The Monk and the Gun (2023) Bhutan, directed, written and co-produced by Pawo Choyning Dorji

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

 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

 

Join us for the AGM and watch Charcoal, Carvão

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 (2023) Written and directed by Barnaby Thompson

 

Mad about the Boy: The Noel Coward Story

Venue: The Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Date: Thursday September 25^th

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, (2024), Iran, written and directed by Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha

 

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

Wicked Little Letters, (2023) England, Directed by Thea Sharrock and written by Jonny Sweet starring Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan and Timothy Spall

Wicked Little Letters

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday July 24,

Doors Open: 6.30 pm

Directed by Thea Sharrock and written by Jonny Sweet starring Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana

Vasan and Timothy Spall

Wicked Little Letters is an incredibly funny, cheeky, and punchy film that will be sure to put a smile

on your face.

It follows a series of bizarre events as the pious and reserved Edith receives a string of crude letters,

supposedly from her boisterous neighbour Rose. It is one of those delightful British films that brings

to a light a surprisingly true story and packs it full of brilliant British talent.

The story is great fun. As mentioned, it is cheeky and lewd, but this isn't the only string to its bow.

There are some brilliantly fleshed out and interesting lead characters as well as a great collection of

supporting characters, which gives it a great blend of comedy and drama.

Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman as the two leads are both brilliant as expected. They each bring a

different style of comedy to their characters, elevating the witty dialogue superbly. They are just

such great fun to watch.

Overall, this film is just an absolute hoot. It is fun and quirky and boisterous and just a really good

time.

(Ethan Bresnett July 2024)

REELS WINE SELECTIONS

“Wicked Little Letters”

Movie / Wine themes:

# Insults and Abuse – delivered anonymously in the Mail

# Gossip, Accusations, Suspicions and Loyalties

The Wines:

Reds

D’Arenberg “Sticks and Stones” (McLaren Vale) Blended

Red, 2019 70% Tempranillo, Souzao, Grenache, Touriga, Tinta Cao

Old Fat Unicorn (Sth Australia) Shiraz 2024

Barking Mad (Watervale) Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Non-Reds

Fat Bastard (California) Chardonnay 2022

Sidewood (Adelaide Hills) Sauvignon Blanc 2024

(side-wood glances of suspicion)

Gossips (NSW) Pink Moscato 2024

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