“I am Love” – last art house screening at Port Fairy for 2010

The Port Fairy Film Society ends the 2010 year with an elegant Italian romantic melodrama with the title of “I am Love” (lo sono L”amore) showing this Friday night at the Reardon Theatre.

The movie is set at the turn of the century in Milan and follows the story of the Recchi’s- a wealthy industrialist family, through its changing times and fortunes and its disruption by the force of passion.

Emma Recchi (Tilda Swinton) is the Russian born wife and mother of the family, who escapes the isolation and restlessness of her life by entering into an affair with her son Edoardo Jrs friend and business partner Antonio. This liaison leads to tragic and dramatic consequences.

The film is described by some critics as an “elegant soap opera “but is also described equally as “sensational to look at, powerfully acted” and “opulent and sensual”. All agree however that Tilda Swintons performance is central to the drama and that she is integral to the overall success of the film.

It will no doubt bring out a range of responses by film lovers, but is guaranteed to enthrall as only European melodrama can. I am Love is rated MA (119 mins).

The Film Society looks forward to seeing old and welcoming new members at the earlier date of Friday December 10^th at 7:30pm. Memberships go on sale from 7:10pm.

Summer Movie Program on the way!!!

The next big thing for films in Port Fairy will be the commencement of the Summer Movies program between Dec 28 and January 26^th. This summer program brings a wonderful feast of films catering for all tastes. The full program will be made available shortly but will host screenings in both the afternoon and evenings including Harry Potter and the deathly Hollows Part 1, Toy Story 3, Inception, Despicable Me, Boy, Me and Orson Welles, Crazy Heart, The Girl who played with Fire and much more.

Richly drawn portrait of modern family, “the kids are all right” is allright !!

This Fridays Film screening at Port Fairy’s Reardon Theatre is a much talked about and lauded American film starring Annette Bening and Juliette Moore exploring the life of a modern family with the added complexity of a same sex couple, their two teenage children and the arrival of the biological father(Mark Ruffalo) into their lives after many years. “The Kids are All right” unfolds with many emerging dramas and is funny, vibrant and entertaining throughout.

At the Movies shows David Stratton sums it up as;

“The Kids are All Right is funny, touching and honest, all the elements that make independent cinema so much more rewarding, most of the time, than the mainstream.”

All the performances of the five main actors are convincing and particularly fine is the performance of Annette Bening, most deserving of an Oscar nomination for this role.

“The Kids are All right” is rated MA and screens at 7:30pm on Friday November 19^th. Membership tickets go on sale from 7:10pm. All welcome, free tea and coffee provided.

South Solitary a Fundraiser for Pakistan

On 24 September, the Port Fairy Film Society will screen a fundraiser for Pakistan Disaster Relief.

Whilst the Port Fairy Film Society encourages everyone to support the Pakistan disaster relief in whatever way they feel they can, the PFFS will screen “South Solitary” as a fundraiser for the purchase of water purification filters for water purification plants used by the Australian Red Cross.

The plants have their origin in Port Fairy from Peter O'Keeffe and Bob Handby. A further marvelous example of what we can do.

http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/handbys-key-role-in-pakistan-floods/1913025.aspx

Whilst the pumps are beyond the scope of our fundraiser, we can contribute directly to this program through the purchase of filters. The pumps use a number of different types of filters, from paper filters costing seven dollars to carbon filters at one hundred and eighty dollars each. Depending upon the nature of the water to be purified the pumps can use up to two sets of filters per day.

The cost of these filters is normally borne by the Red Cross programs.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/pakistan-floods-how-to-help-20100823-13dv5.html?rand=1282621764740

“South Solitary” is a gentle romantic drama by Shirley Barrett set on a remote Tasmanian lighthouse in the 1920s when Meredith Appleton (Miranda Otto) arrives with her uncle, (Barry Otto) the replacement light house keeper. The island is home to the assistant keeper(Rohan Nicol), his family(Essie Davis, Annie Martin) and their hand (Marton Csokas).

In giving “South Solitary” four stars, David Stratton, ABC, said “Performances are outstanding MIRANDA OTTO is particularly fine….. Stunningly photographed by Anna Howard, SOUTH SOLITARY is a very special film, both original and in its own way, quite a daring one." Margaret 3 Stars.The film opened this year’s Sydney Film Festival. The film was shot at Cape Nelson and Cape Otway. (M) 120 mins

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2946032.htm

Icon Films, the film distributors, have supplied the film for the fundraiser at a reduced rental. Thank you, Icon.

South Solitary will screen at 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Peter O’Keeffe will outline the uses of the water purification pumps prior to the screening.

Tickets, $12 and $10 concession, can be booked on ph. 5568 1339 and purchased at the door, the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre ph 5568 2682 and in Warrnambool. Tea coffee and biscuits will be provided.

http://www.worldvision.com.au/Issues/Emergencies/Current_Emergencies/Pakistan_Floods.aspx

White Ribbon…Dark but brilliant

The Port Fairy Film Society is proud to present this months Friday night film “The White Ribbon”

The White Ribbon (German) is a 2009 black and white drama written and directed by Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke. The story darkly depicts society and family in a northern German village just before World War I, and the landscape leading to the rise of Nazism. The film explores a series of strange events beginning in the village school which then continue to unfold in the community. The film is full of clues but explanations are not easily given or found which has the effect of making it mesmerizing and tantalising to the viewer.

According to Haneke, the film is about "the origin of every type of terrorism, be it of political or religious nature.”

This film is described as both disturbing and thought provoking and has generated a wide variety of responses and opinions.

The At the Movies crew of Margaret and David describe the film as “Impressive” both giving it four stars.

Other critics describe it in this way: “The White Ribbon is a stark, contemplative and hauntingly brilliant film” and “Unlike conventional thrillers, this film does not restore a moral order to the universe. Rather, it questions it. It must be seen.”

“The White Ribbon” premiered at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in May 2009 and won the Palme d'Or, followed by positive reviews and several other major awards, including the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

See The Trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi712247065/

The Film is rated M and screens at 7:30 on Friday August 20^th at the Reardon theatre Bank Street. Memberships go on sale from 7:10. Free tea and coffee, lollies for sale.

St.Kilda Film Festival comes to Port Fairy

Don’t miss your chance to see the best of Australia's Top 100 short films as the St Kilda Film Festival hits the road taking in 37 destinations Australia-wide with a selection of shorts that includes Festival award winners and stand out favorites.

These exciting films, which cover a diverse range of subject matter ranging from laugh out loud comedy to quality drama, share an infectious passion for the medium, limited only by the size of their relatively modest budgets.

Our short filmmakers push the creative envelope producing work which delights and provokes.

.The 2010 highlights include
Tomorrow by Simon Portus about a young country girl and a businesswoman who meet on their journey to Brisbane; their connections are greater than their differences (Winner 2010 StKFF & 2010 Flickerfest FF, Best Film, Best Direction, Best Actor).

Ink by Justine Wallace is the story of a lost toy, a girl graffiti artist and a stolen childhood(2010 StKFF Best Animation, Screenplay, and Sound & UK SSF, WOW FF, Salento FF ).

Little Ripper by Craig Boord about the tough, competitive, full time occupation of training and racing pigeons( 2010 StKFF Best Documentary, Austin & Indie FFs).

Helmut’s House by Jess Dickenson about an 89hermit who has lived in a hand built house in a remote Australian riverbed for 40 years.

Primo Bacio by Sarah Vasssilas, a documentary dedicated to a couple who have been together for 49 years about how kissing has changed since their courting(2010 StKFF Best positive image of age award).

Apricot by Ben Briand about an man with memory loss who asks personal questions of a young woman to cover his own loss ( Cannes FF Best Young Director).

The Wake by Gemma Lee about a well meaning, social misfit who makes an unexpected arrival at his best mate’s fathers Funeral (2010 StKFF SBS award winner).

In Port Fairy, 7.30 pm Friday 30th July (16 films: interval at 8.30). Exempt 15+ 125mins $10, $8 for PFFS members.

http://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/page-54/tour-films

Brothers-A very worthy remake at the Friday night movies

When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home—with consequences that will shake the foundation of the entire family….

This Friday July 16^th, the Port Fairy Film Society brings a moving, beautiful and dramatic film from acclaimed director Jim Sheridan which is a faithful remake of the Danish made 2000 film of the same name. Brother is the powerful story of two siblings, thirtysomething Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) and younger brother Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal), who are polar opposites. A Marine about to embark on his fourth tour of duty, Sam is a steadfast family man married to his high school sweetheart, the aptly named Grace (Natalie Portman), with whom he has two young daughters (Bailee Madison, Taylor Grace Geare). Tommy, his charismatic younger brother, is a drifter just out of jail who’s always gotten by on wit and charm. He slides easily into his role as family provocateur on his first night out of prison, at Sam’s farewell dinner with their parents, Sam is then shipped out to Afghanistan.

Sam is presumed dead when his Black Hawk helicopter is shot down in the mountains. At home in suburbia, the Cahill family suddenly faces a shocking void, and Tommy tries to fill in for his brother by assuming newfound responsibility for himself, Grace, and the children. The film is a rich exploration of family relationships, and the issues of love, loyalty and manhood.

Margaret from “At the Movies” found the really interesting American cast all gave very fine performances which contribute to making a very strong and powerful film worthy of four stars.

“Brothers” screens at 7:30pm at the Reardon Theatre this Friday. Members tickets go on sale from 7:10pm.

Screenings coming later in July include the St Kilda Film Festival.

CLASSIC MOVIES TAKE OFF IN PORT FAIRY…

"South Pacific", the 1958 musical (PG 150 mins plus interval ) starring Mitzi Gaynor, Juanita Hall and Rossano Brazzi makes this Pacific interlude one of the most popular of the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals.
"South Pacific" is the second film in our Classic Matinee season. The February screening of "Singing in the Rain" was well attended by 60 members, including residents from Moyneyana Hostel and Belfast House. There were some really lovely reminiscences from some who saw it originally at the Reardon Theatre in 1955. One viewer was an usherette at that time and another lady said with a shy smile, that she was courting.
"South Pacific" screens at 1.30pm Tuesday 23 March for members. Membership concessions for the Classic matinees can be purchased through the Port Fairy Senior Citizens Club (5568 1755) and the Port Fairy Day Centre.

BRAN NUE DAE ……Being home never felt so good

The Port Fairy Film Society is looking forward to bringing south west movie goers the eagerly awaited Australian musical “Bran Nue Dae” this Friday at the Reardon Theatre.
Set on Australia’s west coast, Bran Nue Dae is a road movie, coming of age, comedy musical which celebrates the adventure of finding home.
Bran Nue Dae is described by critics as a hybrid of film genres; musical, comedy, road-trip & love story.
Bran Nue Dae was originally a 1990 musical set in Broome, Western Australia that tells stories and highlights issues relating to Indigenous Australians in a humorous way. It was a play written by Jimmy Chi, his band “Kuckles and Friends” and was the first Aboriginal musical.
The musical has been turned into a feature film directed by Rachel Perkins starring Ernie Dingo, Geoffrey Rush, Jessica Mauboy, Missy Higgins, Deborah Mailman, Magda Szubanski and Dan Sultan.
The story is set in the summer of 1965 and centres on Willie, a young man who is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port of Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and his girl. However, his mother returns him to the religious mission for further schooling. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion, he runs away from the mission on a journey that ultimately leads him back home.
Bran Nue Dae director Rachael Perkins does a marvellous job of creating a film that captures the energy, fun, music and cheekiness of the original play. She is quoted as saying
“…hopefully the audience will appreciate it for being light, for it being entertaining, and for it being joyous and celebratory and a little bit silly, you know, and mad, because that's what we intended it to be.”

Bran Nue Dae can't be accused of failing to be a crowd pleaser, and word of mouth should help spread the film's accomplishments.

David Stratton from “At the Movies” in his 2009/10 summer movies review says “BRAN NUE DAY represents a really enjoyable visit to the movies this summer…..I’m giving it four stars”

BRAN NUE DAE will be shown at 7:30 at the Reardon Theatre Bank St. Port Fairy. It is rated PG and has some sexual references. For one night only, so be there early as previous monthly screenings have filled fast. Your patience is asked to sign up your memberships. Doors open 7:10pm.

THE BOYS ARE BACK on Friday 19 FEBRUARY

The Port Fairy Film Society brings “The Boys are Back” to its monthly February screening from Academy Award® nominee Scott Hicks (“Shine”). The screenplay by Allan Cubitt is based on the acclaimed 2001 memoir by Simon Carr, (The Boys Are Back), an unflinchingly funny and honest recounting of his journey from grieving husband to full-contact fatherhood in the aftermath of his profound loss.

Shot on location in the stunning countryside of South Australia, and inspired by this true story, THE BOYS ARE BACK is a deeply moving, wryly confessional tale of fatherhood, that intimately evokes both the fragility and wonders of family life.

It follows a witty, wisecracking, action-oriented sportswriter (CLIVE OWEN) who, in the wake of his wife’s tragic death, finds himself in a sudden, stultifying state of single parenthood.

Left with raising two boys, a curious six year-old (NICHOLAS MCANULTY) and a rebel teen (GEORGE MACKAY) from a previous marriage, in a household devoid of feminine influence, and with an unabashed lack of rules, life becomes exuberant, instinctual, reckless . . . and on the constant verge of disaster.

United by unspoken love, conflicted by fierce feelings and in search of a road forward, the three multi-generational boys of the household, father and sons alike, must each find their own way, however tenuous, to grow up.

Their story is not just about the transforming power of a family crisis -- but the unavoidable grace of everyday life and love that gets them through.

Jim Schembri of the Age describes “the Boys are Back” as “[a] beautifully etched, deeply moving drama about single fatherhood, the best film Adelaide director Scott Hicks has made since Shine -- and the peak of Clive Owen's acting career.”

The M rated film screens at 7:30pm on Friday February 19^th at the Reardon Theatre Bank St. Port Fairy. Great new 2010 memberships are on sale at the door, with screenings of Balibo, and Bran Nu Dae coming up in the next few months.

First Classic Tuesday Matinee -- Singing in the Rain

At 1.30pm on Tuesday 23 February, the Port Fairy Film Society brings its members the first of four Classic Hollywood Musicals, Gene Kelly’s acclaimed and loved “Singing in the Rain”.

“Singing in the Rain” is one of the brightest, happiest Hollywood musicals. Set in Hollywood in 1927, Don Lockwood(Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are stars of the silent era about to make their first talkie movie , when Don becomes infatuated with Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds).

The film has wit, humour, good acting, great dancing and songs, "You Were Meant for Me," "You Are My Lucky Star," Good Morning”,"The Broadway Melody," and of course “Singing in the Rain”.

In 1952, the NY Times reviewed its premiere: “Compounded generously of music, dance, color, spectacle and a riotous abundance of Gene Kelly, Jean Hagen and Donald O'Connor on the screen, all elements in this rainbow program are carefully contrived and guaranteed to lift the dolors of winter and put you in a buttercup mood.”

“Singing in the Rain” is widely acclaimed as one of the finest musicals Hollywood has made.

This is the first of the four Tuesday Matinee Classics that will screen at the Reardon Theatre on the Fourth Tuesday of the month February to May. The 1.30pm sessions have been scheduled to encourage members of the Senior Citizen’s Club and Day Centre to enjoy their lunch and a film on the one afternoon.

Film Society memberships are available at the door, but they can also be pre-purchased at a 50% by members of the PF Day Centre, PF Senior Citizens Club and Moyneyana House residents.

"Singing in the Rain" is rated G and runs for 103mins, but will run for longer as the Classic Matinees will have an interval.