Hey folks, Harry here. Earlier in the year I tipped off a bunch of you Australians to a festival of Kubrick films that was playing in your country, and now it's time for me to tip ya off to a special screening of AMERICAN BEAUTY... a film that will most likely be in a very heated final 5 race for Best Picture in the USA this March. While being titled 'AMERICAN' BEAUTY, personally I feel the familial dynamics discussed in this film go quite a bit beyond the borders of this country. For example... if you liked Peter Jackson's brilliant HEAVENLY CREATURES... then this should be a movie you will embrace openly. As for Sam Mendes... He alongside M. Night Shyamalan, Brad Bird and Spike Jonze have emerged as the four most interesting and intriguing directors to follow from 1999. This is your chance to listen to a director that I feel is one of the premiere emerging talents in cinema. Don't pass this chance up. And if ya get a chance to ask a question ask, "WHAT'S NEXT?" and report back here please...

DIRECTOR OF 'AMERICAN BEAUTY' IN SYDNEY

Sam Mendes, the director of AMERICAN BEAUTY, will present an exclusive preview screening of his acclaimed film in Sydney on January 6, 2000.

AMERICAN BEAUTY was recently awarded the best film of 1999 prize by the U.S. National Board of Review, and is widely tipped to feature prominently in the nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Awards. Starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Chris Cooper, Mena Suvari and Thora Birch, the film examines the underbelly of suburban life in America.

AMERICAN BEAUTY is Mendes' first feature. His background has predominantly been in theatre; he directed Nicole Kidman on stage in New York in THE BLUE ROOM and also helmed the acclaimed revival of CABARET.

The Q&A preview will take place at the PALACE ACADEMY TWIN CINEMA, Oxford Street Paddington at 6.30pm on Thursday Jan 6, 2000. Tickets are $15 and are now on sale from the cinema. Bookings can be made on 02 9331 3457. Get in quick as this event is sure to be a sell-out.

The film opens around Australia on January 26.