Tickets are now on sale for the fully accessible Australian debut of award-winning drama Who Loves the Sun which is being screened at the Possible Worlds Canadian Film Festival, in the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington on 3 December.
NSW Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally said the Premiere will celebrate International Day of People with a Disability, with the cinema being adapted so the whole audience can saviour the experience.
“On-screen captions will be displayed for people with a hearing impairment, while audio description is available for people with vision impairment,” Ms Keneally said.
“Seats are also being removed to allow wheelchair access.”
Joining Minister Keneally as guest speakers at the Premiere will be Who Loves the Sun director Matt Bissonnette, along with Sydney actor Alex Jones and filmmaker Sarah Tracton.
Cinema-goers will also be treated to White Sound, a short documentary directed by Sarah Tracton, who is Deaf. Visualising through Deaf and hearing impaired perspectives, the film explores the notion of a 'soundless' existence.
Festival Artistic Director Mathieu Ravier believes film should be accessible to everyone and hopes such screenings become more common.
“I am proud to include this accessible screening at the Possible Worlds Film Festival,” he said. “Tickets are available to people of all abilities and hopefully it will raise awareness of the need to provide far more screenings like this in the future.”
“Who Loves the Sun features perfectly pitched performances and gorgeous Canadian locations. It’s a delightfully witty adult drama, a smart and funny new take on the love triangle,” Mr Ravier said.
Who Loves the Sun stars Lukas Haas (Brick), Adam Scott (Knocked Up) and Molly Parker (HBO’s Deadwood). The award-winning film features soundtrack from Portastatic with songs from Silver Jews. The film premiere is part of Possible Worlds – Sydney’s 2nd Canadian Film Festival.
The screening is a feature of the Iemma Government’s Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, which celebrates International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December 2007.
More than 150 events will mark the occasion throughout NSW during November and December. For information about Don’t DIS my ABILITY visit www.internationaldayofpeoplewithadisability.net.au.
Details of the Canadian Film Festival are available at www.possibleworlds.net.au.
Who Loves the Sun
Venue: Chauvel Cinema, Corner Oxford Street & Oatley Road, Paddington.
Date/Time: Mon 3 Dec, 6:30pm (doors open 6:00pm)
Cost: adults: $15.50, full-time students/concessions: $12.50, pensioners and seniors $9.00.
Bookings: Tickets on sale 5 November. Bookings online at www.chauvelcinema.net.au or at the Chauvel box-office on the day (no phone bookings).
Enquiries: visit www.possibleworlds.net.au or call (02) 9281 5608. Please call in advance if you need an audio-description receiver (for the visually-impaired) or a wheelchair space as spaces are limited.
The Sydney Canadian Film Festival runs from 29 November to 5 December 2007. The full program will be released on 5 November 2007.