The Sentimental Bloke

Doors open 6pm, performance beings 6:30pm

Step Back in time, collect free popcorn on arrival, fill your drink and settle in!

The Sentimental Bloke is a 1919 Australian silent film based on C. J. Dennis’s tales of working-class life and love in the backstreets of Sydney. In 2019, the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) of Australia digitally restored the film to mark its 100th anniversary as part of the NFSA Restores program. In 2021, composer and pianist Ian Munro composed a new score for the film using Australian songs from the period of the film.

Ian and pianist Aura Go perform Ian’s new score live in the venue while the NFSA’s 2019 digitally restored film is played, so that the film may be enjoyed in as close to its original form as possible.

Commissioned for Musica Viva Australia by Michael and Frederique Katz, in honour of Cecily Katz.

Presented in association with the National Film and Sound Archive’s digital restoration program – NFSA Restores – reviving our cinema icons.

Ian Munro, piano and composer
Aura Go, piano

The Sentimental Bloke was adapted from C.J. Dennis’ 1915 verse novel, by Australian film industry power couple: legendary director Raymond Longford, and superstar Lottie Lyell. A huge box office hit with audiences in 1919-20, The Sentimental Bloke is one of few silent-era Australian films to have survived in its entirety.

The Sentimental Bloke tells the story of Bill, a wayward Aussie bloke played by Arthur Tauchert, and his love interest Doreen, played by Lyell. The film was shot on locations including Manly beach and the then-rough streets of Woolloomooloo, offering a rare glimpse of Sydney 100 years ago.

Presented in association with Musica Viva Australia