2013 Melbourne International Film Festival Program
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2013 Melbourne International Film Festival Program

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Opening the festival will be Pedro Almodóvar’s I’m So Excited, a contemporary satire on Spanish society and closing the festival will be the contrary Australian premiere of All is Lost, an almost dialogue-free film featuring Oscar nominated star Robert Redford. Marking the festival’s halfway point will be the world premiere of Tim Winton’s The Turning, a 17 chapter film that features a different director for each chapter. The Turning will be mark the directorial debut of actress Mia Waiskowska and David Wenham.

As part of the speciality strands of the program, A League of Their Own: New Arabic Cinema will create a new perspective on Arabic Cinema. Included in the program strand will be Hany Abu-Assad’s Omar, a film detailing the Israel-Palestine conflict that won the Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize Winner. Independent Egyptian director Hala Lotfy will make her debut with Coming Forth by Day.

If Arabic Cinema doesn’t tickle your fancies, maybe Italian cult horror films will. Shining Violence: Italian Giallo will satiate your need for ’70s and ’80s horror, including Flavio Mogherini’s The Pyjama Girl Case and Elio Petri’s Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear winner, A Quiet Place in the Country.

Not satisfied with either? Accent on Asia will showcase Asia’s budding and acclaimed directors, and TeleScope: Visions from the EU will celebrate Europe filmmaking in style, including Dutch director Jaap van Heusden’s sophomore film The New World, a vignette of romance and redemption.

After a successful run last year, This Sporting Life returns with The Trials of Muhammad Ali, a documentary about Australian sportsman Wayne Lynch Uncharted Waters, and Venus and Serena, a documentary highlighting the success of Williams sisters.

On Sunday August 4, MIFF will host their 53rd MIFF Short Awards Ceremony; the ceremony will allow winners to submit their short films to the 2014 Academy Awards.