The Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF) is back for its 2024 edition, promising a thrilling lineup of bold, boundary-pushing cinema. Established in 2007, SUFF has become a cornerstone of Sydney’s cultural scene, celebrating the wild, the weird, and the wonderfully unexpected. This year’s festival, running from September 12th to 15th at the Dendy Newtown, features a diverse array of feature films, documentaries, and shorts that challenge the status quo and explore the fringes of cinematic expression. Festival Director Nathan Senn invites audiences to join in on a journey through cinema’s most daring corners, where anything can happen and usually does.
Celebrating 50 Years of ‘Female Trouble’
Kicking off the festival is the 50th anniversary screening of John Waters’ cult classic ‘Female Trouble’ (1974). This anarchic twist on Hollywood melodrama stars Divine as Dawn Davenport, a fame-obsessed criminal who embraces the mantra ‘crime is beauty’. To enhance the viewing experience, attendees will receive scratch n’ sniff cards that release specific scents at key moments in the film. This immersive approach promises to make the opening night an unforgettable experience for all.
Following the opening night, the festival continues with a lineup of twisted black comedies. The Australian premiere of ‘Mother Father Sister Brother Frank’ (2024) depicts a suburban family’s murderous plot, while Andy Burkitt’s Melbourne-shot indie directorial debut ‘The Organist’ (2024) reveals a man’s horrifying discovery that he’s been supplying organs to a cannibal. These films showcase the fearless creativity of filmmakers who dare to challenge, provoke, and entertain.
Documentaries of Resilience and Defiance
SUFF 2024 also features a compelling selection of documentaries that explore themes of resilience and defiance. ‘Michel Gondry: Do It Yourself’ (2023) highlights the inventive DIY approach of the acclaimed filmmaker, while ‘Crass: The Sound of Free Speech’ (2023) chronicles the punk band’s fight for artistic freedom. Jason Summers’ ‘I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago’ (2024) profiles Stu Spasm from the infamous Sydney band Lubricated Goat, who caused a nationwide stir by playing naked on Andrew Denton’s ABC TV show ‘Blah Blah Blah’.
These documentaries offer a glimpse into the lives of individuals who have defied conventions and fought for their beliefs. They provide a powerful reminder of the importance of artistic freedom and the impact of creative expression on society. SUFF’s commitment to showcasing such stories underscores its dedication to celebrating the unconventional and the extraordinary.
Exploring Self-Deception and Truth
The festival’s lineup also includes films that delve into the complexities of self-deception and the quest for truth. ‘The Lies We Tell Ourselves’ (2023) follows an eccentric up-and-coming director as she travels across the world to create her latest arthouse film. Quentin Dupieux’s ‘Daaaaaali!’ (2023) delves into the life and psyche of Salvador Dalí, exploring the myths and realities that shaped the legendary artist. ‘The Hyperboreans’ (2023) is a poignant experimental film that investigates the legends and historical tales that shape our cultural narratives.
These films challenge audiences to question their perceptions and explore the deeper truths that lie beneath the surface. By presenting such thought-provoking content, SUFF continues to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling and encourage viewers to engage with complex and often uncomfortable themes.
In conclusion, the Sydney Underground Film Festival 2024 promises an exhilarating journey through the world of independent and experimental cinema. With its diverse lineup of feature films, documentaries, and shorts, the festival celebrates the fearless creativity of filmmakers who dare to challenge the norm. As audiences prepare to immerse themselves in this year’s programme, they can look forward to a festival experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
