Product Description

Presented in an all-new director-approved digital transfer, Celia is a tale of lost innocence set during a long hot summer in 1950's Australia. Seen through refreshingly non-sentimental eyes, it stylishly evokes the surreal childhood world of rituals, games and gangs and the incomprehensible nature of adults. Special features include; New filmed interview with director, Ann Turner; Booklet containing essays about the film; All new director-approved digital transfer from original negative materials with restored picture and sound. Awards won by the film include WINNER - 1989 Créteil International Women's Film Festival; WINNER - AFI Award, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Victoria Longley). The film was also included on the Best Films of the Year (1989) in The Vilalge Voice, Film Comment, The Face and The Seattle Times.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23392 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-03-30
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Dolby, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 98 minutes

Synopsis
Set in rural Australia in the late 1950s, CELIA tells the chilling tale of a troubled 9-year-old girl who reacts to life's disappointments with unholy fury. Fearful of the world around her, Celia retreats into her warped imagination, conjuring up all manner of evil creatures...

Review
Perhaps the most impressive debut of recent years. Ann Turner's brilliant tale of life in '50's Australia engages heart and brain throughout. --Empire

Review
I rate Celia as one of those classics of childhood such as The Fallen Idol or The 400 Blows --The Mail

Customer Reviews

Celia
Interesting film about 9 year old Celia, a child with strong will and imagination. It is very well made and depicts the world from a childs perspective, incorporating some surreal/horror-moments. But the film should be seen rather than discussed in advance.

The picture of the DVD is somewhat aged with some grain. But the transfer is stable and without dirt - I watched it without problems on a projector. Recommended.

An antipodean gem
Saw this in the cinema in the late 1980's and remember being really impressed. I was pleased to discover the film had finally surfaced on DVD.
My memories of the film were not wrong - by turns dark, funny, insightful and consistently undercuts (and exceeds) expectations. It's a supremely intelligent feature, that manages to be both subtle and deeply affecting.
The heart of the film is a truly spectacular performance from young Australian actress Rebecca Smart as the titular Celia.
The film captures perfectly the cruelties and confusion of childhood - and it can proudy stand amid other classic tales of childhood's end like Stand By Me, Lord of the Flies and Pan's Labyrinth.