Paul Mac creates new music for 100-year-old film The Sentimental Bloke

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) is working with ARIA Award winning musician Paul Mac to create a new musical score for Australia's first hit romantic comedy, 1919's The Sentimental Bloke.

The film, which has been digitally restored as part of the NFSA Restores program, will premiere at Sydney's Westpac OpenAir Cinema on Saturday 15 February. Paul Mac will perform the score live at this special event.

Media are invited to join Paul Mac in the recording studio in Sydney on Friday 17 January, to preview the music he has composed especially for this 100-year-old classic.

Paul Mac said: ‘I was intrigued when the NFSA approached me to create a score for The Sentimental Bloke. I saw the film and rapidly fell in love with it, but musically I wondered how to approach this period-piece.

‘My sound is traditionally electronic in nature, so for this project I chose something new for me: a palette of woodwind, brass, acoustic guitar, banjo, cello, piano and percussion compliments the electronic textures. I can’t wait to share this with an audience. It is one of the most exciting projects that I have attempted!’

NFSA CEO Jan Müller said: ‘Digitally restoring 1919’s The Sentimental Bloke for a new generation to enjoy is incredibly exciting. We are honoured to work with Paul Mac on this project; seeing him perform his musical score live will turn the film’s premiere into an unforgettable event.’

The film was painstakingly brought back to life by NFSA experts and postproduction partner Vandal. It is the 30th title in the NFSA Restores program which digitally restores, preserves, and shares classic Australian films for today’s and future audiences.

Media call – In the Studio with Paul Mac

When: 10am for a 10:15am start, Friday 17 January

Where: SoundPlanet; 62-68 Church St, Camperdown NSW 2050

RSVP: media@nfsa.gov.au, miguel.gonzalez@nfsa.gov.au, or bell@nixco.com.au

Stills, film clips and a restoration before and after promo are available for media use from: http://bit.ly/SentimentalBloke.

For interviews or more information please contact NFSA Manager Communications Miguel Gonzalez, (02) 8202 0114, 0404 281 632 or miguel.gonzalez@nfsa.gov.au.

NFSA Restores: The Sentimental Bloke premiere with live music score by Paul Mac

This screening is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Where: Westpac OpenAir cinema, Fleet Steps off Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney.

When: 15 February 2020

Tickets: https://www.westpacopenair.com.au/film-program/feb-15-the-sentimental-b….

About NFSA Restores: The Sentimental Bloke

• Producer: Raymond Longford

• Director: Raymond Longford

• Scriptwriter: Lottie Lyell, Raymond Longford

• Author: C.J. Dennis

• Cast: Arthur Tauchert, Lottie Lyell, Gilbert Emery, William Coulter, Helen Fergus, Margaret Reid, Stanley Robinson, Harry Young, Charles Keegan

The Sentimental Bloke was adapted from C.J. Dennis’ 1915 verse novel, by Australian film industry power couple: legendary director Raymond Longford, and superstar Lottie Lyell. A huge box office hit with audiences in 1919-20, The Sentimental Bloke is one of few silent-era Australian films to have survived in its entirety.

The Sentimental Bloke tells the story of Bill, a wayward Aussie bloke played by Arthur Tauchert, and his love interest Doreen, played by Lyell. The film was shot on locations including Manly beach and the-then rough streets of Woolloomooloo, offering a rare glimpse of Sydney 100 years ago.

About NFSA Restores

NFSA Restores is an exciting program to digitise, restore and preserve, at the highest archival standards, classic and cult Australian films so they can be seen on the big screen in today’s digital cinemas.

About Paul Mac

Paul Mac is one of the leading figures in Australian electronic music. He is a composer, songwriter, musician and producer. Paul is a conservatorium graduate and a multi ARIA Award winner for his work with underground dance pioneers Itch-E & Scratch-E and for his own solo work. The list of artists with whom he’s collaborated over recent years includes Sia, Daniel Johns, and Ngaiire.

Paul scores music for films, TV and theatre and he has previously worked with Bangarra on the acclaimed productions – Blak and Miyagan (from the OUR land people stories series).