Just over a week to go until the start of screenings for 2017! Have you got your membership yet?
In case you were stuck on Mars with Matt Damon, you may have missed the news that our Semester One 2017 programme has been released. And it’s one of our biggest line-ups in years, featuring no less than 94 films between February and July.
The programme is now available in full on our website at www.anufg.org.au/programme. You can even add every single screening to your computer or phone’s calendar so you won’t miss a screening ever again, by downloading the programme in iCal format by CLICKING HERE.
And if you haven’t realised that it’s already February, here’s a friendly reminder to get a move on and get your ANU Film Group membership ASAP. Memberships can take up to five business days to process, so you’ll want to allow sufficient time to ensure your pre-made cards are ready to collect in the first week back. Go to www.anufg.org.au/join to join up now!
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SUPPORT ANUFG AT THE CANBERRA SOUTHERN CROSS CLUB
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Are you a member of the Canberra Southern Cross Club? Did you know that, by nominating the ANU Film Group as your preferred community group, you can help us raise funds by just eating food?
The Canberra Southern Cross Club have generously committed to giving back to community groups like ours through their Community Rewards initiative by donating 10% of all food and beverage purchases made at any of their five locations to groups nominated by their members.
So if you’re a CSCC member, all you have to do is nominate the ANU Film Group as your preferred group either in person – or by filling out THIS ONLINE FORM – and the Club does the rest!
For more information about the CSCC’s Community Rewards program, go to www.cscc.com.au/rewards.
The Oscar nominations were announced overnight and LA LA LAND is clearly the film to beat in this year’s award race after having been nominated for a record-matching 14 Oscars. But while the nominations are exciting, we'd like to think that we've got something a little more exciting to reveal: our Semester One 2017 programme!
Featuring no less than 94 films, our brand new programme has everything that our members have loved about the ANU Film Group for the past 50 years. From the latest Hollywood blockbusters to independent and foreign films, classics, special events and beyond, there's bound to be something for everyone. Here are some highlights:
• Oscars Galore: 26 of this year's nominated films, including all nine Best Picture nominees!
• Best Foreign Film Festival: a seven-week festival of this year's Best Foreign Film Oscar submissions from a range of countries – including Germany, Iran, South Korea and more – screening every Friday in June and July.
• Family Films at Five: more family-friendly films at family-friendly start times, including THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, MOANA and SING.
• JOE CINQUE'S CONSOLATION: Q&A screening with director Sotiris Dounoukos
• Cult Classics: the return of some unique films back on the big screen, including BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU.
• Plus much, much more!
So without further ado, we proudly present our programme for Semester One 2017: CLICK HERE (PDF, 229 KB)
We hope that you’ll all be as excited about the programme as we are. Semester One officially kicks off on Monday 13 February with a free screening of DOCTOR STRANGE, so make sure you save the date and invite everyone you know along to check out the best way to see movies in Canberra.
And if you were waiting on a programme before joining up, you now have no excuse. Go to www.anufg.org.au/join to sign up now!
Thank you to everyone who came along and attended a screening or one of our many events throughout our 50th anniversary year. We certainly wouldn’t have hit 50 years without your ongoing support, and look forward to doing it all over again next year.
We’ll be back in touch in early 2017 with more news about our upcoming Semester One programme, which will kick off on Monday 13 February. So save the date and stay tuned…
Until then, on behalf of everyone here at the ANU Film Group, we hope that you all have a safe, relaxing, and film-filled holiday break!
Have you missed us?
Ever since screenings for our 50th anniversary year ended on November 19 with our closing night mystery screening of the incredible HACKSAW RIDGE, we’ve been squirreled away and working hard on preparations for Semester One 2017. And while our new programme is still far from completion, we’re pleased to announce that 2017 memberships are now available for pre-purchase!
Why not get a jump on 2017 by ticking one thing off of your to-do list for next year by securing your ANU Film Group membership? Christmas is coming up too, and just in case you weren’t aware, ANUFG memberships are quite literally a gift that will keep on giving with regular screenings between February and November 2017. Where else can you get a whole year’s worth of movies for just $70?
Sign up for yourself, your friends, your family and all of your loved ones right now by going to www.anufg.org.au/join
Membership prices remain unchanged at $70 for an Annual and $40 for a Semester One membership. Payment can be made via direct deposit or credit card/PayPal ($2 surcharge per membership applies).
Upon successful receipt of payment, digital membership certificates will then be emailed to the nominated email address provided within 5–7 business days.
Tonight we welcome the one and only DAVID STRATTON to the ANU Film Group for a special Q&A event at the earlier start time of 6:30 PM.
Doors will open from 6 PM for entry, but we do expect it to be a busy night, so make sure you get along early to avoid missing out! Our canteen will also be open from 6 PM for you to get your fill of hot dogs, popcorn, drinks and lollies – with all proceeds going to charity as always.
The night’s scheduled films – THE WAIT and LOOKING FOR GRACE – will then follow after the Q&A at approximately 7:30 PM.
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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In the penultimate week of our 50th year, we bring you David Stratton (in person) along with the likes of Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson, Juliette Binoche, Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Radha Mitchell and Richard Roxburgh (sadly, only on the big screen). Then, next week, a Tom Cruise double feature and our very special closing event!
• Fri 11 Nov @ **6:30 PM**: IN CONVERSATION WITH DAVID STRATTON
The legendary David Stratton – renowned film critic, TV personality and champion of film societies – will be making an exclusive appearance in person at the ANU Film Group to chat with members about all things film!
• Fri 11 Nov @ 7:30 PM: THE WAIT + LOOKING FOR GRACE
In French/Italian drama THE WAIT, a mother (Juliette Binoche) receives an unexpected visit at her villa in Sicily by her son’s fiancée, who has arrived to spend the holidays with him and his family. She invites his fiancée in to stay and gets to know her as they wait for him to arrive.
Then, in LOOKING FOR GRACE (at approx. 9:15 PM), a husband and wife (Richard Roxburgh, Radha Mitchell) set out to locate their rebellious 16-year-old daughter after she disappears. As their search leads them into the country, the couple must confront the realities of their changing relationship.
• Sat 12 Oct @ **7 PM**: DEEPWATER HORIZON + WAR DOGS
In DEEPWATER HORIZON, experience the harrowing true story of the ordinary men and women who were put to the ultimate test when an offshore drilling rig exploded on the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, creating the worst oil spill in history. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich and Kate Hudson.
Then, in WAR DOGS (at approx. 9 PM), two young men (Jonah Hill, Miles Teller) manage to secure a $300 million government contract to supply weapons for U.S. allies in Afghanistan – but they soon find themselves in over their heads when trouble arises both abroad and back home.
** ‘NO GUESTS’ SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: DEEPWATER HORIZON **
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END OF YEAR REMINDERS
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There are lots of things going on as our 50th year comes to a close, so here are some friendly reminders to ensure you don’t miss out on anything:
• FILM SUGGESTIONS – suggest films that you’d like to see on our programme for Semester One 2017 by filling in a form either at screenings or at www.anufg.org.au/suggestions. Suggestions close on November 19.
• END OF YEAR RAFFLE – win one of many prizes, including accommodation at Corrigan’s Coast and dining and shopping vouchers. $2 for 1 ticket or $5 for 3 tickets. Winners drawn at Closing Night Event on November 19.
• CLOSING EVENT – join us on Saturday 19 November from 6:30 PM for light refreshments prior to a 7 PM screening of a mystery film that’s so new that we’re not allowed to announce it prior to the night.
In less than 10 days, the ANU Film Group’s 50th year will sadly be coming to a close. We hope you agree that it’s been a tremendous year with no shortage of special guests and events to celebrate us turning the big 5-0… but we’re not done yet!
In fact, coming up in the remaining days of our Semester Two programme are two of our most exciting events yet:
FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER @ 6:30 PM – IN CONVERSATION WITH DAVID STRATTON
David Stratton – renowned film critic, TV personality and lifelong champion of film societies – will be making an exclusive appearance in person at the ANU Film Group on Friday 11 November to chat with Film Group members about all things film!
This Q&A event will commence at the earlier start time of 6:30 PM, with the night’s scheduled films – THE WAIT and LOOKING FOR GRACE – following at approximately 7:30 PM.
SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER @ 7 PM – 50TH ANNIVERSARY CLOSING EVENT
To end our 50th year with a bang, we’ve secured something extra special: a screening of a brand new blockbuster straight off its release into cinemas. But there’s a catch – because this film is so new, we’re not allowed to reveal what it is until the night itself!
What we are allowed say is that the film has received critical acclaim from reviewers all around the world, and features an all-star ensemble cast of top-notch international actors. And you definitely won’t be disappointed by it!
Plus, just in case that wasn’t enough to entice you to come along to close out 2016 with us, we will also be serving complimentary light refreshments to everyone in attendance prior to the film as well.
So come along and join us on Saturday 19 November to experience a very special first for the ANU Film Group with a film screening well in advance of when we would normally be allowed to screen it. Doors will open and refreshments will be served from 6:30 PM, with the film starting at approximately 7 PM. Please note that there will be no second feature on this night.
Two very exciting events, with only days to go until the end of our 50th year. Make sure you save both of these dates and don’t miss out!
We’re incredibly excited to announce that next Friday, on November 11th, the one and only David Stratton will be making a very special visit to the ANU Film Group for an exclusive Q&A to chat about all things film as part of our ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations.
While most know David as a renowned film critic and TV personality, fewer people may know that he is an avid champion of film societies. In fact, he founded a film society himself at the age of 19 while growing up in England, and has been actively involved with the Australian film society movement since moving here in 1963.
He last paid a visit to the ANU Film Group in 2003 for our very own ‘David Stratton Night’ when we screened two films that were selected by David himself, and we couldn't be more pleased that he is able to join us again in celebrating our 50th year.
This bonus Q&A event will commence at the special, earlier start time of 6:30 PM, with doors opening from 6 PM for entry. The night's scheduled films – THE WAIT and LOOKING FOR GRACE – will then follow at the unchanged start time of 7:30 PM.
Mark your calendars – you really don't want to miss this. Five stars!
There are only four weeks of screenings left until the end of our 2016 programme, so naturally, it’s time to start looking forward to Semester One 2017!
What upcoming films are you most excited about? A return to the worlds of Star Wars and Harry Potter with ROGUE ONE or FANTASTIC BEASTS? Superheroic antics with the likes of DOCTOR STRANGE or LOGAN? Prospective Oscars hopefuls like LA LA LAND or Martin Scorsese’s SILENCE?
The choice is yours! Go to www.anufg.org.au/suggestions to suggest films for our next programme. Printed forms are also available at all screenings until the end of the year.
Suggestions will close on Saturday 19 November at 11:59 PM.
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SEMESTER MEMBERSHIPS NOW ONLY $25
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With our 2016 programme coming to an end, Semester memberships (normally $40) have now been discounted to just $25 until the end of the year!
Semester memberships will give you entry into all of the remaining films on our Semester Two programme – including THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS, JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK, BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY and MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN – as well as our yet-to-be-announced 50th Anniversary Closing event (more details on that to come next week!).
Discounted Semester memberships can be purchased at the door prior to any screening from this week onwards, as well as online at www.anufg.org.au/join
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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With only four weeks of screening left, you don't want to be missing any of the remaining films on our programme. This week, magical corpses, talking animals and the return of the one and only Bridget Jones make for a zany and entertaining week at the ANU Film Group.
• Fri 28 Oct @ 7:30 PM: SWISS ARMY MAN + A PERFECT DAY
In the weirdly wonderful SWISS ARMY MAN, a man (Paul Dano) marooned on an island discovers a corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) washed up on the beach and befriends it. He soon finds that his new friend possesses a myriad of supernatural powers and together they embark on a surreal journey home.
Then, in A PERFECT DAY (at approx. 9:15 PM), a group of international aid workers must work to resolve a crisis in an armed conflict zone when they attempt to retrieve a corpse from a well in war-torn former Yugoslavia. Starring Benecio de Toro, Tim Robbins and Olga Kurylenko.
• Sat 29 Oct @ **5 PM**: THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS
In this box office hit from the humans behind DESPICABLE ME, Max the terrier finds his world turned upside down when he discovers that an adorable white bunny named Snowball is deviously assembling an army of abandoned pets in order to take revenge on all happily-owned pets and their owners.
• Sat 29 Oct @ **7 PM**: BRIDGET JONES’S BABY
Forty-something and single again, Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) decides to focus on her job and surround herself with old friends and new. But in an unlikely twist she finds herself pregnant, with one hitch: she doesn’t know who the father is. Also starring Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey and Emma Thompson.
** ‘NO GUESTS’ SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS, BRIDGET JONES’S BABY **
Thank you to everyone who came along to our 10th Annual Trivia Night on Saturday. As our primary fundraising event for the year, it was great to see so many people – members and non-members alike – pitch in to support us with their presence, as well as their contributions. We hope you had as much fun on the night as we had putting the event together!
If you weren’t able to make it, or still haven’t had your fill of movie trivia, the ANU Film Group is also running this week’s quiz night at The Phoenix Pub, hosted this time by the dynamic duo of Adam and Henry.
Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along. There will be free drinks and film passes up for grabs throughout the night too, so why not round up a few friends and come along?
DATE: Tuesday 18 October (TONIGHT!)
TIME: 7:30 PM start
VENUE: The Phoenix Pub, 21 East Row (in the Civic Bus Interchange, near Platform 3)
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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Our Canberra premiere screening of A FLICKERING TRUTH kicks off the week, to be followed by a panel discussion on film preservation with special guests Andrew Pike, Ray Edmondson, Alice Taylor and Cris Kennedy.
Then, Tom Hanks is SULLY, Sally Field is DORIS, and Susan Sarandon is THE MEDDLER – along with a double feature of acclaimed female-led foreign films with MUSTANG and VICTORIA.
• Wed 19 Oct @ 7:30 PM: A FLICKERING TRUTH [Q&A EVENT]
Three men embark on a quest to save the 8,000 hours worth of film that make up the Afghan film archive from the ravages of 100 years of war. Beneath the dust and the cloak of time, they discover a hidden record of their country’s past.
** Canberra premiere screening followed by panel discussion with Andrew Pike, Ray Edmondson and Alice Taylor. Moderated by Cris Kennedy. **
• Thu 20 Oct @ 7:30 PM: SULLY
Tom Hanks stars as American pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who heroically landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after it was disabled on its initial climb out of New York’s La Guardia Airport in 2009, saving 155 passengers on board. Directed by Clint Eastwood.
• Fri 21 Oct @ 7:30 PM: HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS + THE MEDDLER
In HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS, a perennially-overlooked sixty-something woman (Sally Field) finds her world turned upside down when a self-help seminar inspires her to take a chance on love and romantically pursue her handsome, younger co-worker. Canberra premiere screening.
Then, in THE MEDDLER (at approx. 9 PM), an aging and lonely widow from New York City follows her daughter to Los Angeles in hopes of starting a new life after her husband passes away, but her plans are derailed when she meets other people in need of her motherly assistance.
• Sat 22 Oct @ **7 PM**: MUSTANG + VICTORIA
In Best Foreign Film Oscar nominee MUSTANG, five orphan sisters inadvertently set off a scandal within their conservative Turkish community after they are seen playing with boys on a beach. Now confined to their homes, the sisters must find a way to live their lives around the constraints imposed on them.
** MUSTANG is proudly presented by the Embassy of Turkey **
Then, in VICTORIA (at approx 8:45), a young woman who has just moved to Berlin finds her flirtation with a local man turning deadly when she discovers that his friends are tasked with robbing a bank to repay their debts to a gangster in this German crime thriller shot in a single take.
Our Annual Trivia Night returns this Friday for its 10th year. Unique questions, table rounds, oodles of prizes and heaps of fun makes this a Trivia Night unlike any other – and an event not to be missed. Visit www.anufg.org.au for more information, or email us TODAY for tickets!
Plus, a French comedy, Bryan Cranston undercover, a Jane Austen rom-com, and last year’s winner of the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize.
• Tue 11 Oct @ 7:30 PM: MACADAM STORIES
In this French comedy, the lonely existences of six solitary people living in a housing project building in Paris find their lives changed when the building’s elevator breaks down and they are forced to interact with each other.
** MACADAM STORIES is proudly presented by the by Tenants' Union ACT in celebration of International Tenants' Day **
** Our canteen will also be making a special appearance tonight and opening prior to the film, so be sure to stop by and say hi! **<
• Thu 13 Oct @ 7:30 PM: THE INFILTRATOR
In the 1980s, posing as a corrupt businessman, a U.S. Customs agent (Bryan Cranston) infiltrates the world’s largest cartels and uncovers drug lord Pablo Escobar’s money-laundering organisation. Based on a true story.
• Fri 14 Oct @ 7:30 PM: ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT
The world’s greatest film-themed Trivia Night. Need we say more? Email us at info@anufg.org.au to avoid missing out!
** No screening this night due to a special event. No prizes for guessing what it is… **
• Sat 15 Oct @ **7 PM**: LOVE & FRIENDSHIP + DHEEPAN
In Jane Austen’s LOVE & FRIENDSHIP, a widow (Kate Beckinsale) seeks refuge from scandal at the country estate of her in-laws. There, she decides to secure both a new husband for herself and for her reluctant daughter.
Then, in the Palme d’Or-winning DHEEPAN (at approx. 8:45 PM), a Tamil warrior flees his home of Sri Lanka with two strangers – a woman and a young girl – hoping to claim asylum in Paris, but finds his warrior instincts difficult to ignore.
** ‘NO GUESTS’ SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: LOVE & FRIENDSHIP **
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‘A FLICKERING TRUTH’ – PANEL DISCUSSION DETAILS
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In case you missed the news, A FLICKERING TRUTH will be having its Canberra premiere screening at the ANU Film Group on Wednesday 19 October (replacing our originally scheduled screening of BLUE WORLD ORDER).
The acclaimed documentary, which tells the fascinating tale of three men and their quest to save the Afghan film archive from a century of war, will be followed by a panel discussion on the importance of preserving film and film culture. We’re now pleased to announce that joining us on our panel on the night will be three distinguished guests: Andrew Pike, Ray Edmondson and Alice Taylor.
• Andrew Pike was one of the founding members of the ANU Film Group in 1966 and has since gone on to become a renowned film historian, author, documentarian, producer, and film distributor through his company, Ronin Films.
• Ray Edmondson is one of the founders of the National Film and Sound Archive and a pioneer in audio-visual archiving. Though now retired, he continues to write, teach, advise and consult on film preservation all around the world.
• Alice Taylor is the current director of the Canberra International Film Festival, which is now in its 20th year. Outside of this, she is a film producer with an extensive background in documentaries and feature films.
In addition to this, the panel discussion will be hosted and moderated by Cris Kennedy, who is the NFSA’s head of education, as well as a cultural critic, writer, and long-time proponent of community arts and engagement.
A FLICKERING TRUTH will screen on Wednesday 19 October at 7:30 PM, with the panel discussion following at approximately 9 PM. Save the date!