"The Holdovers"
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Thursday December 18,
Doors open: 6.30pm
The Holdovers is a 2023 American Christmas comedy drama film written by David Hemingson and directed by Alexander Payne.
The movie is a remake of Marcel Pagnol's 1935 French film Merlusse and was named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute.
The Holdovers was filmed in Massachusetts and is set in 1970, at Barton Academy, an all-male boarding school.
Paul Giamatti stars as a teacher and former student of Barton. He is equally unpopular with students and other staff at the school and is forced to supervise five students left on campus (or “Holdovers”) during the Christmas holiday break.
REELS WINE SELECTION
“The Holdovers”
Movie / Wine theme:
Five students are “held over” at their boarding school over the Christmas break
This month’s wines have all been
#heldover - from the Reels Wine selections of previous months in 2025.
ENJOY!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR
The Monk and the Gun
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Thursday November 20,
Doors Open: 6.30 pm
"The Monk and the Gun" was written and co produced in 2023 by Pawo Choyning Dorji, the writer-director of “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” which we screened in January 2024, with a high general approval of the Reels society members and a star rating of 4.6.
“The Monk and the Gun” is again filmed in the writer’s home country of Bhutan. The story is set during the historical period of 2006 – 2008 when the Bhutanese king abdicated the throne to allow the country’s first democratic election to take place.
Mock elections are being held throughout the country to teach people how to vote and in the town of Ura, the venerated Lama orders his young monk to get him 2 guns so he can “make things right”.
Meanwhile, an American collector is in the country, on the trail of a valuable
antique rifle, and the paths of the two inevitably cross.
REELS WINE SELECTIONS
“The Monk and the Gun”
Movie / Wine themes:
# Bhutan – a highly mountainous country
# A revered Lama sitting up on the hill above the village and his obedient Monk
# A Policy of Gross National Happiness
REDS
Sevenhill “Inigo”(Clare Valley) Shiraz, 2022 *
“Sacred Hill” De Bortoli Cabernet Merlot
Nepenthe “Altitude” (Adelaide Hills) Pinot Noir 2022-4
NON-REDS
Sevenhill “Inigo”(Clare Valley) Riesling 2023 *
Vasse Felix (Margaret River) Classic Dry White 2018
(“Felix” means Happy)
“One for All” (NSW) Strawberry Lemon Sorbet Moscato 2023
*Sevenhill winery started by monks
President’s Report for October 2025 AGM
This time last year, after both the president and vice president retired, the plea went out for someone with computer skills and another committee member. I am very pleased to report that Hoveida and Susie answered that plea.
Catarina and Susie have enjoyed and spread enjoyment, to you all through playing Heads and Tails before each movie. As the only extroverts on the committee, they have embraced this challenge with gusto.
Hoveida has patiently helped maintain the Reels website and sent out notices, just what every committee needs - (a computer whiz). You would have seen Hoveida when she was offering Persian tea and sweets at our August movie night.
This last year (Oct 24 – Oct 25) has seen an average star rating of 4.1, a very good result by any film society standards. Getting 4 people on the selection committee to agree on ANY movie is remarkable. Starting with up to 60 movies, down to 15 and then finding the film distributers is truly hard and time consuming but satisfying and rewarding. We love it.
All committee members have agreed to carry on next year, they are all quiet high achievers, whose actions speak louder than words. Our membership is still healthy; we may not be bigger than BEN HUR but are still in the top 3 regional film societies of SA and Victoria. This year has seen a marked increase in 3-month membership (around 30)
The SRHT is an excellent venue for us and will be back to its best shortly, when the elevator is back in operation. Five movies this calendar year have been digital and thanks to Marcus (always), have all gone to plan.
Thanks to not only to the committee, but to Hoveida, Leeanne, Andrew, Mark, Cathy and John Martin Brown. Our gratitude also extends to our Public Officer Graham Adams and our Auditor Doug Mullen. Thank you all for being involved.
The committee wishes to thank all members for being part of a successful Film Society.
Hope to see you all next year.
Regards,
Graham Carpenter
Reels Film Society
Mount Gambier South Australia
Charcoal,
Carvão (2023) Argentine Brazilian, Written and directed by Carolina
Markowicz
Charcoal,
Carvão
Venue:
The Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Date:
Thursday OCT 16
Doors Open:
6.30pm
Set in rural
Brazil ‘Charcoal’ focuses on the family of Irene and her husband Jairo and son
jean. Jairo earns money seasonably by burning charcoal but also has a drinking
problem. They struggle to cover medical costs for
bedridden grandfather Firmino, who after a stroke can no longer walk, talk or
breathe without additional oxygen.
One day a
new district nurse Juracy arrives who makes Irene an unusual proposal. To “replace”
Firmino with a much more lucrative lodger. An Argentinian crime “jefe” named
Miguel who has faked his own death and needs to lie low for a while.
Markowicz
maintains a tight grip on the tone of this movie, keeping it on the biting
point between black comedy and agonising suspense.
(Leslie
Felperin- The Guardian)
Charcoal wine list
Movie / Wine themes:
# Charcoal (Very nearly black)
# South
America
#
A Peasant family living with a Criminal hiding in their midst
REDS
Cat amongst the
Pigeons “Flyway” (Barossa)
Shiraz, 2024
“19 Crimes” (South Eastern Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon
“Tension” La Ribera (Argentina) Malbec Petit Verdot 2024
NON-REDS
“Trapiche” (Argentina)
Oak Cask Chardonnay 2022
McGuigan “Black Label” (NSW)
Sauvignon Blanc 2025
“One
for All” (NSW) Moscato
2023
Mad about the Boy: The Noel Coward Story
Venue: The Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Date: Thursday September 25th
Doors Open: 6.30pm
Premiered in 2023 and directed by Barnaby Thompson. Mad about the Boy is a contemporary
documentary narrated by Scottish actor Alan Cumming that tells the story of the
life and career of talented and gregarious writer and performer, Noel Coward.
By the age of 30 Coward was the highest paid writer in the
UK. He rose from poverty to stardom while keeping his sexuality a secret. The variety and quality of contemporaneous
archives combined with readings taken
from Noel Cowards personal journal , recorded by Rupert Everett makes an
entertaining and enjoyable story.
Mad About the Boy cleverly celebrates Noel Cowards’ talent
and his contribution to the development of music, theatre, cinema and comedy.
Please note that nomination forms for membership on the Reels Committee will be available at the end of the movie prior to the AGM in October . New members are encouraged to nominate and will be very welcome.
“Mad About the Boy” Wine List
Movie / Wine themes:
# Mad (like the title)
# Noël Coward’s Plays
- Their Style: witty dialogue, glamorous settings, satirical portrayals of upper-class British society
- Prolific writing (over 50 plays) including “London Calling” and “Still Life”
REDS
Watervale “Barking Mad” (Clare Valley) Shiraz, 2019/20
Claymore “London Calling” (Clare Valley) Cabernet Malbec 2023
“Swanning
Around” (Riverland) Pinot
Noir 2023
NON-REDS
“Riposte” (Adelaide
Hills) Sauvignon Blanc 2022
“Choosy
Beggars” (Margaret
River) Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2024
(The label picture tells the
story – Jolly good, what?)
“Still
Life” Hardy’s (NSW) Moscato
2025
My Favourite Cake
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Thursday August 21,
Doors Open: 6.30 pm
Written and directed by Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha
Seventy-year-old Mahin has been living alone in Tehran since her husband died and her daughter left for Europe. One afternoon, tea with friends, leads her to break her solitary routine and revitalise her love of life.
As Mahin opens herself up to a new romance, what begins as a surprise encounter evolves into an unpredictable, unforgettable evening. A huge hit with critics and audiences alike at the 2024 Berlinale, My Favourite Cake is an endearing portrayal of a woman who gives herself a second chance at life and love - and is faced with unexpected consequences. Co-directors Sanaeeha and Moghadan deftly deliver social criticism with a story that is equally charming and touching
(Palace Nova 2024)
Persian tea and sweets will be available to members of the society as a special treat before the movie.
REELS WINE SELECTIONS
“My favourite cake”
Movie / Wine themes:
# Cake or Other Sweet Things
# A Woman (especially older) going against societal expectations
# Love at any age
The Wines:
Reds
Penley Estate “Hyland” Coonawarra Shiraz, 2021
Quote on the bottle: “For most of history, Anonymous was a woman”
“Sweet Caroline” (Australian) Merlot 2024
“Not Your Grandma’s”, Chaffey Bros, Barossa
Grenache & Mourvedre 2022
Non-Reds
Jam Shed (Southeastern Australia) Rose 2024
Cupio (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc 2024
One for All (NSW) Strawberry Lemon Sorbet
Moscato 202
