Tom Cowan

As notions of civil rights transformed across the world, so was the screen landscape reformed by the ascension of grassroots film movements seeking to challenge the mainstream. Some aspired to push form to its limit; others worked to destabilise what they saw as a homogenous industry, or to provoke questions around gender, sexuality, migration and race.

Samskara, the film by Pattabhi Rama Reddy, created a revolution in Indian cinema 50 years ago. Winning National and International awards. It broke barriers of caste and other social taboos, both in the process of production and on its release. 50 years later it still remains relevant and raises political and social questions that need our reflection. 'Revisiting Samskara’ is a journey back in time, in an attempt to piece together the motivation, circumstances and process. It recounts the experience of the cast and crew revisiting the same locations and recounting anecdotes of ‘Predestined Synchronicity’.

Clyde is a typical junior clerk in a public service office. He watches the budding friendship between two co-workers and he turns it into the permanent office joke. At the same time he plays out his own neurotic relationship with a bored and frustrated secretary. The cruel mass victimisation of the young lovers is carried to the annual office picnic. Office tensions are changed by the unfamiliar surroundings where the disappearance of the two lovers forces Clyde to re-examine his own shallow emotional development.

Nine women convicts escape from a prison hell-hole and dare to create a savage world free of man.

Nine women convicts escape from a prison hell-hole and dare to create a savage world free of man.

Antigone arrives in Sydney from Greece to have an arranged marriage with Telis, but is rejected by him as he expected a younger woman. Telis's older brother, Manolis, sympathizes with Antigone.

Two young Australian filmmakers meet in London and return home with dreams of making films that reflect their Australian ideals. A film about dreams and aspirations.

Two young Australian filmmakers meet in London and return home with dreams of making films that reflect their Australian ideals. A film about dreams and aspirations.

Two young Australian filmmakers meet in London and return home with dreams of making films that reflect their Australian ideals. A film about dreams and aspirations.

A neo-realist drama set near the crumbling Arrow Theatre. Two street bodgies hang around near the station and try to terrorise an Italian girl. A boy tries to fight for her and is beaten up. The dry streets of Middle Park reflect the crabbed lives of the star-crossed lovers.

A rural romance whose heroine braves love, longing, lust and loss. It draws on the beauty of the central west of NSW.

A self-assured, chain-smoking ballet teacher gives macho instruction to a small group of tender young ballerinas.