This June, the annual Sydney Film Festival is promising to deliver more cinematic goodness that you can poke a bucket of popcorn at. Running for 12 days (7-18 June 2017), the 64th year of the event is shaping up to be what cinema lover’s dreams are made of.
With an incredible selection of feature films, short films, and documentaries set to grace our city’s screens next month, The Plus Ones have narrowed down the 400+ events into five must-see films.
Happy End
Happy End @ The State Theatre/Hayden Orpheum (Sat 10/Sun 11/Sun 18 June)
From Austrian director Michael Haneke, the two-time winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or comes Happy End, starring Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Mathieu Kassovitz. Focussing upon the lives of a wealthy family living in Calais, France, the film explores the varying problems that plague our world’s different generations, with this generational difference serving as the key theme throughout the movie.
We Don’t Need a Map @ The State Theatre (Wed 7 June)
From the award-winning creative mind that brought audiences Samson and Delilah in 2009 comes the newest work from filmmaker Warwick Thornton. No stranger to controversy, Thornton’s We Don’t Need a Map investigates our nation’s relationship to the symbolic Southern Cross in this humorous but thought-provoking journey across Australia’s many landscapes, both literal and cultural.
I Am Not Your Negro
I Am Not Your Negro @ The State Theatre/The Ritz Cinema (Mon 12/Tues 13/Sat 17 June)
This Oscar-nominated film presents the passionate but ultimately unpublished words of James Baldwin, one of America’s most incisive racial commentators. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, I Am Not Your Negro blends together archival footage of notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X with contemporary Black Lives Matter protests to deliver what has been described as one of the greatest movies about the civil rights movement ever.
The Beguiled @ The State Theatre (Sat 17/Sun 18 June)
With acclaimed screenwriter Sofia Coppola at the helm, The Beguiled is the screen adaptation of Thomas Cullinan’s Civil War-set novel that delivers to the audience a captivating tale of jealousy, love and revenge. Starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, this is sure to be a favourite amongst festival-goers.
Song to Song @ Hayden Orpheum/Event Cinemas George Street (Fri 16/Sat 17 June)
With an all-star cast including Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett, Song to Song is as a dreamy tale of music, love and betrayal. Set in Austin, Texas, the film centres around the characters’ seductions and successes, with appearances from notable musicians throughout its duration.
Song to Song
– Harry
Harry Russell is a 21-year-old law student from Cronulla who can cook 2 minute noodles in 1 minute and 58 seconds. Follow him at harryrussell_.
The 64th Sydney Film Festival runs from 7–18 June 2017 at various locations. Entry prices vary. Purchase tickets now at www.sff.org.au.
Venues are accessible.
