Evil does Not Exist, (2023), Japan, written and directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi

 

Evil does not exist, 2023, (Japan)

Written and directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi

Sir Robert Helpman Theatre

Thursday September 24

Door Open: 6.30 pm

Takumi lives with his daughter, Hana, in Mizubiki, a quiet forest village near Tokyo. 

Their lives are disrupted when a Tokyo based company plans to build a poorly designed glamping site near their village.

Representatives from Playmode hold a tense town hall meeting to introduce the idea to the villagers. The villagers reject the idea as the poorly placed septic tank will ruin their pristine water supply that will damage the local ecosystem relied upon by the wild deer.

Hana goes missing after an encounter with the local deer hunters. Takumi responds with a primal instinctive reaction that resembles a wounded animal.

The film is described by IMDB as a slow burn, a character study disguised as an eco-drama. It is written and directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi and features a cast of non-professional actors. The film was shown at the Venice International Film Festival and was awarded the Grand Jury Prize.

GHOSTLIGHT, (2024), USA, written and directed by Kelly O'Sullivan, codirected by Alex Thompson

 

GHOSTLIGHT, 2024, (USA)

Written and directed by Kelly O'Sullivan, codirected by Alex Thompson

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday August 20

Doors Open: 6.30 pm

GHOSTLIGHT centres on Dan (Keith Kupferer) a melancholic middle aged construction worker grieving after a family tragedy. Cut off from his loving family, wife Sharon (Tara Mallen), and daughter Daisy (Katheren Mallen Kupferer). Dan discovers comfort and community from a group of amateur actors rehearing for their production of Romeo and Juliet.

First premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival this movie was praised for the touching and gently comedic tale of the healing power of art and amateur theatre.

Real life family performances bring tenderness and authenticity to this poignant portrait of a family dealing with loss. Dolly de Leon is hilarious as Dan’s irascible, improbable co-star!

Co-directed by Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan.

“ A masterfully crafted work with nearly no false notes” The Film Stage

REELS WINE SELECTION

GHOSTLIGHT

Wine themes:

# Theatre – drama, heroes, villains, etc.

# Love and Romance - mostly ill-fated

# “Romeo and Juliet” – ends in tragedy

REDS

“Take it to the Grave” Barossa Shiraz, 2025

John Tate Winemakers “Torch Song” Western Australia, Shiraz Cabernet Merlot, 2022

“Dead End” McLaren Vale, Tempranillo, 2022

NON-REDS

Cupio aka “Cupid”, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc

“The Hero” Australia, Pinot Grigio, 2026

SWEET

Gossips “Sweet Lips” Australia, Moscato, 2025

All of us Strangers (2023), Britain, Written and directed by Andrew Haigh

 All of us Strangers, 2023, (Britain)

Written and directed by Andrew Haigh

Sir Robert Helpman Theatre

Thursday July 23

Doors Open: 6.30 pm

Adam (Andrew Scott) begins a relationship with mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal) after a chance encounter. As they become closer Adam is drawn back to the childhood home where his parents are still living just as they were 30 years ago on the day they died!!

This psychological Drama and Romance features Clair Foy as Harry’s mum and Jaimie Bell as Harry’s Dad. Directed by Andrew Haigh based upon the novel by Taichi Yamada.

Nominated for BAFTA for 2024 Outstanding British film of the year.

A beautiful meditation on loss and the connection between familial love and romantic love.

REELS WINE SELECTION

“All of Us Strangers”

Wine themes:

# Strangers / the unknown / suspicion

# Love

# Memory/Nostalgia

REDS

Hidden Ridge “187’” Coonawarra Shiraz, 2024

Taylors’ “Discoveries” South Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023

“Sweet Caroline” Australia, Merlot, 2024

(who doesn’t feel a wave of nostalgia at this one???)

NON-REDS

“Sidewood”, Adelaide Hills, Sauvignon Blanc, 2025

(Strangers, checked out in sideward glances…)

“Sweet Caroline” Australia, Pinot Grigio, 2025

(the nostalgia continues)

SWEET

Bailey & Bailey, Australia, Pink Moscato

There’s Still Tomorrow, (C'è ancora domani) (2023) Italy, Directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker and actress Paola Cortellesi

 

There’s Still Tomorrow, 2023 (Italy)

Directed by Paola Cortellesi

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday June 25

Doors Open : 6.30 pm

The film is set in postwar Rome. 

A working class wife and mother dreams of a better future, Delia breaks traditional family patterns and takes steps towards a different future after receiving a mysterious letter. Delia faces regular verbal and physical abuse from husband Ivano, while still caring for her sullen father in law, Ottorina. She can also see that her daughter Marcella and her relationship with her bossy, controlling fiancé Giulio is heading for a similarly abusive marriage.

After being advised to leave her abusive husband by her group of married friends. Delia decides to fight against her inferior status by voting in the constitutional referendum after receiving her first voter card.

Italian film critics praised the direction and screenplay which deals with issues of feminisim and patriarchy as well as performances by lead actors Cortellesi, Fanelli and Mastandrea.

The film stars Paola Cortellesi who has also directed and co- written the screen play. Awards include Best New Director , Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay.

(Wikipedia viewed June 19,2026)

REELS WINE SELECTION

“There’s Still Tomorrow”

Wine themes:  

# An Italian comedy

# Women rising above their circumstances

REDS

  “Elena’s One & Only” McLaren Vale, Shiraz, 2022

  Tenuta “Sassoregale” Maremma Toscana, Italy, Sangiovese, 2022

NON-REDS

  Vigneti del Sole,  Italy,  Soave, 2024 (similar to Sauv Blanc) 

  “Ciao Bella”, Delle Venezie, Italy, Pinot Grigio, 2024

   Mitolo“Jester”  McLaren Vale, Sangiovese Rosé, 2026

All We Imagine as Light (2024) India, Directed by Payal Kapadia

 

All We Imagine as Light 2024 (India)

Directed by Payal Kapadia

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday May 21

Doors Open :6.30

Special Treat: Indian Sweets will be served before the movie

Described by reviewers as a dreamlike, tender and deeply humanistic drama, the film follows the story of three nurses in modern day Mumbai. A mood of romantic and emotional insecurity hangs over these women’s lives. Kapadia’s story telling is fluent and absorbing. A bitter sweet exploration of urban loneliness. “In times when reality asserts itself harshly Kapadia reminds us that dreaming is also a form of resistance (Gisela Savdie)

They endure the nerve jangling unhappiness and stress of living in a big city – where you are surrounded by people but are effectively alone. When Parvaty decides to quit her job and move home to her small village on the coast, Prabha and Anu decide to accompany her.

Prabha finds relief when she is called on to use her professional skills in a crisis. She also realizes what it has meant to be separated from her husband for so long and also from her own happiness and future. It makes her understand how unhappy her husband has been and the nature of the darkness in which They have both been living.

REELS WINE SELECTION

“All We Imagine as Light”

Wine themes:

# An Indian Film

# Light & its effects eg shadows, silhouettes

# Secrets / A secret love affair

REDS

“Elephant in the Room”(note small ears = Indian elephant) Barossa, Splendiferous Shiraz, 2022

“Secret Tracks” Coonawarra, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 

Giesen “Pure Light” New Zealand, Merlot, 2023

NON-REDS

Petaluma “Lumos” Adelaide Hills, Sauvignon Blanc

“Billy’s Shadow”, France, Chardonnay, 2023

Baily & Baily “Silhouette series” Australia, Pink Moscato, 2025

Riviera Revenge (2025) France, Directed by Ivan Calberac

 

Riviera Revenge 2025 (France)

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday April 16

Doors Open 6.30pm

A jealous and conservative husband, retired officer Francois (Andre Dusosollier) launches a quest for revenge after discovering his wife Annie (Sabine Azema) had an affair 40 years ago.

Directed by Ivan Calberac, this light hearted and charming comedy is set on the picturesque French Riviera with performances that bring depth to a potentially unsympathetic character.

Recommended for those who enjoy a character driven French comedy-drama with scenic cinematography.

Review Limelight Magazine

Special Reminder: DVD’s on sale table before the movie

REELS WINE SELECTION

“Riviera Revenge”

Wine themes:

# A French Film / The French Riviera

# Former General Francois and his wife Annie

# A long-hidden secret discovered

# Love and War

REDS

“Annie’s Lane” Adelaide, Shiraz, 2025

Taylors “Discoveries” South Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023

“Love not War” Spain, Tempranillo, 2022

NON-REDS

“Mateus” Portugal, Rosé (note the Eiffel Tower on the label) Jean-Claude Mas, France, Le Sauvignon Blanc, 2023

“La Belle Angele” France, Chardonnay, 2023

Black dog (2024) China, Directed by Guan Hu

 

Black dog 2024 (China)

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday March 19

Doors Open at 6.30pm

Directed by Guan Hu and starring Eddie Peng and Tong Liya, the film tells the story of Lang returning to his home town on the edge of the Gobi desert after serving a jail sentence for manslaughter. 

He joins a team of locals tasked with eliminating a large pack of stray dogs prior to the 2008 Olympic games in China. 

Lang targets a large black dog who has a bounty on its head for biting people and spreading disease. Lang and the black dog become an unlikely team in a landscape of danger and change in Northwest China.

REELS WINE SELECTION

“Black dog”

Wine themes:

#A Chinese Film 

#Dog/A black dog

REDS

“Barking mad” Watervale, Shiraz, 2020

“Black Dog” Bent Creek, McLaren Vale, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020

“Cali Smooth” By Snoop Dogg, Silky Red, Blend, in partnership with 19 Crimes Wines

NON-REDS

“Mateus” Portugal, Rosé, (note the Chinese flag on the label)

“Sit Stay Society” Clare Valley, Violet’s Grüner, Veltliner, 2022

Jamieson’s Run “Billy’s Shadow” Coonawarra, Chardonnay, 2025, (Shadow = dog; see label)