Sweet As
The fifth London Australian Film Festival closed with a very special screening of SWEET AS, the debut feature by Nyulnyul/Yawuru writer-director Jub Clerc.
An effervescent drama, inspired by Clerc’s own journey to becoming a filmmaker, it centres upon a troubled Aboriginal teen - played with quiet brilliance by Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Firebite, Wyrmwood: Apocalypse) - who embarks on a journey of growth, acceptance and self-discovery. With postcard-perfect shots of remote Western Australia and a road-trip-worthy soundtrack of all-Indigenous artists, SWEET AS is a joyous, cinematic, life-affirming ride.
Continuing our tradition of closing the festival with a feature debut, LAFF honoured Clerc with the newly named Cris Jones Debut Director Prize,
which is awarded to an outstanding directorial debut from an Australian filmmaker. Presented in honour of British-Australian filmmaker Cris Jones, whose debut The Death and Life of Otto Bloom closed our inaugural festival in 2017, previous debut feature nominees have included Priscilla Cameron (The Butterfly Tree, LAFF 2018), Imogen McCluskey (Suburban Wildlife, LAFF 2019), and Renée Webster (How To Please A Woman, LAFF 2022).
This special Closing Gala event featured a pre-recorded, post-screening Q&A with Cris Jones Debut Director Prize winner Jub Clerc.
As part of the AFTRS x LAFS dual 50th celebration, Catriona McKenzie’s 2000 AFTRS short THE THIRD NOTE, starring Deborah Mailman played before SWEET AS.
Winner of the NETPAC Award at Toronto International Film Festival, and the Innovation Award at Melbourne International Film Festival.
"one of those rare films that will leave you grinning from ear to ear ... a genuine must-see" - Screen Hub
"a film that crafts nuanced characters and takes them on a ride that hits every emotion" TL;DR Movie Reviews
"a marvelous and sensitive film" - Alliance of Women Film Journalists
WHY WE CHOSE TO CLOSE THE FESTIVAL WITH THIS FILM:
Laila (LAFF Director):
“We are so proud to screen a debut feature at the closing gala of every festival. This year it was a tough decision as there were so many wildly different and exceedingly talented new directors to hit our festival long list. But I'm sure you'll agree that there's something really special about SWEET AS. Tackling some tough themes with insight and sensitivity, Jub is a director you'll all be keen to track. Don't miss this beautiful film that will make your heart ache and ultimately soar, without a hint of saccharin sentimentality.”
Stephen (LAFF Co-Programmer):
“This may be the story of a troubled Aboriginal teen, but the power of Clerc’s film lies not in invocations of past misery, but in moving forward with collective hope - the perfect message to end our 2023 festival, as Australia approaches a crucial referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.”
With thanks to Jub Clerc, Sélina Boye and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.