The Eight Mountains (2022) Italy, Directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch

The Eight Mountains (2022) Italy

Based on the book by Paolo Cognetti.

Directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch

Thursday April 17th

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre at 6.30pm

Set in the alps in Italy this movie focuses on the lifelong friendship of two men. Bruno (Alessandro Borghi) and Pietro (Lucca Marinelli) who spend their childhood together in the remote alpine village of Grana, Italy.

As adults the friends reunite after a family loss. A piece of land ties them to each other for another decade. This intimate story feels sweeping in scope thanks to spectacular cinematography which places the main characters against an awe-inspiring landscape.

This movie celebrates the ineffable relationship between those who know us best and the places in which we find ourselves.

The eight mountains refer to the eight highest peaks of Nepal: a symbol of worldly ambition and conquest.

(Reviews from IMDB)

Wine themes:

a) The mountains of Nepal and The Alps

b) Living away from civilisation

c) The sweet things in life

Whites

Nepenthe “Altitude” Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2024

“Beyond the Wilderness” Tas Sauvignon Blanc

Brown Brothers Moscato

and Moscato/Sauvignon Blanc

Reds

Longview “Vista” Adelaide Hills Shiraz Barbera 2022

Taylors “Well-Natured” Organic Shiraz 2022

“Pure” Trapiche, Argentina Pinot Noir 2023

Anatomy of a fall 2023, Directed by Justine Triet

Thursday March 20

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Doors Open :6.30pm

This month’s movie selection features a high-tension court room drama written by Justine Triet.

To fully understand a marriage, you need to be a part of it. And even then, it can seem as if the two partners are communicating in entirely different languages. This is literally the case in the marriage of successful German-born author Sandra (played by Sandra Huller) and her French husband, aspiring writer Samuel (Samuel Theis), a union that is forensically and microscopically examined in this gripping, sinuous, Cannes Palme d’Or-winning courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall. Language – Sandra prefers to speak in English even though, at her husband’s behest, they live in France – is just one of the flashpoints for tension between the two.

Tensions in the marriage have been simmering privately until Samuel falls out of the attic window!! and his body is discovered by 11year old visually impaired son, Daniel.

An inconclusive inquest into the death can’t rule out the possibility that he was pushed. And so, Sandra finds herself on trial, with her child called as one of the key witnesses in the case. The flaws and fault lines in her relationship with Samuel are exposed and picked over by a tenacious prosecution lawyer (Antoine Reinartz) and repackaged as evidence for her guilt.

The audience is caught up in the mystery!! the courtroom drama succeeds or fails on the strength of its screenplay. And here, with its layered and rewardingly intricate script co-written by Triet and her husband, Arthur Harari, this solid, unshowy film excels.

From a review by Wendy Ide.

Wine themes:

A death with questions hanging over it

• “Take it to the Grave” (Barossa) Shiraz, 2024
• SC Pannell “Dead End” (McLaren Vale) Tempranillo, 2022

Innocence/Guilt, Honesty/Lies

• Di Georgio “Frank” White blend, 2022
• (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon)
• “Innocent Bystander” (Swan Hill) Shiraz Cienna, 2022

A French film / French wine

• Moulin de Grassac, (France) Picpoul de Pinet, 2019
• (similar to a Sauvignon Blanc)

Off-theme white wines for other tastes

• Brown Brothers Moscato

Perfect Days (Japan), Released in 2023, directed by Wim Wenders

 "Perfect Days" (Japan)

Screening: Thursday February 20, 2025

At Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre at 7pm.

Released in 2023, directed by Wim Wenders

Celebrates the natural beauty of Tokyo. A day in the life of Hirayama, a public toilet cleaner. Played by veteran actor Koji Yakusho. A beautifully simple story. We are asked to consider what we need to be satisfied with our life.

Featuring naturalistic cinematography using natural light, a unique sound track and diegetic sound editing techniques.

Creates an authentic documentary style film experience.

(From a review by Spencer Gurley)

Wine Themes:

    a) Japanese film

Sake - infused wines:

Sun Monkey White (Traminer, Chardonnay, Riesling blend)

Sun Monkey Shiraz Grenache

    b) Perfect (or at least good) Days 

"Un Bel Jour" Southeast Australia Pinot Grigio 2024

    c) A man who enjoys his simple life

Nepenthe "Attitude" Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Taylors "Well-Natured" Organic Shiraz 2022

"Pure" Trapiche, Argentina Pinot Noir 2023

    d) The sweet things in life

Brown Brothers Moscato

DOCTEUR (Fr.2019) The Good Doctor December 19 2024

 

Join us for an entertaining comedy caper when a Parisian doctor is called on to do a solo shift on Christmas eve.  What could possibly go wrong? A super and fun way to close off our 2024 season of cinema.   We wish all our members and all you care about a wonderful Christmas and a Happy 2025.

As usual doors will open at 6:30 for a 7:00 start.

THE MENU - Comedy, Horror, Thriller (USA (2022)

 

Is Revenge a Dish Best Served Cold? A satire of the gourmet food world and the wealthy elites who dine at a secluded island restaurant.  The film features a star studded, cast, a witty script and many twists and turns.   Ralph Fiennes at his commanding best.

Make your reservation for an unforgettable dining experience on Thursday the 21st of November.

As usual doors will open at 6:30 for a 7:00 start.

We look forward to seeing you there, "Bon appetit".

Come for the AGM - Stay for the Tenor

 

Following the thrills and spills of the 2024 Reels Film Society AGM stay on for the French Comedy Drama "Tenor".

Antoine is reluctantly studying to be an accountant and delivers sushi for a living. His passion is rap battles, but he has a hidden talent in a very, very different musical form. A simple sushi delivery leads to a leading singing teacher at the Garnier Opera leads to the discovery of his talent and a new path opens to him.

Thursday the 17th of October will see this once in a year double-feature.

As usual doors will open at 6:30 for a 7:00 start.

We look forward to seeing you there.

 Notice of the Annual General Meeting of Reels Film Society

Dear Members,

This is to advise you of the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the members of Reels Film Society.

The details of this meeting are as follows:

Date: Thursday 17th October 2024

Time:7pm (movie to view after meeting)

Place: Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mount Gambier

Agenda and Minutes are available on request and at the October Film Night.

At the meeting, members will have the opportunity to:

• find out about and ask questions about Reels Film Society’s operations and finances
• table topics for discussion and
• vote on any resolutions proposed.

At the meeting, members will be asked to vote to:

• accept the minutes of the last annual general meeting
• accept the annual report, auditors report, annual financial statements
• appoint an auditor
• elect President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 4 Committee members.
• Vote on any other business requiring consideration

REELS FILM SOCIETY 2024 PRESIDENTS REPORT

Over the 12 months Reels has delivered a balanced cinema program from around the globe featuring Limited Release films from USA (3), UK (2), France (2), Australia, Bhutan, Italy, Poland, South Korea and Spain. That’s 13 movie nights in 12 months!

Our average the Starbox rating over the 12 months to June 2024 was 3.9 with member’s votes in this Olympic year determining “Official Secrets” from the UK (4.7) as the Gold medallist narrowly edging out “A Yak in the Classroom” (Bhutan) and “Gurrumul” (Australia) both tied on a meritorious 4.6.

Our star is on the rise! Attendance at our monthly screenings has been healthy averaging around 101 up from last year’s 90! This year, two members of our committee, Sheryl Norris and Graham Carpenter travelled interstate to attend the Federation of Victorian Film Societies AGM and Information Day. This provided an ideal opportunity to share information and learn of practices that can improve the operations of film societies. One of the things we learnt was REELS is one of the largest groups in the Federation behind groups such as Ballarat.

The Reels Film Selection committee over the last 12 months or so has been keenly researching the film program for 2025. A challenging task for any film society and our appreciation goes to everyone who has put forward movies for consideration. Our focus remains on limited release art house movies that rarely make it to regional cinemas. We aim to have 2025 finalised before the end of November so we can inform members and prepare our promotional and membership application DL cards ready for distribution in the wider community before Christmas.

Financially we are in a good position. Reels have absorbed increases in expenses that include theatre hire, DVD purchases and hire, screening rights, printing, not to forget putting on an extra special film and a bus for a movie dinner night for members at Coonawarra. Annual Membership fees have been set for 2025. The increase of $5 per annum for Reels membership is the first time in many years. The 2025 subs are now set at the same membership rates that were in effect in 2015/2016!

The dedicated Reels Film Society committee members continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes as well as film nights. They should be up here with Sheryl and me for you to acknowledge their efforts, but they are busy doing what they do every film night. Our regular monthly meetings are usually held on weekends and are well attended. Reels would be a “No Show” without their outstanding efforts to organise DVD purchases, library management, obtain screening rights, banking and finance, purchase beverages and snacks in addition to their volunteer efforts on movie night. It is a fabulous team effort from Tricia Bott, Graham Carpenter, John Martin-Brown, Meredith McArthur, Sheryl Norris, Phil Riley and Catarina Santos. John has decided to retire from the Committee after many years of service and we acknowledge his lengthy contribution to Reels.

Our gratitude is also extended to members of our Film Selection Committee and our Public Officer, Mr. Graham Adams and our Honorary Auditor and Reviewer of our accounts, Mr. Doug Mullen.

We are indebted to our supporters and partners at ABC SE Local Radio and the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre. We also thank all those individuals who have remained in the shadows, contributing in their own way. For example, the amazing Marcus Jones, our expert projectionist and technical problem solver and the Federation for Victorian Film Societies for the answers to the entire cinema matters beyond our ken.

In closing, a huge round of applause to you all here tonight for being part of a successful Film Society that is now entering its 18th year. A society that started in 2007 that continues to provide opportunities for socialising, making new friends in a welcoming environment, positive mental health, cultural awareness and lifelong learning and of course, superb cinema.

See you all next season.

Rob Forgan,
President,
Reels Film Society,

1 October 2024 June 2024 SNAPSHOT

Membership: 166 - June 2024 (up from 155 June 2023).
Membership: Reels has one of the 3 largest membership bases of those affiliated with the Federation of Victorian Film Societies (FVFS). Average Attendance in 2023 2024: 101 (Up from 96 in 2023. 70 in 2022) Movies: 13 (12 in 2022/2023)
Starbox average score: 3.9 (4.7 High – 2.8 Low) A good score considering we had a couple of sub 3’s!