Fabulous Flag Sisters filming concludes in Italy

Australian Ambassador, Amanda Vanstone; Neil Hansen & Mauro Bronchi; Renzo Arbore, the 'father' of Le Sorelle Bandiera

Neil with director Franco di Chiera (Capri, 2007)

Neil & Mauro with Enrica Bonaccorti who wrote one of their hit songs "Rimmel e Cipria" (RAI Studios, Rome, 2007)

Marian Bartsch of Mago Films today announced that filming of THE FABULOUS FLAG SISTERS has concluded in Italy, with editing scheduled to commence in Perth next week. Directed by Franco di Chiera, the SBS-commissioned documentary explores the phenomenal popularity of Italy's drag trio Le Sorelle Bandiera ('The Flag Sisters') during the turbulent 1970s and '80s. One of the trio was Australian Neil Hansen, and the story unfolds through his eyes as he returns to Italy to revisit the people and places associated with his outrageous, glittering and totally unexpected career as "the redhead with the best legs in Europe".

Neil Hansen and the Mago Films production team were honoured by a reception given by the Australian Ambassador, the Hon. Amanda Vanstone, at her Rome residence on 2 October. Those attending included Italian showbiz legend Renzo Arbore (the 'father' of Le Sorelle Bandiera), David Haslington (President, Fox International), Jan Ronca (Director, Fox Italy) and Mauro Bronchi, the other surviving 'Flag Sister'.

With principal investment from SBS Independent, Screenwest and Fox Italy, THE FABULOUS FLAG SISTERS will screen nationally and internationally in 2008.