Wishy-washy Tropfest

Only the bravest and most dedicated of film buffs were left standing as torrential rain wreaked havoc at last night’s Tropfest.

The wild weather was hardly the celebration organisers had hoped for the event’s twentieth birthday. Only two hours earlier, when Burwood Scene succeeded in grabbing the attention of founder, John Polson, he said that “tonight” was the highlight of the short film festival’s 20-year history. Obviously, he didn’t have a crystal ball or he would most likely have pushed the whole thing forward a few hours to prevent the mass exodus that quickly ensued as the third film started.

Not that this would have bothered the VIPs, who had their own tent to watch the event without getting wet. This year in particular brought a strong list of celebrities, namely the judging panel: actor and 2012 Australian of the Year, Geoffrey Rush, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Asher Keddie and Toni Colette. Unfortunately, it was a case of close but no comment for Burwood Scene. Your writer managed to turn Ms Blanchett’s head as she walked the black carpet, but amid the heavy-duty snappers and paparazzi, it proved impossible to lure any of the celebrities for even the briefest of seconds.

Comedian and actor, Chris Lilley, who last year was obliging enough to pose for a photo and speak to us declined to speak to any media at all this time round. When an eager journalist asked if he could answer just one question, Lilley’s response was: “No thanks, I’m all right”, before disappearing. Could it have anything to do with the underwhelming response to his last effort, Angry Boys, which failed to generate the ratings – and praise – he received with Summer Heights High?

Others, like Rebecca Gibney, made a quick entrance while some stars whose names were on the attendee list, such as John Jarratt and Rob Mills, were nowhere to be seen. Not surprisingly, US actor, Tobey Maguire, didn’t walk the black carpet at all.

While there was no denying that the star power was out in force, this strength was, alas, not reflected in the quality of the entries. The first film, Boo! about an elderly couple who trick each other into thinking they are dead, was hilariously clever, but it was not until after intermission that things picked up. Many of the films were, to this writer’s mind, self-indulgent and without any real point.

Film, like all art, should be experimental and push boundaries, but many entries seemed to have a problem with finding what exactly it is that they wanted to say. Second film, The Unusual Suspects, tried to be funny but fell flat as two dopey cops interrogated a clown, while Matt Bird’s Min Min about a girl hiding in a tent, was about as coherent and fulfilling as am M. Night Shyamalan film.

Winning entry, Lemonade Stand, by Alethea Jones was cute and quirky and certainly more deserving of the award than last year’s Animal Beatbox, but Boo! was, overall, a much stronger and satisfying piece.

There is no denying that Tropfest has grown and changed considerably in its 20 years. One Sydney resident remarked that she remembered the days of turning up to the east Sydney café, Tropicana, only minutes before the event started and being able to get a car park.

Things must change, and Tropfest has done well to grow as much as it has, but last night you couldn’t help wishing to be inside the famous café. Or anywhere with a bit more shelter from the rain.

Story and photographs by Mitchell Jordan.