Artist Biography
John Hughes is an independent producer, writer and director. He has taught filmmaking, cinema and cultural studies and was commissioning editor for documentary with SBS Independent, 1998–2001. His credits include the documentaries River of dreams (producer/director), 2002; After Mabo (co-producer/writer/director), 1997; and the feature What I have written (producer/director), 1996; which was invited to screen in competition at the 1996 Berlin Film Festival. His One way street (producer/writer/director), 1992, examining the life and work of Walter Benjamin, screened at numerous international festivals. Hughes lives and works in Melbourne.
Works
The archive project (A place to live; These are our children; Prices and the people; They chose peace; Sharpley speaks; Menace; ASIO surveillance, New theatre) 2002–06
Artist Statement
There may well have been an iron curtain, but there was also the cinema. The Project evokes recollections of cold war film culture activism here. The Melbourne Realists refused the hegemony of US and British film, seeking instead to deliver Australian images and stories, and world cinema, to Australian audiences.
