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.
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.
It's the penultimate week of our Autumn season and time has certainly flown by. But fear not: in addition to some great films this week, we will also be announcing our Winter programme very shortly so stay tuned!
• TUE 13 APR @ 7:30 PM: A LION RETURNS (MA, 92 mins)
After spending 18 months fighting in Syria, a young man returns home to Sydney to see his terminally-ill mother – but he must first convince his unforgiving family that he is not a threat to them, in this critically acclaimed Australian indie.
• THU 15 APR @ 7:30 PM: RADIOACTIVE (M, 110 mins – No Guests)
After the death of her husband, pioneering scientist Marie Curie (Rosamund Pike) continues their transformative work into radioactive elements, which she soon discovers has the capacity to save thousands of lives – or destroy billions more. Presented in partnership with the Embassy of Hungary.
• FRI 16 APR @ 7:30 PM: SHADOW IN THE CLOUD (MA, 83 mins)
During World War II, a female pilot (Chloë Grace Moretz) in possession of a top-secret package boards a B-17 bomber plane with an all-male crew, and must soon contend more dire threats: an approaching enemy ambush and a sinister stowaway.
• SAT 17 APR @ **5 PM**: ONWARD (PG, 107 mins – No Guests)
In a suburban world that has been long devoid of magic, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest resurrecting their dead father so that they can spend one last day with him, in Pixar’s fantasy film.
...........................................................
'DARK WATERS' PANEL DISCUSSION ON APRIL 22
...........................................................
Our screening of legal drama DARK WATERS next Thursday 22 April will be 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.
DARK WATERS follows a corporate attorney (Mark Ruffalo) who discovers a shocking environmental link between one of the world's largest chemical corporations and a growing number of unexplained deaths. Also starring Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Pullman and Victor Garber.
Find out more about the three panellists below:
Dr Jonathan Liljeblad (ANU College of Law Senior Lecturer), whose research largely focuses on rule-of-law, human rights and environmental issues, seeking to nurture direct impact upon policy-makers and societal leaders.
Melanie Montalban (ACT Environmental Defenders Office Managing Lawyer), whose had previously worked as a refugee lawyer and has broad expertise in environmental justice, human rights and international law.
Annika Reynolds (LRSJ GreenLaw), who founded the young person-led law reform and policy development institute, empowering the next generation of lawyers to tackle the climate crisis.
We hope you all had a lovely Easter! Regardless of whether you ended up travelling outside of Canberra over the break, this week's screenings are guaranteed to take you on a journey to a variety of wanderlustful locations, including remote Iceland, a lighthouse in the 1800s, the gritty U.S./Mexico border and picturesque 19th century England.
• WED 7 APR @ 7:30 PM: A WHITE, WHITE DAY (M, 109 mins)
Still mourning the accidental death of his wife two years earlier, a former police chief begins to suspect that she may have been having an affair with another man, leading him down an unpredictable path, in this spellbinding Icelandic drama. Presented in partnership with the Scandinavian Australian Association.
• THU 8 APR @ 7:30 PM: THE LIGHTHOUSE (MA, 109 mins)
In the late 1800s, two lighthouse keepers (Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson) stationed on a remote and mysterious island in New England are stranded there by a powerful storm, and quickly find themselves struggling to maintain their sanity.
• FRI 9 APR @ 7:30 PM: THE MARKSMAN (M, 108 mins)
An ageing Arizona rancher (Liam Neeson) living along the border between the U.S. and Mexico becomes the unlikely defender of a young Mexican boy who has been pursued into the country by drug cartel assassins.
• SAT 10 APR @ **5 PM**: EMMA. (PG, 125 mins – ‘No Guests’ screening)
In 19th century England, restless socialite Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) spends her days meddling in the romantic affairs of her friends and loved ones, in this spirited new adaptation of Jane Austen's timeless novel.
It's a quiet week this week as we head towards the end of March and the four-day Easter long weekend, but there are still some powerful films worth catching, including HEARTS & BONES and the Oscar-nominated FOR SAMA.
• TUE 30 MAR @ 7:30 PM: FOR SAMA (MA, 96 mins)
This extraordinary, Oscar-nominated documentary tells the story of a young woman’s struggles with love and motherhood over the span of five years amidst an uprising in Aleppo, Syria, as cataclysmic conflict engulfs the world around her.
• WED 31 MAR @ 7:30 PM: HEARTS AND BONES (M, 110 mins)
A war photographer (Hugo Weaving) bonds over shared trauma with a South Sudanese refugee, forming an unlikely friendship, until they make a shocking discovery that causes both men to question their past – and their futures – in this acclaimed Australian drama.
• THU 1 APR @ 7:30 PM: BABY DONE (M, 91 mins)
Terrified that her life won’t be her own anymore after discovering that she’s pregnant, a young woman resolves to tick off a list of her wildest dreams before the baby arrives in this charming and honest Kiwi comedy.
There are wickedly witches, Polish priests, adventuring archaeologists and more to be found at the ANU Film Group this week! Plus, a note to parents about THE WITCHES remake screening on Saturday: the film is rated M for “supernatural themes, violence and scary scenes” and may contain visuals that may be disturbing to younger children.
• TUE 23 MAR @ 7:30 PM: MUSIC (M, 107 mins)
A self-destructive woman (Kate Hudson) is shocked to discover that she has become the sole guardian of her autistic, teenage half-sister, in this original screen musical written and directed by Australian singer-songwriter Sia.
• THU 25 MAR @ 7:30 PM: CORPUS CHRISTI (MA, 115 mins)
Unable to apply to the seminary due to his criminal record, a young ex-convict who experienced a spiritual reawakening decides to falsely pose as a priest in a small village instead, in this Oscar-nominated Polish drama.
• FRI 26 MAR @ 7:30 PM: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (PG, 115 mins)
40th anniversary screening of the iconic debut of archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), as he is hired by the U.S. government in 1936 to find the all-powerful Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can use it for evil.
• SAT 27 MAR @ **5 PM**: THE WITCHES (M, 104 mins – NO GUESTS)
When a young boy accidentally discovers a nefarious plan by the Grand High Witch (Anne Hathaway) to turn all of the world's children into mice, he sets out to stop her in this terrifying new take on Roald Dahl's classic tale.
The nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards were announced overnight, with Netflix’s MANK leading the way with 10 nominations and, more notably, female filmmakers and filmmakers of colour shattering many historical barriers and records. The full list of nominees can be found HERE
Due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, the awards ceremony that is traditionally held in February has been postponed to April 25 – conveniently, just in time for the launch of our next season programme. So you can count on seeing many of the nominated films as part of our next line-up, as well as a handful that already feature on our current programme, including two dual nominees (PINOCCHIO, TENET) this week!
• WED 17 MAR @ 7:30 PM: DEERSKIN (MA, 77 mins)
An aspiring filmmaker (Jean Dujardin) becomes obsessed with a vintage deerskin jacket that has a mind of its own – which soon winds up taking him down a dark, dangerous path in this daring and unconventional French horror-comedy.
• THU 18 MAR @ 7:30 PM: PINOCCHIO (M, 125 mins)
In this stunning, live-action adaptation of Carlo Collodi's original 1883 tale, an old woodcarver (Roberto Benigni) creates a puppet who magically comes to life and dreams of becoming a real boy. 2021 Oscar nominee for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Presented in Italian with English subtitles.
• FRI 19 MAR @ 7:30 PM: TENET (M, 150 mins – NO GUESTS)
A CIA agent (John David Washington) is inducted into a secret organisation and dispatched on a mission to stop a Russian arms dealer from starting World War III – but to do so, he must master the dangerous art of time inversion. 2021 Oscar nominee for Best Visual Effects and Best Production Design.
• SAT 20 MAR @ **5 PM**: SUMMERLAND (PG, 99 mins)
As World War II rages on, a young evacuee from the London Blitz is left in the reluctant care of a reclusive writer (Gemma Arterton), who soon discovers that she may have more in common with the boy that she first thought.
As of Saturday 6 March, it is now mandatory for anyone over the age of 16 to use the Check In CBR app when visiting businesses or public venues in Canberra, including cinemas.
While many of you have already been checking in using the app on your way into screenings, this is now something that we will need to verify at the door before allowing you entry into the cinema. If this public health direction isn't followed, significant fines may be levied against us as a business, as well as you as an individual.
If you don't have the app, you can ask a friend or a relative attending with you to check you in – or we can check you in by collecting your name and phone number and entering it into the app on one of our devices. Unfortunately, writing your details on a printed sign-in sheet is no longer permitted as a check-in option.
We realise that this may cause some minor delays upon entry, so please consider arriving a few minutes earlier to give yourself time to check in. You can even begin by downloading and setting up the app now so it's ready to go when you arrive.
More information, including download links for the app, can be found on ACT Health's website
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation!
...........................................................
WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK
...........................................................
Due to other ANU events taking place in the cinema, we are unfortunately only able to hold one screening this week, but fortunately it’s the inspirational true story that is PENGUIN BLOOM.
It’s also the last week for our current administration before we close things off for 2020/2021 and form a new administration at our Annual General Meeting on Monday 15 March at 6 PM in the cinema. We would love for you to come along and find out how we’ve been doing over the past 12 months, and help us plan for our future.
In particular, we would be especially grateful for anyone willing to pitch in and help out with the running of our little film society. There’s lots to do – from film selection and booking to marketing, freight, fundraising, event planning and more – but it’s well worth it. If you want to find out more or have any questions about the AGM or volunteering (even if you can't attend the meeting), please drop us a line at info@anufg.org.au
Otherwise, if you’re already sold on attending, be sure to pre-register at THIS LINK before coming along.
• SAT 13 MAR @ **5 PM**: PENGUIN BLOOM (PG, 95 mins)
The inspirational true story of Aussie Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts), a young mother whose world is turned upside down after an accident leaves her unable to walk – and the unlikely ally in the form of an injured baby magpie named Penguin that changes her outlook on life.
In case you didn’t know, the ANU Film Group is run by a dedicated and hard-working group of volunteers. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is where we report back to our members on how we did in the year just past, and what our plans are for the future.
This year's AGM will be taking place on Monday 15 March from 6 PM in the Kambri cinema, with all members invited – and encouraged – to come along. As this is an in-person event, as per ANU regulations, pre-registration is required so if you do intend on coming along, please ensure you register beforehand by CLICKING HERE
The AGM is also an opportunity for members to get in on the action by volunteering to join the Group’s committee, as we select a new administration to guide us through the next 12 months. Being on the committee allows you to be involved in everything from film selection and booking to marketing, graphic design, fundraising, event planning and much more. Running a film society takes a lot of work – but it's worth it!
If you have any questions or would like more information about the AGM or volunteering for the Group, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@anufg.org.au
...........................................................
WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK
...........................................................
It's a week of heartbreak and heart-stopping thrills at the ANU Film Group, with multi-AACTA-award-winning Aussie dramedy BABYTEETH, a thrilling new take on THE INVISIBLE MAN, video game adaptation MONSTER HUNTER and the chronicles of Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb in THE BEE GEES: HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART.
• WED 3 MAR @ 7:30 PM: BABYTEETH (M, 118 mins)
A terminally-ill teen upsets her wealthy parents when she falls in love with a small-time drug dealer in this acclaimed Australian coming-of-age film. Winner of nine AACTA awards in 2020, including Best Film and Best Direction.
• THU 4 MAR @ 7:30 PM: THE INVISIBLE MAN (MA, 124 mins)
After being informed that her abusive ex-boyfriend has seemingly taken his own life, a woman (Elisabeth Moss) begins to suspect that his suicide was a hoax and that he is still tormenting her – albeit in some unseen form.
• FRI 5 MAR @ 7:30 PM: MONSTER HUNTER (M, 104 mins)
A magic portal transports an elite unit of soldiers to a strange world ruled by powerful monsters with deadly ferocity, where they encounter a mysterious hunter who may be their only hope of finding a way home.
• SAT 6 MAR @ **5 PM**: THE BEE GEES: HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (M, 107 mins)
A chronicle of the triumphs and hurdles of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb, otherwise known as the Bee Gees, who went on to write over 1,000 songs throughout a iconic career that transcended more than five decades of changing tastes and styles.
And we’re off! For our second week of our new programme, we are screening acclaimed revenge thriller PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, the return of everyone’s favourite (maybe second favourite) prehistoric family in THE CROODS: A NEW AGE, a French romantic fantasy in LA BELLE ÉPOQUE and a celebration of the 60th anniversary of rom-com classic BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S.
As always, please do remember to register to attend screenings, as per ANU safety regulations. Registration links for this week’s screenings, as well as the upcoming fortnight’s are copied in below for your convenience. You’ve all been doing a terrific job of this so far, so keep it up!
Another pertinent reminder is to please ensure you maintain appropriate social distancing at all times while attending screenings. This means leaving at least one seat between you and the next person/party, as well as keeping 1.5 metres apart when queueing up outside. If you have trouble finding a socially distanced seat upon arrival, an ANUFG volunteer will be stationed inside the cinema prior to every screening and who would be happy to assist.
• TUE 23 FEB @ 7:30 PM: LA BELLE ÉPOQUE (M, 108 mins)
Disillusioned Victor is experiencing trouble in his marriage when he meets an entrepreneur who offers him the opportunity to relive a moment in time by staging re-enactments of the past – in this case, the moment Victor first met his wife.
Presented in partnership with Alliance Française Canberra in celebration of the 2021 French Film Festival which runs from March 4 to 31. Find out more at www.affrenchfilmfestival.org
• THU 25 FEB @ 7:30 PM: PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN (MA, 113 mins – No Guests)
After being traumatised by a tragic event, a young woman (Carey Mulligan) now leads a secret double life at night: seeking out vengeance against any men who dare cross her path and righting the wrongs of the past. Nominated for 4 Golden Globe awards.
• FRI 26 FEB @ 7:30 PM: BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (PG, 115 mins)
60th anniversary screening of this rom-com classic, in which a struggling writer moves into a New York apartment building and is immediately intrigued by his eccentric neighbour, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) – but their pasts threaten to get in the way.
• SAT 27 FEB @ **5 PM**: THE CROODS: A NEW AGE (PG, 95 mins – No Guests)
In need of a safer place to live, the prehistoric Crood family set off into the dangerous outside world in search of a new home. They soon discover an idyllic paradise with just one problem: another family already lives there.