News Archive

June 2021

What's On This Week: NOMADLAND, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

2nd June, 2021

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.

May 2021

What's On This Week: PIXIE, THELMA & LOUISE, BLACKBIRD, BOSS LEVEL

25th May, 2021

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.

National Reconciliation Week Free Screenings

19th May, 2021

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

What's On This Week: SOUND OF METAL, HONEYLAND, AMUNDSEN and more

17th May, 2021

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.

What's On This Week: THE COURIER, TOM & JERRY, NOBODY, KURSK

12th May, 2021

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.

What's On This Week: GODZILLA VS. KONG, HIGH GROUND and more

4th May, 2021

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

3rd May, 2021

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ENTERTAINMENT MEMBERSHIP: MOTHER'S DAY BONUSES
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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

April 2021

Winter Season Begins with Oscar Week + Changes to COVID-19 Rules

27th April, 2021

Congratulations to all of yesterday’s Oscar winners – and extra congratulations to our programming team, who picked not just one or two, but three eventual winners for the opening week of our new Winter season!

This week, don’t miss JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH (Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Song), MINARI (Best Supporting Actress) and ANOTHER ROUND (Best International Film). Plus, catch more of this year’s big winners coming up soon on our programme, such as SOUND OF METAL (Best Film Editing, Best Sound) on May 21, NOMADLAND (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress) on June 4, and THE FATHER (Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay) on June 12.

• WED 28 APR @ 7:30 PM: KAJILLIONAIRE (M, 105 mins)

A young woman (Evan Rachel Wood) has been trained her entire life by her con artist parents to swindle, scam and steal at every turn – only to find her world turned upside down when they invite a stranger to join them for a major heist.

• THU 29 APR @ 7:30 PM: ANOTHER ROUND (M, 116 mins – NO GUESTS)

Four high school teachers launch an experiment to maintain a low level of alcohol in their blood throughout the day in the belief that it will improve their lives, in this Danish drama that won the Oscar for Best International Film.

• FRI 30 APR @ 7:30 PM: JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH (MA, 125 mins)

In the 1960s, Black Panther party leader Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) is targeted by the U.S. government, who sends an informant to infiltrate the group. Nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture, and winner for Best Supporting Actor (Kaluuya) and Best Original Song.

• SAT 1 MAY @ **5 PM**: MINARI (PG, 115 mins – NO GUESTS)

In the 1980s, a family of South Korean immigrants move to rural Arkansas in pursuit of the American Dream, which tests their resilience. Nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, and winner for Best Supporting Actress (Youn Yuh-Jung).

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CHANGES TO COVID-19 SAFETY RULES
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There have been a number of changes to the ANU’s COVID-19 safety protocols, and we would like to advise you of the following as they pertain to ANU Film Group screenings:

• The permitted capacity of the Kambri Cinema for ANUFG screenings has now been increased to 75% or 225 people.
• This means that the previous rule to leave 1.5 metre or 1-2 seats between yourself and the next party inside the cinema is no longer mandatory, but is still recommended where possible. If social distancing is not possible, consider wearing a mask.
• All attendees must continue to check in using ACT Health’s Check In CBR app prior to entering the cinema. This is a legal requirement, and we can assist you with checking in on our device if you are unable to do so.
• Pre-registration is still required as per the ANU’s Functions on Campus protocols. The Eventbrite registration forms will continue to open two weeks prior to the screening date, but will now remain open up until the start of the screening itself.
• Face masks, anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitiser will continue to be available at no cost to attendees from the front desk.
• Anyone feeling unwell is advised to stay home, and anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted entry into the cinema.

As always, these restrictions may change at any time as ANU or ACT Health guidelines are revised, so please check our website at www.anufg.org.au/covid for the latest information. If you have any questions or require clarification on any of these rules, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Last Week of Autumn Programme + New Season Begins Next Week!

20th April, 2021

It’s the final week of our Autumn 2021 season, and we’re winding things up with RAMS, LAMBS, an Australian Western, and a shocking legal thriller. And then we’re back with our new Winter season just next week following the Oscars on Monday!

Haven’t checked out our new line-up yet? It’s now available in full on OUR WEBSITE NOW with more information available HERE. Memberships are also now available for purchase online at www.anufg.org.au/join or in person at any screening.

• TUE 20 APR @ 7:30 PM: THE FURNACE (MA, 116 mins)

In 1897, a young Afghan cameleer seeking to return home forms an alliance with a mysterious bushman (David Wenham) on the run in Western Australia with Crown-marked gold bars. Together the unlikely pair race to reach a secret furnace to reset the bars.

• THU 22 APR @ 7:30 PM: DARK WATERS (M, 127 mins)

A corporate attorney (Mark Ruffalo) discovers a shocking environmental link between one of the world's largest chemical corporations and a growing number of unexplained deaths. Presented in partnership with ANU Law Reform and Social Justice, who will be hosting a post-film discussion with an eminent panel of environmental law experts and activists: Dr Jonathan Liljeblad (ANU College of Law), Melanie Montalban (ACT Environmental Defenders Office) and Annika Reynolds (LRSJ GreenLaw).

• FRI 23 APR @ 7:30 PM: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (MA, 118 mins)

30th anniversary screening of the iconic psychological thriller, in which a young FBI agent (Jodie Foster) seeks the help of a cannibalistic murderer (Anthony Hopkins) in order to catch another serial killer. Winner of 5 Oscars, including Best Picture.

• SAT 24 APR @ **5 PM**: RAMS (PG, 119 mins)

In remote Western Australia, two brothers (Sam Neill, Michael Caton) who have been engaged in a decades-long feud must put aside their grievances to save their family's prized sheep from a deadly disease. Remake of the 2015 Icelandic comedy of the same name.

New Winter 2021 Programme

17th April, 2021

It may not technically be winter yet, but it sure feels like it. And with our Autumn season finishing up next week on April 23, it’s about time to announce our new Winter 2021 season!

Our brand new line-up of screenings runs from April 28 through to July 18, and is bound to have something for everybody – from GODZILLA VS. KONG to GIRLS CAN’T SURF, NOMADLAND to NOBODY, and MORTAL KOMBAT to THE MALTESE FALCON.

Plus, because the Oscars are just around the corner on April 26, you’ll be able to catch many of the nominated films this season too, including NOMADLAND, THE FATHER, MINARI, SOUND OF METAL and more.

But let’s not keep you in suspense any longer. You can view the full programme now in any of the following ways:
• On our website, with extended synopses, posters and cast listings by CLICKING HERE
• In a printer-friendly A4-sized PDF flyer by CLICKING HERE
• Import them all directly into your calendar on your phone or computer by CLICKING HERE

Not yet a member? Winter memberships are now available for purchase, and include entry into the remainder of our current Autumn season too, so there’s no better time to join up. Head to www.anufg.org.au/join or visit us at any screening to become a member now!

We are also pleased to let you know that there will be some changes to the ANU’s COVID-19 safety guidelines coming soon, which we hope will make it easier for everyone to attend screenings. Registration via Eventbrite is still currently a requirement, however, so please find the registration links for the first week of our new season on each film listing on our website. As a reminder, the registration forms for screenings only open two weeks prior to the screening date.