Screened "Chinese Takeaway"

Thursday 16 May 2013
6.30pm drink and nibbles
7.00pm film screens

Winner of Best Film and the Audience Award at the Rome International Film Festival, CHINESE TAKEAWAY is a comedy following the relationship between a reclusive Spanish hardware store owner and a Chinese immigrant, thrown together by an absurd twist of fate.

For over 20 years, introverted hardware store owner Roberto (Ricardo Darín, THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES) has lived virtually shut off from the outside. After a chance encounter with Jun, a Chinese man who has arrived in Argentina looking for his only living relative, Roberto takes him in. Their unusual cohabitation helps Roberto bring an end to his loneliness, but not without revealing to the impassive Jun that destiny's intersections are many and they can even divulge the film's surreal opening sequence: a brindled cow falling from the sky.

The end credits reveal that one of the most unlikely elements of the plot was actually based on an incredible real-life incident that gave the writer-director the inspiration for the film in the first place. Truth is certainly stranger than fiction, it seems.

"...the character that is created, he's so obsessive. I love the moment you meet him. He is counting out nails in a box of 500 and absolutely incensed because there's ten short." Margaret Pomeranz, ABC's At the Movies

7.2/10 IMDB

3.5 stars Margaret and David

Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDhNkFDPbeQ

Director: Sebastian Borensztein
Producer: Pablo Bossi, Juan Pablo Buscarini, Gerardo Herrero, Axel Kuschevatzky, Ben Odell
Cast: Muriel Santa Ana, Ignacio Huang, Enric Cambray
Classification: M
Duration: 106 mins
Genre: Drama
Lead actor: Ricardo Darin
Screenplay: Sebastian Borensztein
Music: Lucio Godoy
Distributor: Rialto Distribution
Country: Argentina

Language: Spanish/Mandarin with English subtitles

Screened "Marley"

4th April 2013
6.30pm for pre-screening drink and nibbles
7.00pm film screens


Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. 

MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.
Directed by Kevin MacDonald.

7.8 out of 10 IMDB rating

Trailer http://www.magpictures.com/marley/

Rated PG 13
In English

Screened "We have a Pope"

Thursday 14 March 2013
6.30pm complimentary glass of wine and nibbles
7.00pm film screens

We have a Pope (Habemus Papam)

"Brilliantly witty."
THE GUARDIAN

Following the funeral of the Pope, the red robed cardinals convene to elect a successor. Cardinal Gregori (Renato Scarpa) is the odds-on favorite but surprisingly is beaten in the second round by French cardinal Melville (Michel Piccoli.) The decision made, Melville is led towards the balcony to address the waiting crowds of the faithful but experiences a last minute panic and flees.

While the Vatican spokesman, (Jerzy Stuhr) madly troubleshoots, a psychoanalyst (Nanni Moretti) is brought in to assess and cure the future pontiff. Memorable characters and Piccoli's incredible performance as the frail old Cardinal make this comedy a delight. Moretti co-wrote a script that is full of inventive moments and cements him is one of the most creative filmmakers in Italy today.

At the Cannes screening of the film (where it was in competition), Moretti (The Son's Room) was moved to tears when he received a 10 minute standing ovation.


Cannes Film Festival 2011
In Competition

Nastri d'argento Awards 2011
Winner - Best Director,
Best Cinematography,
Best Costume Design,
Best Original Story, Best Producer,
Best Production Design.

Director:
Nanni Moretti, 2011 | 102'

Cast: 
Michel Piccoli, Nanni Moretti, Jerzy Stuhr, Renato Scarpa, Margherita Buy.

Language:
Italian with English subtitles

Trailer http://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/2011/films/wehaveapope/

Screened | Valentine's Day 14 February | Country Wedding

'Country Wedding'

Valentine's Day, Thursday 14 February 2013

Drinks and nibbles 6.30pm

Film screens 7pm

Mt Gambier’s official film society, Reels at Wehl, brings a film to Mount Gambier that has been screened at film festivals in London, Paris, New York, Chicago, Toronto and other international cities. The film ‘Country Wedding’ will screen on Valentine’s Day, Thursday 14^th February at 7pm at Wehl Street Theatre.

‘Country Wedding’ follows the comic misadventures of a bridal party that leaves from Reykiavik (Iceland) on two buses for a rustic, romantic wedding. Only two people know the location of the venue, so getting lost forms part of the comedy.  ‘Country Wedding’ was shot in only seven days with multiple cameras supervised by ‘Slumdog Millionaire’s’ cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantie. The first time director, Valdis Óskarsdóttir has worked on the films of Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier among others.

When Reels has screened on Valentine’s day over the last five years there is a full house and they suggest people gather by 6.30pm. Reels at Wehl Film Society is membership based due to copyright laws and new members are always welcome with a minimum three films membership ($30 or $27 concession). Memberships include a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles. Drinks and nibbles are from 6.30pm and the film screens 7.00pm.

‘Country Wedding’ is rated M.

Screened "TRISHNA" Thursday 10 January 2013

6.30pm drinks and nibbles
7.00pm film screens
Thursday 10 January 2013
At the historic Wehl Street Theatre, Mount Gambier

**** Margaret Pomeranz "ABC's At the Movies"


"POWERFUL. Freida Pinto commands the screen, the film is as deep and thrilling as Pinto’s performance, leaving us not just stirred but thoroughly shaken."
Karen Durbin, Elle Magazine

"Infused with the spirit of India. Riz Ahmed is a revelation, showings bags of leading man ability in a performance of immense charm and edge."
Allan Hunter, Screen International

"Nobody can take an audience on a journey like Michael Wintebottom and this film is no exception."
E. Nina Roth, Huffington Post

The bold new adaptation of Thomas Hardy's 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'

 From acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom (GENOVA, A MIGHTY HEART) comes a modern day re-telling of Thomas Hardy's classic novel "Tess of the d’Ubervilles". Starring SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE’S Freida Pinto, TRISHNA is a beautifully shot tale of love and tragedy set across modern day rural Rajasthan and the thriving metropolis of Mumbai. 

Trishna (Freida Pinto) lives a poor, sheltered life until one day she meets the wealthy young Jay (Riz Ahmed), who has come back to India to work in his father's hotel business. Being the sole provider for her family since her father’s accident, Trishna agrees to leave Rajasthan to work for Jay, and gradually they fall in love. Despite their feelings for each other, their relationship must remain a secret due to the conflicting pressures of a traditional society. 

After a dramatic event separates the two, Jay tracks Trishna down and offers her a more liberated life full of possibility in Mumbai. As time passes, the relationship begins to transform and Jay’s true character emerges. Trishna soon finds herself torn between her family, a life of new freedom and the reality of her troubled relationship

Release details: Limited national release
Classification: MA
Duration: 117 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Lead actor: Freida Pinto
Cast: Riz Ahmed, Roshan Seth, Kalki Koechl, Anurag Kashyap
Producer: Sunil Bohra, Melissa Parmenter, Michael Winterbottom
Screenplay: Thomas Hardy (Novel)
Music: Amit Trivedi, Shigeru Umebayashi
Distributor: Madman Entertainment
Language: English
Country: United Kingdom

Trailer http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s3481321.htm

Screened Thursday 29 Nov 2012 "Happy Happy" with Christmas happy drinks

“A winning comedy that gets good-natured fun out of characters behaving badly.” -VARIETY

6.30pm Christmas drinks and nibbles
7.00pm Film screens

Family is the most important thing in the world to Kaja. She is an eternal optimist in spite of living with a man who would rather go hunting with the boys, and who refuses to have sex with her because she "isn't particularly attractive" anymore. Whatever. That's life.

But when "the perfect couple" moves in next door, Kaja struggles to keep her emotions in check. Not only do these successful, beautiful, exciting people sing in a choir; they have also adopted a child – from Ethiopia! These new neighbors open a new world to Kaja, with consequences for everyone involved. And when Christmas comes around, it becomes evident that nothing will ever be like before – even if Kaja tries her very best.


AWARDS
Official Oscar® Entry - NORWAY - Best Foreign Language Film

Official Selection:
2011 Sundance Film Festival – Winner World Cinema Jury Prize
2011 ND/NF Film Festival
2011 Seattle International Film Festival

"I wanted to tell the story of an insistently happy person. No matter how hopeless and tragic the world may be, she smiles. Kaia lives through others, wants to be like everyone else, maybe for want of individual foundations. Her driving force becomes happiness; she’s made joy her survival strategy."  Anne Sewitsky, Director

Official website including trailer
http://www.magpictures.com/happyhappy/


Year :        2010
Director : Anne Sewitzky
Cast : Agnes Kittelson, Henrik Rafaelson, Maibritt Saerens, 
                Joachim Rafaelson
Genre : Comedy/Drama
Country : Norway
Language : Norwegian (English Subtitles)
Rating : M
Running Time : 88 mins.

ABOUT THE ACTORS


AGNES KITTELSEN (Kaia)
Agnes Kittelsen graduated from the Norwegian Faculty for Performing Arts and was last seen as Tikken Manus in Max Manus. For this role she won an Amanda award for Best Female Supporting Role (2009) and Kanonprisen for Best Female Actor. Agnes has also played in the TV series Skolen and Brødrene Dal og mysteriet om Karl XIIs gamasjer on NRK, and in Unni Lindell's Honningfellen.


JOACHIM RAFAELSEN (Eirik)
Joachim Rafaelsen graduated from the Norwegian Faculty for Performing Arts. He acted in his first film at the age of 15, as Ole in Haakon Haakonsson, and has since then been in Glasskår, I am Dina, House of Fools, Codename Hunter, En udødelig mann, Sons, Hawaii Oslo and Varg Veum – Fallen Angels. On TV he has been in Sejer - elskede Poona and Lekestue on NRK.


MAIBRITT SAERENS (Elisabeth)
Maibritt Saerens is a Danish actress educated at Aarhus teater and employed both there and at The Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. She has played in a number of Danish TV series, and is best known to Norwegians as Søs in Better Times which has aired on NRK.


HENRIK RAFAELSEN (Sigve)
Henrik Rafaelsen graduated from the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts and is today employed by the National Theatre in Oslo. He has also been in productions at Det Norske Teatret and at Stockholm’s Stadsteater. In 2005 he played the lead in Robert Wilson's staging of Peer Gynt. He has also been in the films 5 Lies, Izzat, Tommy's Inferno and Angel. He also plays one of the leads in Limbo which premiered in the fall of 2010.


ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

ANNE SEWITSKY (Director) 
Recently graduated from the Norwegian Film School in Lillehammer, HAPPY, HAPPY is Anne Sewitsky’s debut as a feature film director. She has previously directed the short film Oh my god! for which she won an award in the category Generation Kplus at the Berlin Film Festival (2009). She has also directed episodes of Himmelblå (NRK) and was co-director of the TV series Norwegian Cozy which will air on NRK this fall.

SYNNOVE HORSDAL (Producer)
Synnove Horsdal is managing director, producer and partner in Maipo AS, and has been with the company since its inception in 2000. She is educated in film production in England, where she produced several short films and documentaries before returning to Norway in 1996. She has held – and holds – a number of positions in the film business, including being on the board of the Norwegian Film and TV Producers' Association. Synnove has produced 8 feature films, including Just Bea and The Last Joint Venture, as well as the TV series All for One.

ANNA MYKING (Director of Photography)
HAPPY, HAPPY is Anna Myking’s debut as feature film photographer. She has previously been the photographer on, among other projects, Anne Sewitsky's short Oh my god! and the documentary 99% ærlig which played in cinemas in 2008, as well as the teen film Respect (1st  assistant camera). She has also been D.O.P. for a number of episodes of the TV series Hvaler.

RAGNHILD TRONVOLL (Screenplay)
Ragnhild Tronvoll was born and raised in Trondheim. She received her screenplay degree from the Norwegian Film School in Lillehammer, and has earned a living writing since graduating in 2006. She has, among other projects, been involved in developing Krønsj – a sitcom for children for NRK Radio, and she wrote the screenplay for the short feature Bokaj (graduation film from film school) which has won several awards at festivals – including silver at Cinema Juve, Valencia 2007.

Ragnhild also has a degree in graphic design and illustration from the Bergen National Academy of the Arts. She has studied fiction writing at Skrivekunstakademiet in Hordaland, and worked in an ad agency.



FULL LIST OF FESTIVAL SCREENINGS AND AWARDS
FESTIVAL SCREENINGS & AWARDS

Official Oscar® Entry – NORWAY - Best Foreign Language Film

USA 2011:

Sundance Film Festival – Winner: World Cinema Grand Jury Award

ND/NF Film Festival

Seattle International Film Festival

Minneapolis / St. Paul International Film Festival

Washington DC International Film Festival 

Provincetown Film Festival

Nantucket Film Festival

Outfest

Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival

Estes Park Film Festival 

Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival 

Berkshire International Film Festival 

Tallgrass Film Festival, Wichita

INTERNATIONAL 2011:

Göteborg International Film Festival

Cinénygma Luxembourg International Film Festival 

Transilvania International Film Festival

Norwegian Film Festival – Winner: Best Male Actor

Sydney Film Festival

Festival du Film de Cabour – Winner: Jury’s Special Mention

Brussels Film Festival – Winner: Best Screenplay

Jerusalem International Film Festival

L' Isola del Cinema, Rome

Guanajuato International Film Festival - Expresión en Corto

Espoo Ciné International Film Festival

Festival do Rio – Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival

Nordic Film Days Lübeck

Molodist – Kiev International Film Festival

Seville European Film Festival

Leiden International Film Festival

Calgary International Film Festival

Vancouver International Film Festival

Canberra International Film Festival

Zurich Film Festival – Winner: Film Critics Award

European Film Forum Scanorama, Vilnius

Screened Thursday 18 October 2012

film to be advised