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.
The ANU Film Group has been granted approval by the ANU to resume screenings in 2021, but this is conditional on all members and guests abiding by certain COVID-19 safety rules.
Any failure by the ANU Film Group or any of its members to abide by these rules could result in the ANU immediately cancelling a screening or revoking our permission to hold future screenings. Representatives of the ANU will be conducting audits to ensure compliance at any given time, so we all need to be on our best behaviour!
Any members found to be in breach of the COVID-19 rules or who refuse to follow instructions from representatives of the ANUFG may have their memberships suspended or revoked.
As the time of this writing on Tuesday 11 May, 2021, these rules are as follows:
• Utilising the full capacity (305 seats) of the Kambri cinema has now been endorsed by ACT Health.
• Attendees must check-in using the ACT Health Check In CBR app by scanning the QR code displayed at the entrance to the cinema. This is a mandatory requirement as per ACT Health's public health direction. If you are unable to use the app, we can assist you with checking in on one of our devices. More information about the app can be found HERE.
• All attendees are also required to pre-register to attend screenings to help us manage audience numbers and allow for contact tracing to be carried out. Registration links will be provided on the listing for each screening on our website, opening two weeks prior to the screening date.
• Where possible, attendees should try to maintain appropriate social distancing by leaving 1.5 metres (or 1-2 seats) between them and the nearest person/party while seated inside the cinema, as well as when queuing up outside. Groups of attendees from the same household are permitted to sit together. If social distancing is not possible, consider wearing a mask.
• Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear face masks while attending screenings, and these are available free of charge from the Duty Manager on request.
• Attendees are strongly encouraged to use hand sanitiser stations around the Cultural Centre building, as well as use provided disinfectant wipes to clean their seat area before/after use.
• Any attendees exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be prohibiting from entering the venue.
• All contact tracing information will only be retained for 28 days. This information will not be used for any other purpose, and will be destroyed after this time.
We have posted a detailed FAQ with more information about the new COVID-19 safety rules, which you can find on our website by CLICKING HERE
Please note that rules may be subject to change at any time as ACT Health/ANU restrictions are updated, so please keep an eye out here for any changes should this happen.
After our big Oscars week last week, we’re continuing into the month of May with a battle for the ages between Godzilla and Kong, an Australian Western starring Simon Baker, an acclaimed American indie drama, and a totally radical documentary about female surfers.
• TUE 4 MAY @ 7:30 PM: NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS (M, 101 mins)
Faced with an unintended pregnancy and conservative local laws, a 17-year-old girl and her cousin travel across state lines from rural Pennsylvania to New York City to seek out medical assistance, in this acclaimed, award-winning American indie drama.
• THU 6 MAY @ 7:30 PM: HIGH GROUND (MA, 104 mins)
In 1930s Arnhem Land, a bounty hunter (Simon Baker) and a young Indigenous man embark on a manhunt through the outback, which unravels a devastating secret from their past that ultimately pits them against each other.
• FRI 7 MAY @ 7:30 PM: GODZILLA VS. KONG (M, 113 mins – NO GUESTS)
When Godzilla embarks on a series of unexplained rampages, humanity calls on another powerful force of nature – Kong – to stop him. As the legends collide, a spectacular battle for the ages ensues with the fate of the world in the balance.
• SAT 8 MAY @ **5 PM**: GIRLS CAN'T SURF (M, 108 mins)
The awesome true story of a band of renegade female surfers from Australia and beyond who took on the male-dominated world of professional surfing in the 1980s, sparking a fight for recognition and equality which changed the sport forever.
...........................................................
ENTERTAINMENT MEMBERSHIP: MOTHER'S DAY BONUSES
...........................................................
With Mother’s Day just around the corner on Sunday, this is as good an opportunity as any to highlight the excellent Entertainment Memberships that we’re selling online all year round.
Last year, the longstanding Entertainment Books transitioned into a fully digital product now known as Entertainment Memberships. But they continue to be packed with thousands of deals for the best local restaurants, cafés, shopping, attractions, travel, accommodation and more – but now from the convenience of your own mobile device.
And, as always, 20% of the cost of each Entertainment Membership purchased through us goes towards ANU Film Group fundraising, so you can get yourself a good deal while supporting us too!
As an added Mother’s Day bonus, if you buy yours by 11:59 PM on Monday 10 May, you’ll receive a bonus $20 Priceline or Woolworths eGift card with the purchase of any Single City Membership or a $40 The Iconic or Priceline eGift card with any Multi City or Multi Plus Membership. And that’s on top of thousands of offers you get with each Membership!
To order yours, simply go to www.anufg.org.au/entbook. Memberships start at $69.99 for single-city membership, with multi-city and multi-year memberships also available. Find out more about the Entertainment Book at www.entertainment.com.au