The Old Oak (2023), England, Screenplay by Paul Laverty, Directed by Ken Loach

The Old Oak  (2023) England

Screenplay by Paul Laverty

Directed by Ken Loach

Thursday June 19^th

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Doors Open: 6.30pm

  

The local publican of a previously thriving mining community battles to keep his pub open after the mines close … tensions rise in the town when Syrian refugees arrive to live in houses left empty after mining closures.

The old Oak becomes a beacon of hope in an otherwise cruel and vicious world where people must choose between affording heating or food.

The story revolves around a town in Northern England where unemployed miners and a group of Syrian refugees must learn to share The Old Oak- the only public gathering place .

Publican TJ Bannatyne (Dan Turner) grows to know and appreciate Yara (Ebla Mari) and her refugee family as they organise a food initiative for the struggling mining community.

The movie speaks poignantly about both issues in the British political scene: unemployment and poverty. Direction by Ken Loach is matched with beautiful cinematography and excellent acting, however The Old Oak highlights the humanity of a community that works together regardless of origin, religion or skin colour. 

Review by Clotilde Chinnici

 

 

“The Old Oak”

Movie / Wine themes: 

 The Old Oak …and other trees  (most only apparent on the label)

Oakridge (Yarra Valley) Pinot Noir, various years

Tempus Two (NSW) Shiraz 2022

Sidewood (Adelaide Hills) Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Banrock Station (southeast) Pink Moscato 2024

 

 The challenge of bringing together locals and refugees, with the pub owner as middleman

The Blend, Balnaves of Coonawarra Blended Red, 2020

In the Middle (NSW) Chardonnay 2024

La Chimera (2023) Italy, Written and Directed by Alice Rohrwacher

 La Chimera (2023) Italy,

Written and Directed by Alice Rohrwacher

^{Thursday May 15}

^{Sir Robert Helman Theatre}

^{Doors Open: 6.30pm}

Story centers on Arthur, a renegade British Archeologist in 1980’s Tuscany.  Arthur (Josh O’Connor) is a young man in an old soul, adrift and disconnected from the world. Torn between his lost love and a gang of rowdy grave robbers.

“Josh O’Connor digs deep for one of his finest performances in Alice Rohrwackers glorious Italian language film.” The Guardian.

Arthur reluctantly inhabits the present but is drawn to the past, the distant past and the beauty of ancient artefacts that he hawks to collectors.  He is also enchanted by a more recent past and the memory of a lost love Beniamina.

“ In his ghostly off white suit, its grubby linen the colour of a recently disinterred shroud, Arthur looks like a fallen angel from a Caravaggio painting.”

Wendy Ide, The Guardian

 

Wine themes:

Raiding tombs for lost treasures from the past.

This month's wines are all treasures from the Reels Wine selections from previous months.

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

Thursday April 17

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Doors Open :6.30pm

The Eight Mountains (2022) Italy

Based on the book by Paolo Cognetti.

Directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch

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".