Here is an opportunity for you to do something patriotic. Come and see The Turning, 180 evocative minutes (plus an interval) telling 17 short stories written by Tim Winton.

Winton has been officially celebrated by the National Trust as a National Living Treasure for his books including “Cloudstreet” and “Dirt Music”. More culturally rewarding than an Australia Day barbecue, this ambitious endeavour has been described as ‘not easy viewing but it is beautiful viewing’.

See some of our finest directors and actors putting truly Australian scenery and experiences on screen. Space doesn’t allow a full listing so I will name only a small selection: Directors – Robert Connolly, Warwick Thornton, Stephen Page and Mia Wasikowska. Actors – Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Miranda Otto, Colin Friels, Richard Roxburgh and Hugo Weaving.

To quote four time artistic director of Canberra International Film Festival and ANU Film Group member Simon Weaving:

‘As the segments unfold, the subtle connections between the films emerge – characters portrayed at different ages, place and time that could be anywhere in Australia in the past 40 years, images of fire and sand. Collectively they create a haunting and powerful sense of Australia as people tied to place through memory, and it’s this that makes it a very special cinema event.’