Author Fiona Villella

The cinema of Saidin Salkic may be known to only a handful in the Melbourne film community but that’s no reflection of its complexity, inventiveness and beauty. Self-funded and entirely independent, Salkic w...

In a career that spans more than 40 years and includes over 100 films, Dreams Never End was made by Bill Mousoulis just two years into his life as a filmmaker, at the end of 1983. He had already made 14 short f...

Over the last couple of years, the pandemic has forced us to consider the impact of loneliness and to consider just how important others are in our lives. Whether it be the mundane interactions we have with str...

As this dossier shows, there is a rich and long history of personal filmmaking in Australian independent cinema. The films that belong to this tradition are disparate in many ways, but all are sincere in their ...

Melbourne-based, independent filmmaker Matthew Victor Pastor has been making films for over ten years. His prolific output so far includes four mini-features and four features. His latest film The Neon Across t...

With over 100 entries from cinephiles, academics, critics, programmers, and filmmakers across the globe, this year’s Senses of Cinema World Poll is a handy barometer for viewing habits and attitudes in a time o...

Belonging to a tradition of French cinema, Bande de filles (Céline Sciamma, 2014) continues that tradition’s fine balance between documentary-like realism and narrative drama. In this case, teenager Marieme (Ka...

Occasionally throughout isolation, I’ve experienced that moment when two seemingly disparate films ‘talk’ to each other. Recently, I watched Midsommar (Ari Aster, 2019) and The Virgin Spring (Ingmar Bergman, 19...

At the centre of Wild and Precious (2012) is the character of Giulio Figurelli, an impulsive, impassioned and energetic figure. His vivid, potent, occasionally incoherent soliloquy, which opens the film, is ele...

Independent writer-director Bill Mousoulis’ new feature ventures into the heart of darkness and Villella finds much to appreciate in its mesmeric æsthetics.

Writer, actor, and now director Leah Purcell talks to the co-editors about life, politics, talking tough to Phil Noyce and her documentary Black Chicks Talking.

An overview on this unique festival that defied all the odds to continue its strong reputation.

After 10 years in Hollywood, Noyce returns home to tell a uniquely Australian story.

The latest offering by the world's only conference devoted to film scores and sound design discussed.

Weighing up Melbourne's latest international film festival.

Some highlights and a little analysis.

Introduction This year's St. Kilda Film Festival was another massive event. Whilst the bulk of its program was devoted to Australian short films, there were various side-bar and specially curated sessions in...

The latest offering by this distinct filmmaker aims high.

Mills discusses here an exciting new series of books on Australian film titled Australian Screen Classics.

A vibrant addition to contemporary Australian film.

Some general observations on a contemporary masterpiece.

Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical Almost Famous (1999) may just be one of Hollywood's most enjoyable and rewarding films of the year. For those ever touched by the rawness and energy of rock music in it...

Fiona considers the graduating films by this year's film students.

Walking on the wild side with Ray.

The highs and lows of this year's blockbuster festival discussed.

18 days of madness - here are some tips.

Three days of non-stop ideas, theories and experiences centred on sound in film.

A discussion of what this year's festival offered and some general conclusions drawn.

Capsule reviews and general discussion on select films screening in the Australian short film competition.

Following on from his Dead Man, Jim Jarmusch continues on his spiritual path.

Peau D'âne (Donkey Skin, 1970, France 90 mins) Source: CAC Prod. Co: Mag Bodard, Marianne Dir, Scr: Jacques Demy from Charles Perrault's fairy tale Phot: Ghislain Cloquet Mus: Michel Legrand Cast: Catherine D...

A discussion of Rohmer's philosophy of cinematic realism, followed by a review of Autumn Tale.

Zabriskie Point (1970, US, 110 mins) Dir: Michelangelo Antonioni; Producer: Carlo Ponti; Writers: Michelangelo Antonioni, Fred Garner, Sam Shepard, Tonino Guerra, Clare Peploe; Cinematography: Alfio Contini;...

A discussion of two notable films of the '90s, Pulp Fiction and Lost Highway.

A postcolonial reading of Claire Denis' Chocolat.