This inspiring cinematic and musical odyssey traverses six continents to explore how rivers have shaped our landscapes and cultures throughout history. Drawing on extraordinary aerial cinematography, including satellite footage, the film shows the Earth’s rivers on a scale never before seen. The images, music and a sparse, poetic script combine to create a powerful dream-like film that embraces both the wildness of rivers and their vulnerability.

River is the latest documentary from Australian filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, who brought us Sherpa and Mountain, both of which have previously screened at the ANU Film Group. It reunites Mountain’s winning combination of Peedom’s vision and direction, narration from Willem Dafoe and the music of the Australian Chamber Orchestra – with the added bonus of a soaring Radiohead track.

Four Zimbabwean refugees – Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin and Pardon – leave their economically-hit homeland in search of a better life elsewhere. Their perilous journeys eventually lead them to South Africa, where they get restaurant jobs which leads to them delving into the intricacies of wine.

Driven by relentless optimism and an unshakeable national pride, the four men decide to form the first-ever Zimbabwe team to compete in The World Wine Blind Tasting Championships. Regarded as Olympics of the wine world, the competition is held annually in France and requires entrants to correctly guess the country, winery, and vintage of twelve different wines. Needless to say, it's not long before our team of mavericks turns an establishment of privilege and tradition on its head.

This uplifting tribute to the human spirit has won Audience Awards at film festivals around the world, including at the Sydney Film Festival last year. Bottoms up!