With less than a month til Byron Bay International Film Festival 2012, we are delighted to announce our film selection for the festivals red carpet Gala Opening Night on Friday 2nd March.
Setting the scene for this year’s spectacular ten-night, nine-day international film festival, from Australia’s most acclaimed playwright, David Williamson, and International Director, Michael Rymer, ‘Face to Face’ is a moving and powerful film about sex, lies, betrayal and bullying in the workplace.
A young construction worker rams into the back of his boss’s Jaguar in a fit of anger at being sacked. Rather than fronting court, he’s given the chance to explain his actions using the revolutionary technique of Restorative Justice, through the interface of a Community Conference. This face-to-face confrontation between the young man, his boss, his boss’s wife, co-workers, best mate and mother lifts the lid not only on his dysfunctional life but also on their workplace dirty laundry, turning all of their lives upside down.
The multiple award winning, Australian made film features a stellar cast of home grown actors, including Matthew Newton, Vince Colosimo, Sigrid Thornton, Luke Ford and Laura Gordon.
At the heart of Restorative Justice is the idea that our actions impact on our relationships. Like casting a pebble into a pond, the ripple effects radiate to family, friends, colleagues and beyond. The film is rich in thematic content, tackling gender politics, worker exploitation, work place bullying, infidelity and relationship breakdown. Continually engaging, and excellently performed it’s a little movie with big ideas. Director Michael Rymer believes the revolutionary Restorative Justice technique, Community Conferencing, is a system that actually works. By systematically exposing each person to one other and forcing them to see the consequences and effects of their actions, the characters are able to transcend their own subjective view.
The paradigm for a picture like this is Twelve Angry Men. Twelve guys in a room, outstanding acting and a great story which unfolds through a dynamic narrative. Director Michael Rymer hopes Face to Face, like Twelve Angry Men, will encourage discussion around the justice system, and “have a long life in Law Schools, Civics Classes, high schools and community centres around the world.”
Definitely not one to miss, Face To Face will be the main screening at the festivals red carpet Gala Opening Night. Early bird tickets will be on sale soon for $35. Both the Gala Opening and Closing Nights will be catered by The Beautiful Feast, using primarily local organic and free range ingredients. Their dishes showcase the best of gourmet artisan and seasonal produce from the region, and are complimented by a fine selection of Australian cheeses from local sponsor, Cheese Please, and beverages from our two drink sponsors, the award winning South Australian Fox Creek Wines, and the funky & fabulous Coopers 62.
There will only be 120 tickets released to the public for the Gala Opening Night because of the incredible selection of Australian and International filmmakers and festival guests attending this year. The Gala Opening Night always sells out, so to avoid disappointment, register for our e-newsletter on www.bbff.com.au and you’ll be the first to know when they go on sale.
Check out www.echonetdaily.net.au for daily news, detailed reviews, trailers and filmmaker insights. Further programming and ticketing information will be available in the lead up to the festival at www.bbff.com.au.
