After getting off to a fun and funky start with THE NICE GUYS on Monday, our Semester Two programme is now well underway!
The rest of this week’s offerings include two very different takes on the tale of the world’s worst singer: award-winning French drama MARGUERITE and British comedy FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. Plus, inspirational musical documentary WIDE OPEN SKY and the thought-provoking FREEDOM STORIES – followed by a Q&A panel discussion with some very special guests!
• Thu 21 July @ 7:30 PM: MARGUERITE
In 1920s Paris, a wealthy woman enjoys singing for her friends, despite being a horrible singer. Her friends and husband have managed to keep this truth hidden from her – until she decides to perform publicly in front of a real audience. Winner of four César Awards, including Best Actress.
• Fri 22 July @ 7:30 PM: FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS + WIDE OPEN SKY
In FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, a New York socialite (Meryl Streep) convinced of her own talent – and aided by her faithful husband (Hugh Grant) – pursues her dream of becoming an opera singer, unaware that she has a terrible singing voice. Directed by Stephen Frears (THE QUEEN, PHILOMENA).
Then, in WIDE OPEN SKY (at approx. 9:30 PM), follow the heart-warming story of an Australian children’s choir as they experience trials and tribulations arising from running an arts program in a remote and disadvantaged outback region.
• Sat 23 July @ **7 PM**: FREEDOM STORIES [Q&A EVENT]
This insightful documentary explores the complexities involved in dealing with asylum seekers arriving on our doorstep, as told through the stories of former ‘boat people’ who sought asylum in Australia in 2001.
Joining us after the film for a Q&A panel discussion will be Mustafa Jawadi, who fled Afghanistan with his family at the age of 10 and endured years of detention, and whose remarkable story is featured in the film. Mustafa will be accompanied by notable human rights lawyer, Marion Le, and the director of refugee support group Companion House, Kathy Ragless.
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NEW BOOKLETS AND POSTERS AVAILABLE
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If you haven’t already done so, be sure to stop by a screening this week to collect our brand new Semester Two booklets and posters.
Better yet – why not take a few and put them up at work, or on any noticeboards in your local community? We rely heavily on word of mouth to keep going, so we’d really appreciate you helping to spread the word about the best way to see movies in Canberra!
Not yet a member? With over 80 films still to come, there's no better time to become a member. Come along and join up in person at the door prior to any screening, or online at www.anufg.org.au/join
Our Semester One programme concludes this weekend with the top three highest-grossing films at the worldwide box office for 2016: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, ZOOTOPIA and THE JUNGLE BOOK!
On Saturday, it’s superhero versus superhero in the biggest film of the year, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, followed by real-life heroics in the thrilling true tale of THE FINEST HOURS. Then for our special Sunday screening, it’s talking animals night (finally) with Disney’s latest animated feature, ZOOTOPIA, at the earlier time of 5 PM, followed by their acclaimed live-action remake of THE JUNGLE BOOK at 7 PM.
Please note the earlier start times for ZOOTOPIA and THE JUNGLE BOOK, along with the additional Sunday screening day. Our trusty canteen will be open on Sunday too, so make sure you stop by and get your fill of delicious goodies – with all proceeds going to charity as always!
And then come back to do it all again on Monday as we kick off Semester Two with our free opening screening of THE NICE GUYS. It’s going to be a fun, film-filled few days!
• Sat 16 July @ **7 PM**: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR + THE FINEST HOURS
In CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, after another catastrophic incident involving The Avengers, the government decides to regulate superhero activity. The new status quo fractures the team – with Captain America (Chris Evans) on one side and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) on the other.
Then, in THE FINEST HOURS (at approx. 9:30 PM), four members of the US Coast Guard set out to rescue more than 30 stranded sailors when their oil tanker is ripped in half by a treacherous blizzard in February of 1952. Starring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster and Eric Bana.
• Sun 17 July @ **5 PM**: ZOOTOPIA
In the animal city of ZOOTOPIA, a fast-talking fox framed for a crime he didn’t commit must team up with the city’s top cop, a self-righteous rabbit, when they both become targets of a far-reaching conspiracy. Featuring the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba and J. K. Simmons.
• Sun 17 July @ **7 PM**: THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)
In THE JUNGLE BOOK, an orphaned human boy named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of his animal guardians after a vicious tiger forces him to flee his jungle home. Featuring the voices of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken.
** ‘NO GUESTS’ SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, ZOOTOPIA **
The wait is over – we’re very proud to present our full programme for Semester Two 2016! Our line-up for the second half of our 50th Anniversary year features all that you know and love about the ANU Film Group, with everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to indie, foreign and classic films on offer.
As part of our ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, you’ll also find a number of special events, including:
• Our Annual Trivia Night, a trivia night unlike any other, returning for the 10th time
• The 1996 and 2006 entries in our Back to the Film Group anniversary series of screenings
• Four Q&A screenings, for such films as FREEDOM STORIES, THE COFFEE MAN, TANNA and BLUE WORLD ORDER
• The return of improvised live cinema with UNSCRIPTED! 2
This semester, we will also be trialling Family Films at Five – with a new earlier start time of 5 PM for family films on select Saturdays. Please keep an eye out for these as they come up during the semester.
You can now view the full programme on our website by clicking HERE or download it in PDF format HERE (268 Kb)
As always, we have also made available a digital version of the new programme for you to add straight into your calendar to ensure you never miss a screening again. All you have to do is download the file by clicking HERE and importing it into the calendar program of your choice (e.g. iCal, Outlook) on your mobile device or computer.
Semester Two commences on Monday 18 July with a FREE screening of THE NICE GUYS that is open for all to attend, so be sure to invite your friends and family along to help us kick off our new programme in '70s style.
Semester Two memberships – which include entry to all remaining Semester One screenings – are now available for purchase at screenings, as well as online at www.anufg.org.au/join
We’re very happy to report that the ANU has managed to implement a temporary fix for our theatre’s heating problems, which means that we’re officially back in business!
Last weekend’s postponed double will now screen on SUNDAY 17 JULY (next Sunday) with ZOOTOPIA commencing at the earlier time of 5 PM, followed by THE JUNGLE BOOK at 7 PM. Please take particular note of the Sunday screening date and the different start times.
Finally, after a minor delay, our new Semester Two programme will now be released THIS weekend instead. We assure you it will be worth the wait, so stay tuned!
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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Moral quandaries abound this week at the ANU Film Group with two films that will thrill, provoke, and entertain you. Plus, Alan Rickman graces the screen one last time in his final live-action role.
• Sat 9 July @ **7 PM**: THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT + EYE IN THE SKY
In the penultimate film in the DIVERGENT series, Tris (Shailene Woodley) must venture beyond the only world she has ever known to find a peaceful solution for her embroiled society. Once outside, she makes earth-shattering revelations and is forced to make impossible choices about her allegiance.
Starring Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer and Jeff Daniels.
Then, in EYE IN THE SKY (at approx. 9:15 PM), a top-secret drone operation against terrorists in Kenya turns into an international crisis when a nine-year-old girl enters the targeted kill zone. American and British military officials clash over the moral implications of modern warfare.
Starring Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul and the late Alan Rickman in his final live-action role.
It is with the utmost regret that we announce that tomorrow (Saturday) night’s screenings of ZOOTOPIA and THE JUNGLE BOOK will no longer be proceeding as planned.
This is due to a recent fault with the theatre’s heating system that was meant to have been resolved by today (Friday). Unfortunately, we were only informed by the ANU less than an hour ago that the repairs they carried out have not resolved the issue as intended. Given the cold weather and the family target audience for both films, we have made the hard decision to postpone both screenings to a later date and time.
A new screening date for both ZOOTOPIA and THE JUNGLE BOOK will be advised as soon once we have a better idea of how long the additional repairs will take. We will also confirm next week whether any more of our upcoming screenings will be affected.
We deeply apologise for the short notice, and for all disappointment and inconvenience caused by this last-minute postponement.
Let the countdown to Semester Two 2016 begin!
There’s less than a month to go until the second half of our 50th anniversary year kicks off on MONDAY 18 JULY and we’re very excited to announce that our first screening of the semester will be THE NICE GUYS, starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.
Our opening screening of the hilarious ‘70s-set buddy comedy will be FREE for all to attend, and is the first of more than 80 films that we’ll be screening in Semester Two. We’ve got a truly great line-up of films and special events in store, and can’t wait to share it all with you next week when the full programme is revealed on July 2!
Want a sneak peek at our new programme? If so, head on over to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ANUFG where we’ll be counting down the days by revealing some more of what will be screening at the Film Group over the next few months.
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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Idris Elba makes a case to play the next James Bond and Bill Murray does what he does best in this week’s double feature.
• Sat 25 June @ **7 PM**: BASTILLE DAY + ROCK THE KASBAH
A CIA agent (Idris Elba) on assignment in Paris is forced to work with an American pickpocket when the young man inadvertently stumbles upon a terrorist plot against the city. The unlikely duo soon uncovers a deadly conspiracy that turns them both into targets.
Then, in ROCK THE KASBAH (at approx. 8:45 PM), Bill Murray stars as a has-been music manager who discovers a young girl with an extraordinary voice while on tour in Afghanistan, and sets out to make her a star. Also starring Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel and Bruce Willis.
** NOTE: Due to a release date change, BASTILLE DAY replaces the originally scheduled FREE STATE OF JONES at the same date and time **
Get X-cited – the X-Men are back at the ANU Film Group this week! Plus, Wolverine, er… Hugh Jackman in the inspirational sports comedy EDDIE THE EAGLE.
• Sat 18 June @ **7 PM**: X-MEN: APOCALYPSE + EDDIE THE EAGLE
Upon awakening after thousands of years, Apocalypse – the first and most powerful mutant to ever live – sets out to cleanse mankind and create a new world order. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, only Professor X and his team of young X-Men can stop him.
Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Oscar Isaac.
Then, in EDDIE THE EAGLE (at approx. 9:30 PM), a British ski jumper (Taron Egerton) who refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer, sets out to do the impossible by entering the 1988 Winter Olympics with the help of a rebellious coach (Hugh Jackman).
** NO GUESTS SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: X-MEN: APOCALYPSE **
No, you haven’t gone back in time – MOTHER’S DAY is tonight at the ANU Film Group. And if you prefer your family holidays more twisted, then be sure to take A BIGGER SPLASH afterwards.
• Sat 11 June @ **7 PM**: MOTHER’S DAY + A BIGGER SPLASH
In MOTHER’S DAY, mothers from all walks of life come together in the week leading up to Mother’s Day in this heartfelt celebration of motherhood from director Garry Marshall (PRETTY WOMAN, VALENTINE’S DAY).
Starring Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts and Jason Sudeikis.
Then, in A BIGGER SPLASH (at approx. 9:15 PM), the idyllic vacation of a famous rock star is disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter – creating a dangerous whirlwind of jealousy and passion for everyone involved.
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Dakota Johnson.
This week at the ANU Film Group, we screen a film about a dark period in Hollywood's Golden Age – followed by a film that could possibly mark a dark period in the career of one of its greatest actors. Come see for yourself!
Sat 4 June @ **7 PM**: TRUMBO + DIRTY GRANDPA
In 1947, Dalton Trumbo was Hollywood's top screenwriter, until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. Determined to never give up, he sets out to expose the absurdity and injustice of the Communist blacklist by doing what he does best: writing.
Starring Bryan Cranston in his Oscar-nominated role, alongside Helen Mirren, Diane Lane, Louis C.K. and John Goodman.
Then, in DIRTY GRANDPA (at approx. 9:15 PM), Robert De Niro takes on his most outrageous role yet as a recently-widowed, perverted former army colonel who tricks his uptight young grandson (Zac Efron) into taking him to Florida for a debaucherous holiday.
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COMING SOON AT THE ANU FILM GROUP
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We may be down to two films a week for the next couple of weeks due to the university non-teaching period, but some of the year's biggest hits are among our offerings in June and July.
Keep an eye out for superhero showdowns in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR and X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, feel-good films like MOTHER'S DAY and EDDIE THE EAGLE, as well as acclaimed films for the young and young at heart including ZOOTOPIA and THE JUNGLE BOOK.
Plus, exciting details on our new Semester Two programme coming up in the next few weeks!
Crocodile Dundee, Greek weddings, power-hungry bosses and buried secrets feature in this week’s films at the ANU Film Group. Plus, don’t forget that our Annual memberships are still $50 for a limited time so get in quick!
• Thu 26 May @ 7:30 PM: CROCODILE DUNDEE
For the third in our series of anniversary screenings, head back to 1986 to commemorate 30 years of this iconic Australian film, in which an American reporter heads into the outback to interview a legendary crocodile hunter (Paul Hogan), and invites him to accompany her back to New York.
• Fri 27 May @ 7:30 PM: 45 YEARS + 99 HOMES
In 45 YEARS, a couple receive an unexpected letter in the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary which contains shattering news about an incident from their past that threatens to change their lives – and their marriage – forever.
Then, in 99 HOMES (at approx. 9:15 PM), after his family is evicted from their home, a humiliated and homeless single father (Andrew Garfield) strikes a deal with the devil and goes to work for the greedy real estate broker (Michael Shannon) who evicted him.
• Sat 28 May @ **7 PM**: MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 + THE BOSS
They’re back! In the long-awaited MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2, married couple Toula and Ian are living life happily ever after with their teenage daughter until they uncover a surprising family secret that reunites the whole family for yet another Greek wedding.
Then, in THE BOSS (at approx. 8:45 PM), the world’s richest woman (Melissa McCarthy) is sent to prison after she’s caught for insider trading. When she is released, she attempts to rebrand herself as America’s sweetheart by creating a girl scout brownie empire.
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WANTED: REVIEW WRITERS FOR SEMESTER TWO
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Want be a part of history and contribute reviews for the ANU Film Group’s 50th anniversary year?
As we continue working hard on our Semester Two programme, we’re seeking volunteers who would like to help write reviews for films on our upcoming programme. The reviews will be featured in the booklet that members receive upon joining up, as well as on our website.
Reviews will need to be approximately 200-250 words in length and must be completed over a period of about two weeks in early June. As the timeframe is tight, please only volunteer if you are sure that you will have time over that period to contribute.
Successful volunteers will be then sent a list of films from which they can nominate ones they’d like to write reviews for. You’re welcome to write just one review or as many as you’d like, but please note that:
1. The ANU Film Group does not provide reviewers with tickets to, or a copy of, films that they have been assigned to review.
2. Some of the films we are seeking reviews/previews for have not been released yet, and some creativity/research may be required.
3. Unsolicited reviews will not be accepted.
So if you love movies, enjoy writing, and would like to help out, please let us know by replying to this email – or dropping us a line at info@anufg.org.au – by no later than THURSDAY 2 JUNE. Thanks!
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WIN TICKETS TO ‘QUEEN OF THE DESERT’!
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Thanks to Transmission Films, we’ve got tickets to give away to the upcoming historical drama QUEEN OF THE DESERT, starring Nicole Kidman!
In the early 20th century, curious Gertrude Bell (Kidman) is eager to explore the world outside of England and travels to Tehran, where she commences what eventually becomes a life-long adventure. Living among the beautiful but misunderstood peoples and cultures of the Middle East, she experiences both love and loss.
Also starring James Franco, Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis, QUEEN OF THE DESERT arrives in cinemas from June 2.
To win one of ten in-season double passes to see the film, simply reply to this message – or email info@anufg.org.au – with your name, your membership number (located under the barcode on your card) and your answer to the following question: ‘Who does Robert Pattinson play in QUEEN OF THE DESERT?’
Entries close on THURSDAY 2 JUNE with winners to be contacted via email and prizes to be collected at ANUFG screenings.