Samuel Hilton

The largest benefit for audiences in the recent rise of the documentary has been the increasing release of alternative sources on an international crisis. This has been evident nowhere more then with the on-going Iraq War as filmmakers continually find fresh perspectives absent from the media. The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends is the latest to offer a new side to the debate as it gives voice to the returning soldiers.

Whether cinema can inspire people to change their lives rather then just saying they will for a couple of hours after a screening is debatable. Nevertheless, the hope of such seems to be driving the upcoming film Peaceful Warrior, an adaptation of Dan Millman’s ‘inspirational’ novel, Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

A resurgence of sorts is occurring in the Australian film industry and international audiences are reaping the benefits. Trying to emulate the more commercial aspects of the Hollywood industry, the government financing in the film sector perhaps handicapped themselves by placing smaller projects and national cinema in peril. Since 05’ the hemorrhaging seems to be coming to a halt thanks to personal projects which are giving all audiences the chance to discover another cinema without borders.

A is for: Audrey. As if A would be for anyone else then Audrey Tautou, even in her year lacking in performances as she still shined in The Russian Dolls.

The Sydney Film Festival drew to a close on Saturday, capping it all off with the Australian premiere of the eagerly anticipated Howl's Moving...