Spiders, pigs, lamb, caves and Gucci – we’ve got it all this week at the ANU Film Group as we head into the month of March!
Please remember to continue to bring your masks when attending screenings as they remain mandatory while in indoor spaces on the ANU campus, despite the easing of the wider ACT’s mask requirements last week. More information can be found HERE
• TUE 1 MAR @ 7:30 PM: LAMB (MA, 106 mins)
A childless couple live with their herd of sheep on a beautiful but remote farm. When they discover a mysterious newborn on their land, they decide to keep it and raise it as their own, in this dark and unusual Icelandic horror-fantasy tale.
• THU 3 MAR @ 7:30 PM: SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (M, 146 mins – NO GUESTS)
With his identity now revealed to the world, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) can no longer separate his civilian life from being Spider-Man, forcing him to seek the help of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to cast a universe-altering spell.
• FRI 4 MAR @ 7:30 PM: HOUSE OF GUCCI (MA, 158 mins – NO GUESTS)
In 1978, Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) meets Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), the young heir to the legendary Italian fashion dynasty. Before long, Patrizia's unbridled ambition transforms their romance into a fight for control of the family.
• SAT 5 MAR @ **5 PM**: THE RESCUE (M, 107 mins)
Never-before-seen material and interviews bring to life the enthralling, against-all-odds story that transfixed the world in 2018: the daring rescue of twelve boys and their soccer coach from deep inside a flooded cave in Northern Thailand.
• SAT 5 MAR @ 7:30 PM: PIG (MA, 91 mins)
Living alone in the Oregon wilderness, a reclusive truffle hunter (Nicolas Cage) is forced to return to confront his past in the big city after his only companion – a prized foraging pig – is kidnapped, in this acclaimed, melancholy indie drama.
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SUPPORT ANUFG AT THE SOUTHERN CROSS CLUB
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With restrictions easing and people dining out again, we encourage you to pay a visit to your local restaurants and clubs that have been hard hit by the pandemic over the past two years. The Canberra Southern Cross Club (CSCC), in particular, is worth a trip thanks to their Community Rewards program, which gives back to a wide variety of community groups – including everyone's favourite film society.
This means that if CSCC members choose to nominate the ANU Film Group as their community group of choice, the CSCC will donate to us 7.5% of what that member spends on food and drink at any of their venues. So you get to have a good meal and support, not just one, but two local organisations too!
If you’re already a CSCC member, nominating us is easy. All you have to do is fill out a short online form by CLICKING HERE
Alternatively, you can email us at info@anufg.org.au with your full name and CSCC membership number, or speak to reception at any CSCC venue. And if you’re not a member, you can find out more about the CSCC and its Community Rewards program at www.cscc.com.au/rewards
The ANU has announced that they will continue to require masks to be worn while indoors on campus "for the foreseeable future", despite the ACT Government easing their mask requirements from this Friday onwards.
This means that all members and guests must wear a mask while attending ANU Film Group screenings, unless you have a valid medical exemption or are actively eating or drinking.
We will continue to have a supply of disposable masks available for anyone who has forgotten theirs, but caution that this supply is limited. You will not be permitted entry into the cinema without a mask so please try to bring your own where possible.
The medical advice remains that masks are one of the best methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and should be used indoors whenever social distancing isn’t possible, so we trust that this will result in a safer moviegoing environment for all.
We can also advise that, following the easing of restrictions over the weekend, the use of the ACT Health Check In CBR app is no longer mandatory. However, we will continue displaying our QR code at the entrance to the cinema for anyone to use if they wish. If you are unable to use the app, we can also assist you with checking in on one of our devices.
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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We’ve been expecting you, Mr. Bond… After many delays, Daniel Craig’s last turn as 007 finally arrives at the ANU Film Group this week, along with a hit French comedy, a thrilling documentary, and a rock opera musical?!
• THU 24 FEB @ 7:30 PM: BYE BYE MORONS (M, 87 mins)
Determined to make her remaining days count, a terminally-ill hairdresser sets out to find the son she was forced to abandon 28 years ago, embarking on a madcap quest alongside some unlikely companions, in this hit French comedy.
Presented in partnership with Alliance Française de Canberra in celebration of the upcoming 2022 French Film Festival, screening from March 2 to April 6. More information can be found HERE
• FRI 25 FEB @ 7:30 PM: NO TIME TO DIE (M, 164 mins – NO GUESTS)
Having left active service, James Bond (Daniel Craig) finds his retirement in Jamaica interrupted when an old friend turns up asking for his help to rescue a kidnapped scientist who has developed a dangerous new technology, in Craig’s acclaimed final turn at 007.
• SAT 26 FEB @ **5 PM**: THE ALPINIST (M, 92 mins)
Elusive 23-year-old climber Marc-André Leclerc has accomplished some of the boldest solo ascents in history, all without publicity or fanfare – until now – in this intimate documentary of a young visionary following the trail of his passion.
• SAT 26 FEB @ 7:30 PM: ANNETTE (MA, 140 mins)
A stand-up comedian (Adam Driver) and his singer wife (Marion Cotillard) find their lives taking an unexpected turn after the birth of their first child, a mysterious girl with an exceptional destiny, in this unconventional rock opera musical.
And we’re off! Thank you to everyone who came along and joined us to kick off screenings for 2022 on Monday – it was great to see so many people back in the cinema again after so many months out of action.
But it’s just the beginning and we’ve got a big week of films coming right up, including the first of our 2022 Best Picture nominees with the 10x Oscar-nominated DUNE, animated musical sequel SING 2, Edgar Wright’s trippy horror-thriller LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, and the controversial, 8x AACTA-award winning drama NITRAM.
As a friendly reminder, please remember to abide by our COVID-19 safety rules as a condition of entry into screenings. This includes wearing a mask at all times while inside the cinema (except when actively eating or drinking) and continuing to check in using the Check In CBR app upon arrival. Our full COVID-19 safety rules can be found at www.anufg.org.au/covid
Please also note that pre-registration for ANUFG screenings is no longer required for screenings in 2022.
• THU 17 FEB @ 7:30 PM: NITRAM (MA, 112 mins)
In mid-90s Australia, a young loner (Caleb Landry Jones) who lives with his parents grows increasingly frustrated at never fitting in, ultimately leading to the most heinous of acts, in this winner of 8 AACTA Awards, including Best Film.
• FRI 18 FEB @ 7:30 PM: DUNE (M, 155 mins – NO GUESTS)
In the far future, a gifted young man (Timothée Chalamet) must face his destiny when his family is charged with taking over the desert planet Arrakis, home to the only supply of the most valuable resource in the galaxy.
• SAT 19 FEB @ **5 PM**: SING 2 (PG, 110 mins)
An all-star cast of animal performers prepare to launch a dazzling stage show in the entertainment capital of the world – but they must first find and persuade the world's most reclusive rock star to join them.
• SAT 19 FEB @ 7:30 PM: LAST NIGHT IN SOHO (MA, 117 mins)
After moving to London, an aspiring fashion designer finds herself mysteriously transported to the glamourous 1960s in her sleep each night, where she seeks to unravel the mystery surrounding a dazzling young woman.
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FREE SCREENING: SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS
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The ANU, together with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the ACT Chinese-Australian Association, are hosting a series of events on Saturday 26 February to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This will include traditional Chinese musical instrumental performances, lion dances, calligraphy demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations and food stalls – as well as a screening of the Oscar-nominated Marvel Studios hit, SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS in the Kambri Cinema.
The screening will be taking place from 2 pm, prior to our own ANUFG screenings later that evening of THE ALPINIST at 5 pm, and ANNETTE at 7:30 pm.
More information about the celebration can be found HERE, while you can find details – including registration links – for the film screening HERE
It’s been a long six months since our last screening on August 11th but, as of next week, ANU Film Group screenings will be back!
And now, without further ado, you can view our full line-up for our Autumn 2022 season (February 14 to April 30) in one of three ways:
1. On our website with posters, synopses and cast listings by CLICKING HERE
2. In a printer-friendly PDF flyer version by CLICKING HERE
3. Or import all screenings into your phone or computer’s calendar using this .ICS file available by CLICKING HERE
Want to attend a screening but not yet a member? Not a problem – you can join up in person at any screening or online anytime at www.anufg.org.au/join with memberships starting from just $30 for a full season.
Want to try before you buy? We’ve got a free screening of SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME coming up next Monday at 7:30 pm. Full details available HERE
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OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
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Early this morning, the nominations for the 94th Academy Awards were announced, and Netflix’s THE POWER OF THE DOG led the pack with 12 nods while Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE wasn’t too far behind with 10 nominations. Other major nominees include BELFAST, WEST SIDE STORY, KING RICHARD, NIGHTMARE ALLEY and DRIVE MY CAR, with the awards ceremony set for Sunday 27 March.
Want to tick off all of the nominated films on your Oscar watchlist? Here’s a handy guide to when you can catch them at the ANU Film Group, including four Best Picture nominees screening during Oscar Week itself (March 31 – April 2):
• MON 14 FEB @ 7:30 PM: SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME – Best Visual Effects Nominee
• FRI 18 FEB @ 7:30 PM: DUNE – 10 nominations, including Best Picture
• FRI 25 FEB @ 7:30 PM: NO TIME TO DIE – 3 nominations, including Best Original Song
• THU 3 MAR @ 7:30 PM: SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME – Best Visual Effects Nominee
• FRI 4 MAR @ 7:30 PM: HOUSE OF GUCCI – Best Makeup and Hairstyling Nominee
• THU 10 MAR @ 7:30 PM: PARALLEL MOTHERS – 2 nominations, including Best Actress
• SAT 12 MAR @ 5 PM: ENCANTO – 3 nominations, including Best Animated Feature
• SAT 26 MAR @ 5 PM: SPENCER – Best Actress Nominee
• THU 31 MAR @ 7:30 PM: KING RICHARD – 6 nominations, including Best Picture
• FRI 1 APR @ 7:30 PM: WEST SIDE STORY – 7 nominations, including Best Picture
• SAT 2 APR @ 5 PM: BELFAST – 7 nominations, including Best Picture
• SAT 2 APR @ 7:30 PM: LICORICE PIZZA – 3 nominations, including Best Picture
• FRI 8 APR @ 7:30 PM: DRIVE MY CAR – 4 nominations, including Best Picture
• THU 21 APR @ 7:30 PM: THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD – 2 nominations, including Best International Film
• FRI 22 APR @ 7:30 PM: NIGHTMARE ALLEY – 4 nominations, including Best Picture
• WED 27 APR @ 7:30 PM: FLEE – 3 nominations, including Best International Film
• SAT 28 APR @ 7:30 PM: THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE – 2 nominations, including Best Actress
There are less than two weeks before we’re finally back for the first time since August, and we hope you’re getting as excited we are!
To kick things off with a bang, we’re starting 2022 with Marvel’s record-breaking blockbuster, SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME. In the film, with his identity now revealed to the world, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) can no longer separate his civilian life from being Spider-Man, forcing him to seek the help of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to cast a universe-altering spell – which leads to unintended consequences.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME will screen on Monday 14 February at 7:30 pm, with doors opening for entry from 7 pm. As is customary to kick off the year, this will be a FREE screening that will be open to absolutely anyone, including members and future members alike. As such, we do anticipate it to be a busy one and recommend that you get there early to ensure you don’t miss out.
If you would like to avoid the crowds, however, we can let you know now that will be re-screening the film again for members only on Thursday 3 March at 7:30 pm.
The rest of our Autumn 2022 programme will be announced early next week, so stay tuned to see what else we’ve got in store. Or if you can’t wait that long, head over to our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ANUFG – for some sneak peeks over the next few days!
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UPDATED COVID-19 SAFETY RULES
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Our COVID-19 safety rules have been updated since last year to be in accordance with the latest advice and directions from ACT Health and the ANU. You can find them in full at www.anufg.org.au/COVID or summarised below:
• The wearing of face masks in currently mandatory in all indoor settings, except when actively eating or drinking. We will continue to supply free masks at the door for anyone who requires one.
• All attendees must check-in using the Check In CBR app by scanning the provided QR code upon arrival. If you are unable to use the app, we can assist you with checking in.
• We are permitted to use the full capacity (305 seats) of our cinema, but continue to recommend social distancing whenever this is possible by leaving 1.5 metres between yourself and the nearest person/group, including while queueing up outside.
• Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or who would otherwise be required to be in isolation should not be attending screenings.
• Pre-registration for screenings via Eventbrite is no longer required.
Once again, for anyone who is uncomfortable with attending screenings or has any issues with the safety rules that will be strictly enforced, we are still offering no-questions-asked pro rata refunds up until February 13. If you’d like a refund, please email us at info@anufg.org.au with your name and membership number, and we’ll get back to you with next steps.
There’s precisely one month to go until ANU Film Group screenings return for 2022!
We acknowledge that the COVID-19 situation around the country has been worsening over the past few weeks, but we remain optimistic that it will stabilise before our intended return – which currently slated for Monday 14 February (save the date!).
We will continue to monitor the advice given by the ACT Government as well as the ANU in the coming weeks and advise you if anything changes, but have so far been informed that it is safe to resume screenings with our safety protocols in place.
For more information about membership extensions and the availability of pro rata refunds, please refer to our most recent message from December 24 on our website here: https://www.anufg.org.au/news/471
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WANTED: DOORPEOPLE FOR 2022
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We're currently on the lookout for additional doorpeople to assist us at screenings in 2022. Door people are the smiling, friendly faces of the Group who greet you as you enter, scan your membership card and confirm that you've checked in using the Check In CBR app before entering the cinema.
If you're a current ANUFG member, are punctual, have a sunny disposition, and have experience in the fine art of scanning QR codes, this may be for you!
Please note that this is an unpaid volunteer position, but all doorpeople will receive a free membership for the following season as a token of thanks upon completion of a required number of sessions.
Interested? Want to find out more? Email us at info@anufg.org.au now!
It’s been a long four months since we were shut down (for the second time) due to COVID-19 restrictions, and we acknowledge that it’s been a little quiet as we’ve patiently waited for restrictions in the ACT and on the ANU campus to be lifted.
In the spirit of the holidays, we’re pleased to finally announce that restrictions have now eased enough and that we have begun planning for our return. At this stage, we are aiming to resume screenings from the week beginning February 14, 2022!*
All existing active memberships will be brought forward and automatically extended by an additional two seasons at no charge. For example, if your membership was due to expire in February 2022, it will now be extended until the end of our Winter 2022 season in mid-July. There’s nothing further you have to do, but if you’d like to know your new expiry date, feel free to email us at info@anufg.org.au with your name and membership number.
Rest assured that health and safety remains a top priority for us, and we wouldn’t be resuming screenings unless we were confident we could do so in a manner that was safe for members and volunteers alike. If, however, you still do not feel comfortable returning to screenings or don’t anticipate being able to use your existing membership for whatever reason, we will still be offering no-questions-asked pro rata refunds up until our very first screening back. If you’d like a refund, please email us at info@anufg.org.au with your name and membership number, and we’ll get back to you with next steps.
We hope this comes as welcome news – screenings have never been more disrupted in our nearly-56-year history, and we’ve certainly missed screening films for you. Please keep an eye here on our website or on our Facebook page in the new year for more details about our new Autumn 2022 season as they become available. Until then, we wish you all a very merry Christmas, a happy new year, and look forward to seeing you again in person real soon!
*Assuming that the ACT isn’t hit with another outbreak, new restrictions, an alien invasion or the enslaving of humanity by sentient robots. We’re not ruling anything out at this point!
It’s now officially been one month since the ACT was sent into lockdown and ANU Film Group screenings were put on hold. While there are no doubt more urgent things going on in everyone’s lives at the moment, we wanted to provide a brief update to our members about the status of our future screenings.
We have had to regretfully cancel the remainder of our Spring season (which was intended to run until October 2) regardless of whether Canberra comes out of lockdown this coming Thursday. The current advice from the ACT Government is that, even if the lockdown ends, restrictions will be eased gradually, and we have received a similar indication from the ANU that public events such as ours are not likely to be permitted to return to campus at this early stage.
The ANU Film Group will eventually return, but unfortunately we are simply unable to make any future plans until we have a more definitive idea of when it will be deemed safe for screenings to resume. We hope this will be soon and can't wait until we can screen films for you once again.
Until then, we want to assure our members that they will not lose out as a result of this temporary intermission. As we did when screenings were temporarily put on hold in March last year, we will be extending all current Annual and Spring 2021 season members by a period of time equal to, if not exceeding, the shutdown duration. This will happen automatically when screenings resume and there’s nothing further you need to do.
If, however, your personal circumstances make it unlikely that you will return when screenings resume, we can also offer pro rata refunds for anyone who requires one. If you would like a refund, please send an email to info@anufg.org.au with your membership number and we’ll get in touch with next steps.
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ANUFG@HOME IS BACK
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Like we did last time, we’ve also resurrected ANUFG@Home for anyone looking for themed suggestions of (mostly) free films you can watch online in the absence of your favourite Film Group. Please feel free to share these film suggestions to keep you and your loved ones entertained and connected from the comfort and safety of your own homes. And, of course, if you’ve discovered any hidden gems you’d like to share, feel free to send them through to info@anufg.org.au too.
ANUFG@Home suggestions can be found at www.anufg.org.au/athome and will be updated on a regular basis, with new additions highlighted on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ANUFG. Do note that the website does contain some of last year’s recommendations too, so we can’t guarantee that all of the links will still be valid at time of viewing.
Finally, if you need more than film suggestions to get you through this period, don't forget that you are not alone and that there are a range of services offering support:
• Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service: 1800 512 348
• Lifeline: 131 114
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
More information from ACT Health on mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 can be found by CLICKING HERE
Well, we’ve had a good run over the past eight months, but unfortunately we regret to inform you that ANU Film Group screenings will be postponed once again from tonight (Thursday 12 August) onwards until further notice. To be clear, this postponement will include tonight’s scheduled screening of TWO OF US, which will not be proceeding as planned.
This is in accordance with the latest ACT Health orders, including the snap lockdown beginning from 5 pm tonight, and ANU restrictions on on-campus events that are anticipated to continue beyond this.
We will endeavour to re-schedule any postponed screenings as soon as we have a better idea of when screenings will be permitted to resume, and will of course also be offering some form of membership extension so that none of you are out of pocket.
More details will be announced at a later date, but in the meantime, please look after yourselves and stay safe. We’ll all be back at the movies before you know it!
Our BRAZEN HUSSIES event screening takes places this Saturday at 5 PM, followed by a special panel discussion featuring two of the film’s participants, one of whom you may recognise as an ANUFG member! Plus, we’ve also got a Chinese spy thriller, a French romantic drama, and Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek heading up a star-studded action-comedy sequel.
• WED 11 AUGUST @ 7:30 PM: CLIFF WALKERS (MA, 120 mins)
In 1931, four Chinese agents are sent behind enemy lines on a mission to rescue a witness who can expose Japanese war crime atrocities to the world – but quickly find themselves hunted by the enemy after they are betrayed, in director Zhang Yimou's latest.
• THU 12 AUGUST @ 7:30 PM: TWO OF US (M, 95 mins)
Two older women living as neighbours on the top floor of their apartment building have also been secret lovers for decades – until an unexpected event threatens to unveil the true nature of their relationship, in this acclaimed French romantic drama.
• FRI 13 AUGUST @ 7:30 PM: THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD (MA, 116 mins)
A disgraced bodyguard (Ryan Reynolds) is forced back into action by a hitman (Samuel L. Jackson) and his volatile con artist wife (Salma Hayek), all of whom soon are embroiled in a madman's plot to destroy Europe in this action-comedy sequel.
• SAT 14 AUGUST @ **5 PM**: BRAZEN HUSSIES (M, 93 mins)
A look at the Women's Liberation Movement and their revolutionary work throughout the 1960s and 1970s as a daring and diverse group of women reignite the feminist movement in Australia, at times at great personal cost. Followed by a panel discussion chaired by ANU Gender Institute Convenor Fiona Jenkins, and featuring two stars of the women’s movement, Elizabeth Reid AO and Biff Ward.