News Archive

May 2015

Mystery Screening on Saturday 27 June

4th May, 2015

The choice is yours – vote for what you'd like to see on the big screen at the Film Group on Saturday 27 June as part of our Mystery Double Feature!

Simply cast your vote by emailing info@anufg.org.au with your name, membership number (located underneath the barcode on your card) and your choice of ONE of the double features listed below. Paper ballots will also be available at screenings should you wish to place your vote in person.

Voting closes on SUNDAY 17 MAY. The winning double feature that receives the most votes will be announced on our website in late May.



OPTION 1: LEVIATHAN + EASTERN BOYS
A world cinema double feature, featuring two powerful, thought provoking and acclaimed foreign films: Oscar-nominated Russian social satire LEVIATHAN, followed by controversial French drama EASTERN BOYS.


    LEVIATHAN
    In a Russian coastal town, a man is told that his house will be demolished and decides to fight back against the town’s corrupt mayor with some dirty tricks of his own. Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film.

    Followed by

    EASTERN BOYS
    A middle-aged Frenchman solicits a night's company from a handsome young foreigner, but his world is upended when a different - and clearly underage - boy arrives at his door, ensnaring him in a complex and unforgiving world.



OPTION 2: PITCH PERFECT + PITCH PERFECT 2
The Barden Bellas are back – and back-to-back – in this double feature of the hit 2012 musical comedy together with its highly anticipated sequel, in which a university a cappella singing group competes for stardom.


    PITCH PERFECT
    A freshman at Barden University (Anna Kendrick) is cajoled into joining The Barden Bellas, her school's all-girls a cappella singing group, and injects some much needed energy into their repertoire as they take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

    Followed by

    PITCH PERFECT 2
    The highly anticipated sequel to the 2012 box office smash follows The Barden Bellas in the aftermath of a disastrous performance, as they set out to regain their right to perform by competing in a worldwide competition that no American group has ever won.



OPTION 3: SAN ANDREAS + IT FOLLOWS
Two films that will shake you to your core: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson must survive against a devastating earthquake in SAN ANDREAS, followed by IT FOLLOWS, the critically acclaimed horror film that everyone’s talking about.


    SAN ANDREAS
    In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in California, a rescue-helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter. Also starring Carla Gugino and Paul Giamatti. Filmed on location on the Gold Coast and Queensland.

    Followed by

    IT FOLLOWS
    After a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, a young woman finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone (or something) is following her, in this highly original, modern horror film that has received critical acclaim.



OPTION 4: SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE + THE GUNMAN
It’s a Shaun/Sean double! Featuring SHAUN THE SHEEP, Aardman’s latest stop motion animated film, followed by Sean Penn as THE GUNMAN, a former assassin who embarks on a globe-spanning, action-packed mission of revenge.


    SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE
    Shaun the Sheep decides to take a day off, but gets more than he bargained for when the Farmer accidentally loses his memory. Now it’s up to Shaun and the flock to travel to the Big City and rescue him in the latest film from the creators of Wallace and Gromit.

    Followed by

    THE GUNMAN
    An ex-government assassin (Sean Penn) must face his haunted past and embark on a globe-spanning mission of revenge when his former employers attempt to have him killed, in this action-thriller from the director of TAKEN. Also starring Idris Elba, Ray Winstone and Javier Bardem.



TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
• Voting will be open for two weeks starting from May 4 and closing on May 17 at 11:59 PM AEST.
• The double feature that receives the most votes will be selected for screening on Saturday 27 June, with the winning option to be announced on our website in late May.
• Films that do not get selected for the mystery double feature will not be precluded from being considered for our Semester Two 2015 programme.
• Only one vote may be cast per member. Multiple votes will be disregarded.
• Only full Annual or Semester members of the Group may cast a vote.
• In the event of a dispute, any decision made by the ANU Film Group’s committee of management will be final.

Mystery Screening on June 27 – You Pick the Film!

4th May, 2015

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MYSTERY SCREENING: YOU PICK THE FILM!
................................................................

The choice is yours – vote for what you’d like to see on the big screen at the ANU Film Group on Saturday 27 June as part of our Mystery Double Feature!

Simply cast your vote by emailing info@anufg.org.au with your name, membership number (located underneath the barcode on your card) and your choice of ONE of the double features listed below. Paper ballots will also be available at screenings should you wish to place your vote in person.

Voting closes on . The winning double feature that receives the most votes will be announced on our website in late May.

• OPTION 1: LEVIATHAN + EASTERN BOYS

A world cinema double feature, featuring two powerful, thought provoking and acclaimed foreign films: Oscar-nominated Russian social satire LEVIATHAN, followed by controversial French drama EASTERN BOYS.

• OPTION 2: PITCH PERFECT + PITCH PERFECT 2

The Barden Bellas are back – and back-to-back – in this double feature of the hit 2012 musical comedy together with its highly anticipated sequel, in which a university a cappella singing group competes for stardom.

• OPTION 3: SAN ANDREAS + IT FOLLOWS

Two films that will shake you to your core: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson must survive against a devastating earthquake in SAN ANDREAS, followed by IT FOLLOWS, the critically acclaimed horror film that everyone’s talking about.

• OPTION 4: SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE + THE GUNMAN

It’s a Shaun/Sean double! Featuring SHAUN THE SHEEP, Aardman’s latest stop motion animated film, followed by Sean Penn as THE GUNMAN, a former assassin who embarks on a globe-spanning, action-packed mission of revenge.

For more information about the films, as well as full terms and conditions, click HERE.

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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Crime, corruption, vampires, miners and senior citizens kick off the month of May at the Film Group this week (and that’s just in the audience). Here’s what’s on this week:

• Thu 7 May @ 7:30 PM: A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

In New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family from violence and corruption during the most dangerous year in the city’s history. Starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain.

• Fri 8 May @ 7:30 PM: WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS + A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT

In WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, take a look at the lives of three immortal vampire flatmates who struggle to fit in with modern society, in this hilariously clever ‘mockumentary’ from the creators of Flight of the Conchords.

Then, the vampire genre receives yet another twist in the acclaimed A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (at approx. 9 PM) in which the people of an Iranian ghost town find themselves being stalked by a bloodthirsty teenage girl.

• Sat 9 May @ **7 PM**: PRIDE + MY OLD LADY

In PRIDE, the people of a Welsh mining village sidelined by the miners’ strike of 1984 find themselves assisted by the most unlikely of allies: a group of lesbian and gay activists. Starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Paddy Considine.

Then, in MY OLD LADY (at approx. 9 PM), an American man (Kevin Kline) inherits a valuable apartment and travels to Paris to liquidate it, but discovers an unexpected resident (Maggie Smith) already living there.

Purchase Your 2015/2016 Entertainment Book Now

1st May, 2015

Entertainment Books are packed with thousands of offers for the best local restaurants, cafés, shopping, attractions, travel, accommodation and more. For only $60, you can receive over $20,000 worth of offers for all of your favourite venues around Canberra.

Plus, to top it all off, a portion of sales from each book purchased through us goes towards ANU Film Group fundraising, enabling us to bring you bigger and better programmes, events and membership perks in the future.

You can preview the entire book of offers HERE and if you’d like to order yours right now, simply click HERE.

Purchased books will be available for collection at ANUFG screenings, or by arrangement at the ANU during weekday business hours. They can also be sent directly to you for an additional postage fee.

For more information, contact us on 02 6247 2425 or via email at info@anufg.org.au.

April 2015

CINDERELLA, PAPER PLANES, SELMA and more this week!

29th April, 2015

Don’t forget – our special PAPER PLANES screening is on this Thursday. See the feel-good Australian film phenomenon, and then meet one of the inspirations behind the film at our post-screening Q&A!

James Norton, Canberra-based paper planes enthusiast, will be in attendance to talk about the film and his incredible journey. So get set for an evening of fun anecdotes, inspirational tales, and perhaps even a bit of paper plane flying.

Due to a last minute engagement interstate, Dylan Parker will regrettably no longer be able to attend the event.

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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• Wed 29 Apr @ 7:30 PM: HOUSEBOUND

After being placed on court-ordered home detention, a young woman is forced to return to her childhood home and live there with her mother, who is convinced that the house is haunted, in this acclaimed New Zealand horror-comedy.

• Thu 30 Apr @ 7:30 PM: PAPER PLANES (Q&A SCREENING)

A young boy from a remote Australian town uses his passion for flight and inventive spirit to embark on an extraordinary journey that takes him all the way to the World Paper Planes Championships. Followed by Q&A with James Norton.

• Fri 1 May @ 7:30 PM: SELMA + SERENA

The last of this semester’s Best Picture Oscar nominees, SELMA is the powerful chronicle of Martin Luther King Jr’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

Then, in SERENA (at approx. 9:45 PM), an ambitious timber baron (Bradley Cooper) in Depression-era America finds his life turned upside down when he marries a spirited, fiercely independent woman (Jennifer Lawrence).

• Sat 2 May @ **7 PM**: CINDERELLA + PRETTY WOMAN

In CINDERELLA, a young girl finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother when her father passes away. But after a chance encounter with a dashing stranger (and some help from her fairy godmother), her fortunes begin to change.

Then, in PRETTY WOMAN (at approx. 9 PM), a rich businessman (Richard Gere) hires an escort (Julia Roberts) to accompany him at events, only to find himself falling for her. 25th anniversary screening of the quintessential rom-com.

Full Screenings Resume + Pre-Order Your Entertainment Book for Bonus Offers

21st April, 2015

Full screenings resume this week (with the exception of Anzac Day on Saturday) with three very different films about love. From love in the face of adversity (LOVE IS STRANGE) to sadomasochistic love (FIFTY SHADES OF GREY) to a love letter to art (MR. TURNER), you’ll find it all at the ANU Film Group.

• Tue 21 Apr @ 7:30 PM: LOVE IS STRANGE

A couple (John Lithgow and Alfred Molina) finally tie the knot after four decades together. But unfortunate circumstances soon force them to start living apart, which challenges their relationship in unexpected ways.

• Thu 23 Apr @ 7:30 PM: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

A naive student’s life changes forever when she meets a handsome-yet-tormented billionaire with very singular tastes and an overwhelming obsession to control all aspects of his life – and hers.

• Fri 24 Apr @ 7:30 PM: MR. TURNER

An exploration of the life of the great-but-eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner (Timothy Spall), who is both celebrated and reviled by the public and by royalty. Nominated for 4 Oscars, including Best Cinematography.

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PRE-ORDER YOUR ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FOR OVER $200 IN BONUS OFFERS
................................................................

Entertainment Books are packed with thousands of offers for the best local restaurants, cafés, shopping, attractions, travel, accommodation and more. For only $60, you can receive over $20,000 worth of offers for all of your favourite venues around Canberra.

The new books for 2015/2016 will be released in May, but if you pre-order yours before FRIDAY 1 MAY, you’ll receive over $200 in Early Bird bonus offers, which can be viewed HERE).

Plus, to top it all off, a portion of sales from each book purchased through us goes towards ANUFG fundraising, enabling us to bring you bigger and better programmes, events and membership perks in the future.

You can preview the entire book of offers HERE and if you’d like to pre-order yours right now, simply click HERE.

Once released, pre-ordered books will be available for collection at ANUFG screenings, by arrangement at the ANU during weekday business hours, or can also be sent directly to you for an additional postage fee. Thanks in advance for your support!

PAPER PLANES Q&A – Meet the inspirations behind the film!

14th April, 2015

We’re very proud to announce that Dylan Parker and James Norton – the inspirations behind the breakout Australian film PAPER PLANES – will be in attendance at our screening of the film on Thursday 30 April for a special Q&A!

PAPER PLANES is the independent film phenomenon that has flown above all expectations to become the highest-grossing Australian film of the year. With nearly $10 million in box office takings to date, the uplifting story follows a young boy whose passion for flying takes him from regional Australia all the way to the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan. Directed by Robert Connolly, the film opened to critical acclaim this year and stars Sam Worthington, Deborah Mailman, David Wenham and Ed Oxenbould.

Dylan Parker and James Norton are Canberra-based paper plane enthusiasts whose ingenuity and passion for the art of paper plane making inspired the film. The pair first met at a University of Canberra paper plane competition in 2008, which ultimately led to them competing in the World Paper Plane Championships. Their story sparked director Robert Connelly’s imagination to make a film about the art of paper plane making. They were brought on board as on-set advisers, designed all of the planes used in the film, and even ended up making a cameo appearance.

PAPER PLANES screens on Thursday 30 April at 7:30 PM, followed by the Q&A at approximately 9:15 PM. Don’t miss out on this chance to hear their incredible story first-hand!

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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Get ready to embark on two extraordinary journeys with two unlikely heroes in this Saturday’s double feature of PADDINGTON and THE HUNDRED YEAR-OLD MAN at the ANU Film Group!

• Sat 18 Apr @ **7 PM**: PADDINGTON + THE HUNDRED YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT OF THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED

In PADDINGTON, a young bear from deepest, darkest Peru travels to London in search of a new home, and meets a family who offers him a temporary haven. Starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent.

Then, in THE HUNDRED YEAR-OLD MAN (at approx. 8:45 PM), dynamite expert Allan Karlson escapes from a nursing home on his 100th birthday and embarks on an unexpected journey – but it’s not Allan’s first adventure in his lifetime.

What's On This Week + Win Tickets to TESTAMENT OF YOUTH

9th April, 2015

Celebrity and cynicism run rampant in the latest films from two prolific directors: Woody Allen’s MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT and David Cronenberg’s MAPS TO THE STARS, both screening this Saturday at the ANU Film Group!

• Sat 11 Apr @ **7 PM**: MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT + MAPS TO THE STARS

In MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT, a master magician (Colin Firth) is tasked with discrediting a celebrated spiritualist (Emma Stone) who claims to be able to communicate with the other world, but finds himself falling for her instead.

Then, in MAPS TO THE STARS (at approx. 8:45 PM), take a satirical look at the dark side of celebrity as a Hollywood family chase fame and the ghosts of their past. Starring Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, John Cusack and Robert Pattinson.

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WIN TICKETS TO ‘TESTAMENT OF YOUTH’!
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Thanks to Transmission Films, we have tickets to give away to the upcoming WWI drama TESTAMENT OF YOUTH.

The film tells the true story of Vera Brittain, a young woman who puts her promising life on hold to serve as a voluntary aid nurse when war breaks out in England. Experiencing the horrors of battle firsthand, she persists in continuing to support the war’s victims, even as everything she holds dear is taken away from her. Starring Alicia Vikander and Kit Harington, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH is a powerful testimony of love, war and remembrance, and will be in cinemas from April 23.

For your chance to win one of ten in-season double passes to the film, simply reply to this message – or email info@anufg.org.au – with your name, membership number (located underneath the barcode on your card), and the answer to the following question: ‘Alicia Vikander and Kit Harington also star together in an upcoming film on our Semester One programme. What is the film?’

Entries close on Thursday 16 April. Only winners will be notified via email, with prizes to be collected at upcoming ANUFG screenings.

March 2015

What's On This Week + Win Tickets to SAMBA

31st March, 2015

After an incredibly busy start to the year, things slow down a little as we head into the month of April and the university’s non-teaching period. But not to fear – April still has plenty of big films to look forward to, including PADDINGTON, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY and PAPER PLANES.

Due to the Easter long weekend, we have only one screening this week: JIMMY’S HALL, the latest film from acclaimed British writer-director Ken Loach (THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, THE ANGELS’ SHARE).

• Wed 1 Apr @ 7:30 PM: JIMMY’S HALL

An exiled political activist returns to his Irish hometown and reopens his town's community hall, which sparks the ire of the ruling classes and the Catholic Church.

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WIN TICKETS TO ‘SAMBA’!
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Thanks to Transmission Films, we have tickets to give away to SAMBA, the new French comedy-drama from the writer-director duo behind the feel-good smash hit, THE INTOUCHABLES.

The film follows a man (Omar Sy) who migrated to France from Senegal ten years ago, and has been plugging away at lowly jobs since. When a bureaucratic slip-up results in him being ordered to leave France for good, he seeks the assistance of a burned-out immigration officer (Charlotte Gainsbourg) to help get his life back on track.

SAMBA is in cinemas from April 2.

For your chance to win one of ten in-season double passes, all you have to do is come along to our screening of JIMMY’S HALL on Wednesday 1 April. The passes will be given away at the door to attendees at randomly pre-selected intervals (e.g. the 15th, 42nd, 70th person to arrive), so come along and try your luck!

KINGSMAN Re-screening on Sunday 29 March

23rd March, 2015

Due to a full house at our original screening of KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, we will be re-screening the film this SUNDAY (MARCH 29) at the start time of 7 PM.

We hope that all of you who were unable to see the film last week will be able to join us for the re-screening on Sunday.

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
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This year’s Oscar winners for Best Actor (THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING) and Actress (STILL ALICE) bookend a star-studded week at the Film Group. Plus, check out the latest films from directors Ridley Scott (EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS) and the Wachowski siblings (JUPITER ASCENDING). And don’t forget our re-screening of KINGSMAN on Sunday at 7 PM!

• Wed 25 Mar @ 7:30 PM: STILL ALICE

A linguistics professor (Julianne Moore) finds her relationships with her husband and three children tested when she is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. Academy Award winner for Best Actress (Moore).

• Thu 26 Mar @ 7:30 PM: JUPITER ASCENDING

A young woman (Mila Kunis) discovers her destiny as an intergalactic heiress and joins forces with a genetically engineered warrior (Channing Tatum) to reclaim her throne and restore balance to the cosmos.

• Fri 27 Mar @ 7:30 PM: EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS

Defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton) and embarks on a monumental journey to free the Hebrew people from slavery. Directed by Ridley Scott.

• Sat 28 Mar @ **7 PM**: THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING + DUMB AND DUMBER TO

In THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his wife (Felicity Jones) find their romance threatened by a devastating diagnosis. Academy Award winner for Best Actor (Redmayne).

Then, explore the other end of the intelligence spectrum with DUMB AND DUMBER TO (at approx. 9:15 PM), in which best friends Lloyd and Harry embark on a road trip to find Harry’s newly discovered daughter.

• Sun 29 Mar @ **7 PM**: KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (Re-screening)

A secret spy organisation recruits an unrefined street kid into the agency’s elite training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. Starring Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Caine.

** PLEASE NOTE THE SPECIAL DATE AND START TIME FOR THIS SCREENING **

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE – Full House Screening

21st March, 2015

Tonight's screening of KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE was declared a full house at approximately 6:55 PM.

In accordance with our re-screening policy, if all the seats in the theatre fill up before the advertised screening time (7 PM), the film will be re-screened. As this was the case tonight, KINGSMAN will be re-screened at a later date and time to be advised.

Please keep an eye on your email inbox and/or our website for all the details of the re-screening as soon as they are available.