It's been three years since Australia's cinema scene welcomed the American Essentials Film Festival — and while a fest dedicated to US flicks might seem obvious, this event sets its sights much further than Hollywood's usual suspects. Given that mainstream, megaplex-friendly movies reach our shores every week, the Palace-run showcase instead curates a lineup of other American titles, delving into films from the US indie realm. Screening in Brisbane from May 9 to 20, the 2018 fest has a particular fondness for emerging practitioners, with artistic director Richard Sowada noting "the obvious talent from some of the filmmakers in the early stages of their feature film careers," as well as "the deep and obvious respect even some of these newer filmmakers have for the traditions of storytelling in American cinema." With that in mind, this year's event kicks off with The Boy Downstairs, a Zosia Mamet-starring effort from debut feature writer-director Sophie Brooks, which proved a hit at the 2017 TriBeCa Film Festival. The opening night pick also highlights one of the festival's other trends — thanks to its focus on American cinema, it boasts plenty of familiar faces on screen. Standouts include Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair battling a murderous rage in horror-comedy Mom and Dad, Helena Bonham Carter and Hilary Swank recreating a landmark '80s case for patients' rights in 55 Steps, and war effort The Yellow Birds, featuring Solo: A Star Wars Story's Alden Ehrenreich, Ready Player One's Tye Sheridan, plus Toni Collette and Jennifer Aniston. There's also two star-studded flicks about sons and their fathers: Humour Me, which pairs up Jemaine Clement and Elliott Gould in a deadpan comedy, and Kodachrome, which takes Jason Sudeikis and Ed Harris on a road trip to a photo processing laboratory. Other notable titles range from Stuck, which brings the train-set off-Broadway musical of the same name to the cinema; to Outside In, director Lynn Shelter's latest featuring Edie Falco as an ex-high school teacher; to mob drama Gotti, starring John Travolta as the mob boss and screening in Australia just hours after its Cannes Film Festival premiere. On the documentary front, How They Got Over takes a far-reaching documentary into African-American gospel quartets in the '30s and '40s, while RBG examines the life and career of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. For the fest's retrospective section, Los Angeles is in the spotlight courtesy of classics Chinatown, Heat and Shampoo, as well as '70s masterpieces Killer of Sheep and Wattstax.
The most envy-inducing time of year is here, dividing music lovers into two camps. Either you're literally going camping in Byron Bay or you're moping around Brisbane wishing that you were. Don't worry, non-Splendour-bound folks — The Flying Cock's Splendour in the Cock has you covered. For two nights across Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21, the Valley pub is pretending they're at the centre of the music universe with a playlist of Splendour in the Grass greats not only from this year, but also spanning previous ace lineups. Close your eyes, and you might just think the live cover tracks are the real thing. Do the same while DJs spin the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Flume, Kanye, Bloc Party, Florence and the Machine, The Strokes and more, and it might just have the same effect. Wearing something glitzy and flashy is recommended — when you're acting like you're at Splendour, you have to dress the part. Entry is free, so as well as helping cure your desire to be dancing in a muddy field, the shindig will also be kind to your wallet.
"All the world's a stage," Shakespeare's As You Like It proclaims. All of Brisbane is a stage at Anywhere Theatre Festival, a fest the Bard would surely be proud of. Every year, the city-wide event puts on theatre performances anywhere and everywhere — in bars, bowls clubs, markets, homes and pools, for starters. Actually, taking place from May 10 to 27 in a whole host of different spaces, Anywhere Theatre Festival spreads its love across southeast Queensland, with shows on offer from Ipswich to Brissie right on through to the Sunshine Coast. Go west for a choose-your-own-adventure-style mashup of Doctor Who and The Wizard of Oz. Head north for performance workshops in a butter factory or an Aussie take on The Wind in the Willows on the Noosa Ferry. Or rove around Brisbane for Star Wars sketches in a cafe and an intimate play in a bar's bathroom. The list goes on, throwing up anything and everything in places you'd never think of as performance venues. One show takes place in a shopping centre carpark, another at the Queensland Maritime Museum and another in an art gallery. They're the kind of theatre you don't normally see, in the kind of spaces you don't normally see theatre in, so prepare — above all else — to be surprised.
Making its return after a year hiatus, the German Film Festival is set to shower Brisbane's screens with the latest and greatest in Deutsch cinema. And we really do mean latest and greatest — opening night's true tale The Silent Revolution premiered at the Berlin Film Festival mere months ago, while closing night will celebrate Wim Wenders' newly restored Wings of Desire, the exceptional 1987 effort about angels in Berlin. Screening at Palace Centro from May 31 to June 10, the rest of the lineup spans from stars to snow to psychological thrills, plus everything from biopics to road trips to a beloved German comedy trilogy. Explore the tension of a new couple taking to the mountains in Three Peaks, laugh at the Fack Ju Göthe franchise — about an ex-con trying to get his loot back and unwittingly becoming a teacher in the process — or catch Gutland's account of an outsider just showing up in a small town, featuring Phantom Thread's breakout talent Vicky Krieps. Other highlights include's Mademoiselle Paradis, which delves into the story of blind piano player Maria Theresia von Paradis; 303, a flick that follows a pregnant student driving to reunite with her boyfriend; and 2017 German box office hit Paula, a biopic about artist Paula Modersohn-Becker. Or, step into a dark fairy tale with Heart of Stone, or test your nerves with crime thriller Four Hands. Plus, if you have any young movie buffs in tow, the festival is also screening a children's program called Kino for Kids.
It's a problem that every whisky aficionado is happy to have: so many amber-hued tipples, so little time. Don't just resign yourself to the fact that you can't possibly taste them all, though. Firstly, no one likes a quitter. And secondly — and more importantly — there's nothing to lose by giving your dram-drinking quest a red hot try. Celebrating the annual occasion that is World Whisky Day, the Osbourne Hotel will be doing their bit to assist your noble endeavour, with six hours of sampling, sipping and drinking on the agenda from midday on Saturday, May 19. Plus, in welcome news if your love of the good stuff doesn't match your bank balance — tickets are only $15, which includes your first tasting of either scotch or bourbon. There'll be a range of Australian, American, Canadian, Scottish and Irish varieties on hand, so you can enjoy both whisky and whiskey, with each brand coming up with their own cocktails as well. While you're there, you can also learn about the basics in small masterclasses. Yep, here, you'll drink, talk and breathe whisky all afternoon.
Combining art classes with alcohol: it's a classic example of taking something that's great and making it even better, and it's what Cork & Chroma is all about. For three days only, Brisbane's source of boozy creativity is boosting its wine-fuelled sessions even further — by taking its paint and sip sessions to Good Food Month's Night Noodle Markets. Between Wednesday, July 25 and Friday, July 27, you can head to what's likely to be the busiest spot in the city, get comfy at an easel, drink Brand's Laira vino and snack on Asian canapés. And, you'll be doing it all at the South Australian winery's Night Noodle Market pop-up cellar door. The classes run from 6–8pm, and include talented folks giving you expert art advice, as well as all the supplies that you'll need on the evening. Tickets cost $55, bookings are essential — and expect to whip up a painting inspired by Brand's Laira's Coonawarra home. Drink wine, paint pictures of a wine region... it makes sense, really..
It's very easy being green at The Plant Market — and picking up something green, finding something green to put it in and eating something green as well. Brisbane's latest botanical-focused pop-up, the event is taking over the Albion Peace Centre from 10am–2pm on Saturday, August 4, complete with stalls upon stalls of green wares. There'll be plants, obviously. Indoor, outdoor, small, established: they're all on offer thanks to The Botanist, with cacti, fiddle leaf figs and rubber plants a highlight. There'll also be ceramics by Billeta Wood, plus brass pots and vases, vintage wall planters and plant stands. Or, pick up a kokedama and a macrame hanger from Luvia Designs. When you aren't choosing a new green baby to take home with you — or re-homing it on-site at the market's potting station — you can nab yourself some botanical acrylic earrings from September Creative, or snack on cactus cookies and macarons cooked up by Hansel & Gretel Cakes. To top it all off, there'll be a coffee van. You'll need energy for all that browsing and buying, after all.
If you're a beer-loving Brisbanite fond of venturing to Melbourne, then you've probably sipped one of Stomping Ground's yeasty brews. And, you've probably got a hankering for their inventive flavours — a Zoolander-themed Orange Mocha Frappucino Nitro Cream Ale, anyone? Even if you're a newcomer to the Collingwood brewery and beer hall's tipples, there's no need to hop on a plane to get a taste this weekend. On Sunday, June 10, Stomping Ground is heading north to take over the taps at The Mill on Constance. In response, the Fortitude Valley venue is throwing a garage party. It's all about the beer, really, thanks to the kind of brews you don't taste everyday. If the vanilla-laced Boston Cream Donut Nitro Ale doesn't wet your whistle, then the caramel and chocolate Upside Down Brown Ale might — or the German-style Laneway Lager, citrusy Hop Stomper IPA or good ol' Passionfruit Sour.
Every Monday night, Salt Meats Cheese Gasworks serves up slices upon slices of pizza — and a few extra slices just for good measure. While that might sound like a regular evening at the Skyring Terrace eatery, there's nothing like an all-you-can-eat night. But if you're a vegan, you might've been holding back. Fancy as much pizza as you can handle, but without any animal products? Then mark Tuesday, June 19 in your diary. From 5pm, SMC will serve up unlimited vegan slices for $20. "Does this look like someone who's had all they can eat?" isn't something you'll be saying, so calm your inner Homer Simpson. The only catch is that you'll have to buy a drink as well, but you can choose from both boozy and non-alcoholic options. As for the pizza lineup, patrons can choose from six varieties, including margherita with not-zzarella cheese, eggplant with basil salsa, roasted potato with garlic and rosemary, and pumpkin with spinach and walnuts. Or, opt for the vegetariana, which combines tomato, zucchini, eggplant and roasted red capsicum — or the absolute must-taste slice that is the truffle and mushroom.
Good Food Month is here for 2018, which means it's time to jump around town and enjoy the best meals and beverages that Brisbane has to offer. Or, you could just block out every weekend morning across the month and make plans to tuck into the best meal of the day — with unlimited mimosas and bloody marys. That's what Pourboy is serving up on Saturdays and Sundays throughout July, with the venue's Bottomless Boozy Brunch running from 10am–2pm. It's the drinks that won't stop at the South Brisbane eatery — well, at least within the allocated time slot. Food-wise, you can choose from one of four breakfast options. Seeing your morning slide into the afternoon with a drink in hand will set you back an affordable $39 per person. Unsurprisingly, bookings via email or phone are highly recommended, so gather the gang and plan ahead.
Like ramen? Like the brothy noodle soup more when it doesn't include any animal products? So do I Like Ramen. That's the eatery's domain, and the reason that the Gold Coast joint has built up a name for itself — but for three Sundays only, it's bringing its dishes to Brisbane. In fact, it's bringing them to a rather unlikely place in The Coop; however rest assured, there won't be any real chicken in the chick'n white miso (or any bone broth in the boneless broth, either). Other varieties include mushroom in an earthy shiitake and soy soup, kimchi with plenty of spice, and 'mean green', which involves spinach, bok choy and wakame. You can also opt for a combo of any two types, a super-full loaded bowl, or something non-soupy courtesy of deep-fried panko mushrooms or a panko mushroom po' boy. Get slurping from 12pm on August 19 and 26, plus September 2, with ramen on offer for both lunch and dinner. A specially curated array of natural wines will also be available — and if all of that takes your fancy, take note: The Coop will only be accepting walk-ins unless your group consists of eight or more people.
Itching to enjoy the great outdoors, but can't escape the big smoke? Don't worry — you don't need to travel far. Brisbane's Peaks to Points Festival will get you out, about and immersed in natural surroundings without venturing beyond the city. Birdwatching in wetlands behind a Bunnings and taking a bushwalk in suburban parklands are just some of the events on the agenda — alongside spotting koalas, touring tributaries, moseying along mountaintops and planting trees. Workshop-wise, you can also learn about seed preparation and propagation, discover how to turn your kitchen and garden waste into compost, and build nesting boxes for wildlife. Running from July 14 to 29, Peaks to Points is all about showcasing the south side of the Brisbane River, so expect to explore everywhere from Carina, Mount Gravatt and Corinda to Ipswich, Redlands and Logan. It's family-friendly, should you have a little nature-lover in tow — and, even better, the majority of events are free.
A black comedy about neighbours fighting over a tree. A harrowing recreation of the worst incident on Norwegian soil since World War II. A gothic interpretation of a well-known folk tale. A film about an infatuated college student who discovers she has unusual abilities. These are just some of the Nordic films headed to Australia as part of the 2018 Scandinavian Film Festival — and yes, it's shaping up to be a great year for movies hailing from the colder parts of Europe. All of the above titles — the opening night's Under the Tree, Berlinale hit U – July 22, the gorgeously shot Valley of Shadows and the empathetic thriller Thelma — head to the festival after amassing quite the buzz at overseas events, and they have plenty of company. Across the Scandinavian Film Festival's almost month-long tour of the country, between July 10 and August 5, 21 features will grace Australian screens, showcasing everything from the latest award-winners to the career output of one of the region's late master filmmakers. In the first camp falls Border, which is based on a short story by author John Ajvide Lindqvist and just won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes; high-school comedy Amateurs, the recipient of the best Nordic film award at this year's Goteburg Film Festival; and Winter Brothers, a flick about siblings living in a remote region that nabbed nine Danish Academy Awards. In the latter category, viewers can celebrate the life and career of renowned Swedish director Ingmar Bergman in the 100th anniversary of his birth, with six Swedish figures — including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy's Tomas Alfredson — making shorts inspired by the influential filmmaker for compilation effort Bergman Revisited. Other highlights include a semi-scripted cross-cultural comedy about two Danish men trying to set up a dog breeding business in China, aka The Saint Bernard Syndicate, SXSW-standout Heavy Trip, a film about a heavy metal muso spearheading a music festival in a small Finnish town, and The Real Estate, which attacks the chasm between the rich and the not-so in an unflinching fashion. In short: if it hails from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland and it popped up over the past year, it's probably on the lineup.
Everyone in Brisbane has been to the Ekka on more than one occasion, but have you heard of the food and drink-focused equivalent? There mightn't be any rides, sideshows, goldfish, fireworks or flu at the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show; however, there are plenty of tasty delights of the edible and drinkable kind, all vying to be crowned the state's finest in their respective category. Don't worry — if you're wondering why you haven't come across RQFWS before, that's because it's not open to the public. Well, not usually, anyway. Grape Grazing by Night is a delicious, alcohol-infused exception. For one boozy evening on Friday, July 13, more than 1800 wines submitted for the judges' seal of approval can also compete in another taste test: yep, that'd be yours. You'll sample award-winning tipples, snack on cheese, beef, lamb and other canapés, and chat with the experts, all while raising your glass — or several — to the best boozy grape drinks in the country.
If you have a four-legged friend, you'll know that they can brighten your day just by looking cute. If you don't — or you're stuck in the CBD doing the 9-to-5 grind — then scurry on over to Waterfront Place to gawk at the next best thing. Between June 5 and 16, the riverside building is hosting an exhibition by Serenah, the acclaimed pet photographer. With the very apt title It's a Dog's Life, her first showcase aims to celebrate the joy animals bring to our existence. Yes, you should be envious about the fact she's made a career out of taking snaps of her dogs, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the fruits of her dream job. And yes, when you're not fantasising about how you could do the same, you should revel in the sight of Rocco, Ralph, Simon, Garfunkel and Henri looking absolutely adorable.
Once upon a time, going to the circus meant walking into a big top, watching clowns pal around and witnessing everything from animals to tightrope walkers in the ring. Today, that's probably the type of experience audiences are least likely to have. That's right — modern circus looks a whole lot different. The twisting, contorting and flipping trickery remains, but that's about all. Indeed, while Pants Down Circus ROCK! boasts trapeze, juggling and hula hoops among its physical feats, it unfurls them all to a pumping rock soundtrack. Both your eyes and your feet will be thoroughly engaged and entertained as you watch acrobatic displays and try to resist tapping your toes to the accompanying tunes. It's the second show for Pants Down Circus, who won the Best Circus in the 2015 Adelaide Fringe. And it's a one-day, two-session-only affair for the four-person troupe, so we'd advise getting in quick.
Think music festivals are dying out? Think again. Sure, plenty of bigger events have called it a day — but as the old guard finish up, they're giving a swathe of smaller, more specialised, boutique, curated fests the chance to carve out their own niche. Since 2014, the two-day Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival has been one such smorgasbord of creative activities, taking place in the Borumba Deer Park in the Sunshine Coast. Instead of ridiculous queues and heaving crowds clamouring for space in an ordinary city showground, you'll find a laidback vibe, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Oh, and did we mention that it's a BYO festival as well (though no glass is allowed)? Plus, rather than boogying to all the usual bands, you'll check out a combo of funk, soul, disco, pop, rock, jazz, fusion, prog rock, psychedelia, punk and gypsy acts. Visual arts displays are also part of the Jungle Love experience — and, for the first time, panels and workshops will also feature. While this year's lineup is a "watch this space" kind of deal at the moment, we think buying tickets now is a safe bet based on previous outings. In fact, if you get in early, you can subscribe to a payment plan. Yep, this just might be our new favourite festival.
On July 1, Brisbane's late-night entertainment scene will change forever. With new lockout laws kicking in, catching a few gigs, having a couple of drinks and partying away into the early hours of the next morning is going to be a whole lot tougher — and that's before another round of even harsher rules drop next February. Alas, with just days to go, it seems like the legislation really is going ahead, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy one last hurrah before it does. On June 30, a heap of Brissie joints are banding together to throw a final multi-venue extravaganza. Think of it as a celebration of the city's thriving music scene, a showcase its talent and another protest about the forthcoming situation. Oh, and did we mention that it'll cost you absolutely nothing? Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside, The Flying Cock and The Foundry are the places to head to for the aptly named Brisbane's Big Kick On, with each space highlighting just what makes a night out in the Valley so damn great. They'll have a heap of help, of course, courtesy of a lineup that features Baskervillain, Carmouflage Rose, Dumb Punts, Erick Sanders, Golden Vessel, I OH YOU DJs, The Jensens, Lastlings, Leø, Midas.Gold featuring Gallus, Romy, Shady Bliss, Shag Rock, Surfin' Bird, Twin Haus, Zaped x Groszek, Krasnov and Butterlungs. Now that's how you throw a party.
On any given weekend, Brisbanites have plenty of opportunities to pretend that they're on holidays. No, we're not talking about taking a staycation, as fun as that is. Instead, we're encouraging you to embrace the city's busy array of cultural festivals. Come August 12 from 10am to 4pm, it's the Korean community's turn to celebrate the cuisine, culture and everything else that makes their nation great. For one day only, the Korean Cultural Festival will take over King George Square. Expect to fill your stomach at the many food stalls, and then digest your tasty treats while watching martial arts displays. Of course, the list of events and activities only continues, with the whole affair offering attendees a showcase of traditional and contemporary elements such as meals, music and much, much more. In fact, the range of entertainment sums up the combination of old and new perfectly. After you've listened to pan-sori, or Korean singing, you can groove along to some K-pop courtesy of AO Crew & P4pero. Image: AO Dance Crew.
Pre-loved fashion is the gift that keeps on giving; one person's sartorial trash really is another's stylish treasure, after all. Hopefully, you'll find the latter at Revive Fashion Festival. Yes, it's an event dedicated to all things vintage and secondhand — or a way to spread the pre-loved love. Popping up at the Cultural Centre Forecourt at South Bank for one afternoon only, Revive is a chance to grab a bargain and garner a heap of great outfit ideas all at once. The city's best best pre-loved and revived clothing stalls will be selling their wares at a pop-up market, but that's only part of the fun. Who doesn't want to watch a fashion parade filled with secondhand savvy, enjoy some live entertainment and feast on bites to eat from an array of the city's best food trucks as well? Plus, you can get some sewing and style tips from the experts to ensure you really are making the most of your wardrobe. The fest is a precursor to National Op Shop Week, which runs from August 21 to 27, so consider it a warm-up for all of the vintage shopping in your future.
Sometimes, timing is everything. For the past few weeks, the whole country has been buzzing about the potential privacy concerns associated with inputting personal information into the nation's biggest data collection exercise, aka the census. Now, in an exhibition that has been planned for some time, Marnie Edminston's latest show ponders the same topic. A FAKE Estate presentation that's taking over Metro Arts, A Plant is a Plant contemplates the ever-growing world of everyday spying, because the days of simply placing bugs in lamps and greenery are well and truly over. Espionage has now moved away from targeted individual activities, and become a continuous enterprise used by governments and corporations to monitor as much of the population as possible. And, via social media, it's something that every one of us plays a part in. Just what that means is something the Melbourne-based Edminston, who is the 2016 Metro Arts ARI in Residence, considers in a collection of pieces about some of the irrational effects of increased surveillance. The exhibition celebrates its opening with a shindig on August 17, and then closes not with a bang but with a critical brunch on September 3. Yes, there'll be plenty of food for thought.
Straight white men. They're the most hard done by group out there, if Mark Latham is to be believed. But Korean-American playwright Young Jean Lee isn't quite so sure. Making its Queensland premiere at La Boite following hit runs in New York City and Melbourne, this whip-smart satire strips back stereotypes for a funny, compelling and at times uncomfortable conversation about gender, class and privilege. Straight White Men follows three adult brothers returning to their widowed father's home in time for the Christmas holidays. Progressive and 'enlightened', these are modern men, aware of the advantages they receive as a result of their gender, race and sexual orientation. They even go so far as to play a homemade Monopoly variant called Privilege. And yet despite their elevated social status, things don't seem to be working out in their favour. Directed by Nescha Jelk, the La Boite season of Straight White Men runs from July 27 to August 31.
If there's one certainty in life, it's that drinking and singing go hand in hand. After a few beverages, everyone likes to belt out a tune. However, there's pub karaoke, and then there's Brewski's latest evening of fun. At Opera in the Bar, Dan Dainton from Victoria's Dainton Family Brewery will be putting his vocal chords to the test — but with the kind of music you don't often hear at Brewski. Expect the visiting brewer to let loose with a few of his operatic favourites. Yes, really. Of course, expanding your cultural horizons isn't the only thing on offer, with plenty of yeasty, foamy goodness coursing through taps. Grab a pint of Samurye Lager, Das Duffel Draftt Alt Bier, Insane Uncle IPA, Bad Daughter Choc Orange Porter and Black Sheep Brunch Stout, and then pull up a chair for the kind of boozy show you really won't see anywhere.
It has been a century since the First World War rocked the entire planet. While plenty of time has passed since that conflict changed the course of history, its impact is still felt — as is the toll of every other battle that has raged in the years that followed. Timed to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary, Lest We Forget ponders the lingering effects of combat through contemporary dance and neo-classical ballet. Across a triptych of pieces crafted by a trio of top choreographers, the performance reflects upon the way that war can prove inescapable not only for those who serve, but for those who are left behind as well. And, given that it hones in on something that isn't always easily spoken about, it also provides a physical expression of a difficult topic. Accordingly, in We Who Are Left, Natalie Weir tells personal tales taken from poetry written during World War One. Paul Taylor's Company B explores the small-town repercussions of World War Two via a study of contradictions set to the hit songs of the Andrews Sisters, while Ma Cong's The Best Moments focuses on love, commitment and passion as inspired by The Hours Suite by Philip Glass.
Movie buffs of Brisbane, prepare to spend a good chunk of July in a darkened room. After its successful debut in 2015, Queensland Film Festival returns for another year of championing the best in international cinema — and its second annual program is even bigger. In fact, the boutique, curated festival has doubled in size in 2016, with 40 films — aka 20 features and 20 shorts — due to light up the silver screens at New Farm Cinemas from July 15 to 24, and at the Institute of Modern Art at a pre-festival teaser on July 9. Expect everything from gems of the global festival circuit to restored greats, with 19 titles in the lineup screening in Australia for the very first time. QFF 2016 kicks off with a slice of colourful melodrama courtesy of Pedro Almodovar's Julieta, and that's just the start of the festival's ten-day movie frenzy. A collaboration with Studio Ghibli, the dialogue-free animation The Red Turtle comes to Brisbane after premiering in Cannes, as does Morocco-based mountain travelogue Mimosas. Elsewhere, QFF will get loud and terrifying with heavy metal horror film The Devil's Candy by Australian director Sean Byrne, delve into competitive masculinity via absurdist Greek New Wave comedy Chevalier, explore a personal essay of love, loss and a pet pooch called Lolabelle in Laurie Anderson's Heart of a Dog, and take a different look at combat via Guy Maddin's Bring Me the Head of Tim Horton. And then there's the unsettling fable of Lucile Hadžihalilovic's Evolution, the pulpy magic of Anna Biller's The Love Witch, the Guillermo del Toro-championed mystical poetry of Chinese effort Kaili Blues, and Dead Slow Ahead's sci-fi like examination of cargo ships. If some of these titles sound familiar, that's because we've been excited about them for a while now. Plus, because 2016 marks two very important milestones in Brisbane film history, QFF is casting its eyes back to the past as well. First, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the initial Brisbane Film Festival — which actually took place at the movie theatre that eventually became the current New Farm Cinemas — with a screening of Agnes Varda's Cleo From 5 to 7, a selection of shorts and a free discussion panel on fifty years of film fests in the Queensland capital. Then, commemorate 25 years since the now-lost Brisbane International Film Festival started by watching David Cronenberg's Naked Lunch from BIFF's 1999 program.
For whatever reason, Vin Diesel and the gang have yet to take their globe-hopping Fast and Furious franchise to New Zealand. But if they do, they'll be racing in the tyre tracks of a couple of Mini-focused homegrown films. Back in 1981, Goodbye Pork Pie saw a ragtag bunch of misfits careen across the country's two islands in a tiny yellow vehicle. Driving into remake territory with a newer model, Pork Pie takes the idea out for another spin. When struggling novelist Jon (Dean O'Gorman) fails to win his girlfriend back at a pal's wedding, he decides to try again after she heads down south to Invercargill. Luckily, he crosses paths with Luke (James Rolleston), who's driving a stolen car and fleeing a troubled past. Recently unemployed fast food worker and animal rights activist Kiera (Ashleigh Cummings) soon hops in as well, and the trio of strangers are suddenly on the road to adventure – albeit with the cops hot on their trail, the media going mad, and the entire nation seemingly watching their every move. Will they all become friends, learn life lessons and grow into better people on their journey? Will you see so many shots of a glistening Mini that you'll think you're watching a car commercial? Will the film showcase just as many scenic New Zealand sights as the Lord of the Rings films? The answer to all three of these questions is a resounding yes. Still, what Pork Pie lacks in surprises, it endeavours to make up for in jovial road trip vibes. Put it this way: if you were stuck travelling for a couple of hours with nothing but this movie for entertainment, you wouldn't mind. Even if they don't always prove the best long-haul companions on-screen, it helps that the three central performers make the most of their roles. None of their characters are particularly well-developed, but the genuine rapport between the energetic O'Gorman, charismatic Rolleston and spirited Cummings more than helps pass the time. Writer-director Matt Murphy boasts a significant connection to the original — it was helmed by his father Geoff Murphy, and Matt was part of the crew. It shouldn't be surprising then that the remake focuses on two things that made the first outing memorable: stunts and humour. In terms of the former, prepare for a standout dash through Wellington that happens to involve a coffin, and cars and trains colliding (but not in the way you might expect). As for the latter, it's more warm smiles and light chuckles than belly laughs. The gags are mostly conventional, but then that's Pork Pie to a tee: affable, enjoyable, but not quite as freewheeling and frenetic as it thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPJpLfKG1AI
Are you a carnivorous, eat-the-coat-of-arms sort? Think that crocodiles are best served on a plate, rather than roaming across the continent? Keen to sample some of the flora this grand ol' country has gifted us, as well as the fauna? Native & Wild is just the feast that'll let you eat and drink your way across the Australian landscape. On May 8 from 7pm, Catchment Brewing Co.'s latest serves up a dinner that couldn't be more Aussie — and there's not a meat pie or lamington in sight. The menu kicks off with wild boar meatballs with Australian cheddar; wild pepper, black garlic and wild thyme crocodile skewers; and Warrigal greens — and yep, wild is a theme. From there, munch on wallaby fillet with wattle seed syrup and burnt onion, braised rabbit with native veg and bush tomato caprese salad, plus emu schnitzel with outback sea parsley and lemon myrtle, kangaroo sliders with finger lime mayo and quail egg, and charcoal samphire. Aussie spirits, beers and produce will be flowing in abundance, but needless to say, this isn't a meal for vegetarians. Tickets cost $95 per person for the kind of culinary lineup you mightn't come across again.
We've known for a while that the Wynnum-Manly area is brimming with the ocean's finest bounty. In fact, we've even suggested going on a fish and chip crawl there. Who doesn't want to mosey between coastal greasy spoons and eat seafood by the seashore at every one of them? Well, the fine folks in the city's east have gone one better: they've made a whole day of fun out of the bayside's fondness for bugs, crabs, prawns, oysters, scallops and plenty of kinds of fish. That'd be the Wynnum Seafood Festival, a community seafood event which started last year, and will take over George Clayton Park overlooking the iconic Wynnum jetty for the second time come October 7. After 15,000 people turned up in 2016, this one promises to be bigger and better than ever. This time around, there'll be a fresh seafood market, a gourmet food tasting area, a cooking stage and an wine and oyster bar, in case you thought the fest wasn't serious about upping the ante. Favourites such as the prawn peeling competition and mud crab race will return, plus live music, cooking demos, panel discussions, workshops, rides and activities, and market stalls.
With Monster Fest showering Melbourne with an annual showcase of horror, thrills and just a bloody good time at the cinema since 2011, non-Victorian genre buffs can be forgiven for experiencing a severe case of film festival envy. Don't worry, the Monster Fest Travelling Sideshow is the cure for that green shade you've been sporting. After taking the best of the festival around to Sydney in March, they're headed to Brisbane in May. From March 12 to 14, Event Cinemas Myer Centre will become Monster Fest's temporary home away from home with a lineup that should excite and unnerve cinephiles in equal measure. Topping the bill is the homegrown thriller double of Hounds of Love and Killing Ground, which will make you think of Aussie actors Stephen Curry and Aaron Pedersen in a whole new way. Also on the Australian front, shark frightfest Cage Dive will make sure you won't want to go near water. Attendees can also catch the Hitchcock-obsessed documentary 78/52, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and find scares on the road in Canada's The Void. Rounding out the program is classic Italian horror Suspiria, plus the 15-years-in-the-making The Evil Within, as well as heavy metal horror The Devil's Candy by Aussie The Loved Ones director Sean Byrne.
For most of us, selecting our preferred type of alcohol is like trying to pick our favourite day of the weekend — we love them all equally. Alas, Cloudland is determined to make everyone decide which kind of best booze is best — or try to, at least — at their second annual Beer vs Wine dinner. After their first battle of the beverages proved a hit last year, the Fortitude Valley venue is once again putting the two tipples to the test from 6.30pm on May 26. Expect four wines and four beers matched with four courses, complete with Craig from Mezzanine and Hugh from Stone & Wood on hand to help. Come prepared.
Sitting down, taking pen to paper and writing a letter is fast becoming a lost art. Sitting around and talking about words and correspondence is too. Well, almost. If there's one thing that Women of Letters aims to achieve, it's showcasing the merits of both. If there's another, it's doing so with some fantastic women. For the event's ninth Brisbane outing, new host and co-curator Angie Hart plus founding co-curator Marieke Hardy will help prose flow freely as they take over The Zoo from 3pm on June 18. And, they'll have company: actor, writer and theatre-maker, Merlynn Tong, journalist Pip Courtney, theatre director Paige Rattray, film and TV actor Sibylla Budd, youth arts facilitator Claire Christian and criminal defence lawyer Debbie Kilroy. Now there's a squad of formidable females. As is the custom, each will pen a letter, with this session dedicated to the topic of 'A Letter to My Second Chance'. Hear their scribblings, soak up their insights, and drink wine and eat cheese while you do so. Getting tickets asap is recommended, as Women in Letters is always popular.
Break out your best green lycra outfit and get a rum-flavoured ham a-brewing. Throw in a viewing of Lethal Weapon 5, plus a killer rendition of 'Dayman', and you just might be ready. For trivia domination, that is, on one specific subject. Of course, the topic at hand is a certain television sitcom about perhaps the world's worst bar owners. For twelve years now, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has immersed audiences into the devious, darkly amusing and downright odd antics of the Paddy's Pub gang — and if you have a certain sense of humour, you've likely lapped it all up. Now, all that time spent watching and rewatching all 124 episodes to date could win you some glory. Yes, Man vs Bear Trivia is at it again, this time joining forces with The Brightside to quiz everyone senseless about one of the least sensible — yet savagely smart — comedies on TV. Prepare for ample shenanigans and prepare to say "god damn it" a lot, particularly if anyone in your team is called Dee.
Because you're reading this, we know you're not someone who received a pet for Christmas, only to decide it wasn't for you. We know you're one of the good folks. You're probably wishing that you did receive a loveable animal as a gift, even if you already have one — or several — that you adore. We understand your yearning, and so does RSPCA Queensland. In trying to find permanent homes for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens surrendered into their care from all over the state, they're bringing all those cuddly creatures to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday 14 January for their third annual pop-up adoption event. Entry is free, and includes demonstrations, entertainment, food, and activities, as well as RSPCA stalls and information. And then there's the hundreds of animals waiting for your affection — and for you to take them home with you. 415 critters found homes last year, in case you're wondering. Although you can't put a price on the happiness a new four-legged friend will bring — and although this year's rates haven't yet been announced — in previous years, those wanting to adopt an older cat or dog have been offered a cheaper price. Kittens and puppies aged under four months will also be looking for someone to love them. The time and place is perfect for many a Brisbane resident, coinciding with the first day of the biannual secondhand free-for-all that is Lifeline Bookfest. Who doesn't want to go out for a day of book browsing, puppy perusing and cat patting? You might just come home with six month's worth of reading, and a new pal to keep you company. There's more to pet adoption than overdosing on cuteness, of course, with making the commitment to care for an animal serious business. For further information, read RSPCA Queensland's FAQs.
No matter what's gracing the Gallery of Modern Art's walls, stepping inside the cube-shaped building in South Brisbane is the gift that keeps on giving. Want to explore light, space, architecture and the senses? Contemplate one of the country's closest neigbours? Or see films that ponder our place in the world? You can do all of that here. From November 26, 2016 until July 30, 2017, you can also explore a wealth of works from GOMA's works from the Aboriginal and Pacific collections as part of Lucent. Yes, that's eight months of amazing indigenous art. We told you there were presents aplenty in this gallery. Just like the other exhibitions and programs on display at the time of writing, Lucent explores connections, differences and boundaries. Expect everything from giant, majestic installations to intimate pieces designed to be worn on bodies — and everything in between, naturally.
In an art gallery in Ipswich, a magical world exists. And sure, it's designed for children — but you're never too old to feast your eyes on a playground made of sticky tape. At Tapescape, artist Eric Lennartson puts packing tape to its best use yet, making shapes, caves, tunnels, bridges and more by stretching and sticking it between metal frames. It spans two storeys, takes over 20 square metres, and uses 56,000 metres of tape. Want to see more before you see it in person? This behind-the-scenes video will have you heading west immediately. The bad news is that it's a play space for kids; however adults can marvel at its wonder, and who doesn't want to do that, seriously? It forms part of Construction Site, a broader exhibition that's all about building and playing. Our advice: you'd best round up your nieces and nephews.
Aaaah, January. The start of a new year always means one thing: making a whole heap of resolutions that you know you probably won't stick to. And, making the same resolutions. How many years in a row have you promised yourself that you'll eat better, look after yourself and learn something new? At Work-Shop's Good For Ya Gut classes, you can do all of the above by working your way through its fermented food and drinks series. Join fermentation whiz Lucy Galbraith to discover just why you should revive this age-old technique — and how. First cab off the rank is kombucha on January 9, followed by kefir on January 23, and kraut and kimchi on February 13. Perhaps you're already a fan of all four and want to whip up your own. Perhaps you're discovering something different and broadening your palette. Either way, the three evening sessions will add another skill or taste to your repertoire — or both — all while keeping your digestive system feeling oh-so-healthy.
This Christmas, it's not just stockings that'll be getting stuffed, or Christmas turkeys. Add your pantry and your stomach to the list — and prepare to find a whole heap of edible and hand-crafted presents as well. Think of Christmas at Cooks as Wandering Cooks' gift to you — so that you can give to others, and yourself. From December 7 to 14, their South Brisbane premises will become a week-long pop-up market filled your favourite traders. And they're open from 9am to 9pm every day, except December 10, when they close early for a party. Now that you know when you can stop by, you probably want to know exactly what you'll find there. Here's hoping you asked Santa for goodies from Picklehead Pickles, Ugly Duck Preserves, Moore Fudge, The Sauce Man, BNE Soda Co. and Avid Reader. And yes, there's more where they came from.
Every time one of Australia's many cultural film festivals rolls around, viewers are taken on a journey to another country. Celebrating its 20th event, the 2017 Spanish Film Festival is embracing that idea — and they have the perfect movie for it. This year's festival will close with The Trip to Spain, the third instalment in the Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon driving-and-dining series following 2010's The Trip and 2014's The Trip to Italy. Of course, the Spanish Film Festival has put together a hefty program that showcases more than two British comedians trading Michael Caine impressions while seeing gorgeous Spanish sights and ticking off the country's fine dining spots, with the full lineup boasting 38 features. In Brisbane from April 27 until May 14, the festival will kick off with Kiki, Love to Love, which actually has an Australian connection. Telling five comic tales about the passionate lives of Madrid lovers, it's based on Hoges actor Josh Lawson's 2014 directorial debut The Little Death. Elsewhere at Palace Barracks and Palace Centro, expect a vibrant cross-section of Spanish-language cinema, including moving coming-of-age effort Summer 1993, the Penelope Cruz and Cary Elwes-starring The Queen of Spain, and tense dark comedy The Bar, all heading to our shores after screening at the Berlinale. Or, viewers can catch the Goya-winning revenge flick The Fury of a Patient Man, bank robber thriller Escape Plan, secret agent spoof Heroes Wanted, literary-focused Venice Film Festival hit The Distinguished Citizen, or social realist musical At Your Doorstep. Plus, the program also features walk-and-talk romance The Reconquest, Smoke & Mirrors' true tale of corruption from the makers of 2015 festival standout Marshland, and Spain in a Day — the latest crowd-shot time-capsule companion piece to 2011's Life in a Day, joining fellow efforts made in Britain, Japan, Italy and India. This year's festival selections don't stop there, with four films embracing the joys of flamenco, spanning both dance and music. For those keen on looking back as well as catching the latest cinematic fare, three retrospective screenings will showcase the work of actress, singer and filmmaker Ana Belén, who has more than 35 albums, 40 films and 30 theatrical productions on her resume.
If one of your loved ones was about to die, how would you react? It's a grim prospect that no one wants to think about, but it's the basic concept behind Queensland Theatre's Once in Royal David's City. Theatre director Will finds out that his recently-widowed mother is ill, sits by her bedside, and asks himself the important questions: who are we, what are we doing here, what's the point, why does anything happen and all that. Written by playwright and former Queensland Theatre artistic director Michael Gow, it might come as a surprise that the end result isn't bleak and brooding — it's life-affirming. That's just one of the many contrasts that sit at the centre of the production, which marks Queensland Theatre directorial debut of new artistic director Sam Strong. As for the others, expect a play that jumps right through from the 1950s to the present, spends time in West Berlin and in Byron Bay, and spans broad themes and intimate encounters. After getting rave reviews in Perth, the production comes home for a hefty run between April 22 and March 14.
Is there anything better than giving your favourite record a spin, then setting back to take in its sonic glory with a drink in your hand? If you like music and booze, not much, really. If something comes close, though, it'd be shopping for vinyl while taste-testing whiskey. First, you rifle through crates looking for albums to buy or swap — or, you join the more the 20 stalls already locked in and bring your own to trade. Then, you head to the bar to sample some smooth spirits from Jameson. Repeat, reverse and interchange the above at your leisure. It's all happening at Crowbar on January 21, and while getting in early is recommended, this isn't the type of record fair that requires you to get up with the birds. Just drop by the Valley bar from 2pm with a hunger for building your collection and a thirst for brown beverages. That's your Saturday afternoon sorted.
Its that time again, Francophiles: time to get your fix of the European nation's best music. Every year, So Frenchy So Chic heads to Brisbane Powerhouse will a stellar act to knock your French-loving socks off. And this year, they've gone big. Consider yourself a fan of all things from the country in question, plus '80s new wave music and bossa nova? Then, consider yourself a fan of Nouvelle Vague. The beloved performers return to Australia to unleash their chilled out covers — and you can return for a dose of Gallic music bliss. If you're keen on French cinema, you might've noticed that the group's name actually means new wave; spanning sources of inspiration of both the screen and sound kind, they're certainly dedicated to their cause. Highlights of their career output to date include their own takes on Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', Echo & The Bunnymen's 'The Killing Moon', Blondie's 'Heart of Glass' and Violent Femmes' 'Blister in the Sun'.
If 2016 taught us one thing, it's that — at least as far as music icons are concerned — tragedy is always met with a tribute or several. So, with the late, great Leonard Cohen joining the list of artists claimed by the horrible year that just passed, he's also the latest to receive a public outpouring of love in concert form. Dance Me To The End Of Love — A Leonard Cohen Tribute will gather a bunch of Brisbane musicians to honour the influential figure, and invite as much of Brissie as can fit into The Brightside to watch. Everybody knows that it's a must-attend gig. Everybody also knows that 'Hallelujah' will pop up more than once. Here, tonight will be fine — and hey, that is the way to say goodbye. The Duke, Pandora's Karavan, Mel Fraser from We All Want To, Mind & Matches, Peter Fogarty, Mardi Lumsden, Beth Knights and more will help, at what's certain to be a heartfelt evening. Image: Takahiro Kyono.
First, there was the Weekend of Darkness. Now, get ready for the Weekend of Tartness — aka the sister festival The Scratch just had to have. Where the former has celebrated ales, porters, stouts and other tipples at the dark end of the spectrum since 2013, the latter cartwheels to the opposite end of the extreme spectrum of beer styles. If it is tart and tangy, it is likely to be on the menu. Over two days, the funkiest, sourest, most refreshing beers being produced in Australia and around the world will take over the taps of the Milton hangout. It might sound like a gimmick, but these biting brews have been around longer than you might think. In fact, historically, all beers used to be sour. Drinking is only part of the fun, with tasty food and a pumping soundtrack adding to the atmosphere. And if you need some more information to help you work up a thirst, knowing that there'l be tipples on offer from Boatrocker Brewing Co., Feral Brewing Company, Newstead Brewing Co., Brisbane Brewing Co. and more should do it.
There has never been someone quite like Minnie Woolsley, aka KooKoo the Birdgirl. That was the billing the American entertainer received when she starred in iconic 1932 horror film Freaks. Yes, the movie's not-so-subtle title, as well as her distinctive stage name, paint quite the picture. Woolsley suffered from a rare congenital growth skeletal disorder that made her look avian in appearance, which is what brought her to fame; however it's the reality behind the sideshow that motivates the Metro Arts production that shares her adopted moniker. Sarah Houbolt dives into the history of the weird and wonderful part of travelling circuses through the lens of her inspiration, resulting in a bizarre and completely unexpected performance. Across four shows from November 3 to 5, KooKoo the Birdgirl will unleash its unusual delights, though heading to the venue on November 2 is also recommended. That's when Freaks will screen, giving context to Houbolt's show — and gifting audiences the chance to see the classic movie in Metro Arts' cinema.
If you're not already sitting down, you will be once you realise that Brisbane doesn't have a regular vegan market. Or didn't. In news that'll make you leap back up again, the city now has its own monthly gathering dedicated to animal-free products. Brisbane Vegan Markets celebrates ethical eating choices in the best way that anyone can: bringing together all of the stalls selling all of the vegan products. Whatever type of cruelty-free food you're after, there's a very good chance you'll find it here — and it's all happening on the second Sunday of each month. Stallholders change each month, but attendees can expect guilt-free grab bites from a rotating range that has previously included I Should Coco, Tibetan Momo, Kings Indian Fusion, Fire & Dough, Tapioca Traders, Organic Frog Doughnuts, Chai Cart, Vegan Van, Vurger, Green Street Foods, Flour of Life and Popcorn Downunder — and they're just some of the traders selling their animal-free wares. Plus, there'll be clothing and cosmetics on offer too, and live music as well.
That annual occasion to eat, drink and be merry has come around; no, not Christmas, although foodies can forgiven for thinking so. Prepare to sample good food and drink good wine at The Good Food and Wine Show. It's all there in the title. If devouring delicious treats is your thing — and it is, let's be honest — then your tastes are catered for here. Try local and regional produce in the show's themed zones, such as dairy-lover's wonderland Cheese Alley, plus the craft beer heaven that is Brewer's Lane. Or learn from the best, as famed chefs Matt Moran, Miguel Maestre, Silvia Colloca, Gary Mehigan and more cook up a storm in the Good Food Theatre. When it comes to feasting and learning, there really is something for everyone. From coffee to chocolate, and market-style browsing to masterclasses, you can devour meals made by celebrity cooks, brush up on your wine appreciation skills, graze from food truck offerings and conduct a few taste tests — and that's just the beginning.
A season of Serbian cinema will light up the silver screen at the latest edition of Australia's Serbian Film Festival. On offer at select Hoyts Cinemas around the country until early November, this year's program includes a quartet of contemporary Serbian productions that between them showcase the versatility of the nation's under-seen cinematic output. Selected as this year's opening night film, A Stinking Fairytale tells the story of the unlikely romance between Ema and Moma, who live homeless on the streets of Belgrade. Another standout title is Nikola Ljuca's Humidity, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year and has been described by The Hollywood Reporter as "a cryptic thriller about the morally vacant lifestyles of the rich and shameless". On a lighter note, Double Trouble is a comedy about a pair of estranged brothers who find themselves on a collision course. Rounding out the program is The Black Pin, a dark comedy about a misanthropic priest at odds with his superstitious parishioners.
Perky puppies, green grass and a day filled with canine cuddles: is there anything better? On November 19 between 10am and 2pm, there really isn't. That's when Little Legs Rescue takes over New Farm's favourite open space for an event filled with all of the above. Puppy Picnic in the Park is also the event that you'll want to scurry along to whether you already have a four-legged friend to take with you or you're keen on meeting a new barking pal. In fact, if you fall into the latter category, it's a must-attend kind of get-together, giving you the chance to meet dogs that are looking for a new home, grab a foster information pack and chat to the foster coordinator. In addition, there'll be raffles and prizes on offer, with all funds raised going towards helping LLR's rescue animals, and helping the organisation keep doing that they do. Plus, it wouldn't be a picnic without a cruelty-free sausage sizzle, as well as baked treats that both humans and pooches can enjoy, cake just for dogs, and a professional photo booth so you can get the best pet snaps imaginable.
A drama released in 1989 that saw its premiere cut short because of the fall of the Berlin Wall. A tale of corruption in the sporting arena. A documentary about perhaps the greatest German director that ever lived. A lengthy father-daughter comedy that no one can stop talking about (us included). Yes, they're all part of the 2016 German Film Fest's 36-title lineup, which roams around Australia this month. In a nutshell, it's a great year to get your fix of the country's cinematic offerings. In fact, there's so much packed into the festival's heaving program that the aforementioned movies aren't even the only titles on our must-see list — though they provide a great indication of the wealth of choices available. Check some of them out when the festival comes to Brisbane's Palace Barracks between November 25 and 30.
If you're planning on spending Saturday with a beer in your hand, then one Fortitude Valley establishment has you covered. Admittedly, serving up pints is what Bloodhound Bar does every day of the week; however in honour of Brewsvegas, they're bringing back their beloved beer fest, adding it to the city-wide celebration, and making an extra special occasion of it. At the second Hopfields, they're also making an occasion out of showcasing hops, without which we wouldn't have the brews we know and love. With that in mind, expect all the tasty ales from around the world that you could dream of — and plenty you've likely never heard of, too — including limited releases, launches of new beers and one-offs brewed especially for the event, plus a slew of classics. With names like Get Rich or Die Ryeing and Puff the Magic Flagon on the menu, you're going to want to try them all. Save some room for the cocktails though, with the humble hop flower given its moment to shine in all its forms. Image: Robert Killey Photography.
