News Archive

Most of us count ourselves lucky to see a foreign film once in a while.  The University of Western Australia and Cinema Paradiso are offering not only an award-winning French film but also the chance to meet its director, internationally acclaimed film-maker Bertrand Tavernier, before and after the screening.

In a University first, Tavernier will give a free public lecture about his work at UWA before joining the audience to watch the film at Cinema Paradiso where he will answer viewers' questions when Laissez-Passer (Safe Conduct ) is finished.

Tavernier has made more than 30 feature and documentary films including The Clockmaker of Saint-Paul, Death Watch, D'Artagnan's Daughter and soon to be released In The Electric Mist starring Tommy Lee Jones.  Many of his films have won awards such as Cannes' Best Director, Berlin's Golden and Silver Bears, the New York Critics' and British Critics' awards and an Academy Award for Best Score.

Subjects for his films have ranged from war, police corruption and recession to adoption and crime. Laissez-Passer (2002) is about a screenwriter (played by Jacques Gamblin) with three lovers who, in German-occupied France, has to depend on his wits to avoid working with the enemy.  It won awards for best film, best director, best screenplay, best actor and best supporting actor.

Bertrand Tavernier's visit to Perth is sponsored by the Institute of Advanced Studies, UWA, Alliance Francaise de Perth, Unifrance, Film and Television Institute WA, Cinema Paradiso and the French Embassy of Australia.

He will speak at UWA's Social Science Lecture Theatre from 4.30pm to 5.30pm and Laissez-Passer will be shown at Cinema Paradiso at 6.45pm on Wednesday 3 December.

Media references

Audrey Barton (Institute of Advanced Studies)  (+61 8)  6488 1340
Cinema Paradiso (for ticket information)  (+61 8)  9227 1771
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716