La película australiana “The Emu War” (2023) ganó el Premio al Mejor Largometraje en la pasada edición de B-RETINA, el Festival de Cinema Sèrie B de Cornellà de Llobregat, que se celebró del 19 al 22 de septiembre en el Auditori Sant Ildefons (Plaça Carles Navales S/N). Se trata de una hilarante comedia de acción que adapta, con mucha imaginación y sentido del humor, un hecho histórico real ocurrido en Australia a finales de 1932, cuando el gobierno decidió utilizar soldados armados para controlar una plaga de emús, un tipo de ave autóctona muy similar al avestruz y que devastaba cultivos.
The winning film was announced on the 22nd of September at the Carles Navales Auditorium in Cornellà de Llobregat, during the awards ceremony held on the final day. At the same ceremony, the winners of the short film section were also revealed. The DACIA Award for Best Short Film, whichincludes a trophy and €200 in cash, went to Mi Padre by Yago Casariego. After that, the CDMON Award for Second Best Short Film, consisting of a trophy and a gift package, was received by Feminancy” by Uxuri Etxegia. Finally, the award for Best-Worst Short Film, the only prize chosen by the organising team, was given to ¿Quién está ahí? by José García Pérez, which included a trophy and a gift package.
“At B-RETINA, what drives us is not applause or statistics, but the real connection created between the audience and the films. This year, despite competing with La Mercè and dodging a few mischievous clouds, we saw our theatres almost full to capacity, constantly on the verge of a ‘sold out’. Special mention must go to the concert by Hombre Lobo Internacional, which turned Saturday night into a wild and unique experience. And if there’s one thing we are proud of, it’s that there are no external juries here: the true judge is the audience, who with their enthusiasm has delivered the verdict of this edition’s success.” These are the words of David Bravo, director of B-RETINA.
The absurd and surprising story on which The Emu War is based is known as The Great Emu War, and it has transcended popular imagination as one of the most bizarre conflicts in human history, inspiring memes, video games, and films like this one.
Directed by Jay Morrissey, Lisa Fineberg, and John Campbell, this 75-minute Australian comedy takes the already peculiar historical situation to the extreme, portraying the emus as fearsome killing machines, experts in using machine guns and putting a disorganised platoon of soldiers in check. Among these soldiers is Major Meredith, who, tormented by the kidnapping of his son by the emus, leads a suicide mission behind enemy lines with the goal of killing the Emu Queen, the cunning leader of the plague.
“The Emu War” is not just a satire filled with dark humour, but also an absurd and eccentric look at one of the most ridiculous episodes of military history. Despite being flightless, the emus proved to be formidable foes due to their speed (up to 50 km/h) and strategic movements. The soldiers, armed with Lewis machine guns, were stunned to discover that the birds were faster than military vehicles, making the Australian armed forces look ridiculous.
B-RETINA has established itself as one of the most unique and prominent film festivals on the Catalan and national circuit. Over the course of its editions, it has attracted a loyal audience, not only from all over Catalonia but also from various parts of Spain and even abroad, drawn by its unique offering. Major mainstream media outlets are now covering its success and constant growth, highlighting its ability to bring together lovers of cult and B-movies.
©B-Retina Festival de Cinema Sèrie B de Cornellà 2024
©B-Retina Festival de Cinema Sèrie B de Cornellà 2024