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Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive Inc

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25.01.2022 THE ORIGINS OF AUSTRALIAN ROCK The Friends returns to "live" events in Canberra at 2 pm on Friday 30 October at the Yowani Country Club (455 Northbourne Ave., Lyneham) with the convenors of the U3A 'History of Rock' program: rock historian and former ABC presenter David Kilby, local musician Hugh Watson and Creedence tragic Alex Gosman. They'll discuss these and many other performers and play some tracks. There'll be some you remember, some you never knew and some you may want to forget - but it will be fun! BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL - go to https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=664271& to register. Friends $3, others $5. Drinks available from licensed bar and can be brought into the venue; there's also a cafe open for lunch.

24.01.2022 LOUSY LITTLE SIXPENCE (1983) Join us for a free webinar on Sunday 8 November at 2 pm when Alec Morgan will discuss his classic documentary on the indigenous generation that was forced into unpaid servitude by the Australian government. Registration is essential: https://www.trybooking.com/BMEAW ... You will receive a link to view the film beforehand, and a link to the zoom session on 8 November. See more

23.01.2022 The Friends of the NFSA invite you to our next film viewing and Zoom presentation: DEMONSTRATOR (1971) - Sunday 22 November at 2 pm Directed by Warwick Freeman, starring Slim de Grey, Noel Ferrier and Kenneth Tsang... This is the only feature film ever to be both shot in Canberra and financed by Canberra investors. It was one of many hopeful productions that aimed to re-start the then moribund Australian feature film industry. It is evocative of its time - living in the 70s! - and an era of protest movements. It captures the look and feel of a smaller, younger Canberra, and in its crowd scenes it features a significant slice of Canberra's population. Last February, pre-covid, the Friends presented the film to a turnaway crowd at the NFSA. For those who missed out, we promised a repeat presentation, and here it is - on line, and with the added bonus of a Zoom webinar featuring film critic Peter Krauzs and film industry leader Anthony Buckley AM - who was the editor of DEMONSTRATOR! The event is free. TO VIEW THE FILM: Click https://vimeo.com/468357880/c28506a9d8 and then click again to see the film (no password needed). The film is available from 14 to 22 November. Technical note: This digital copy has been scanned from a 16mm print held by the NFSA and some signs of wear will be apparent. It is in standard screen ratio (1.33 to 1) rather than the wide screen ratio (1.85 to 1) in which it would have been projected on its original theatrical release. TO LOG INTO THE ZOOM WEBINAR 2pm to 4 pm on Sunday 22 November 2020. Click on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89659202270 Meeting ID: 896 5920 2270 Passcode: 669800 MORE INFORMATION To access a background information package, go to the Friends website

21.01.2022 SHOWGIRL'S LUCK REVISITED In his last role, Arthur Tauchert ("The Sentimental Bloke") featured in Australia's first screen musical, set in the scenic Blue Mountains. He made his name in silent films, so this is the only record we have of his voice. Does the Bloke SOUND like a dinkum Aussie? Released in 1931 and running just 50 minutes, this landmark film-about-a-film marks Australia's transition from silent movies to "talkies". You'll learn how it was made, how it was receive...d - and how it survived. Friday 26 July, 5.30 for 6 pm, NFSA Theatrette Free for Friends, gold coin donation or others.

21.01.2022 THE MUSIC OF LAUREL AND HARDY - an audiovisual webinar - Sunday 16 May, 2 pm It may seem oddly familiar. We have all heard it but perhaps can't quite place it. The melodious background music of the Laurel and Hardy short films, and other 1930s productions of the Hal Roach Studios, is catchy and distinctive. And it was all the work of one man - composer LeRoy Shield. Yet the music recordings were never released in their own right, and could only be heard today underneath the ...dialogue of the completed films. In its original form the studio library of recordings and scores was largely lost as production methods moved on. But the music has now been faithfully recreated in authentic "low fidelity" by Beau Hunks, a Netherlands-based orchestra that uses antique instruments and old-fashioned recording techniques. Ray Edmondson takes us on a journey through the films and the music and unpacks the extraordinary story behind the mission of this remarkable group. The presentation features extensive audio and video clips, lasts about one hour, and will be followed by a Q & A. WHEN: Sunday 16 May 2021, 2pm PRICE: Free (donations are accepted and very acceptable) BOOKING: Although free, you DO need to book to get the Zoom link. Book here - https://www.trybooking.com/BRANV - and the link will be sent to you.

19.01.2022 "ANIMAL FARM" - A SECRET CIA PROJECT - Friday 16 August, 2.30 pm, Canberra Museum and Gallery Britain's first feature-length cartoon was based on the famed George Orwell novel, a classic satire on Communism. It is memorable for the dictum "all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others". The book is still banned in some countries. ... Released in 1954 and created by London's Halas and Batchelor studio, ANIMAL FARM took 3 years to make and employed 80 animators. Its animation style has been decribed as "Disney-turned-serious". Reviews were good: one critic saluted it as "a fine piece of work [the production team] have made a film for the eye, ear, heart and mind" while others praised Matyas Seiber's score and Maurice Denham's vocal talent (Denham provided every voice and animal noise in the film). But there was more to the film than met the eye. Offically the project was financed by Louis de Rochement Associates. It is unlikely that the production team were aware, however, that the film was actually being bankrolled by America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), as part of the American cultural offensive during the Cold War when the Soviet Union was dominated by Joseph Stalin. Evidently on CIA instructions the film deviates at various points from Orwell's story. And to put it in context, while the film was in production the McCarthy-era anti-communist purging of America's entertainment industries was in full swing. This screening is unusual as the Friends will be showing an original Technicolor print - with all its vibrant colours undimmed by time. The presentation complements CMAG's current exhibition on Activism. Running time is 75 minutes. The presentation will commence at 2.30 and conclude around 4 pm. Admission free to Friends - gold coin for others

17.01.2022 Announcing a Melbourne chapter of the Friends. Do you live in Melbourne? And, are you a fan of Australian movies, Australian television, Australian music and/or Australian radio? Or interested in our audiovisual history, and would like to know about the work of the National Film and Sound Archive? If so, the new Melbourne chapter of the Friends of the NFSA is the group for you. They plan to host monthly events called ‘Sundays with Friends’, all afternoon events. ... These will comprise quarterly film screenings at the Thornbury Picture House, and in the intervening months, talks by people involved in the NSFA's activities, by local film, television, music and radio historians, and by people involved in these industries in Australia. These gatherings will be a must for fans of our audiovisual history! The Melbourne chapter's launch will take place on Sunday 24 November 2019 (time to be confirmed) at the Thornbury Picture House, 802 High Street, Thornbury. There will be a screening of the recently-restored My Brilliant Career (1979) followed by celebratory drinks and nibbles. Currently financial members of FNFSA will receive a discount on the ticket price. For further information, and to find out how to join FNFSA Melbourne, please contact Teresa Pitt at [email protected].

16.01.2022 JOIN US FOR A WEBINAR ON SUNDAY 9 AUGUST - MR NEAL IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AGITATOR This is the dramatic and moving story of Justice Lionel Murphy and his legacy. The film is available to view from 5pm on Friday 7 August, and a Q&A with director Daryl Dellora will begin at 2pm on Sunday 9 August. You can read full details and register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mr-neal-is-entitled-to-be-a ... While physical events are suspended due to covid-19 the Friends will be offering webinars instead!

15.01.2022 Webinar on THE KID STAKES (1927) - Sunday 6 June at 2pm. Free bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/BRJUT David Donaldson, first director of the Sydney Film Festival, was instrumental in the rescue and restoration of this film back in the 1950s. He'll be in conversation with noted actor John Flaus. Hear the full story - and the drama. Not to be missed!! See the film itself first on Ozflix: https://www.ozflix.tv/#!/browse/film/3152/the-kid-stakes

10.01.2022 COVID-19 UPDATE We must advise that, as the current emergency progresses, all Friends' public programs have now been suspended in both Canberra and Melbourne. CMAG and NFSA are both closed to the public until further notice. We'll have more to say as events unfold but in the meantime refer you to the NFSA website - www.nfsa.gov.au - which will be constantly refreshed with new offerings from the collection during the coming weeks.

09.01.2022 FLASH GORDON REIMAGINED..... See the trailer for the 1936 serial. Is this where the idea for Luke Skywalker's lightsaber began?

07.01.2022 IN SEARCH OF ANDRE DE BERANGER - Australian-born silent film actor. A webinar by Dr Bryony Cosgrove - Sunday 20 September at 2 pm Beranger reached the height of his fame in the 1920s. He acted in and directed dozens of movies in the USA, England and Europe. Bryony Cosgrove has researched his career for her MA thesis "Silent Movies, Silent Man" and has a fascinating story to tell about this now largely forgotten figure. There are a limited number of places available so registration is essential. Go to https://www.trybooking.com/BLEKT

05.01.2022 FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE *Do you live in Melbourne (or nearby)? *Are you a fan of Australian movies, Australian television, Australian music and/or Australian radio? *Are you interested in our unique audiovisual history? *Would you like to know about the work of the National Film and Sound Archive?... If so, the new Melbourne chapter of the Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive is the group for you! We plan to host monthly events called ‘SUNDAYS WITH FRIENDS’. These will all take place on Sunday afternoons. There will be quarterly screenings, at the Thornbury Picture House, of historic Australian films restored by the Archive, introduced by people involved in their discovery and/or restoration. In the intervening months, we will hold talks/presentations by people involved in the NSFA's activities; by local film, television, music and radio historians; and by people currently involved in these industries in Australia. These events will take place at the Liardet Community House in Port Melbourne. For further information, and to find out how to join the Melbourne chapter of FNFSA, please contact Teresa Pitt at [email protected]. PLEASE SHARE TO YOUR FRIENDS!

03.01.2022 WEBINAR: FANNY COCHRANE SMITH 21 February Melbourne Friends of NFSA will host a Zoom presentation on Sunday 21 February: ‘The Man, the Woman and the Edison Phonograph: Race, History, Technology and Song’. Presenter, Bruce Watson tells the story behind the 1903 wax cylinder recordings of Fanny Cochrane Smith. These are the only recordings of Tasmanian Language. They were among the first of the NFSA’s Sounds of Australia. It’s a story of history, genocide, technology and the power of song. It’s free (optional donation), but registration is essential: https://www.trybooking.com/BOHOF. You will receive the Zoom link from TryBooking

02.01.2022 COVID-19 UPDATE "1950s Television Nostalgia", scheduled for 20 March at CMAG, has been cancelled, due to the current pandemic. It will be re-scheduled for a later date. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise any further changes to our program schedule.

01.01.2022 Don’t miss the fascinating Q&A on THE KID STAKES (1927) next Sunday, with David Donaldson John Flaus two fascinating characters of the Australian film scene. Kid Stakes Sydney of the 1920s back to life! The ragged urchins, the brawling and the free-fisted characters of the waterfront and the famous a goat raced! It’s free but you need to register here to get the Zoom link: https://www.trybooking.com/BRJUT See the film itself first on Ozflix: https://www.ozflix.tv/#!/browse/film/3152/the-kid-stakes