MEDIA RELEASE

"Liberty in Restraint" wins "Best Short Documentary" award at CineKink Film Festival in New York

On Oct 24, 2004, the 35 minute preview version of a 100 minute work-in-progress called "Liberty in Restraint" won the award for "CineKink Best Short Documentary" in New York. The screening was a world premiere and in attendance for a special Q&A after the film were the filmmaker, Michael Ney, and his documentary subject, photographer Noel Graydon - both from Sydney, Australia.

"We were so honoured to have been the world premiere for 'Liberty in Restraint' and delighted to present this award," said Lisa Vandever, director of CineKink. "Visually stunning, the piece is a beautiful representation of what draws people to the fetish lifestyle; a look at some of the drives and motivations behind it."

CineKink NYC "the really alternative film festival," began its 4 day event on October 21, 2004 at the Anthology Film Archives cinema (32 Second Avenue, New York, USA) and featured a program that explores and celebrates a wide diversity of alternative sexuality.

Liberty in Restraint shows the journey of Noel's life... starting as an apprentice photographer in Brisbane, and getting interested in the clandestine BDSM scene (bondage/discipline, dominance-submission, sado-masochism), then moving to Sydney and, in the interest of learning all about the fetish world, he leaves photography behind.

Noel transformed into "Master Venom" and worked as a "pro dom" (BDSM Master) in the sex trade, during which time he met many key personalities in this very private scene. He was living perilously close to the edge with drug addiction, but ultimately survived to regain his photographic prowess. We meet and talk with his mentors, and those who helped in his recovery, and witness the subsequent respect from the fetish community.

Jumping forward to today Noel has recovered totally, is married with a daughter and another child on the way. He is building a very promising career as a photographer in the fields of fine art, music and performing arts... the classic hero's journey! In this probing documentary, he openly shares his unusual life and friends with us... and we explore his work in progress, the passion for his art and its themes, the community he moves within and their controversial transgressive activities.

"Alongside the theme of freedom of expression this film is also an investigation into the nature of sexual transgression, and the prejudices of society, and how an artist can break boundaries." says director Michael Ney. Further themes arise out of the nature of Noel's work in fetish photography - including an exploration of what the BDSM community is all about and how the "look" is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world of advertising, music and fashion.

The CineKink film festival is dedicated to the recognition and encouragement of kink-positive depictions in film and television, the films' topics will touch upon BDSM, leather, polyamory and non-monogamy, fetish and role-play, swinging and gender bending. "It's very encouraging to see the level of talent and commitment that our directors bring to their works - and it's a true thrill to present them to a properly appreciative audience." says Lisa Vandever, Director of CineKink.

For more information about the festival and a full list of awards see: http://www.cinekink.com

Director, Michael Ney is a founding member of OZDOX - The Australian Documentary Forum http://www.ozdox.org, and also long standing video archivist at Popcorn Taxi Sydney http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au. He is also an active member within ASDA - Australian Screen Directors Association. Other projects in progress include the making-of "Dark Love STory" by Jon Hewitt and Belinda McClory, produced by Paper Bark Films, as well as another making-of on the innovative feature "Man Conquers Space" by David Sander.

An earlier 8 minute edit from within Liberty In Restraint entitled "Suffer The little Children" (named after one of Noel's elaborate photographic constructions) was also a finalist in the MAFIA Documentary Awards in May 2004 and screened concurrently in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. See the 8 minute clip online at: http://www.libertyinrestraint.com

The 100 minute DVD is scheduled for release in March 2005, along with a 55 minute version for television.

See also Noel Graydon's photography online at: http://www.noelgraydonphotographer.com

For more information on Librerty In Restraint, refer to producer
Frank Shields
Frontier Films
frontier@oceanguard.com
Tel: 0407 350 842

or director/producer
Michael Ney
Sensory Image Pty Ltd
libertyinrestraint@mac.com
Australia: 0418 96 5517