The ozzie character in film

"Australia is a relatively small country and we've recently become known in Hollywood; at the same time we have retained our Australian character. I think Nepalis will appreciate the eccentricity and friendship portrayed in these films. Hopefully it will give the audience a good taste of Australian cinema.''

Australian Ambassador, Susan Grace

The Australian film festival that kicks off Friday has six movies that touch on almost every genre. The festival is set to portray the Australian character at its best with unconventional themes. All screenings are at the Russian Cultural Centre, Kamal Pokhari.

Mary and Max

92 min
Animation and Comedy
A Melanie Coombs produced, animated feature film is about a young girl Mary, living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a 44-year-old Jewish obese man living in New York. Their pen-friendship survives many ups and downs in this eccentric and funny film.

28 January, 6pm by invitation only and 31 January, 5pm open to the public

Breaker Morant
104 min
Drama
One of Australia's most famous war films based on the Boer War in South Africa is based on the court material of Harry 'Breaker' Morant and his skill with horses that gave him the nickname 'Breaker.' The British protagonist is a soldier, poet and convicted war criminal.

29 January, 2.30pm, open to the public

Ned Kelly
110 min
Crime and History
This film based on a true story that stars Australia's Heath Ledger who tragically died in 2008. The film is about Ned Kelly, an Australian outlaw, who carried out a series of robberies with a gang between the years 1878-1880. The outlaw is known for his bizarre use of body armor while he was on the run from police.

29 January, 5pm, open to the public

Lantana
120 min
Thriller
Lantana is a physiological thriller that portrays themes of love, deceit, sex and death. Produced by Jan Chapman, a woman disappears and four marriages are drawn into a tangled web of love.

30 January 2.30pm, open to the public

Radiance
81 min
Family
Three sisters are able to put to rest the ghosts of their pasts and the ashes of their mother's body. Directed by Rachel Perkins, this film confronts themes of unfinished business and family secrets.

30 January, 5pm, open to the public

The man from Snowy River
102 min
Drama and Romance
Directed by George Miller starring Kirk Douglas and based on the Banjo Patterson poem. This Australian film is a legendary part of film history that depicts the horsemanship of Australian bushman.

31 January 2.30pm, open to the public

Tickets are available from the Australian Embassy gate and from the Russian Cultural Centre, once the festival commences.
01-4371678 (Ext 114)