We kick off the month of July with the return of everyone’s favourite jacket-wearing rabbit, Michelle Pfeiffer in a performance many have called her best yet, and Casey Affleck as a psychiatrist fending off a psychopath in a psychological thriller.
• THU 1 JULY @ 7:30 PM: EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE (MA, 105 mins)
A psychiatrist (Casey Affleck) has his career thrown into jeopardy when his unusual methods result in one of his patients committing suicide. But that soon becomes the least of his problems when the patient's brother (Sam Claflin) becomes involved with his family.
• FRI 2 JULY @ 7:30 PM: FRENCH EXIT (M, 113 mins)
After she spends the last of her inheritance, a widowed New York socialite (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her aimless son (Lucas Hedges) move to Paris, along with their cat, who may or may not be embodying the soul of her late husband.
• SAT 3 JULY @ **5 PM**: PETER RABBIT 2 (G, 93 mins – NO GUESTS)
Despite his best efforts, Peter Rabbit can't shake his reputation for mischief. Adventuring out of the garden to the big city, he finds himself in a place where his mischief is appreciated but must eventually decide what kind of bunny he wants to be.
As per ACT Health’s latest public health direction, face masks must now be worn by anyone over the age of 12 as a precautionary measure when visiting indoor venues such as cinemas – including ANU Film Group screenings.
Please ensure that you and any guests you invite have a mask when coming along to screenings from this week onwards. We will continue to have a limited supply of free masks for anyone who has forgotten theirs, but stock is limited, and you will not be permitted to enter the cinema if you don’t have a mask.
Masks must also continue to be worn inside the cinema for the duration of the film, and can only be removed if/when eating or drinking. More advice on what classifies as a face mask and how to properly wear one can be found on ACT Health’s website by CLICKING HERE
This is also a timely opportunity for a reminder that anyone who is feeling unwell or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and get tested. Further to that, if you have recently been to any of the COVID-19 areas of concern, you should not be attending screenings and be following stay-at-home orders instead. An up-to-date list of such areas can be found again on ACT Health’s website by CLICKING HERE
Thank you in advance for your cooperation, and for keeping each other safe!
In celebration of LGBTQI+ Pride month, the Embassy of Mexico is hosting a free screening of the award-winning Mexican film, I CARRY YOU WITH ME (TE LLEVO CONMIGO) this coming Wednesday (June 23) at 6 PM in the Kambri Cinema – and have kindly extended an invitation to ANUFG members to attend.
The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of a decades-spanning romance that begins in Mexico between an aspiring chef (Armando Espitia) and a teacher (Christian Vázquez). Ambition and societal pressure soon propel them to embark on a treacherous journey to New York City with only their dreams, hopes, and memories in tow.
You can find out more about the film at the Embassy's event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/352090762941569/) and, if you wish to attend, be sure to register here: https://www.surveylegend.com/s/3cyu
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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There’s certainly no shortage of remarkable women throughout history and two of this week’s films – A CALL TO SPY and MISBEHAVIOUR – shine a light on some incredible female-led true stories. Plus, a special 80th anniversary screening of film noir classic, THE MALTESE FALCON!
• THU 24 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: A CALL TO SPY (M, 124 mins)
At the outset of WWII, on the orders of Winston Churchill, Britain’s newest spy agency recruits and trains women as spies in a secret army. Together, this group of civilian women work to undermine the Nazi regime in France and turn the tide of the war.
• FRI 25 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: THE MALTESE FALCON (PG, 101 mins)
80th anniversary screening of this film noir classic, in which a San Francisco private eye (Humphrey Bogart) takes on a case that involves him with a deadly band of international thieves who will stop at nothing to obtain a priceless falcon statuette.
• SAT 26 JUNE @ **5 PM**: MISBEHAVIOUR (M, 107 mins)
A group of women involved in the newly formed Women's Liberation Movement hatch a plan to invade the stage and disrupt the live broadcast of the 1970 Miss World competition in London, in this British comedy based on a true story.
This week at the ANU Film Group, take a cinematic journey to whole new worlds, ranging from outer space in the future to race-divided 1940s America and deep into the forests of Northern Italy – for a magical and delightful little documentary about truffle hunting that you’ll have to see to believe!
• THU 17 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: VOYAGERS (MA, 108 mins)
With the future of the human race at stake, a group of young men and women embark on an expedition to colonise a distant planet – but the mission descends into madness when they uncover disturbing secrets about their true nature.
• FRI 18 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY (MA, 130 mins)
In the 1940s, jazz musician Billie Holiday (Best Actress Oscar nominee Andra Day) finds herself targeted by the US Bureau of Narcotics during an undercover sting operation in an effort to undermine the Civil Rights movement.
• SAT 19 JUNE @ **5 PM**: THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS (M, 84 mins)
In the forests of Northern Italy, a dwindling group of joyful old men and their expertly-trained dogs search for the world’s most expensive ingredient – the white Alba truffle – using secret techniques passed down through the generations.
This year’s Oscar-winning performance for Best Actor in THE FATHER is our top recommendation of the week, screening along with a drama about the literary world and a martial arts action flick based on the popular video game franchise.
Please note that MORTAL KOMBAT on Friday is rated 'R' so only persons aged 18 or over will be permitted into the screening. Verification of ID may be required if you look underage – but please take it as a compliment if we ask!
• THU 10 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: MY SALINGER YEAR (M, 101 mins)
In 1995, after leaving graduate school to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, a young woman gets a coveted job working for a literary agent and soon discovers her own voice while replying to fan mail for reclusive author J.D. Salinger.
• FRI 11 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: MORTAL KOMBAT (R, 110 mins)
A failed boxer uncovers a family secret that leads him to a mystical fighting tournament where he meets a group of Earth's greatest warriors as they battle to the death against otherworldly enemies for the fate of the universe.
• SAT 12 JUNE @ **5 PM**: THE FATHER (M, 97 mins – NO GUESTS)
An ageing man (Anthony Hopkins) suffering from dementia refuses all assistance from his daughter and begins to doubt his loved ones and his own mind as his condition deteriorates. Oscar winner for Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.
After a busy week of Reconciliation Week films, we’re taking it easy with just two screenings this week, but they’re big ones: Best Picture winner and one of the year’s most acclaimed films, NOMADLAND, and Disney’s latest animated adventure, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON.
• FRI 4 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: NOMADLAND (M, 108 mins – NO GUESTS)
After her husband dies and she loses her job, a woman (Frances McDormand) embarks on a journey through the American West as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad in this year’s Oscar winner for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress.
• SAT 5 JUNE @ **5 PM**: RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (PG, 114 mins – NO GUESTS)
When an evil force returns to threaten the ancient Southeast Asian kingdom of Kumandra, a lone warrior sets out to track down the legendary last dragon in order to restore the fractured land and its divided people, in Disney's latest animated feature.
This week at the ANU Film Group, we’ve got Irish gangster priests, GROUNDHOG DAY on steroids, and a celebration of Susan Sarandon across two nights with a 30th anniversary screening of THELMA & LOUISE on Friday and her latest, BLACKBIRD, on Saturday.
• WED 26 MAY @ 7:30 PM: BOSS LEVEL (MA, 101 mins)
Trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his death, a former special forces agent (Frank Grillo) must find a way to defeat skilled assassins, break out of the loop and save the world. Also starring Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts and Michelle Yeoh.
• THU 27 MAY @ 7:30 PM: PIXIE (MA, 93 mins)
When her attempt to avenge her mother's death re-ignites a gang war, Pixie (Olivia Cooke) is forced to go on the run with two strangers through the Irish countryside, pursued by gun-wielding gangster priests.
Presented in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland, who will be hosting a pre-screening reception from 6:30 pm at Badger & Co in the Kambri Precinct. They have kindly extended an invitation for any ANU Film Group members attending the screening to come along beforehand for free Guinness and nibbles, so be sure to drop by!
• FRI 28 MAY @ 7:30 PM: THELMA & LOUISE (M, 130 mins)
30th anniversary screening of the iconic road movie, in which two best friends (Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis) embark on a weekend getaway, until an unfortunate encounter turns the trip into a cross-country run from the law.
• SAT 29 MAY @ **5 PM**: BLACKBIRD (M, 98 mins)
A family spanning three generations comes together to be with their mother (Susan Sarandon) before she ends her long battle with ALS – but the mood is strained when unresolved issues resurface. Also starring Kate Winslet, Sam Neill and Mia Wasikowska.
The ANU Film Group is proud to be partnering with the ANU in presenting a number of free film screenings in celebration of this year’s National Reconciliation Week, which takes place between May 27 and June 3. The films – HIGH GROUND, IN MY BLOOD IT RUNS, TOP END WEDDING and FIRESTARTER: THE STORY OF BANGARRA – will be screened alongside a programme of other events including lectures, forums, walks and stargazing all aimed at learning about and sharing the stories, history and culture of our First Nations People.
You can find the full listing of Reconciliation Week celebrations at the ANU at www.anu.edu.au/NRW2021, along with the specific registration pages for the film screenings below. Please take note of the special days of the week/start times for these screenings when registering.
• SAT 29 MAY @ **7:30 PM**: HIGH GROUND – CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION LINK
• SUN 30 MAY @ **5 PM**: IN MY BLOOD IT RUNS – CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION LINK
• MON 31 MAY @ **5 PM**: TOP END WEDDING – CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION LINK
• THU 3 JUNE @ 7:30 PM: FIRESTARTER: THE STORY OF BANGARRA – CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION LINK
One of the year’s best films – and a double Oscar winner – screens this week, so don’t miss this opportunity to see the immersive SOUND OF METAL on the big screen. Plus, a celebration of World Bee Day, Norway’s national day, and an all-star serial killer thriller round out the week.
• TUE 18 MAY @ 7:30 PM: AMUNDSEN (M, 125 mins)
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen becomes the first known person to reach the South Pole in 1911, but his all-consuming drive to explore soon causes him to drift away from his family and loved ones. Presented in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
• THU 20 MAY @ 7:30 PM: THE LITTLE THINGS (M, 128 mins)
In 1990, a burnt-out cop (Denzel Washington) teams up with a younger detective (Rami Malek) to hunt down a serial killer responsible for a string of murders in Los Angeles.
• FRI 21 MAY @ 7:30 PM: SOUND OF METAL (M, 120 mins)
A heavy metal drummer (Riz Ahmed) finds his world upended when he suddenly loses his hearing and must learn to adapt to a new way of life, in this Oscar winner for Best Sound and Best Film Editing.
• SAT 22 MAY @ **5 PM**: HONEYLAND (M, 86 mins)
The last female beekeeper in Europe must find a way to restore a delicate ecosystem after newcomers to her remote village break the cardinal rule of beekeeping, in this Oscar-nominated documentary.
Presented in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in celebration of World Bee Day. The Embassy has also kindly extended an invitation for all members to attend a post-screening reception to enjoy some canapés and Swiss wine in the Cultural Centre foyer outside the cinema entrance, following the conclusion of the film.
It’s a week of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances – from spies to submarines to vengeance – along with a light-hearted dose of a classic cartoon rivalry.
In addition to our regular programming, tonight’s screening of Belgian co-production KURSK is being presented in partnership with the Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of Belgium, who will be hosting a pre-screening reception from 6:30 pm at Badger & Co in the Kambri Precinct. The Embassy have been kind enough to extend an invitation for any ANU Film Group members attending the screening to come along before the film for Belgian beer and nibbles – so be sure to drop by and enjoy their hospitality!
• WED 12 MAY @ 7:30 PM: KURSK (M, 118 mins)
In 2000, an explosion on a Russian submarine during a naval exercise kills most of the men aboard, leaving a few survivors desperately fighting for their lives against impossible odds, while their families battle political obstacles to rescue them.
• THU 13 MAY @ 7:30 PM: THE COURIER (M, 111 mins)
In the 1960s, an ordinary British businessman (Benedict Cumberbatch) is recruited by MI-6 and the CIA to smuggle crucial intelligence from a Soviet spy out of Russia, in an attempt to diffuse one of the greatest international conflicts in history.
• FRI 14 MAY @ 7:30 PM: NOBODY (MA, 92 mins)
When two thieves break into his home one night, a mild-mannered family man (Bob Odenkirk) finds his dormant, long-simmering rage ignited, propelling him on a brutal path that will uncover dark secrets he fought to leave behind.
• SAT 15 MAY @ **5 PM**: TOM & JERRY: THE MOVIE (G, 101 mins)
After Jerry the mouse takes refuge in a posh New York hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, a young employee (Chloë Grace Moretz) attempts to save the day by recruiting Tom the cat to catch him – but instead unleashes chaos on the hotel.