27A

Saturday September 28th 2:00pm
Buy Tickets
Buy Tickets

Q&A with Producer Haydn Keenan

Synopsis:

Under Section 27A of the Queensland Mental Health Act in the 1970s, a person could be held in a hospital for the criminally insane until they could prove their eligibility to be released. 27A is the story of Bill Donald, an alcoholic who is committed to a Queensland hospital for the criminally insane until he can prove until he can prove he's not mad. Bill is a liar, a cheat, an alcoholic and a human being trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare.

Notes:

Based on a true story, this award winning feature film is extraordinary for its social awareness and the fact that it was one of the first feature films made at the rebirth of Australian film industry in the 1970s. While Australia was busy making middle of the road historical dramas and “Carry On” sex comedies, 27A was deeply connected to the revolution in cinema that was happening at the time in Europe, the UK and America. Very much in the school of Ken Loach and British realism, it stood apart in Australia. On release it received rave reviews and won Best Film, Best Actor and a Gold Medal for Fiction at the Australian Film Awards.  Haydn Keenan is still the youngest winner of Best Film in the history of the awards.  Unforgettable performances including the first film appearance by screen legend Bill Hunter in a raw, angry film by two 22 year old filmmakers which helped change the law in Queensland.  This screening is the first of a new 4K restoration which is in progress.

Reviews:

“27A is a quite remarkable film which will provoke and disturb anyone who sees it” - Andrew McKay Melb. Herald

“..one of the best features so far produced here, adorned with bitter and sometimes funny dialogue, rich characterizations and a sense of place as distinct from an eagerness to exploit the picturesque and a storyline with some texture in it.” -Sandra Hall, The Bulletin

“Puts to shame a good deal of the commercially available stuff we have seen so far.” - Jack Clancy Nation Review

Trailer:

  • 1974
  • 86 mins
  • MA 15+

Director:

Esben Storm

Producer:

Haydn Keenan

Cast:

Robert McDarra 
Bill Hunter
Richard Moir