This year’s Melbourne International Film Festival Opening and Closing Nights welcome the premiere of two internationally acclaimed features and one short film. They will join an impresisve selection of almost 400 films from over 50 countries to be screened at the Festival over 18 days and nights. Held at the Regent Theatre this year, Opening Night will play host to the Australian premiere of SOMERSAULT by Australian writer/director Cate Shortland, which recently screened as part of the Official Selection at the Cannes International Film Festival in France. SOMERSAULT is a visually haunting film, telling the story of a young girl’s sensory journey, through which she learns the true meaning of love, family and friendship. New Zealand short film TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT directed by Taika Waititi, will also share the honour of opening the Festival. Winner of the Panorama Short Film Award at the 2004 Berlinale, this is a tale of first love, set in the unlikeliest of places. Closing Night plays host to the Australian premiere of breakthrough Thai film by director Prachya Pinkaew, ONG BAK. After a rapturous reception at the Toronto International Film Festival and reports claiming the lead actor Tony Jaa is the new Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan rolled into one and still packing evidently more punch, Melbourne audiences are in for an epic kung-fu treat riddled with extraordinary stunt work and the next generation of fight choreography. Riding on the new wave of contemporary Thai cinema, ONG BAK showcases martial arts form Muay Thai and a story about a young man chosen to delve into the seedy underworld and neon glow of the big city in order to rescue a sacred relic stolen from his peaceful village. Check out the full festival programme at MIFF’s official website from July 10th:
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