The Australian Bite

Fine fare for film lovers

7 March 2009

Listen and download: MP3

Still from the short film "Birthday Girl" directed by Angie Black

A feast of film on this week’s Australian Bite.  Actor Eric Bana talks about his new film “Love the Beast” which tells the story of his 25 year love affair with his 1973 XB Ford Falcon Coupe.  We meet Simon Ford, the man behind Melbourne’s freshest new short film festival – Fedfest.  And also one of the filmmakers – Angie Black – whose film “Birthday Girl” is maybe not quite what you’d expect!

Eric Loves the Beast

Eric Bana is one of Australia’s most successful actors, well known for his leading roles in films including Chopper, the Hulk, and Munich. But away from his film work, the Melbourne-born actor has another great passion in his life – cars.  Eric’s latest film “Love the Beast” is his own true story of a twenty-five year relationship with his 1973 XB Ford Falcon Coupe. The film will be released in Australian cinemas on March 12, and Eric Bana talks about it with Richard Aedy

Melburnians set for a Feast of Short Films

Next weekend, Melburnians will be shaking out their picnic rugs, perhaps packing a few comfy cushions, and some yummy food and drink, and heading down to Federation Square – the city’s main gathering place – for the inaugural Fedfest short film festival. In the space of a couple of hours, they’ll be treated to a smorgasbord of fifteen short films by Australian film makers, and have the chance to vote for their favourite via SMS.  Heather Jarvis talks to Fedfest Director Simon Ford.

Find out more about Fedfest http://www.fedfest.com/

The Art of the Short Film

One of the 15 short films showing at Fedfest will be “The Birthday Girl” in which “a grieving mother surrenders to an extraordinary emotional journey after the death of her child”. The film is directed by Melbourne filmmaker Angie Black, who joins Heather Jarvis to talk about the film, and the art of short film making more generally.

Watch the trailer for “Birthday Girl” here http://www.hubproductions.com/html/angie.html

Music (not in podcast)

Brisbane-based singer, songwriter, cellist and electronic artist Tara Simmons has a couple of EP’s to her name, but she’s recently released her debut album called “Spilt Milk”. This fun and quirky track is called ‘When You Say That I Don’t Care About You’

Artist: Tara Simmons
Track: When You Say That I Don’t Care About You
Album: Spilt Milk