James Ricketson

James Ricketson
Born 1949 (age 68–69)
Alma mater Australian Film and Television School
Occupation Film director
Notable credit(s)
Opponent(s)
Criminal charge Espionage
Criminal penalty Six years in custody (sentenced under Cambodian law)
Criminal status Pardoned
Awards
  • AACTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Blackfellas (1994)
  • AACTA Award for Best Film, Reflections (1973)
  • Alan Stout Award for Best Short Film, Reflections (1973)

James Ricketson (born 1949) is an Australian film director who, in June 2017, was arrested while flying a drone at a Cambodia National Rescue Party rally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and charged with espionage, a charge he denies.[1] He was held in Prey Sar prison and his trial began in a Phnom Penh court on 16 August 2018, with character testimony from Australian film director, Peter Weir.[2][3] On 31 August he was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison.[4] It was announced on 21 September 2018 that Cambodian authorities had pardoned Ricketson for the alleged offence.[5]

Film career

Ricketson studied at the Australian Film and Television School and has made a number of features and documentaries.[6]

In 1973 Ricketson filmed and helped to organise Philippe Petit's high-wire walk between the two north pylons of Sydney Harbour Bridge. A short film of the walk was released on DVD with Man On Wire, the Academy Award-winning documentary on Petit's World Trade Center Twin Towers walk.[7]

Ricketson has directed three feature films, Third Person Plural (1978), Candy Regentag (1989), Blackfellas (1994). His documentaries include Reflections (1973), Roslyn and Blagica Everyone Needs a Friend (1979), Born in Soweto (1994), Sleeping with Cambodia (1997), Backpacking Australia (2001), and Viva (2004).

In 1981 he became one of the founding members of the Australian Directors Guild.[8] In the same year he directed one of the four episodes of the award-winning Australian miniseries Women of the Sun. In July 2012 it was announced he was suing Screen Australia.[9]

In 2014 Ricketson was fined six-million Cambodian riel (A$1,500) and given a suspended two year prison sentence by a Phnom Penh court for threatening to broadcast accusations that a local branch of the Brisbane-based Citipointe Church sold children.[10] https://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/fact-sheet-1/

Select credits

Awards

  • AACTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Blackfellas (1994)
  • AACTA Award for Best Film, Reflections (1973)
  • Alan Stout Award for Best Short Film, Reflections (1973)

References

  1. ↑ Press, Australian Associated (2017-06-10). "Australian film-maker charged with espionage in Cambodia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  2. ↑ Handley, Erin (16 July 2018). "James Ricketson secures a trial delay until after Cambodian election". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Cambodian judges question accused spy James Ricketson's links to Australian Government". ABC News. 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  4. ↑ Handley, Erin (31 August 2018). "Australian James Ricketson found guilty of espionage in Cambodia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "James Ricketson: Cambodia pardons Australian filmmaker jailed for espionage". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  6. ↑ David Stratton, The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry, Pan MacMillan, 1990 p136
  7. ↑ "ABC OPEN: Man on a Sydney wire || From Project: 500 Words: I Was There". open.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  8. ↑ "History of the ADG - Part 1". Screen Director. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  9. ↑ "Film-maker James Ricketson takes legal action against Screen Australia - Mumbrella". Mumbrella. 2012-07-19. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  10. ↑ Ratana, Uong (2014-04-03). "Filmmaker 'guilty' in conflict with church". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
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