Page 8 - RD_Dec2012.pdf

Australia’s Lost Films – Update on the Search

The December 2011 issue of Reel Deals carried a critical story about the

apparent lack of progress in the Search and Rescue project for Australia’s
Lost Films. That Search had been announced with fanfare by the National
Film and Sound Archive at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2010. Where
now?

An official statement was provided for this issue of Reel Deals by Meg
Labrum, who is Senior Curator of Film, Documents and Curatorial
Connections. The full statement will appear on the NFSA website. The
Archive’s commitment to the Search for Australia’s Lost Films is reiterated,
as is the spearhead position of the 1953 film ‘Captain Thunderbolt’.

Efforts to publicise the Search in Australia and overseas are indicated,

together with some early results: ‘Stockade’ (Hans Pomeranz, 1971),
‘Shirley Thompson versus the Aliens’ (Jim Sharman, 1971). Additional titles
are being added to the list, called Most Wanted Collection Works, on NFSA
website.

For the future, the Archive undertakes to provide an annual update of
success in the Search, and to promote the program among filmmakers and
the wider public.

Clearly, it is up to readers of RD and the collecting fraternity to contribute
leads about ‘Captain Thunderbolt’ and the other wanted titles in the now
widened Search, and to monitor NFSA’s active progress. Who knows, with a
new Director, a new Chair and some fresh Board members, this aspect of
NFSA may catch alight yet.