Screening of “Harry’s War”
A rare screening of the award-winning film, Harry’s War – a must-see tribute to the Indigenous Australians who gave so much to Australia’s wartime past.
In 1999 a young indigenous film-maker, Richard Frankland, released a searing study into the involvement of Indigenous servicemen or “Black Diggers” in Australia’s wars with the critically-acclaimed short film Harry’s War.
Inspired by the real-life wartime experiences of his uncle, Harry Saunders, who fought, and died, in the South Pacific during WWII, Harry’s War is a powerful meditation on the issues of self, camaraderie, prejudice, history, nationhood, citizenship and equality.
Celebrated locally and internationally, Harry’s War was the recipient of multiple prestigious awards including in 1999 the AFI Award for Best Screenplay in a Short Film, the OCIC Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival and in 2000, the Jury Prize for Best Short Film at the Hollywood Black Film Festival, the Jury Prize for Best Short Film at the St Tropez Film Festival and the Best Australian Short Film at Flickerfest.
This month Sydney Opera House hosts a rare screening of Harry’s War and discussion with iconic film maker Richard Frankland. He will be joined in conversation by the Opera House’s Head of Indigenous Programming, Rhoda Roberts, to discuss a life of prolific creativity and his work in uncovering and making prominent, the diverse roles Indigenous Australian’s have occupied in the nation’s history.
Don´t miss this enigmatic and powerful piece of Australia´s cinematic history!
What: Screening of “Harry’s War”
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: Sunday 9 August 2015, 4pm
Film Run- Time: 30 minutes
Q&A Run- Time: 60 minutes