Friends promote Aussie film festival

FOR Australian actor Marcus Graham nothing much compares to a weekend of Aussie films.
So much so, he is jealous of Barcaldine audiences who this weekend have the opportunity to recline in the canvas chairs of the Radio Theatre and immerse themselves in homegrown productions.

The Australian Film Commission’s Big Screen Festival is touring regional towns across the country, stopping off in Barcaldine from today until Monday.

Iconic Australian films such as Kokoda and Picnic At Hanging Rock, will screen alongside modern productions like Josh Jarman and The Proposition.

As the patron of the Big Screen Festival, Mr Graham spoke to The Longreach Leader last week about his hopes and dreams for local film production.

"While a lot of Australian films screen around the major capital cities, they compete against other big American blockbusters," Mr Graham said.

"Because these local productions struggle to bring in the crowds in the cities, they invariably struggle to continue to be screened in regional cities and country towns.
"This festival is a way to introduce Australians to Australian films – great Australian films."

Marcus Graham is most famous for his television roles as Wheels in E Street and the off-beat character of Elvis Maginnis in Good Guys Bad Guys.

More recently, Mr Graham has spread his wings in theatre productions, including playing the lead in Oedipus the King.

"I have been lucky enough to have quite a broad career – E Street and Oedipus the King are poles apart. Luckily, I have never been typecast."

Audiences in Barcaldine will have the opportunity to see Marcus on the silver screen in the 1994 production of Josh Jarman at a opening night screening from 6.30pm at the Radio Theatre.

"I play the lead in the Josh Jarman – a well-meaning, lovely bloke of the same name.
"Writer/director Pip Mushin is a great bloke who raised the cash to finance the film privately.
"Pip and I studied together 22 years ago, so when he approached me to do this film, for probably half the pay that is legally allowed, I couldn’t say no."

Pip Mushin will make an appearance at the Barcaldine Big Screen festival this evening during the gala opening screening of Josh Jarman from 6.30pm.