Sydney Film Festival review: Five Films Everyone is Talking About

The Sydney Film Festival impressed the casts of thousands earlier this month. Some films may trickle down south, so Milk Bar has put together a quick guide to five films that will be on everyone’s lips this coming film season.

See our shortlist of the top 5 films that caused the biggest waves at the Sydney Film Festival: 

The Dead Don’t Die
Bringing together some of the most loved names in Hollywood including Bill Murray, Iggy Pop and Adam Driver, this wacky comedy explores the much beloved zombie genre. Set in the US, the plot investigates what happens when the dead rise from their graves and start feasting on the living. Bought to life by the wonderful Jim Jarmusch, The Dead Don’t Die is a must see.

Life After The Oasis
This Australian documentary written and directed by Sascha Ettinger Epstein picks up where the moving and powerful 2008 documentary, The Oasis, left off. The original film explored the alarming reality of teen homelessness in Sydney. This time we revisit them 10 years on, as the homelessness crisis is worse than ever. Life After the Oasis sheds a rough light on the horrible daily reality facing Sydney’s homeless.

Les Miserables
The winner of the Cannes Jury Prize, Les Miserables is an explosive and intense film surrounding the 2008 Paris riots. Directed by Ladj Ly, the plot explores the frictions between gangs in Paris through the eyes of three members of the anti-crime squad. When they are overrun while making an arrest, the video of the event threatens to expose a harsher, more scarier reality. Gripping and enthralling, the film examines many issues modern-day Parisians face in uncertain times.

Amazing Grace
This enchanting Aretha Franklin documentary by Sydney Pollack unveils never before seen footage of the queen of souls 1972 concert. Exploring her incredible performance at LA’s New Temple Mission Baptist Church accompanied by Southern Californian Community Choir we see her return to her gospel roots. This performance became known as one of most powerful and paved the way for Amazing Grace, her most successful album

Parasite
Parasite by acclaimed Korean director, Bong Joon-ho, is a satirical and exciting take on income inequality between two families. This visually enticing film follows two different families on their journeys led by the uneducated Ki Woo who fakes a university degree to land a prestigious tutoring job with the wealthy Park family. Joon-ho injects the family’s interactions with humour, mystery and intrigue to create a telling tale that provides a brilliant social critique on modern society and income inequality.

You can thank us in advance!

Sydney Film Festival 
sff.org.au