We are delighted to announce the winners of the Cine Sparks Film Jury Competition for 2008.
Dominique Tuck, Year 10, Gordonvale State High School
Benjamin Osborn, Year 11, Coombabah State High School
Oscar Jonsson, Year 11, Indooroopilly State High School
Madeleine Bendixen, Year 12, Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Our jurors selected The King of Ping Pong as their favourite film and presented an award at the end of the St.George Bank Brisbane International Film Festival on Sunday 10 August.
Read Dominique's review of Sita Sings The Blues here.
Read Ben's review of Owl and the Sparrow here.
Read Oscar's review of Chop Shop here.
Read Madeleine's review of The King of Ping Pong here.
About the Competition
Film juries have long been an integral part of major international film festivals. In 2006, Cine Sparks - The Australian Film Festival for Young People introduced film juries for young people to Queensland in order to provide a voice for young film viewers and the opportunity to present jury awards to filmmakers.
The Cine Sparks Film Jury Competition is a state-wide initiative open to all Queensland secondary school students aged between 15 and 18. The competition challenges students to write a 400-word film review for a film that has previously screened as part of the Cine Sparks programme.
Members of Australian Teachers of Media Queensland (ATOM Qld) select student reviewers to participate in the Cine Sparks Film Jury. The judges look for engaging and creative film reviews that demonstrate the student's understanding and enthusiasm for film as a communicative medium. ATOM Qld also support successful applicants who live more than two hours drive from Brisbane. Accommodation and transport is provided for the student and one parent or caregiver to attend the Cine Sparks Film Jury Screenings in Brisbane.
The successful entrants view films selected by Anne Démy-Geroe, Executive Director of the St.George Bank Brisbane International Film Festival, and Derek Weeks, Education Officer, in Brisbane. The jury will discuss and write about the films viewed, and will award a jury prize as part of the St.George Bank Brisbane International Film Festival.
About the Film Reviewed
Kanyini
Language: English
Director: Melanie Hogan
Australia 2006 53 minutes
Classification: PG (Parental guidance recommended)
Consumer Advice: Mild themes
Curriculum Links: SOSE, Modern Hist, Ancient Hist, English, Arts, FTVNM, Music
Synopsis: 'My culture has been around maybe 40,000 years'. As Bob Randall, a Yankunytjatjara elder from Uluru, softly, slowly, gently, but very deliberately utters these words you feel them. Uncle Bob's words continue to resonate as he talks further about the land and his feelings for it, the philosophy of his culture. 'You're one with everything out there you see.
Kanyini is a very special film. Bob Randall, singer and songwriter, whose songs include what many consider to be the anthem of the Stolen Generations ('My Brown Skin Baby') has had a long career that even includes a role in Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). He recently published his autobiography, Songman. But it was for his cultural awareness programmes that he was recognised as 'Indigenous Person of the Year' in 1999. And with this film he continues that work in a very powerful way. He explains the problems and issues besetting Aboriginal people in a manner that makes so much suddenly so very clear. 'Hardly anyone has the skills to operate in your world'. Then he explains the concept of Kanyini and the impact of its loss for Aboriginal people. What is essentially an extended interview is underpinned with archival footage of people from his country. This footage is fascinating but it's still the words from this softly-spoken man that make this film so gripping and moving.
This film is for non-Aboriginal people to listen to and understand. And through that understanding to perhaps effect change.
Read our juror's winning reviews of Kanyini:
Dominique Tuck - Kanyini Film Review
Oscar Jonnson - Kanyini Film Review
Ben Osborn - Kanyini Film Review
Madeleine Bendixen - Kanyini Film Review