Mark JOFFE
Réalisateur, Invité d'Honneur en 2013.
"Je voulais dire, tout simplement, que des événements comme celui-ci aident énormément au développement de la cinématographie indépendante. Dans ce cas, très peu de films australiens sont vus par le public français et si on peut juger par leur réaction à mon film "L'Homme qui a fait un procès contre Dieu" on en a besoin davantage.
Helen et ses collègues ont travaillé bénévolement avec enthousiasme et acharnement et j'espère que ce petit festival deviendra de plus en plus important. C'est un délicieux précurseur à celui, tout proche, de Cannes. Je ferai tout ce que je peux pour mettre ce festival en valeur et pour encourager mes collègues à le soutenir. Helen et son équipe magnifique - Gérard, Alex, Marc, Flore, Dominique, tous le méritent ! Alors Bravo !"
Rolf DE HEER
Réalisateur, auteur et producteur. Invité d'Honneur en 2014
Andrew PIKE Producteur et Réalisateur, Ronin Films, Canberra.
En 2003, Monsieur PIKE a honoré du titre de Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres pour son travail dans la distribution et l'exposition du cinéma français en Australie.
"Je voudrais recommander le Festival du Bout du Monde comme modèle exemplaire dans son genre : petit, mais concentré, organisé et supervisé avec soin et amour, ce Festival nous régale avec une expérience riche et profonde qui est rare, même en Australie, et il faut le chérir. Il mérite d'être beaucoup plus reconnu pour ce qu'il apporte au cinéma australien et à la culture australienne en général."
Cornelius DELANEY (dit Nique NEEDLES)
Acteur, musicien et artist-peintre. Invité d'Honneur en 2018
"J'ai eu la chance d'assister au Festival du film australien (Le Bout du Monde) dans le très joli village de Pézenas cette année. Je suis resté dans une splendeur médiévale luxueuse et ai bu le vin fabuleux brassé par un vigneron "expat" australien qui était revenu au pays de ses ancêtres. J'ai regardé une grande variété de films australiens inconnu mais pas que, avec un public principalement français, qui ont tous semblé apprécier le programme. Après les films nous avons apprécié les saucisses aux barbecue, "lamingtons" (!) Et encore plus de ce vin dans les beaux jardins du l'Illustre Théâtre. C'était que du bon temps et je vais devoir trouver une excuse pour y retourner l'année prochaine !"
L'Assemblée Nationale
Mark JOFFE - director. Special guest in 2013...
"I just wanted to say that events such as this one help independent film making enormously.
In this case, very few Australian films get to be seen by a French audience and judging by the fabulous reaction to my film, "The Man Who Sued God", more need to be exposed.
Helen and her colleagues have worked voluntarily and with great enthusiasm and endeavour and I think this little festival can only get bigger and better. A lovely precursor to the one down the road at Cannes.
I will do everything in my power to highlight this festival and encourage my colleagues to support it. Helen and her great team - Gerard, Alex, Marc, Flore, Dominique, everyone - deserve it. Bravo !"
Rolf DE HEER - director/writer/producer. Special guest in 2014
"I attended the Festival Le Bout du Monde in 2014, on my way to Cannes with Charlie's Country. Playing were two films I'd directed, The Tracker and The King Is Dead! It was a lovely surprise to find a real community festival, and a real community attending their own festival.
There was spirited interchange about the films, and about culture, there was passion and there was engagement. It was one of the most pleasant and meaningful film festival experiences I've had."
Molly REYNOLDS, director and producer. Special guest in 2014
"The Festival Le Bout du Monde is like a really, really good wedding party, but with films instead of music. I hope there are many more occasions to come, so that I can go another one, show another film to the party-goers and then join them in the celebration of Australian cinema."
Madeleine BLACKWELL, director/writer/producer. Special guest in 2015
"There is undoubtedly a mutual fascination between the French and Australian people and it has been there for a very long time.The more we share our diverse cultures the more we can explore this vital and stimulating friendship. In the intimate and collegial atmosphere of The Australian Film Festival of Pézenas Australian film makers get to respond to the curiosity of the audience within a relaxed and well planned schedule, excellent facilities and a typical French bar in a beautiful garden where the forums and discussions are held. Pézenas is a golden opportunity to strengthen these bonds and develop meaningful dialogue between those who are passionate about cinema and ideas. Thank you Helen and team for a warm welcome and your generous hospitality. Your festival deserves all the support it can get."
Andrew PIKE, director and producer, Ronin Films, Canberra
Recipient of the "Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres" by the French government in 2003 for his work in distribution and exposing French film in Australia.
"I would like to commend the Festival du Bout du Monde as an exemplary model of its kind : a small but focussed, deeply immersive experience that is lovingly and sensitively curated. It provides a platform for new and "old" Australian cinema in a nurturing and supportive environment that is rare, even within Australia, and is to be treasured.
It deserves much wider recognition for what it provides for Australian cinema and Australian culture generally."
Cornelius DELANEY (AKA Nique NEEDLES) Actor, Musician and Artist. Special Guest 2018
I was fortunate to attend the Australian Film Festival (Le Bout du Monde) in the very delightful village of Pézenas this year. I stayed in luxurious, medieval splendour and drank fabulous wine brewed by an expat Australian winemaker who had returned to the land of his forefathers. I watched a great range of obscure and not-so-obscure Australian films with a mostly French audience, who all seemed to appreciate the program very much. After the films we enjoyed snags on the barbie, lamingtons(!) and more of the aforementioned wine in the beautiful gardens of the Illustre Theatre. It was a hoot and I will have to think of an excuse to go again next year!
