Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra
Film
The awesome true story of the rebellious female surfers, from Australia and beyond, who took on the male-dominated professional surfing world in a fight for recognition and equality.
This band of 1980s fiercely competitive renegades weren’t just battling the waves. Everyone from their male counterparts to the media and sponsors treated them like show ponies, dismissing their undoubtable talents on the board. At a time when the sport was rapidly turning pro, they were forced to wear impractical and demeaning gear and compete for pitiful prizes. Despite their undeniable determination, it took these surfing greats 25 years to turn their sport around.
Girls Can’t Surf features sensational archival footage and stirring interviews with trailblazing surfing icons Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha, Layne Beachley and more. Directed by multiple award winner Christopher Nelius (Storm Surfers 3D) and produced by Walkley award winner Michaela Perske (Footy Girls, SFF 2006), this brand-new Australian documentary is a wild ride of clashing personalities, sexism, adventure and heartbreak, with women surfers fighting against the odds – for decades – to make their dreams of competing on equal terms a reality.
This screening will be attended by special guests Layne Beachley, Jodie Cooper, Pam Burridge, Pauline Menczer, and Christopher Nelius.
Runtime: 106 mins
See the full SFF Summer Season at the State line-up
VenuePerformance TimesSun 17 Jan at 2pm
Ticketing and PricingFull Price – $24
Concession – $18.50
+ booking fee
Please note that paired seats cannot be split, therefore if
you are after a single seat please select a seat that is on its own.
If you are after other configurations, please contact the
Sydney Festival office during business hours.
AccessibilityAssistive Listening
The State Theatre has a hearing loop located in the Mezzanine. Optimal seats in the Mezzanine are Row G seats 13-44.
Important InfoFace masks are mandatory at all Sydney Festival events for all patrons 13 years and older, in line with NSW Government regulations. A face mask is required at all times while inside foyers, theatres and outdoor venues, including during performances. Children 12 and under are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.
Latecomers may be seated in seats other than their allocated seat.
Cast and CreditsChristopher Nelius is an Australian film director, producer and writer. His first writing gig was a documentary about surfer Ross Clarke-Jones; he developed that idea further to co-create a documentary series, and later Storm Surfers 3D (2012), which won multiple international festival awards.
Director Christopher Nelius
Writer Christopher Nelius
Writer Julie-Anne De Ruvo
Producer Michaela Perske
Producer Christopher Nelius
Distributed by Madman Entertainment
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