Queensland-based filmmaker Ivan Sen is one of Australia’s leading First Nations directors, as well as a screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, composer, and sound designer, and to celebrate the release of his newest film, he will be visiting the region in a first for the Mackay International Film Festival.
‘Limbo’ is a poignant, profound meditation into the complexities of loss and the impact of the justice system on Aboriginal families in Australia.
Simon Baker gives a career-best performance as Travis, a jaded detective, who arrives in the remote outback town of Limbo to investigate the cold case murder of local Indigenous girl Charlotte Hayes 20 years ago.
Shot on location in Coober Pedy, South Australia, Limbo is a riveting outback noir described by The Guardian as “a tough, muscular film with the grit of crime, but a heartbeat of compassion.”
‘Limbo’ will be screened at the Mackay International Film Festival on Saturday, August 5 from 6:30pm, with Mackay audiences given the unique opportunity to take part in an in-person discussion with writer, director and producer Sen following the screening.
The festival starts with the popular pre-festival screening of ‘3000 Years of Longing’ (directed by George Miller of Mad Max fame) tomorrow night, Saturday, July 29, at the Pinnacle Playhouse with an optional bus and meal package available.
‘Limbo’ is then one of five screenings throughout the next weekend, commencing with the Opening Night Event on Friday, August 4 and a screening of ‘The Innocent’, with French-themed canapes and drinks after the film included in the $30 ticket.
The French comedy follows widower Abel who learns that his impulsive mother is once again re-marrying – this time to an inmate she met whilst teaching theatre in prison.
The festival continues Saturday with a screening of Moroccan drama ‘The Blue Caftan’ from 4:00pm, telling the tale of Mina and her husband Halim who run a small business making and selling bespoke caftans when the talented and handsome Youssef is hired as an apprentice and forces them to reconsider the future of their relationship.
Sunday’s screenings include the Darren Aronofsky drama that earnt Brendan Fraser his first Academy Award, ‘The Whale’, with Spanish-Italian drama ‘Alcarras’, inspired by director Carla Simón's own family story, concluding the festival.
For tickets and more information, visit filmartsmackay.weebly.com/2023-miff.html.
BCC Cinemas Mount Pleasant
Friday, August 4
7pm – The Innocent
Saturday, August 5
4pm – The Blue Caftan
6.30pm – Limbo, Followed by Director Q&A
Sunday, August 6
4pm – The Whale
6.30pm – Alcarràs
Filmmaker Ivan Sen will take part in a Q&A at Mackay International Film Festival
