Documentary

24 mins col/b&w Betacam SP
©1993 Janet Merewether

Logline

A film essay on the architecture and cultural resonance of the former Sydney Showgrounds site at Moore Park.

synopsis:

A documentary about the cultural and architectural features of the former Sydney Showgrounds site at Moore Park,  'Surplus Government Asset' captures the atmosphere and traditions of the original Royal Easter Show, before its move to the current site at Homebush Bay. This visually innovative documentary questions the relevance and significance of one of Australia’s most iconic cultural events, whilst recording the architectural features, including livestock and produce pavilions, many of which have been demolished to make way for what was to become the Fox Film Studios. On a political level, the film analyses how publicly owned land and buildings were ceded, offered by the then Liberal State Government to multi-national 20th Century Fox for peppercorn rent.
A wry, resonant and lasting record of this most historic of sites, 'Surplus Government Asset' immerses the viewer into a phantasmagoria of collective cultural memory.

crew:

Producer, Writer, Director, Camera
Janet Merewether
Additional camera
Jonathan Ogilvie
Chantal Abouchar
Editor
Bob Burns
Sound Design
Deb Harris
Alicia Slusarski
Music
The Happenin' Thang
The Baylor Brothers
Brendan Gallagher
Narration
Virginia Baxter

festivals:
Australian International Documentary Conference AIDC St Kilda Film Festival (opening night) 1993
Brisbane International Film Festival 1994
Held in the collection of the State Library of NSW, Sydney.

Produced with the support of the AFTRS and the Fuji/Haminex Award

Since this documentary was produced in 1993, the Sydney Showgrounds site has been transferred from the RAS and the NSW public, leased to Fox Studios for peppercorn rent. Most of the buildings featured in this film essay have been demolished. This film is one of the few visual records of the architecture which formerly defined the Showgrounds precinct. Today, the Royal Easter Show is held annually at Homebush Bay Sydney.

distribution:

Go Girl Productions

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