Newsfront in conversation
Saving an Australian cinema classic
Just 20 years after the original release of Newsfront in 1978, this Australian cinema classic was close to being lost forever – through the ravages of time, changes in technology, politics and legal battles. In 1998 director Phillip Noyce, and the film’s original assistant editor, Frans Vandenburg, combined forces with an impressive collection of film technicians and professionals to restore the film. Their seemingly impossible mission involved scouring film archives around the world for original negatives, protracted legal battles over copyright and painstaking repair and restoration work.
Join Vandenburg in a discussion with ABC Classic FM presenter, Emma Ayres, of the near-loss and complex restoration of this iconic film.
Screening
The film will be shown in the Domain Theatre on Wednesday 31 October at 2pm and 7.15pm. For details, see Newsfront screening.
Acknowledgements for their valuable contribution: Phillip Noyce, David Elfick, Frans Vandenburg.
Image: Newsfront
