Documentary

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

synopsis:

A film essay on the Sydney Showgrounds site and its architecture.

A documentart about the cultural and architectural features of the former Sydney Showgrounds site at Moore Park, Sydney, Surplus Government Asset captures the atmosphere and traditions of the Royal
Easter Show as it was, before the move to its current site at Homebush Bay. This film questions the relevance/significance of the event, whilst recording the architectural landscape, including livestock and produce pavilions, much of which has been demolished to make way for the Fox film studios. A
witty and lasting record of this most historic of sites, Surplus Government Asset immerses the
viewer into the 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:

St Kilda Film Festival (opening night) 1993
Brisbane International Film Festival 1994
Held in the collection of the State Library of NSW, Sydney, and numerous architecture faculty libraries.

Produced with the support of the AFTRS and Fuji/Haminex

Since this documentary was produced in 1993, the Sydney Showgrounds site has been transferred from the RAS and the NSW public into the hands of Fox Studios. Most of the
buildings featured in this film essay have been demolished. This film is one of the few documents of the architecture
which formerly formed the showgrounds precinct. Today, the Royal Easter Show is held at the new Homebush Bay site.

distribution:

Go Girl Productions

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