David Stratton – A Cinematic Life, the documentary film based on the life of the Leura movie legend, has been screened at Cannes.
The film was invited into the Cannes Classics section of the 70th Film Festival, which is devoted to the history and art form of cinema.
Mr Stratton, Katoomba producer Jo-ann McGowan and director Sally Aitken made the trip to the south of France earlier this month.
“We had a red carpet announcement on Saturday, May 20, and the film was screened on Sunday, May 21, and received very well,” said Ms McGowan.
“I don’t think David ever imagined he’d be the star of his own movie in Cannes.”
The trio were thrilled to read largely positive reviews of the movie and hoped the screening would inspire film buffs to look up some earlier Australian films.
David Stratton – A Cinematic Life not only tells the story of the English-born Stratton who came to this country in his early twenties, it also highlights some of the films that helped create the rich tapestry of the Australian film industry.
Films such as Careful He Might Hear You, The Castle, Romper Stomper, Wake In Fright and Muriel’s Wedding feature in the movie, as do stars including Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Sam Neill and Jacki Weaver.
They talk about their work, the films that have most affected them – and Stratton.
Stephen Dalton, from The Hollywood Reporter, called A Cinematic Life “agreeably warm-hearted documentary”.
“For even casual film fans, A Cinematic Life ultimately serves as a comprehensive and absorbing primer on a century of Australian cinema,” he wrote. “It left me with a long list of movies that I am now craving to see. For a fellow fellow critic and film fan, there are few higher recommendations.”
Ms McGowan said: “It was great honour to show a film that is a celebration of Australian cinema in a festival that has such a long history of cinema lovers.”
A companion piece, Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema, is about to be shown on television as a three-part series. It starts on ABC TV on Tuesday, June 6, running for three consecutive weeks.
I don’t think David ever imagined he’d be the star of his own movie in Cannes
- Jo-ann McGowan
“I hope it will send audiences in search of great Australian films they have forgotten, or perhaps never seen,” Ms McGowan said.