SHORTCUTS FILM

The Age

Thursday March 25, 2010

Money maker A ONE-OFF benefi t screening to raise post-production funds for a new documentary on Aboriginal rights will be held at the Malthouse Theatre (113 Sturt Street, Southbank) on Saturday at 4pm (suggested donation of $20 is payable at the door). Our Generation examines issues of indigenous disadvantage through the stories of the Yolngu of Arnhem Land. The fi lm, by Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis, arrives with impressive endorsements from Cathy Henkel (The Burning Season), who describes it as ��a highly emotional, powerful journey into territory that we have chosen too long to ignore��, and journalist Jeff McMullen, who says: ��The truth in this fi lm is like a red-hot poker driven into the conscience of a nation.�� There will also be an acoustic performance by Blue King Brown. L-plate action BABY Spielbergs, your time starts now.The Australian Film, Television and Radio School is opening its doors to teenagers wanting to learn the craft of fi lmmaking. Two courses pitched at 13 to 17-year-olds are being offered during the coming school holidays. Acting and Directing for Screen takes place from March 29 to April 1, Intro to Filmmaking from April 6 to 9. Each is an intensive, four-day course for small groups, led by industry professionals, and costs $495.The Melbourne branch of the AFTRS is ramping up its open courses for industry professionals and the general public over the next few months. Submission just possible A SUSTAINABLE independent production sector, a diverse range of quality fi lms that appeal to audiences, a sense of Australian identity, character and cultural diversity ...Who the heck would argue against those ideals? Arts Minister Peter Garrett this week invited submissions to yet another review of the most reviewed industry in Australia, independent screen production.But the timetable of the statutory review has already raised eyebrows. Those wishing to make a submission only have until April 29 to do so, and the report will go to the government by the end of this, an election year, by which time the emperor may have different clothes. Terms of reference and submission forms are available at arts.gov.au/public_consultation ATHE combined star wattage of Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston was unable to unseat Alice in Wonderland, which took $3.9 million across its third weekend for a total of $26 million.Against this, The Bounty Hunter still managed an impressive $1.4 million debut on 204 screens. Cop Out (with Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan), debuted with $634,195 on 146 screens, while generation-gap rom-com The Rebound opened modestly, earning $415,971 from 190 screens. Iraq war drama Brothers found arthouse favour, earning $92,936 from 22 screens, and anticipation is high for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which previewed strongly, taking $254,917 on 44 screens.JIM SCHEMBRI SOUTH Australia��s contribution to the crime genre will be on display in aforthcoming fi lm about the Snowtown ��bodies in barrels�� murders, which has attracted Screen Australia funding on the back of $245,000 from Film Victoria. Justin Kurzel (pictured) will make his feature directing debut withSnowtown, which is scripted by Shaun Grant. Among the other fi lms receivingScreen Australia backing are X, directed by Jon Hewitt from a script by actressBelinda McClory, in which ��a jaded callgirl and a fl edgling streetwalker arethrown together on the night from hell��, and David Bradbury��s documentary onveteran fi lmmaker Paul Cox.

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