Australia at Venice 2017

Sweet Country has premiered in Venice to critical acclaim and a standing ovation but director Warwick Thornton is just relieved that people have finally seen the film.

Thornton, actors Sam Neill and Bryan Brown, co-writers Steven McGregor and David Tranter speak to Screen News directly following the film’s world premiere at the festival. As the Australian Ambassador to Italy Dr Greg French notes, it’s the first Indigenous Australian film to screen in competition at the prestigious festival.

Additionally, Strange Colours co-writer/producer Isaac Wall and director/co-writer Alena Lodkina; West of Sunshine, which also had its world premiere at Venice, writer/director Jason Raftopoulos and producer Alexandros Ouzas; and The Knife Salesman writer/co-director Michael Leonard and co-director Jamie Helmer share their experiences at the festival.

Please be advised that this video contains some strong language.