Five Films to Catch at New Zealand International Film Festival Autumn Events

The New Zealand International Film Festival is a gem in the crown of Wellington's cinematic calendar. However, it only comes round but once a year (cue sniffles and popcorn-throwing from the back row). Thank goodness then for their Autumn Events season: a selection of old cinema and fresh documentaries run from April 16 through May 22. The venue alone is worth going for: the Embassy Theatre, the grand dame at the top of Courtenay Place (best bathrooms in the city!). This year's viewings spill over to the Paramount cinema, also situated on Courtenay.

We've got our seats booked for the Autumn season- here are five of our favourite screenings you'll find us at.

STOP MAKING SENSE

Talking Heads' 1983 concert film is unlike anything of its genre- using Jonathon Demme's MTV-rejecting cinematography techniques, the concert slowly builds from David Byrne's lone stage performance of "Psycho Killer" to the crescendo of a conclusion. This movie has the best soundtrack you'll hear in a while. It's an iconic piece of both 1980s film and music culture. And Byrne even wears a white suit that seems to expand as the concert progresses, what more could you wish to see?

WHERE TO INVADE NEXT 

This ain't no Bowling for Columbine. Michael Moore, the Oscar-winning activist director, is back from a six year hiatus with his newest work, Where to invade next. Taking all of America's problems (parental leave, nutrition, drugs, guns, amongst many others), he crosses Europe to reconnoitre social welfare schemes America should have. Critically acclaimed as "an act of guerilla humanity," it's both an incisive view into American society and a "buoyant experience for any progressive spirit."

THE IRON GIANT

Anyone who says they haven't watched this iconic movie in TV2's 7pm Saturday night family movie slot are surely having you on. The Brad Bird-directed film, released in 1999 has a following amongst both old and young. Adults will view it as an anti-Cold War statement, executed in the most fantastically playful way- while for children, it's simply a tale about a little boy and the biggest toy he could ever want. As a giant extra-terrestrial robot crash lands in his American town in the 1950s, protagonist Hogarth Hughes finds himself with a new metallic pal. Having to hide his iron giant from his mother and a paranoid government agent, Hogarth must prove that his new friend is good- this'll have you in quiet sniffly tears for sure.

JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE

Janis Joplin- intricate creature- comes to life again in Amy Berg's intelligently incisive look into both sides of the singer. Not only a psychedelic white-blues crooner with an extravagantly funny character, huge voice and exuberant fashion sense, but also the Texan teen who found instant stardom amidst her own personal conflicts with her sexuality, gender, and conventional expectation of who she 'should' be. Using amazing, some never-seen-before archival footage as well as interviews with those who knew her best, Berg delivers an intriguing look into one of the biggest characters of the sixties.

TICKLED

David Farrier, the journo-turned-director, really found himself in hot water with this one. Stumbling across a facebook page outlining the sport of endurance tickling (yes, tickling) when searching for story leads, this was evidently a story he had to pursue. Little did he know the layers of intrigue, aggression and secrecy he would find, resulting in a controversial movie (and lawsuit, eek) that showed at this year's Sundance festival and found itself quite a left-field following. This screening has the unique feature of both being the premiere screening, and a Directors' talk with Farrier and Dylan Reeves (the other mischievous filmmaker in this lil venture) will take place after the film for all your tickle-related wonderings.