Australian movie critic and former SBS presenter, David Stratton, has died on the age of 85. His household confirmed his loss of life in a heartbreaking assertion and revealed he died within the hospital in Sydney close to the scenic Blue Mountains. Stratton’s family members additionally expressed honest “gratitude for the overwhelming assist” from folks all through his life, whereas additionally acknowledging his “beneficiant spirit” that has touched thousands and thousands of individuals throughout Australia.
“David’s ardour for movie, dedication to Australian cinema, and beneficiant spirit touched numerous lives. He was adored as a husband, father, grand and nice grandfather and admired pal,” his household stated to ABC. The assertion continued: “David’s household want to categorical their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming assist from associates, colleagues, and the general public lately and throughout his lifetime.” Following the announcement, tributes have flooded in from 1000’s of followers, in addition to the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, who penned: “With dry humour and sharp perception, David Stratton shared his love of movie with our nation.
“All of us who tuned in to ‘On the Films’ revered him for his deep data and for the mild and beneficiant method he handed it on. Could he relaxation in peace,” the politician concluded.
SBS managing director, James Taylor, stated the broadcaster was “deeply saddened” by Stratton’s loss of life and credited his work, which included co-hosting The Film Present between 1986 and 2004, for “introducing generations of viewers to cinema from Australia and world wide. His legacy endures in each considerate overview and each impressed viewer.”
Australian actress Rachel Griffiths informed the ABC that Stratton was “a champion of Australian tales,” and added: “He was mild in method and had a curiosity that I’ve discovered uncommon in my profession.
“Most notably, he was humble, by no means placing himself because the overlord of the artistic, however as a servant to creativity. He had an ear for fact and a love for the human, and knew nearly immediately when a brand new expertise had introduced itself.”
The minister for the humanities, Tony Burke, stated he was deeply saddened by Stratton’s loss of life and that “his love of movie shone by means of” throughout his life and profession.
Burke continued: “You’ll see a film as a result of David informed you to. Numerous tales reached numerous Australians due to David. We noticed extra, discovered extra, felt extra, laughed extra and cried extra as a result of David shared his love of display screen with us.”
Born in Wiltshire, England, Stratton arrived in Australia in 1963 below the notorious Ten Pound Pom migration scheme and rapidly grew to become concerned with the native movie trade.
He grew to become director of the Sydney Movie Competition (SFF) in 1966 and labored to reshape the organisation. Stratton then joined SBS as a movie guide in 1980, the place he later starred on-screen co-hosting the long-running The Film Present alongside Margaret Pomeranz till 2004.
The presenter later referred to as this position his “proudest” second as he curated and hosted a whole lot of screenings from among the world’s best filmmakers on SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday evenings and the Film of the Week
Stratton then reunited with Margaret to host On the Films at ABC for ten years till their retirement in 2014.
