Back under the stars...

‘Lesbians, US military personnel, backpackers and camels … this is what makes the red centre so attractive!’ I found this statement by a former colleague in an old newsletter, joking about why he'd come to work in Alice. I just put it there because I found it amusing. This weekend my new swag became even more encrusted with red dust, but from more movie-watching under the stars rather than camping.  I was invited to a screening of Badlands at a caravan park.  We had to drive out on a fairly rural road and the only indication of the turn-off was an old tin sign at the side of the road with 'FILM' painted on it.  This struck me as very Alice.  We drove down a dirt road to a clearing where an old 16 mm projector and a small screen was set up.  Everyone had brought some food which was spread out on the tray of an old ute with the back down.  There were a dozen or so lesbians, a baby, some dogs and a straight man parked on swags in front of the screen.  A large, quiet, bear-ish man, who seemed to be responsible for the evening, was behind the projector.  It was like stumbling on a secret society, but no gold masks and naked Stanley Kubrikesque women, fortunately.  I enjoyed Badlands.  I thought it was going to be good, but it exceeded my expectations.  I particularly enjoyed Sissy Spacek's deadpan, schizoid commentary on her pathological boyfriend's killing sprees. Next weekend, the travelling Sydney Film Festival is coming to Alice.  This will be an indoor gig, sadly.  There's something very seductive about being able to recline on a swag under the stars and watch an evening of films.