In February 2022, the NFSA was proud to host acclaimed author and film critic David Stratton in conversation with Alex Sloan. During the conversation they discussed David's book My Favourite Movies (2021) and he shared insights about the leading directors and actors he has met during his 50 years of reviewing films:
Alex Sloan in conversation with David Stratton at the NFSA in 2022.
David was introduced to film at a young age by his movie-loving grandmother with whom he lived with in England at the beginning of the Second World War.
After migrating to Australia in 1963 David became involved in the local film movement, eventually becoming the Director of the Sydney Film Festival from 1966 to 1983.
During his tenure at the Sydney Film Festival David programmed a selection of Soviet films which prompted the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to place him under surveillance.
In 1980 David started working at SBS as a film consultant before becoming the co-host of The Movie Show in 1986 with Margaret Pomeranz.
Both David and Margaret left the SBS in 2004 to co-host the ABC's movie review show At The Movies which aired for 10 years.
David is a highly regarded expert on international cinema and has served as the president of international film critics juries for both the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, as well as serving as a jury member for the Berlin International Film Festival.
In 2001 David was appointed the Croix de Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (The Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Government for his services to cinema, as well as the Centenary Medal from the Australian Government for services to Australian society and Australian film production. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his services to the film industry as a critic, promoter and ambassador for Australian cinema.
Deep Dive: You Can Go Now, with Richard Bell
Deep Dive: Unit by Regurgitator, a classic Australian album
Deep Dive: Those Dashing McDonagh Sisters with Mandy Sayer
Deep Dive: Strictly Ballroom Q&A with Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice
Deep Dive: Wash My Soul in the River's Flow Q&A
Deep Dive: When the Camera Stopped Rolling Q&A with Jane Castle and Pat Fiske
Deep Dive: The Witch of Kings Cross Q&A with director Sonia Bible
Deep Dive: The Sentimental Bloke Q&A with composer Paul Mac
Deep Dive: Paul Barron interview
Deep Dive: Brazen Hussies Q&A with Catherine Dwyer and Elizabeth Reid
Deep Dive: Blue-Tongue Films Q&A with Nash Edgerton and David Michôd
Deep Dive: Trevor Graham and Mabo: Life of an Island Man
Deep Dive: Making Waves + Emma Bortignon
Deep Dive: Sunday Too Far Away
Deep Dive: Rolf de Heer discusses The Tracker
Deep Dive: Deborah Conway live at the NFSA
Deep Dive: Andrew Mason in conversation on The Matrix
Deep Dive: Ella Havelka and Douglas Watkin
Deep Dive: Ian Darling, Michael O'Loughlin, Tanya Hosch and Fran Kelly on The Final Quarter
Deep Dive: Powderfinger's Bernard Fanning and Producer Nick DiDia
Deep Dive: Richard Lowenstein in conversation about Mystify
Deep Dive: Jocelyn Moorhouse in Conversation
Deep Dive: David Stratton – 101 Marvellous Movies
We bring you a recording of our conversation with David Stratton when he visited the NFSA in Canberra in 2019 to discuss the release of his book, 101 Marvellous Movies You May Have Missed.
NFSA Librarian Jan Thurling gives five stars to TV film critics David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz, who were celebrating 25 years on air together in 2011.
We mark the passing of 'Mr Movies', popular film critic and TV presenter, Bill Collins.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.
