ENTERTAINMENT CONT FROM P34
BY JOHN CAMPBELL It is one of many beautifully shot scenes, as the pair, seen from behind the display window, communicate in silence. Norman buys Misha a pair of shoes and an intimate friendship is formed.
CORANDERRK PRESENTED BY IBIJERRI THEATRE FOR NORPA AT LISMORE CITY HALL ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
CIRCUS UNIVERSE Circus Universe is a moving performance presented by the Circus Arts troupe. The circus arts space will be transformed into a traditional travelling circus world with some of the sights, sounds and smells of a yesteryear travelling carnival. Circus Universe is a nostalgic journey inspired by our rich history of incredible circus performers of both traditional and screen heritage. The evening’s entertainment travels both through space, exploring audience–performer situations, and through time from historical times to modern day. Friday and Saturday at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets are $15 www.circusarts.com.au.
THE LATIN EMPIRE The Empire Mullumbimby is under new ownership and part of the mandate is to get some fun stuff happening. The crew are serving up Latin on Saturday with Salsa Caliente, Latin Dance Party – starts at 7pm – mini cuban-style dance class. Share plate 5–8pm and bar open from 5pm.
FIGARO FLOOD FUNDRAISING
DON’T TELL
There will be a special screening of a fine new Australian film at the Brunswick Picture House at 7pm, Thursday 6 July. Director Tori Garrett’s Don’t Tell deals with a difficult issue but approaches it in a redemptive and uplifting tone. Based on true events (of which there are sadly so many more being exposed), it looks at the plight of Lyndal (Sara West), who, after being sexually abused as an eleven-yearold while attending a prestigious Anglican private school in Toowoomba, decided that rather than just consign her ordeal to a history that would never let her forget it, she stood up and fought – not just for personal gain, but also for others who have suffered similarly. Intimidation is always the first resort of those who believe that their status is unassailable and Lyndal, 22 at the time her case was brought before the court, was put under immense pressure to be a good girl and be happy with the Church’s unacceptable offer of compromise. It is essential for us, as a society, to know that justice can prevail and that our institutions (in this instance the Law of the Land) have not been entirely trashed – that anybody with Lyndal’s courage might confront established but unacceptable patterns of behaviour and strike a blow for decency.
a worthwhile project with the likes of Jack Thompson, Rachel Griffiths, Aden Young and Susie Porter, you don’t knock it back. The great thing is that all of these people were keen to get onboard as soon as they became aware of the movie’s ambition. And it’s a terrific script, too.’ Don’t miss it.
NORMAN
Subtitled The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer, this is a film of poignant, at times cringing, humour and acute observations of how deals are done – ie, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know if you want to get ahead. Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) is a wannabe mover and shaker, forever trying to get his foot in the door of the Big Apple’s elite.
Three years later, Misha has become Israel’s prime minister and Norman is the toast of the town for the access he has to him. But he is out of his depth. Norman unwittingly finds himself embroiled in an international scandal that threatens world peace, but even though his dilemma is self-inflicted, you can’t help but feel for the guy. Self-delusion has led him to wanting too much something that is not nearly as important as the true bond that he has made with Misha. Striving so hard to be in the first XI, Norman is unable to see his own gaucheness, even when he is politely asked to leave a Manhattan dinner party because he has not been invited – it is an excruciatingly embarrassing moment, but he takes it on the chin, like he always does. Gere, who we don’t see much of these days, is outstanding as the man who in the end couldn’t see the hole that his ambition was digging for him, and Askenazi is superb as the politician who is a little too much in touch with his own human foibles. A fantastic movie.
He has become over-familiar with knockbacks but is persistent to the point of annoying to death his potential contacts. Meeting Misha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi) outside Lanvin, an up-market shop selling men’s suits that cost more than the average family car, will change Norman’s life.
A stellar cast includes Byron’s own Martin Sacks, who was drawn to the project because of the gravity of its subject matter. ‘It’s so important that these matters are exposed to the light of day, that they are not swept under the carpet,’ he says with conviction. And the opportunity to work with such a stellar group of actors was one that Martin also jumped at. ‘Mate,’ he continues, ‘When you get a chance to be involved in
One-time Lismore local Lyndon Terracini and NORPA founder and now director of Opera Australia is bringing entire cast from The Marriage of Figaro to perform some arias and ensembles from some of the world’s most loved operas to raise money for the theatre company that lost the bottom floor of Lismore City Hall in recent floods. Thursday 27 July. Tickets $50 at www.norpa.org.au or call 1300 066 772.
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
The Byron Shire Echo June 28, 2017 35