Tag Archives: Arts

Silent Film Festival for Sydney

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu
Sydney Harbour Bridge & Lunar Park. Photo by VDuBourdieu©2006

Sydney Harbour Bridge & Lunar Park. Photo by VDuBourdieu©2006

Heading to Australia for business or pleasure? Then make sure you get both by booking now for Australia’s Silent Film Festival in Sydney next month.

A number of classic silent films will screen during the early 20th century cinematic event. It has been praised for its “excellent, valid works of film art” by David Shepard of US Film Preservation Associates.

The most recognised name and face of silent comedy next to Charlie Chaplin is Buster Keaton, whose films are still cherished and admired by fans and film critics alike.

In fact, many modern-day scholars of film history believe Keaton was the greatest comedy master of them all, and Australia’s Silent Film Festival is pleased to present a Buster Keaton feature showing three outstanding examples of his typical short comedies during the 1920s.

The festival kicks off on September 11th 2010 at Pitt Street Uniting Church.

First up is the 1927 film, For the Term of His Natural Life, directed by Norman Dawn, and starring George Fisher, Arthur McLaglen and Jessica Harcourt.

Visitors for this screening will be kept entertained with a live score from singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Colin Offord.

On September 16th, the festival moves to the Wesley Conference Centre, where it remains until the event closes on September 25th.

Amongst the films showing here are Comedies for Kids and the Young at Heart on September 18th.

Visitors can gain access to screenings for A$20 (around £11), with a discount for concessions and children.

For more information on this event, visit the Australia’s Silent Film Festival website or contact the organisers on (61) +419 267 318.

LateRooms.com is geared up for tourists and business visitors wanting to take in this festival. Yo can view their website here.

Bodiam Castle in Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu
Bodiam Castle, nr Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Bodiam Castle, nr Robertsbridge, East Sussex

A couple of days ago, I went with my friend, Liz to Bodiam Castle, a late medieval moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex.

After poring over Google maps in the morning for a couple of hours to get several National Trust spots linked up, it turned out we had begun from the wrong point; everything nearly fell apart, including our tempers. But we did eventually get to Bodiam Castle, more or less accidentally, and what a glorious spot it is.

My prejudices about hulking great castles being the stuff of boy’s dreams were swept away in a moment. Well, to be truthful, we ignored the castle at first, falling ravenously upon scones (mine herby with cheese and a sharp chutney, Liz on scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream), tea and coffee before attempting anything else. It was a ‘scorcher’ of a day, and we needed nurturing.

Unfortunately for Liz, the waitress was extremely grumpy and she’d probably had quite enough in that department from me by the time we got there. You know you have a good friend when she still speaks to you after the ‘rough bits’. Em will appreciate that codicil. We didn’t speak for three years, once. A long time ago…

So here are some photos of Bodiam in East Sussex. The castle feels very friendly inside, even though it’s pretty much ruined; it was only ever a family home when it comes down to it. The Normans didn’t get there after it was built in the 12th century, although they wrecked Hastings and Rye before that.

Next time, we’ll take a bottle of wine and our own victuals and have a real picnic.

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