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)

The teacher who promised the Sea (2023), Spain, Directed by Patricia Font

 The teacher who promised the Sea 2023 (Spain) 

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday February 19,

Doors Open: 6.30pm

Based on the true story of Antoni Benaiges (Eric Auquer), a Catalan teacher who brings innovative

teaching methods to a small Burgos village in1935 just before the Spanish civil war. This story is

matched against the story of Ariadna (Laia Costa) trying to uncover the fate of her grandfathers’

teacher who is targeted by local authorities.

This is an emotional historical drama which comments on the power of education and the

importance of memory.

REELS WINE SELECTION

“The Teacher Who Promised the Sea”

Wine themes:

#A Spanish Film 

#Civil War/Revolution

#A Compassionate Teacher / A Hero

REDS

“Children of the Revolution” South Australia, Shiraz, 2024

“Love not War” Tierra de Castilla, Spain, Tempranillo, 2020

“Seleccion De Fincas” Spain, Garnacha, 2022 (Grenache)

NON-REDS

“Marques de Risqual” Spain, Verdejo 2021

“The Hero” Australia, Rosé, 2025

“Saint & Scholar” Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, 2023

A Little Something Extra (2024), France, Written and Directed and starring popular French comedian Artus.

 

A Little Something Extra 2024 (French Comedy)

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre

Thursday January 15,

Door Open: 6.30 pm

To escape the police, a son and his father find refuge in a summer camp for young adults with disabilities. They pose as a resident and his teacher. This gives rise to a wonderful human experience which changes them forever.

A predictable, saccharine, manipulative and contrived movie- while also being genuinely funny and occasionally quite moving – It has its heart in the right place.

Directed by and starring popular French comedian Artus.

Rotten tomatoes Review by Graeme Tuckett 4/5

REELS WINE SELECTION

“A Little Something Extra”

Wine themes:

#A Father and Son on the Run

#Criminals on the Lam

#People with Disabilities – a group that can suffer with being insulted and called names

REDS

Pertaringa, McLaren Vale “Under Cover” Shiraz, 2023

“19 Crimes” Nuriootpa Cabernet Sauvignon

“The Sticks & Stones”, McLaren Vale,

Tempranillo, Tinta Cao, Souzao, Touriga Nacional, 2021

NON-REDS

“The Family”, Trentham Estate, Vermentino 2025

“19 Crimes” Nuriootpa Moscato

“Tread Softly” Sauvignon Blanc 2025