Like the Terminator, we are BACK tonight – so come along and join us for our first screenings of the new decade!
This week, Sarah Connor returns, Angelina Jolie reprises her role as Maleficent and Samara Weaving delivers a star-making turn in an outrageous horror-comedy. And if you’re already missing Christmas, we’ve got you covered with a new Christmas rom-com featuring the music of George Michael.
• FRI 17 JAN @ 7:30 PM: TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (MA, 128 mins) + READY OR NOT (MA, 95 mins)
27 years after the events of Judgment Day, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) returns to fight for the future by protecting a young girl who is key to mankind’s survival – with the aid of an original T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger).
Then, in READY OR NOT, a bride (Samara Weaving) finds her wedding night taking a sinister turn when she is hunted by her new husband's eccentric family as part of a wedding ritual in this horror-comedy.
• SAT 18 JAN @ **5 PM**: MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG, 119 mins)
In Disney’s sequel to their 2014 fantasy-adventure, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and her goddaughter Aurora (Elle Fanning) find their complex family ties tested by dark new forces and an impending war. Also starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
• SAT 18 JAN @ 7:30 PM: LAST CHRISTMAS (PG, 103 mins)
An unlucky woman (Emilia Clarke) gets a second chance at life and love when she meets a mysterious man (Henry Golding) in this Christmas romantic comedy inspired by the music of George Michael and Wham!
** ‘NO GUESTS’ SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: TERMINATOR: DARK FATE, MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL **
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WIN TICKETS TO ‘SEBERG’ – IN CINEMAS JANUARY 30
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Thanks to Icon Film Distribution, we have tickets to give away to SEBERG, a new political thriller starring Kristen Stewart!
Inspired by true events, the film tells the story of actress Jean Seberg (Stewart), darling of the French New Wave, who in the late 1960s was targeted by an illegal FBI surveillance program due to her political and personal involvement with the Black Power movement.
Also starring Jack O’Connell, Anthony Mackie and Vince Vaughn, SEBERG is in cinemas from January 30 – and we have five double passes up for grabs. To go into the running to win, all you have to do email us at info@anufg.org.au with (1) your name, (2) your membership number, and (3) the name of the actress who plays Jean Seberg in this film.
Entries close on Friday 24 January at 11:59 PM, with only winners to be contacted via email to organise prize collection.
We hope that you have all been keeping safe, cool and healthy over the holiday break. Screenings from our Summer 2019/20 programme will be resuming next week on Friday 17 January with many big films to come in the remaining weeks before the season ends on February 16, including KNIVES OUT, JUDY, FORD V FERRARI, TERMINATOR: DARK FATE and DOCTOR SLEEP.
And our Autumn 2020 season will then kick off just two days later on Monday 18 February. More details on our new season – as well as the full line-up – will be announced before the end of January.
Finally, while we have your attention, we'd like to think that an ANU Film Group membership has helped save you a bit of moviegoing money over the years, whether you've been a member for one year or 30.
With that in mind, we would love it if you would consider donating some of those savings to support those who have been affected by the bushfires sweeping across our beautiful country. Whether it's towards our firies, people who have lost their homes or endangered wildlife, your contribution can't go wrong.
So if you are in a position to do so, please head to this link to find out how you can donate: https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/how-you-can-donate-to-bushfire-appeals
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SCREENING CHANGE: 'BY THE GRACE OF GOD' ON FRIDAY 31 JANUARY
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As you may recall, we are no longer able to screen MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN as originally scheduled on Friday 31 January due to a release date change. In its place, we will instead be screening BY THE GRACE OF GOD, the powerful new drama from acclaimed French director François Ozon.
In the film, a family man who was abused as a child by his priest joins forces with two fellow survivors to expose the Catholic Church and their inaction in the face of rampant sexual abuse. What follows is a sobering, gripping and fact-based account of a group of survivors' quest for the truth.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD will screen on Friday 31 January at 7:30 PM. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and will endeavour to screen MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN as part of an upcoming programme.
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WIN TICKETS TO 'GO!' – IN CINEMAS JANUARY 16
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Thanks to Roadshow Films, we have tickets to give away to GO! – a new Australian family film starring Richard Roxburgh and Frances O'Connor.
The film tells the story of young Jack (William Lodder), who moves with his single mother (Frances O’Connor) to a small town in Western Australia. He soon gets involved in the competitive world of go-kart racing and eventually sets out to win the National Go Kart Championship with the help of a mysterious mentor (Richard Roxburgh).
For your chance to win 1 of 20 in-season double passes to see GO! in cinemas from January 16, all you have to do is email us at info@anufg.org.au with (1) your name, (2) your membership number, and (3) tell us the title of another film about racing coming up as part of our Summer season.
Entries will close on Thursday 16 January at 11:59 PM, with winners to be notified via email.
Thanks to Icon Films, we have double passes to give away to the new film by Ken Loach, SORRY WE MISSED YOU, which is in cinemas on December 26.
SORRY WE MISSED YOU tells the story of Ricky and his family who have been fighting an uphill struggle against debt since the 2008 financial crash. An opportunity to wrestle back some independence appears with a shiny new van and the chance to run a franchise as a self-employed delivery driver. It's hard work, and his wife's job as a carer is no easier. The family unit is strong but when both are pulled in different directions everything comes to breaking point.
For your chance to win one of three double passes to the film, simply email us at info@anufg.org.au with (1) your name, (2) your membership number, and (3) the name of the person who directed SORRY WE MISSED YOU.
Entries close on Monday December 23, with only winners to be contacted via email to organise prize collection.
And that’s a wrap on screenings for 2019…
Thank you to everyone who supported us during our first year in our new cinema home. From Kambri to new membership cards, systems, popcorn, the past 10 months have certainly been exciting (to say the least) and we’re incredibly grateful to all of you that have stuck with us through this transitional period.
We will return on Friday 17 January for the remaining five weeks of our Summer 2019/20 programme with plenty more exciting films to come, including KNIVES OUT, FORD V FERRARI, DOCTOR SLEEP, HUSTLERS, TERMINATOR: DARK FATE and more!
Not yet a member, or looking for a gift that keeps on giving? If so, we’ve got the thing for you – if you purchase a current Annual Membership for yourself or as a gift before the end of the year, we’ll extend it by one additional season for FREE! This means that your Annual membership will be valid for the remainder of our current Summer season – and allow you to attend screenings all the way up until February 2021.
This offer is only valid for new Annual ($90) memberships purchased online and paid for by Tuesday 31 December 2019, so be sure to get in quick by heading to www.anufg.org.au/join now!
Please note that if you already hold an Annual membership, your current membership will be valid until at least February 2020 (or later depending on when you purchased it). The price of Annual memberships will remain unchanged at $90, so renewing it now will be no different to renewing it upon expiry next year.
Of course, there’s nothing to stop you from renewing now and ticking it off your 2020 to-do list if you wish to do so!
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DONATE BLOOD AND GIFT THE GIFT OF LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS
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Already got your presents sorted? Looking for something to do over the screening break?
While we may be lucky enough to get a break for a few weeks, the need for blood donations unfortunately doesn’t take a holiday. So if you’re eligible and able to do so, we encourage you to please consider giving the gift of life by donating blood to the Australian Red Cross over Christmas.
Call 13 14 95 or go to the Red Cross website – www.donateblood.com.au – to make an appointment or find locations and hours for your local donor centre.
The ANU Film Group is also registered with the Red Cross’s Lifeblood Team program, which unites communities around Australia in saving lives through blood donations. You can nominate us as your associated club to demonstrate our support of this worthy cause the next time you visit a donor centre or anytime online by CLICKING HERE
It’s the final week of screenings for the year – and we’re closing out 2019 with an undead weekend of zom-coms (zombie-comedies, in case you were wondering) before we rise from the dead in a few weeks to do it all over again!
We also have a bit of popcorn leftover that we’d like to clear out before the screening break, so for this weekend only, you can take your pick of Salted or Salty Sweety treats for just $3 per bag. Guaranteed to be more delicious than brains... or is it?
• FRI 13 DEC @ 7:30 PM: ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP (MA, 99 mins)
A ragtag group of zombie hunters face off against new threats, including evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of a makeshift family in this sequel to 2009’s ZOMBIELAND. Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone.
• SAT 14 DEC @ 7:30 PM: THE DEAD DON’T DIE (MA, 105 mins) + SHAUN OF THE DEAD (MA, 99 mins)
In THE DEAD DON’T DIE, small town police officers find themselves battling a zombie horde as the undead begin rising from their graves. Indie director Jim Jarmusch directs an all-star cast including Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Tilda Swinton and more.
Then, in SHAUN OF THE DEAD (at approx. 9:15 PM), a down-on-his-luck loser (Simon Pegg) must step up to save his friends when his quiet English town is overrun by zombies in director Edgar Wright's zom-com cult classic that celebrates its 15th anniversary this year!
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NEW ENTERTAINMENT DIGITAL MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE
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If you’re still on the search for a Christmas present, the new Entertainment Digital Memberships could be what you’re looking for!
Now valid for 12 months from the day of activation, you can gift your special someone year-round savings with thousands of offers for dining, cinemas, events, attractions, gift cards and travel.
The Digital Memberships are now available in Single City ($69.99) or Multi City (from $119.99) options. Plus, as always, 20% from the sale of each Membership is donated to the ANU Film Group as part of our fundraising efforts.
Entertainment Memberships can be purchased online now at www.anufg.org/entbook
Only two weeks of screenings left until we take a break for Christmas – but there are plenty of films left to look forward to, including Brad Pitt in space, an unearthed Aretha Franklin documentary and a German true-life thriller. Plus, don’t let the undead keep you from next week’s Zom-Com Week featuring ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP, THE DEAD DON’T DIE and SHAUN OF THE DEAD!
• FRI 6 DEC @ 7:30 PM: AD ASTRA (M, 123 mins)
An astronaut (Brad Pitt) goes into space on a mission to find his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones) and unravel a mystery that threatens the universe. Also starring Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland.
• SAT 7 DEC @ **5 PM**: AMAZING GRACE (G, 88 mins)
A behind-the-scenes documentary directed by the late Sydney Pollack about the recording of Aretha Franklin's 1972 live album of the same name – finally released four decades after the footage was shot.
• SAT 7 DEC @ 7:30 PM: BALLOON (M, 125 mins)
In 1979, two families attempt to escape East Germany by crossing the border on a homemade hot air balloon in this true-story thriller. Presented in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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HUMAN RIGHTS DAY SCREENING: THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER @ 6 PM
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In celebration of Human Rights Day, the Embassy of Switzerland and Amnesty International will be co-hosting a screening of the Swiss film MARIO in partnership with the ANU Film Group on Thursday 12 December.
Directed by Marcel Gisler, MARIO (2018, 124 mins) revolves around two young soccer players who embark on a journey of love, sacrifice and self-discovery. Will they find the sporting world to be a uniting force for good?
The film will begin at 6 PM, with doors opening for entry from 5:30 PM. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring human rights advocate and former Socceroo Craig Foster alongside other eminent experts discussing the current state of human rights in the world of sports.
Entry into the event is free, but registration on Eventbrite is essential. Please secure your spot by CLICKING HERE
We round out the month of November with a weekend of thrillers and international films – but we’re already beginning work on our programme for the first season of the new year, so read on to find out how to suggest films for 2020!
• FRI 29 NOV @ 7:30 PM: THE INFINITE GARDEN (90 mins)
A man and his brother find themselves falling for the same woman, a florist who spends her nights crafting a miniature garden, in this romantic drama. Presented in partnership with the Embassy of Bulgaria.
• SAT 30 NOV @ 7:30 PM: DOGMAN (MA, 103 mins) + ANGEL OF MINE (MA, 98 mins)
A timid dog groomer is pushed to extremes to protect his family when his neighbourhood is threatened by a violent criminal in this crime thriller that was Italy’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submission for 2019.
Then, in ANGEL OF MINE (at approx. 9:15 PM), a grieving Melbourne woman loses her grip on reality as she becomes obsessed with her neighbour's daughter, believing the girl to be her own deceased child. Starring Noomi Rapace, Luke Evans, Yvonne Strahovski and Richard Roxburgh.
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SUGGEST FILMS FOR 2020
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There are still many weeks left of our current season – which runs all throughout Summer up until February 15, 2020 – but we’re already looking ahead at films for next year’s programme.
Have you got a film you’d like to see on our next programme? If so, make sure you fill out an online suggestion form at www.anufg.org.au/suggestions
We welcome any suggestions our members have for new releases, up-and-coming attractions, classics you’d like to see back on the big screen, themed nights and everything in between. While all suggestions are valued, there are many other factors including film costing and availability that we consider when programming. So if you’ve suggested something in previous years and are wondering why it hasn’t made it onto our programme, don’t despair – feel free to reach out to us and we’d be happy to chat!
Our regular programming resumes this week and continues up until December 14 when we’ll be taking a short break for the holiday period, with screenings resuming on January 17, 2020. But there’s still plenty to see at the ANU Film Group between now and then!
This week, check out the acclaimed Adam Goodes documentary, a clever live-action take on Dora the Explorer and Will Smith facing off against Will Smith in director Ang Lee’s latest.
• FRI 22 NOV @ 7:30 PM: THE AUSTRALIAN DREAM (MA, 105 mins)
A provocative look at what it means to be Australian, as told through the prism of AFL legend Adam Goodes and his personal journey and fight against racism.
• SAT 23 NOV @ **5 PM**: DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD (PG, 102 mins)
When her parents are kidnapped, young Dora must lead a rag tag group of adventurers into the jungle to uncover the mystery behind a lost civilisation in this clever, live-action take on the hit Nickelodeon series.
• SAT 23 NOV @ 7:30 PM: GEMINI MAN (M, 117 mins)
An aging assassin (Will Smith) finds himself in the ultimate battle: fighting a clone of himself who is 25 years younger and at the peak of his abilities in director Ang Lee's sci-fi action thriller.
** 'NO GUESTS' SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD **
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ANUFG DISCOUNT CODE FOR SUNSET CINEMA
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Sunset Cinema’s latest Canberra season kicks off this week with a wide selection of new releases and seasonal favourites screening at the Australian National Botanic Gardens until January 2020.
So sit back and enjoy Canberra’s summer nights with your friends and family and a great movie – with the added bonus of up to 25% off tickets with a special discount code just for ANUFG members.
Simply enter ANUFG20 on the online booking page to redeem this offer and get General Admission tickets for just $15!
Check out the Sunset Cinema programme and book your tickets online by CLICKING HERE. Offer is valid for all screenings except the INXS: LIVE BABY LIVE special event on November 29, 2019.
The First Afghan Film Festival begins this Friday with 10 films screening over the course of one week between Friday 15 November and Thursday 21 November.
A celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Australia, as well as the 100th anniversary of Afghanistan’s Reclamation of Independence, the Festival features films, shorts, documentaries, Q&As with special guests, panel discussions and more. Some of these films are even coming to us direct from their premieres at major international film festivals in Venice and Cannes!
All films will be screened with English subtitles and are FREE for all to attend (no membership or registration required). You can check out the full listing of screenings and events below, or head to www.anufg.org.au/afghan2019 for further information.
We hope you can join us over the next week for these special screenings and events, which are presented in partnership with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
** Please note the earlier start times for some of the screenings on Saturday and Sunday **
• FRI 15 NOV @ 7:30 PM: HAVA, MARYAM AND AYESHA (2019, 86 mins)
Three Afghan women from different backgrounds must each learn to fend for themselves as they face big challenges in their lives. Afghanistan’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards in 2020, coming to us direct from its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival just two months ago!
• SAT 16 NOV @ **4 PM**: BEGANA (1986, 40 mins)
This classic short film stars Salam Sangi, one of the Afghanistan’s greatest film stars, as a farmer working for a feudal landlord, who is dishonoured by the landlord’s son and sets out for revenge. Sangi himself will be in attendance to introduce the film and participate in a Q&A about the world of Afghan cinema.
• SAT 16 NOV @ **5 PM**: AFGHAN CAMELEERS IN AUSTRALIA (2014, 55 mins)
A documentary exploring the contributions of more than 3,000 men from Afghanistan and their camels who were crucial to development of the Australian Outback in the 1900s. Followed by a panel discussion with director Fahim Hashimy and Dr Mike Smith, academic and expert on Australia’s Afghan cameleers.
• SAT 16 NOV @ 7:30 PM: OSAMA (2004, 83 mins)
After the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the restriction of women in public life, a young girl is forced to masquerade as a boy named ‘Osama’ in order to find work to support her mother and grandmother. Inspired by a true story, this acclaimed film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2004.
• SUN 17 NOV @ **4 PM**: WHAT I SAW ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD (2019, 48 mins)
A rare glimpse at the people who live on the Pamir mountains, the farthest and most remote region of Afghanistan. Though sheltered from war and violence, its residents must fight to survive the extreme conditions and keep their culture alive. Followed by Q&A with director Parwiz Shamal.
• SUN 17 NOV @ **6 PM**: THE ORPHANAGE (2019, 90 mins)
In 1989, a 15-year-old ticket scalper living in Kabul is obsessed with Bollywood musicals but soon finds his life abruptly changed when he is arrested and sent to live in a Soviet state orphanage. This Danish-Afghan musical drama premiered in May at the prestigious Director’s Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival.
• MON 18 NOV @ 7:30 PM: A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT (2017, 83 mins)
When Soraya, a married mother of two and the head of the Kabul Crime Division, is sentenced to death after killing her husband in self-defence, she writes to the President of Afghanistan to plead her case. Written and directed by Roya Sadat, Afghanistan’s first female director since the fall of the Taliban.
• TUE 19 NOV @ 7:30 PM: THE PATIENCE STONE (2012, 102 mins)
In an unspecified war-ridden Middle Eastern country, a woman watches over her husband as he lies in a coma, and speaks frankly to him for the first time about her sacrifices and sorrows of the past decade. He becomes her ‘patience stone’, which, according to Persian mythology, shields its user from hardship.
• WED 20 NOV @ 7:30 PM: JIRGA (2018, 78 mins)
Mike Wheeler, a former Australian soldier, returns to Afghanistan to seek forgiveness from the family of a civilian man he accidentally killed during the war. In doing so he puts his life in the hands of the Jirga – the village justice system. Australia’s official Oscar submission for Best Foreign Language Film in 2019.
• THU 21 NOV @ 7:30 PM: ROCKABUL (2018, 90 mins)
This documentary by Australian journalist Travis Beard reveals a unique side of modern Afghan youth culture through the little-known story of District Unknown, Afghanistan's first heavy metal band, which formed in response to the war and political turmoil around them.
Critical and box office hit JOKER arrives at the ANU Film Group this week – but be warned, it’s not for kids! Plus, the latest animated adventure from Dreamworks (definitely for kids), a coming-of-age sex comedy (also not for kids) and the return of John Rambo (ditto), round up the rest of the week’s offerings.
• FRI 8 NOV @ 7:30 PM: JOKER (MA, 122 mins) + RAMBO: LAST BLOOD (R, 100 mins)
In JOKER, in 1980s Gotham City, a failed stand-up comedian (Joaquin Phoenix) shunned by society finds himself descending into madness as he turns to a life of crime and chaos.
Then, in RAMBO: LAST BLOOD (at approx. 9:45 PM), John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) embarks on one final mission of vengeance after a friend's daughter is kidnapped by a Mexican cartel.
• SAT 9 NOV @ **5 PM**: ABOMINABLE (G, 97 mins)
A teenage girl encounters a young Yeti and sets off on a journey from Shanghai to the Himalayas to reunite the magical creature with his family, in the latest Dreamworks animated adventure.
• SAT 9 NOV @ 7:30 PM: GOOD BOYS (MA, 90 mins)
Three young boys are caught up in a series of misadventures after they decide to skip school to attend a party hosted by their popular classmates in this raunchy coming-of-age comedy.
** 'NO GUESTS' SCREENINGS THIS WEEK: JOKER **
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CELEBRATE ‘YES-VEMBER’ THIS MONTH AT THE CSCC!
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You may already be aware that the ANU Film Group is one of 106 community groups participating in the Canberra Southern Cross Club’s (CSCC) Community Rewards program.
Normally, this means that if CSCC members choose to nominate the Film Group as their community group of choice, the CSCC will donate to us 7.5% of what that member spends on food and drink at any of their venues. But for the month of November, the CSCC will be *doubling* Community Rewards by giving us 15% of every dollar you spend!
So be sure to stop by and pay them a visit this month for some great food and support our fundraising efforts too – it’s a win-win!
Are you a CSCC member but haven’t yet nominated us as your group of choice? All you have to do is speak to reception at any CSCC venue or fill out this form HERE
Thanks in advance for your support!