Member, Federation of NSW and Associated Film Societies . . . . Member, Federation of Victorian Film Societies
PO Box 3107 Bundeena 2230 . . . . Email filmsociety

Autumn Season, 2002
Newsletter 02A01

Where are we now?

The Film Society came into being in July, 2001 when we commenced a regular program of film screenings in the Bundeena School Hall. Beginning with Mr Hulot’s holiday, a delightful French comedy, we screened at two monthly intervals for the rest of 2001.

On behalf of the Film Society’s management committee I want to thank the 2001 Art of Living Committee, and Paul Martin in particular for encouragement and support to get us launched.

Over the last 6 months our membership has built up to almost 70. The contribution of members’ subscriptions in 2001 has allowed us to repay all debts incurred during the initial setting up process, register with the Department of Fair Trading as an incorporated body (with the accompanying public liability insurance) and enter 2002 with a small working surplus.

Where are we going?

In anticipation of keeping our membership level at around 70, we can now offer a considerably expanded program without any increase in membership subscriptions.

Our Autumn Season, 2002 program will include five screenings, one each on the last Saturday of the months February to June, with the exception of March. To avoid a clash with Easter when many people could be away on holiday, we’ll be shifting our March screening forward a week to the 23rd.

We are currently planning the Spring Season which will follow a similar format with screenings on the last Saturday of each month from July to November. We’ve made a considered decision to hold our regular screenings on the last Saturday of each month from February to November so that members can enter the dates in diaries for the whole year. - No excuses for missing a show!!

We’re also considering one or more special screenings in addition to the regular program providing our reserve of funds and hands-on help is sufficient.

Autumn Season, 2002, program

One of the main issues preoccupying Program Advisory Committee has been to find a formula for programming that would maintain the continuing interest of members.

The idea of each screening program being chosen and introduced by a different Presenter has now developed into reality. Each Presenter has focussed on a particular theme for the evening, selected appropriate films and structured the evening around the theme. This will give a different flavour for each evening and should provide plenty of variety and interest.

23 February, Valerie Etienne

Two superb and highly influential films provide an exciting evening of French cinema. La Jetée, set in Paris after the Third World War, tells the story of an imprisoned man who is being used by scientists to investigate time travel. Chris Marker created a very original and powerful fiction constructed through still photographs. Pickpocket is also a very stylish and beautifully shot investigation into the psyche, this time of a fallen middle class Parisien who reverts back to crime despite being caught and shocking his family and friends. One of the greatest postwar French films and inspired by Dostoesvsky's classic "Crime and Punishment". The films will be followed by delicious home-made French crêpes by Yann Vignes.

23 March, Helen Armstrong

Well, folks, we tried. A sophisticated evening's study of the great science fiction classics was on the menu, but instead, due to lack of availability, we've gone from black tie formal dinner to a smorgasbord of fun and horror, classics in their own tacky and joyous way. Instead of a couple of well-chosen prime examples of the science fiction genre we now present a melange of the best representation of science fiction spanning the 20th Century. Come and relive the fun and blood-chilling horror of the Saturday arvo flicks. Bring your girlfriend/boyfriend to cling to during the more thrilling moments. Although it's no longer a black tie affair, we would like you to dress for the occasion, even if it's only a "Marvin the Martian" T-shirt. Come as your favourite bad-taste alien. Six-foot killer ants will have to bring their own specialised seating. Robots welcome.

27 April, Meg Galvin

The "Hitchcock Night" will promise not to disappoint Film Society members. Hitchcock is known to his audiences as the "Master of Suspense". His films have intelligent plots, witty dialogue, mystery and murder. He has directed many excellent films during his career which spanned from his first silent film "The Pleasure Garden" in 1925 to his last "The Family Plot" in 1975. His most acclaimed movies include Vertigo, Psycho, Dial M for Murder and The Birds. We will screen, arguably one of his best films, Rear Window starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly.

25 May, Helen Vogt

Who needs cosmetic surgery? A 19th century aristocrat finds a way to stay forever young while his portrait reflects the ravages of his increasingly decadent lifestyle. Haunting music, fine acting and film crafting make The Picture of Dorian Gray, starring George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield and (a very young) Angela Lansbury, a creepy experience without overt violence -- the ending will surprise!

29 June, David Gosden

You’ve seen The Ladykillers and Kind Hearts and Coronets (perhaps several times), but you probably haven’t seen Whisky Galore and less likely to have seen Kind Hearts and Overdrafts. These films provide a window on the remarkable role played by Britain’s famous Ealing Studios towards the development of English comedy in recent times. Whisky Galore, starring Basil Radford and James Robertson Justice tells how the hardy seafaring residents of a Scottish Isle deal with the problem of rescuing 50,000 cases of whisky aboard a ship wrecked on a nearby reef. However, the greatest problem was not the sea but the authorities who could not deal with the import of duty-free liquor. We’ll also be screening Kind Hearts and Overdrafts which documents the history of the Ealing Studios, featuring inverviews with many of the writers, actors and directors including Sir Alec Guinness.

Help wanted

As a voluntary body, we are reliant on the contribution of members’ time to keep us operating. If you are at all inclined and able, you can contribute to running the Film Society. The most important need for help is at the Hall for each screening. To avoid overload, about 4 people are needed to set up the hall (arrange chairs, etc.), welcome patrons as they arrive and register any new members, run the machinery, serve tea & coffee after the show and then clean up afterwards (usually takes 15-20 minutes). If you are able to help at all, even just for 20 minutes on one evening during the year, your contribution would be valued. Please contact David Gosden on 9544-4983.

Sound Quality

We’re hoping to be able to improve the sound quality of our film presentations this season. We’ve acquired a pair of speakers which we’ll try placing just under the screen and directed to the audience. We are also looking for a graphic equaliser to be able to compensate for the lower sound quality on some of the older films. If you have one you can contribute to the Film Society it would be a great help.

Membership Renewals

All members whose memberships are due for renewal on 1 January, 2002 should have now received letters. If you did not and should have received a renewal notice, please contact David Gosden on 9544-4983.

It would be a great help if you could renew your membership before the 23 February screening to avoid long queues.

We look forward to your joining us for the next screening on 23 February.

David Gosden

President, Bundeena-Maianbar Film Society, Inc.