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