is his trademark and is partly autobiographical.There are two dandy rich bachelors in this period comedy piece,

12 STAGE 13 Sounds 14 SCENE 15 SCREEN

Algernon Moncreiff (Eli Gallagher) and John ‘Jack’ Worthing J.P (Shane Imbert).

Wilde’s ability to see human nature in all its flair and folly have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest his most enduring play, seeing it staged professionally hundreds of times since its premiere in 1895 and adapted into numerous films, operas, musicals and TV productions. Its 2002 film adaptation starred Reece Witherspoon and Colin Firth.

At heart a love story, the play involves eight actors, comprising of two potential couples, an aging ‘gorgon’ Aunt, a governess, a Reverend and a butler who doubles up as a manservant.With three acts, the first set in Algernon Moncrieff’s flat in London, the

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

second and third are at the Manor House, rural Woolton.The narrative climax in the story surrounds an abandoned carpet bag at Victoria Station, many years ago, an absurd coincidence, and the resolving of what the Aunt calls a ‘societal indiscretion’.

Giving insight into the English Aristocracy, their world is presented as blatantly and ostentatiously artificial and full of hypocrisy. Right up until the end the play demonstrates the Importance of Being {called} Ernest. (MS) Until Apr 2, Various performance times. Zenith Theatre, Cnr McIntosh and Railway Street, Chatswood. $30-$40+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.ticketek.com.au

Contributors: Alannah Maher, Alicia Sim, Athina Mallis, Barbara Karpinski, Caitlin Burns, Chantal Walsh, Craig Coventry, Daniel Jaramillo, Emily Shen, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, James Harkness, Joseph Rana, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Peter Urquhart, Rita Bratovich, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Zeiya Speede, Jade Morellini,Vanessa Powell.

Photo: Dylan Evans

Dracula

This adaptation by Shake & Stir Theatre Co. of the immortal gothic novel by Bram Stoker was first staged in 2015 to ecstatic critical acclaim.

Now, the same production is touring the nation, playing in roughly 50 venues including the wonderfully accommodating Parramatta Riverside Theatre - and if actor, David Whitney’s enthusiastic description is accurate, it promises to be quite a spectacular show.

Whitney plays Abraham Van Helsing, the Dutch professor and vampire aficionado who is called to London to help eliminate the evil and virulent Dracula.

“He’s a wonderfully eccentric character… his social skills are not great, he can be quite abrasive and direct and a lot of humour comes from that,” Whitney says.

The adaptation is faithful to the original story, which was written 120 years ago after the opium driven horror fantasy that was vogue at the time. Nowadays it can border on extreme and absurd, so it can be hard not to stray into parody. Whitney explains that they are playing it straight and allowing the laughs to fall where they may. The real appeal is the cinematic, enthralling production: “It’s a huge wonderful set which revolves, and staircases and hidey holes…the set, the lighting and the sound all build this horror intrigue…we’ve got a lot of tricks like firey crosses and things disappearing and Dracula flying down a wall…”

Sound Designer, Guy Webster has created an original score and a soundscape that includes special effects, helping to establish an eerie, tense atmosphere.

There are also theatrical “blood and shock” devices inspired by the grotesque French Grand Guignol theatre, as well as a scintillating undercurrent of eroticism.

“Shake and Stir are very ambitious in terms of staging and they give the audience their money’s worth,” assures Whitney…cross his heart. (RB) Apr 1-4, Various performance times.

Riverside Theatre, Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta. $38-$52+B.F. Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta. com.au

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

By Jamie Apps

Glenn Skuthorpe: Find the crossroads of blues roots country and folk and you will discover Nhunggabarra, Kooma, Muruwari man and international touring singer Glenn Skuthorpe with his guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonicas in hand.

Thu, Mar 20, Camelot Lounge Martha Tilston: Has grown up immersed in music. Her singersongwriter father Steve Tilston and renowned folk singer Maggie Boyle (step-mother) were obvious influences, with their musician friends often gathering and singing in the family kitchen. Martha’s own musical journey has taken her from the acoustic stage at Glastonbury to touring the far reaches of the globe.

Fri, Mar 31, Leadbelly The Clouds: Among the leading lights of the Australian indie scene in the early to mid-nineties, fronted by the dual vocals of Jodi Phillis and Patricia Young. They now return to the stage this weekend with their first new material in 20 years.

Fri, Mar 31, Newtown Social Club West Thebarton Brothel Party: Led by charismatic leader figure, gravel-voiced frontman Reverend Ray, WTBP’s absurd nom-de-plume has catapulted them into bars, bills and best of lists.

Tomorrow night watch them launch their new single here in Sydney.

Fri, Mar 31, Chippendale Hotel Darcy Fox: Hailing from the Latrobe Valley in regional Victoria pop-folk singer-songwriter Darcy

Fox has just released her EP Chapter One and is now hitting the road to celebrate.

Fri, Mar 31,The Newsagency Ocean Love: A family friendly event featuring live music, artwork, a silent auction, ocean themed face painting and much more will allow us all to celebrate our shared love for the ocean whilst also fundraising for Take 3, a not-forprofit organisation aimed at reducing plastic pollution in our oceans. Some of the musicians and artists featured throughout the day will be Mat McHugh, Nick Saxon, Luke Shadbolt, John Witzig and Jane Gillings.

Sat, Apr 1, Bondi Bowling Club Sydney Youth Orchestra: In their first major concert of 2017, titled Intrepid Voyagers, the youth orchestra will showcase their wonderful repertoire.

Sun, Apr 2, Sydney Conservatorium Of Music Alter Bridge: The Orlando rock juggernaut comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums are returning to Australia on the back of their fifth album, The Last Hero.

Tue, Apr 4, Enmore Theatre Renée Geyer: With a career spanning four decades and still going strong Geyer has been consistently reinventing herself.

Whether in the studio or on stage, this is where Renée Geyer is home and continues to wow audiences with her remarkable voice.

Wed, Apr 5, Camelot Lounge

By Jamie Apps In between tours supporting Marshmellow and Illy respectively Gold Coast producer Paces sat down with us to talk about his music and all of the new elements he’s been incorporating.

Since releasing his debut album Vacation last year Paces, aka Mikey Perry, has continued working on his own music as well as producing music for other acts. Obviously doing this occasionally he has to answer the question ‘should I keep this for myself?’

“Sometimes I’ve felt that way when doing remixes” Mikey said with a hearty laugh.

More recently though Mikey says he has been “doing 95 percent my own stuff” so that question has been cropping up less often. This shift in focus is leading towards a new album which Mikey hopes will be finished in the “next couple of months.”

Pulled Apart

By Horses - The Haze

TWO

Brian Meegan and Kate Raison.

Photo: Clare Hawley

Jim Cartwright is one of Britain’s most prolific and well-known playwrights, and his play, Two, is one of the most well produced plays across the UK and Europe. Two has been done in several languages all over the world. Cartwright is quite insightful, and a beautiful creator of characters.

The play has been localised with an Australian flavour, set in 1989, in a large rural centre in NSW. Within the walls of a pub we meet the people that drink there, the people that have a community there and the people who run the pub.We gain an insight into their lives.

It’s a very character driven piece. There are 14 different characters. The actors Kate Raison and Brian Meegan, who are married in real life, play seven characters each; we meet the characters, get to know them and gain an insight into what defines them.

“It’s comedy that ranges from absurdist to black comedy and it’s downright just plain funny.The characters are very specific and well-drawn; they are identifiable for the audience.There is a twist, a degree of understanding in certain stories that people won’t get until the end of the play.Things are revealed during the journey,” explained Raison.

“It’s literary and very theatrical but still very human, heartfelt and easy to connect to. It’s like Dylan Thomas but more accessible for the audience,” she added.

Jim Cartwright takes the invisible people in our communities, the people easily passed over at first, because they’re old or perhaps because of intellectual or physical reasons, and gives them a voice. What he’s trying to say is that everyone has a story. They’re ordinary people but we learn ordinary people can be exceptional people. (MS) Until May 6, Various performance times.

Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli. $35-$71+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.ensemble. com.au or Ph: (02) 9929 0644

Paces

For fans eagerly awaiting the follow up to Vacation Mikey says this album will be “a little harder” and that his newest single Savage “is probably a good guide for the album.” The harder style in Mikey’s most recent production is largely due to his experiences playing more festival shows following the success of Vacation.

“I found I had the most fun playing

“There’s still life in the old dog yet” This quote from Moonbather really sums up the new record from the group out of Leeds.

After taking some time away from the spotlight to work on this record Pulled Apart By Horses have created a record which is full of high-energy, yell-a-long tracks which suck the listener in for the wild ride.

Rarely do any of the tracks extend long past the three minute mark which makes it easy to digest the electricity interwoven within them. With this record Pulled Apart By Horses truely live the emotion their music conveys. They don’t fluff about needlessly on any track rather they simply jump right in swinging, end the fight and walk out victors. (JA) WWW1/2

the more danceable or harder songs at festivals, so naturally I’ve gravitated to writing those more” explained Mikey before adding “I’m still all about pretty harmonies, melodies, nice vocals and fun music but now just slightly more club or festival friendly.”

With his new focus on performing headline and festival shows Mikey has also been exploring new

elements to incorporate into his live performance to improve the fan experience.

“I don’t want my show to just be me standing there playing songs on a big empty stage. So lately I’ve started bringing dancers, visuals, different guest singers or rappers and anything really that I can do to make it a fun party experience for everyone. I just want people to go home thinking wow that was a fucking cool night.” said Mikey “I always keep a list of notes of ideas for what to do for the next tour as well. I’m already thinking about what to do for the album tour. I’ve got a bunch of ideas it just comes down to picking which ones are actually going to be feasible to achieve.”

Apr 7 (Supporting Illy at 7:15pm). Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $56+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au

Vices - Now That I Have Seen I Am Responsible

Sydney’s hardcore melodic punks Vices have captured some truly heartfelt moments and blended them seamlessly with big picture issues on their new record.

On the personal side the group covers topics such as death, grief and divorce which all pluck strongly on the heart strings.Vocalist John McAleer should be highly commended for opening up so much to fans with these tracks, in particular with the track Alone.

Then on the more broad scale Vices attempt to tackle issues of veganism, religion and life’s purpose.

Throughout the 13 track offering the tempo is kept high, and despite that this record feels like Vices tightest record composition wise. This raw yet considered approach means these songs hit fast with a heavy emotional gravitas.

(JA) WWWW city hub 30 MARCH 2017

13

THE NAKED CITY

PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE RATSAK! With Coffin Ed If you believe a recent report in the Daily Telegraph, “Sydney is in the grip of a rat plague so big it is threatening to undermine the city’s reputation with overseas visitors”. The report goes on to say “There are now more disease-ridden rats living in Sydney than people, and requests for exterminations have doubled in just a year.” Scary stuff indeed but is there more to the current rodent invasion than first meets the eye?

Earlier in the year the City Of Sydney Council rebuffed residents’ claims that rats were running amok in suburbs like Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. At the time the official line was that “there is no appreciable increase in rat numbers in Inner Sydney, despite anecdotal reports of a rise in rodent numbers”.

A few months later and the Council has supposedly experienced a 75% jump in the number of rat oriented complaints it has received.

Rats of course have been part of the Sydney landscape ever since the First Fleet trucked into Botany Bay back in 1788. It was a long arduous voyage for the humans on board and you can also bet the English black rats did it hard scrounging for anything edible in the deep dark depths of the hull. One can almost envisage the joy that rushed through the rat pack when the sniff of terra firma approached and they scurried away into the new colony.

When the bubonic plague hit Sydney in January of 1900 it was rats who spread the disease throughout the city. Once it was

clearly established they were the carriers, hundreds of rat catchers were employed to round them up, especially the critters who disembarked from overseas ships. Nevertheless there were a further twelve plague outbreaks through until

Kegworth Autumn F.A.R.E

1925 with hundreds of recorded deaths as wave after wave of infected rats arrived by sea.

These days the bubonic plague is hopefully long gone but rats are still blamed for spreading disease and carrying bad bacteria.

Part of the problem of course is that we continue to feed them, not only with the obscene amount of uneaten food we throw out but the careless way in which much of it is packaged as garbage. Every burst or badly sealed garbage bag is a gourmet feast for rodents not to mention the amount of takeaway food that is simply ditched in streets and parks.

In Sydney today ibis’, pigeons and rats are the grateful recipients of mountains of organic trash generated by today’s wasteful society. Whilst the sometimes sandwich snatching ibis are tolerated and viewed with curiosity by many a tourist, and pigeons taken for granted, rats are still regarded as bottom of the vermin shelf.

If rats are really outnumbering people in Sydney what we need is a giant LED rat counter, attached to the front of the Sydney Town Hall, a bit like the US National Debt Clock. As the rat numbers increase alarmingly each day Sydneysiders will be encouraged to waste less and dispose of their garbage in a secure and rat proof way. Eventually the numbers will begin to fall as the rat population is starved out of their former happy scrounging grounds, like Hyde Park and the back streets of Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. It could be a great solution but let’s be realistic who is going to count the dastardly little rodents each day?

‘Krishna In Erskineville’ Artist in Hot Water

Leon Fernandes.

Photo: Alannah Maher

Everyone has fond memories of their local school fair as a child. Can you remember the guessing jar game? How about favourite treats like butterfly cupcakes, toffees or the hedgehog slice?

Well, the Kegworth Autumn F.A.R.E (Food.

Arts. Rides. Entertainment) is back in its ninth year and promises to be the mother of all school fairs.

But this is no ordinary school fair, expecting to attract up to 4000 people on the day, it’s a major community event. There will be showground rides for kids, including The Giant Slide, The Storm, the Tea Cups and The Simulator. For the adults, enjoy browsing the handicrafts market, take a bite to eat at one of the food stalls including the new Italian corner with pasta and pizza.

With a bit of a modern twist there will be a DJ playing later and an online silent auction 14

city hub 30 MARCH 2017

with over 60 items live on the website.

According to Shonna Mulley, a parent organiser, it’s really the community atmosphere that makes the event memorable.

“All stalls are manned and staffed by parents of the school, with lots of familiar faces and a positive energy”, she says. “It’s the rides that we have remembered from our childhood”.

“We have kids and adults hoopla games”, with bottles of wine and boxes of chocolate as prizes for the adults.

So relive some of your own childhood fun and maybe create some new memories in what’s looking to be a family day out. All funds raised go back into the school. (VP) Apr 2 (9am-3pm). Kegworth Public School, 60 Tebbutt St, Leichhardt. Free admission. Info and Unlimited Rides Tickets: www.kegworthautumnfare.com

Artist Leon Fernandes was aware that his most recent exhibition might ruffle some feathers, however he had not anticipated international outrage.

“This to me is a bit of a self-portrait, and so I knew there was great opportunity for offence, but I never thought it would get this significant,” he told City Hub. Touted as “a series of embroidered works… that cheekily represent some of the issues around ethnicity, religion, sexuality and drug use” the Krishna in Erskineville collection features Hindu gods reimagined into contemporary Australian settings.

Complaints from concerned Hindus have accused Fernandes of “trivialising” the reverence of Hindu deities, with Hindu Statesman Rajan Zed calling for the exhibition’s immediate removal in a statement early in March. The collection continued to show at ESD Gallery until its intended end date on March 20, however not without stirring up some public discussion, and much of it positive, from within the Hindu community (including publications like India Link).

Especially regarding the titular work, which depicts Krishna smoking a meth pipe outside iconic queer venue the Imperial Hotel.

“I think one of my “mortal sins” according to many, including to my Indian family, is I’ve dared to portray meth as not “the demon drug”,” said Fernandes, who has worked on drug policy for over 23 years and is currently completing a masters in Health Communication.

“My specific interest is in challenging the way we talk about drugs and legislate drugs. I’m horrified by the way meth is portrayed… The sort of meth advertising we see is really stigmatising and people have reported being hesitant to seek help or treatment because of this “zombification” or “demonization” of this drug.”

Fernandes’ artworks draw on the rich tapestry of his personal and cultural identity: from his Anglo-Indian Australian heritage, to his personal history with drug use and his queerness. Opinions aside, his work is a reminder that individual experiences can be overwhelmingly different to broad stereotypes: “I kind of like the idea of actually elevating the status of meth amphetamine to being “ok” enough for gods to consume. And absolutely I know that is controversial, and if I put a big bong or a joint in his hand I’m sure I’d still offend, but it’d be to a much lesser extent...” (AM)

wretched souls died or were seriously injured.

This film details the perilous training of a group of 14 teenage German prisoners of war who ultimately, under the supervision of hateful Danish Sergeant Carl (Roland Moller), endured physical and mental torment whilst forced to remove 45,000 mines from the beaches.

Powerful and authentic, this film is suspenseful and contains many heartstopping and violently distressing sequences.The Sergeant’s transitional This Danish film proved a hit at the attitude towards these young German soldiers is Scandinavian Film Festival in Sydney last year explored, as he comes to realize they are merely and was also nominated for Best Foreign Film young children who cry out for their mothers at this year’s Academy Awards. An arresting when anguished. post World War II drama which should leave Denmark may have been under terrifying German audiences emotionally drained. occupation for 15 years, but audiences will find After the war in May 1945, over 2000 it difficult not to feel sentiment for these young German prisoners of war were forced to traumatized soldiers. remove over one and a half million mines This untold dark chapter in WWII has been from the coastal beaches of Denmark which masterfully transformed into a cinematic event had been buried by German forces. The which resonates the tragedy and more importantly, majority were teenagers and half of these the idiocy of war (MMo) WWWW1/2

Land Of Mine

Life

Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick might not be household names just yet, but the cinema crowd are beginning to take note. Known for their unexpected successes with Deadpool and Zombieland, the writing duo just released their new flick Life.

Set on the International Space Station, the film follows a group of astronauts who are given the task of analysing a recovered dirt sample

The LEGO Batman Movie

WW

Batman’s stance on their relationship. Due to his frustration Joker devises a plan to unleash the worst villains trapped within the Phantom Zone.

It is here that the film begins to feel unoriginal, especially if you’ve played the LEGO Dimensions video game. In the Phantom Zone Joker rallies a multitude of villains from different brands ranging from Voldemort to Daleks to the Wicked Witch, which is almost beat for beat the plot line of LEGO Dimensions.

There are a bunch of references, jokes and action sequences crammed into this movie so you’re definitely not left sitting idly on your hands at any point so for many this will be a fun, wild ride. (JA) WW1/2

Looking at recent Batman films blending their brooding darkness with the flamboyant wacky world of LEGO seems like it would be an impossible challenge.

Whilst The LEGO Batman Movie does a fine job of blending the well known elements of Batman with the mix-and-match philosophy of LEGO, I only wish the writing had been more original.

The LEGO Batman Movie sees Joker, Batman’s traditional arch-rival although Batman won’t admit that, struggling to come to terms with

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found on Mars. Named Calvin, the sample turns out to be a single cell organism that grows once fed oxygen.

While it’s impossible not to compare the film to the Alien series, and see its blatant influence from other space-set flicks such as Gravity, the film manages to cross into new territory for the genre.

With big names Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal starring, the film does not centre upon the one character, meaning the viewer has no idea who will survive at the end.

You can’t help but wonder if, like the writers’ previous hits, it was their aim to toy with their viewers expectations.

Unfortunately though, the film misses the mark.

Packed with cringey one liners, overly gory deaths, and a second half that suddenly feels less intelligent than its first, it’s not a must-see. Its ending may be surprising, but unfortunately, by the time the viewer lands there, the damage has been done. (CW)

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