Why would you want to celebrate a brutal day of 18th-century European history, you ask? Well, because there is cheese at stake here. French National Day, or Bastille Day, represents freedom, equality, fraternity, and now President Francois Hollande and his first ladies. It is a festive date celebrated by francophiles worldwide, and one we recommend getting behind. Below is a snapshot of all things French that you can get amongst in Brisbane around July 14. Festival Time This weekend the Brisbane French Festival is rolling into South Bank for two whole days of wining, dining, speaking, hearing and seeing all things French and French-inspired. The festival will be your one-stop shop to music, cuisine, culture, entertainment, products, services and information to celebrate La Fete Nationale. Don your beret and your best eyeliner moustache and clink your glasses to the sweet sweet sound of French culture. Eating Now, we could probably have filled this whole article with food, but we’ve managed to condense it to just half. Pre-prepared for your reading pleasure, check out our Top Ten French Eateries feature for the best of the best in French food, or head along to these culinary Bastille Day events. French-Vietnamese restaurant Libertine is doing a three-course shared set plus drink for $45 per person, and Emporium will pop the cork on a revolutionary five-course Canard-Duchene Champagne Dinner. Cheers! Cinema If you’re yet to experience the delightful quirks of a French rom-com, or just French cinema, Bastille is the best excuse yet. Well-known French funny-man Dany Boone stars in his latest rom-com hit, The Volcano, while Belle & Sebastian — once a book, then a TV series and now a movie — is a timeless tale of a boy and his dog. Both are playing on the big screen at Palace cinemas right now. Or if subtitles seem like too much effort, the new Yves Saint Laurent film will give you a French culture hit in your native tongue. Cheese Did someone say cheese? What would a French celebration be without a little fromage. Make like a French man, grab a baguette from Banneton in Woolloongabba, head next door to Pennisi Deli for your cheese and have an impromptu picnic atop the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. If you don’t like to venture south of the river, Rosalie Gourmet Market, Tognini’s, Black Pearl Epicure and Standard Market Co can help fill your wildest cheese dreams too. Cooking Duck l’orange, boeuf bourguignon, gratin dauphinois, ratatouille, crème brûlée, souffle, tarte tatin… salivating yet? Brisbane is home to a number of great cooking schools with a few running French cuisine classes to help get your culinary skills up to scratch. Take part in the modern French class at Vanilla Zulu on July 11, in French Classics at Spring on August 9, or gather some friends and organise a private French Country Cooking class with Giovanna. If you’d rather watch and drink than take part, The Golden Pig is hosting a Wine Tasting Workshop and cooking demonstration on July 16. Language Bonjour! Croissant! Fromage! Menage a trois? Je ne parle pas francais… Need a little help getting your French off the ground? It’s never too late to start learning a language and we say your best bets are Alliance Francais, French Lessons Brisbane or French Speak. If you’re already a master in the language of love, Alliance Francais also has a French language library, runs a book club and does a monthly French film night. Oui!
Feeling a little chilly, Brisbanites? There's a reason for that. But it's not just the usual wintry temperatures that's making the city shiver — rather, it's Brissie's coldest morning of the year so far. While the mercury will hit the 23-degree maximum mark today, the morning started with a frosty 6.9 degrees. The dip comes as part of a cold front across the east coast. In some areas in New South Wales and Victoria, temperatures are predicted to hit their coldest point in two years. To put the dip in context, 23.4 degrees is the month's average maximum temperature to date, while 12.5 degrees is the minimum. In fact, 11.8 degrees is the usual June average historically, according to data spanning from 2000 to 2016. It's the second time the temp has dropped into single digits this month, following a 9.3-degree low on Tuesday, June 12. If you're not too keen on the extra dose of chilliness each morning, we're sorry to advise that minimums of nine degrees and under are forecast until Thursdays, although maximums will reach between 19 and 23. Still, we can stop saying that 'winter is coming' — yep, winter is definitely here. Via The Courier-Mail.
The world’s biggest international live music event is almost upon us. There are no tickets, no seating, no supports and no headliners, just music – everywhere. Fete de la Musique is held in 350 cities around the world on the same day every year, and its message is simple: make music everywhere. 2011 marks the fourth year of Brisbane’s involvement in the festival, with 215 acts crooning and tuning all over the city from 7am ‘til midnight. Expect the unexpected with Fete de la Musique – the beauty of this event is that performances are held everywhere. Forget the stage in the middle of Queen Street Mall, the Fete performers are more likely to play on a bus, the shopping centre, the library, the street, even the CityCat will play venue on the day. Fete de la Musique is the one event this year that you literally cannot miss - you won’t be able to. Look out for Bang Bang Boss Kelly and Pear and the Awkward Orchestra! Where will they be? The Goodwill Bridge? Central Station? A… hair salon? Find out on Tuesday.
You've watched him judge many a culinary creation on television, and now it's South-East Queensland's turn to taste one of Australia's top chef's own kitchen wizardry. Yes, George Calombaris is setting up shop on the Gold Coast — and eyeing venues in Brisbane as well. Anyone keen on a jaunt down the highway can satisfy their hunger pains at his first permanent Queensland venture, which is also his first outside of Victoria. The sixth store in his Jimmy Grants chain will set up shop in Robina Town Centre and serve up Greek-style dishes aplenty. Just thinking about the likes of prawn and honey filled souvas, roast beetroot salads, slow-roasted lamb shoulder and baklava ice cream sandwiches should be enough to get your mouth watering. That's a pretty great way to mark three years since the first Jimmy Grants opened, though Queenslanders will have to wait until late October or early November to get their fill. And, it might not be the Calombaris' only Queensland eatery in the works. When the MasterChef judge was in town in July for Regional Flavours, The Courier-Mail noted that he was searching for restaurant sites in Brisbane. Fingers (or tastebuds) crossed. Find Jimmy Grants at Robina Town Centre from late October or early November. Keep an eye on the Jimmy Grants website and Facebook page for more information.
Death Valley – named in the Californian Gold Rush era after several pioneers perished in its conditions – is the hottest, driest place in the United States. Despite its seemingly barren environment, it is also a place of great biodiversity and stunning beauty. It is this side of Death Valley that Brisbane photographer Richard Muldoon showcases in his latest exhibition. The landscape unfolds in a dramatic wash of colour, with cloud-ringed mountain ranges giving way to undulating sand dunes and vast salt plains. Muldoon’s ability to capture both the hostility and serenity of the area earned him the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers' title of Queensland Professional Photographer of the Year. While the landscape takes centre stage, Muldoon doesn’t shy away from human intrusion; despite its inhospitality, Death Valley receives more than one million visitors per year. The presence of tourists in Muldoon’s photographs is a reminder that few places in the US exist in isolation, no matter how forbidding the environment.
Another year, another impressive milestone notched up by 4ZZZ. Time flies when you're playing top tunes and offering the River City its own local alternative station, obviously, with Brisbane's community radio favourites celebrating its 47th birthday in 2022. We can't stress how fantastic staying on the air for that long is — and clearly the 4ZZZ crew agree. So do The Brightside, with the venue turning into party central for one big evening. The radio station first started broadcasting on December 8, 1975, and 4ZZZ's 47th Birthday Party is happening on that exact same date this year. [caption id="attachment_711489" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Brightside[/caption] It's the perfect way to show your love for a local icon, and an excellent Thursday night activity, too. Plus, the event keeps the focus on great homegrown music — aka exactly what listeners love about the station — with The Double Happiness, Ethan Enoch, PhD and Sali Eri are taking care of the tunes. Tickets cost $15 for subscribers and $23.50 otherwise, and doors open at 6pm. Top image: John Robert McPherson via Wikimedia Commons.
Melbourne might be where Lune Croissanterie started its world-acclaimed pastry empire ten years back; however, Brisbane is where it has branched out with not just two bakeries, but also a wine bar. That tipple-slinging venue: Butler, which started serving drinks in mid-2022, and is now teaming up with its sibling for a day of pizza pastries and Italian natural vino. Sunday, December 11 marks the first time that Lune and Butler have joined forces, which makes their Fun in Pizzopoli events worth attending for that fact alone. Of course, the pairing of wine and pizza — the former from Fun Wines, with Giorgio De Maria doing the pouring; the latter baked fresh by Lune, with a special menu for the day — is a mighty hefty drawcard as well. Those tipples will be summery, while the Lune pizza escargots will be inspired by two of Italy's most popular pizza toppings. So, there'll be a margherita pizza dubbed 'pizza alla Giorgio', which'll feature anchovies, capers and oregano. And, Lune's cult-favourite cacio e pepe escargot will also be on offer. Rounding out the menu — and helping line your stomach — is a small range of classic Italian antipasti. Fun in Pizzopoli is taking place over two sessions: from 2–5pm and 5.30–8.30pm. And, tickets include entry and two pizzas, with wine being sold by the glass.
When Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art fills its halls with art on a particular subject or theme, or by a certain artist, it doesn't just stop at drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations. That's the joy of being an art gallery with your own cinema — pairing what's on display upon those white walls with movies mean to be enjoyed in a darkened space. Accordingly, free exhibition Still Life Now comes with an also-free screening program, with Still Lives also musing on existence. Here, must-see movies such as Flux Gourmet, The Death of Mr Lazarescu and The Lobster anchor a program that contemplates life, death and transformation, with the rotating array of flicks showing on Sundays from October 9, 2022–March 12, 2023. The lineup falls under four sections, with 'Stillness' seeing the beauty in the everyday, as epitomised by features such as Coffee and Cigarettes and 24 Frames. Then, in 'Excess', indulgence and extravagance is in the spotlight, which is where the likes of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover and Carnivore Reflux come in. 'Transition' explores life, death and rituals attached to both, with a lineup that includes A Pigeon Sat on A Branch Reflecting on Existence and Vitalina Varela. And 'Transformation' favours films about the natural meeting the unnatural, including Death Becomes Her and Little Joe. And yes, there's two films actually called Still Life — Jia Zhangke's 2006 title and Sima Urale's 2001 effort — on the bill.
The Big Pineapple Festival boasts a lineup worth travelling an hour out of town for. John Butler Trio, The Jezabels, Violent Soho and Dune Rats are just a few of the bands who will be making their way to Nambour for one of this country's juiciest music events. We suggest you pull out the swag and get prepping. If you had a seriously deprived childhood and have no idea what or where the Big Pineapple is, it's on the Nambour Connection Road. It's literally a 16 meter high yellow thing surrounded by 400 acres of farm. You can't miss it. This is the festival's third year, with the previous two selling out. To meet the growing demand, they've moved venues; while last year's festival was at the Big Pineapple, this year's festival will be across the road from it. So just find the yellow thing then rotate 180 degrees. And if the usual festival attire seems a bit too easy for you, The Pineapple Festival is running a competition to find the craziest outfit on the day. The winner will receive two nights accommodation at the Beach Club Resort Mooloolaba and two half-day whale watching passes.
Is there a better name for a reggae festival than Jammin, which instantly gets the sounds of Bob Marley stuck in your head? Probably not. And at 2024's Jammin, the event is living up to that moniker by featuring Julian Marley, one of the Jamaican icon's sons, on its lineup. His set list is known to feature his dad's songs — 'Jamming' among them. Marley will take to the stage in Brisbane when the festival plays the Riverstage for two days across Saturday, February 3–Sunday, February 4. He has plenty of big-name reggae company, starting with Sean Paul, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Shaggy — yes, Mr Boombastic himself. From there, the roster of talent includes Stefflon Don, Fiji, Oxlade, J Boog, Third World and Common Kings, as well as Maoli, Spawnbreezie, The Green, Pia Mia, Latasha Lee, Josh Wawa, Eli Mac and Sione Toki. Plus, Sons of Zion, Sammy J, Nesian Mystik, House of Shem, 1814 and Three Houses Down are hopping across the ditch from New Zealand's reggae scene. In Brisbane, Shaggy headlines the Saturday, while Sean Paul and UB40 featuring Al Campbell do the honours on Sunday. Top image: Bieniecki Piotr via Wikimedia Commons.
Think Taps, the Brunswick Street bar that lets you pour your own beers, is just about the beverages? Think again. On Australia Day, they're also about combining a pint with a few friendly competitions. If ever there was an occasion for drinking games, it's this one. Given they're calling the event the Taps Olympics, you can safely expect more than a few rounds of shenanigans. Plus, there's something fitting about celebrating our great multicultural nation by embracing a sporting contest first started in Ancient Greece many, many centuries ago.
There's always something unique and cutting edge rearing its head at the Brisbane Judith Wright Centre, and this coming week is no exception. In fact, An End To Dreaming promises to be a warped fairytale so fantastically unnatural it will leave you in a spell long after the stage is cold. This pop cabaret fairytale is a unique showcase of Queensland talent. It has brought together Matilda Award nominee, Emma Dean and Green Room Award winner, Jake Diefenbach, fusing their musical flair into an eerie masterpiece. The uncanny duo sway, sing and step through ten Brothers Grimm inspired short stories, each complimented with their often ambiguous and haunty musical creations. Dean and Diefenbach's vocal and piano arrangments are sure to make the hairs on the back of your neck creep up! An End To Dreaming will journey through the dark and treacherous world of fiction bringing fairy tales to light. In other words, be prepared for at least a little of the warm and fuzzies. This cabaret will introduce you to a hurly-burly of whimsical tunes and twisted characters. This show is one night only so be quick and get your tickets fast!
We all need some time off with a poolside cocktail every now and then. Or just to hold on to the dream of getting it one day. But in reality, do we want to pass our whole holidays like that, while our children are off making a completely different set of memories? Not so much. A lot of family holidays aim for segregation: massages and mud baths for the big people; predictable 'kids clubs' for their offspring. But for those who are in the mood to get imaginative and adventurous, we've teamed up with Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove, to round up five getaways to gratify you. If you want to share memorable — and, quite possibly, educational — experiences with your kids, then read on to find five of the best contemporary regional holiday ideas for families wanting to clear out of the city and have fun. Together. COURAN COVE Want a private beach and more water activities than you can poke a paddle at? Head to Couran Cove, which is not your typical island resort. Set yourself up in one of their self-contained eco-cabins, load up on essentials at the general store and take advantage of a crazy range of on-site facilities, including a lap pool, children's pool, playground, beach volleyball, basketball, tennis and mini-golf. While on paper this may seem like any other beach holiday, the resort has a very independent vibe, allowing you to build your own perfect escape on the island, without the run-of-the-mill structured activities. Hit the water via kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, trampolines and water slides, or take advantage of the long boardwalk by foot or bike to explore the rainforest trails. 2 hours' drive south of Brisbane via the Pacific Motorway MURPHY'S CREEK ESCAPE Leaving the iPad at home and going completely off the grid may induce a slight state of panic, but we promise once you arrive at Murphy's Creek Escape campgrounds, you won't look back. Aptly named, it is your chance to completely escape the hustle and grind, and have the whole family connect with nature at a leisurely pace. Thrill-seekers are catered for with a medium ropes course and flying fox on site, while chill-seekers can relax on the banks of Murphy's Creek. Those with little experience camping may want to opt for the army tent accommodation. The dorms come with timber floors, lighting and power, and can be pimped with stretchers for sleeping. 1.5 hours' drive east of Brisbane via the Warrego Highway TANGALOOMA Give Little Johnny plenty of material for Monday's show and tell with a trip to Tangalooma on Moreton Island. His tales of hand-feeding the wild dolphins there will impress even the most critical audience of five-year-olds. Boasting an unpretentious island resort, uncrowded beaches and a vast array of wildlife, Tangalooma is a great balance between creatures and creature comforts. Sign up the fambam for ATV quad biking, sand tobogganing, kayaking, fishing and snorkelling over shipwrecks. A 75-minute catamaran cruise northwest from Brisbane BINNA BURRA LODGE Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coast Hinterland prides itself on having plenty of options, so for those who want a break from the kids as well as some proper family bonding time, this is your place. It's located in the thick of Lamington National Park, in a world that channels strong 'Lost Boys running amok in the forests of Neverland' vibes. Gather the tribe for archery, wild walks and a ride on the 165-metre flying fox (or the mini version in the Adventure Playground if one/all of you chicken out). 1.5 hours' drive south of Brisbane via the Pacific Motorway BESTBROOK MOUNTAIN RESORT Cracking the whip will have a whole new meaning once you've stayed at Bestbrook. Here, you can lead your progeny around on horseback, and expose them to wagon rides, boomerang throwing, whip cracking and yabby fishing in Gap Creek. This is a hands-on farmstay holiday. Feeding the animals is not so much encouraged as it is essential. See the process from start to finish as you participate in cow milking and butter churning to go with the homemade damper — best enjoyed with billy tea by the fire. 1.5 hours southeast of Brisbane via the Cunningham Highway Drive your family on adventures in and outside of town in the Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove. Find out more on the Holden website.
It wouldn't be the end of October without Fortitude Valley's favourite tattoo studio, art gallery and espresso bar boasting an exhibition to mark the occasion. As they have every year since they opened in 2011, Lust for Life is hosting an annual horror show with a name as apt as its theme: Dead Scary. Specifically contemplating the notion of bringing out your dead, the creepy concoctions of more than 30 Brisbane and interstate creative will delve into the fearful and frightening side of the artistic spectrum. Expect axe-wielding animals, masked faces, contorted bodies, broken bones and burning flesh, plus ideas and images even more potentially twisted and terrifying. An event for the easily afraid, this is not, so consider yourself warned. If you're not scared off, attending the opening night festivities on October 29 is recommended. Dress in your eeriest outfit to go in the running to win a tattoo voucher, or just come prepared to soak up the spooky atmosphere.
De-generator is dreadfully dire, but in the most remarkable of performance means. This installation dance performance, ignores boundaries, crumples criteria and pulls its audience into a desolate black hole, where the stage is not only a platform, but also portal to apocalyptic nightmares. This is the world of De-Generator – it’s the last battle of earth, with humans expelling the last of their pains and cries. Is it worth facing fears? Or is acceptance the only way out of isolation. Choreographer Nerida Matthaei is renowned for creating sinuous movements that are both sensuous and emotionally menacing. Paired with the unconventional form and content of Pluxus2 Dance Collective, De-Generator takes everything you think about dance, turns it on its head, and drills into the audience’s mind the beauty that lies in the corrupt. De-Generator will be at The Judith Wright Festival from the 14th to the 21st of June.- check out the preview here.
The Glass Menagerie tells the story of a family in turmoil. Laura Wingfield is pathetically shy, her mother Amanda particularly domineering and wistful of youth, and our firecracker narrator Tom dreams of a life of creativity rather than supporting his sister and mother. A product of their broken home and poor living circumstances, they struggle to survive and move on with the adult chapters of their lives, and through disagreeing personalities, hilarity and drama is sure to ensue. This is the prized play from great American playwright, Tennessee Williams, and with the modern touch of director David Berthold, this timeless classic of family dynamics is brought to life. This presentation of The Glass Menagerie is in partnership with The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. This is the latest of La Boite’s classic re-tellings, following such tales as Julius Caesar, As You Like It and Hamlet, to name only a few. They have a knack for presenting old stories for new imaginations, to bring greater appreciation to the stories that have helped shape the stage.
Once a year, for one night, a New Farm street transforms into a fashion party. Given that James Street already boasts plenty of boutique selling designer threads, you wouldn't think it'd have to try hard — but boy oh boy do they know how to put on a sartorial celebration. That's what James St marie claire Up Late is all about: exploring the precinct's many outlets, stocking up your wardrobe, getting tempted by specials and browsing the latest collections. A number of designers will be on hand to chat about their wares as well, including Adrian Norris and Edwina Robinson of Aje, Lucy Folk at Camargue, Louise Olsen at Dinosaur Designs, Daniel Oliver at Assembly Label, Gail Sorronda and Natasha Chipman of Natasha Schweitzer Jewellery. marie claire will be giving out gift bags to 1000 lucky attendees, so arriving early is recommended. Entertainment will be part of the proceedings, so make sure you wear your best partying outfit. Given that James Street is also known for its restaurants and bars, dropping by each one to enjoy a themed cocktail and hop between after parties is also on the agenda.
Craig Waddell’s art is dangerously intrusive. It holds the kind of perfection, artistic gestures, and tactility that gets right in side your noggin, has a good feel around, and leaves without so much as a goodbye kiss. From birds, to flowers, to the most perfect strawberry glazed donut in the world, his art presents a world we know, in a dimension that’s far more intuitive. Now, he’ll be showcasing his latest work at Edwina Corlette Gallery until the 28th of June. Waddell has exhibited throughout Australia and racked up a number of awards to match. He won the Mosman Prize in 2010, the Woollahra Small Sculpture Price and the Tattersalls Art Prize for Landscape Painting in 2005, and the Paddington and the Norville Australian Landscape Prizes both in 2004. And he's also been a finalist in the Archibald Prize- no big deal. All of Waddell’s pieces will be for sale, so if you’re stuck on a birthday present, and have a spare grand or two in the couch, don’t be afraid to invest a little. Waddell isn’t an artist whose up and coming – he’s one that’s beyond uped and camed, and still going miles in his sublime and imperfect art.
Even if you're not that fond of cold weather — even if you live in Brisbane, basically — everyone has a favourite thing about winter. Maybe you love rugging up and wearing every woolly item you own. Perhaps you just like a short respite from summer. Or, you could love the crisp feeling in the air, the excuse to drink mulled wine or tucking into hearty menus. Love fondue? That's one of winter's big drawcards, too — 'tis the perfect season for it. Woolloongabba's Ooh La La Rooftop at C'est Bon clearly agrees, because it's dedicating an entire night to making supremely gooey and cheesy dreams come true. At WTF! Where's the Fondue? from 6.30pm on Thursday, July 21, you'll obviously get dipping. A masterclass is part of the evening, showing you the ins and outs of fondue — and, naturally, there'll be plenty to eat. As well as the complete traditional fondue setup with all the accompaniments, you'll get a cocktail upon arrival. And, there'll be a post-cheese dessert, plus a nightcap picked by by C'est Bon sommelier Sebastian Langkamer. This is a gather-the-gang type of event, too, with tickets costing $135 per person — but four guests needed for each fondue setup. Ooh La La images: Mitch Lowe.
You've heard about starting something how you plan to go on. Now, here's another approach — ending something with the same spirit, excitement and enthusiasm that you'll be taking with you. When this year's Valley Fiesta comes to a close, that's the only way to handle it, particularly when you're listening to live tunes on a Chinatown rooftop. To finish up the 2018 with a big ol' bang, 4ZZZ are letting the masses onto 31 Duncan Street's upper level for one massive blowout from 2pm on Sunday, September 2. Gabriella Cohen, Sweater Curse, Whalehouse and The Ancient Bloods will be doing the musical honours, rocking on through until 6pm in what promises to be quite the Sunday session. And, because this little shindig is called the 4ZZZ Rooftop Oasis Party, it'll be tropical-themed with lilos, palm trees and tiny umbrellas. Entry is free, but bring some cash to grab a bev from the bar — it'll be raising money for 4ZZZ and Backbone Youth Arts.
The realisation that eventually comes to everyone underscores Once My Mother, one that dawned slowly upon filmmaker Sophia Turkiewicz. She grew up listening to stories her mother, Helen, would tell of her life, but could only see as far as the intersection with her involvement. More immediate family history weighed upon Sophia, driving a desire for distance as she grew from a girl into a woman. Unforgiving about time spent in an orphanage, she also demonstrated an unwillingness to look past the emotional scars of her upbringing. It follows that Once My Mother takes a universal process — that of discovering the real personality of our parents, of understanding the true impact of their past not just upon their lives but our own, and of showing compassion for any missteps along the way — and relates it to the audience in the only way possible: as a personal journey. Turkiewicz's documentary is dedicated to dissecting Helen's resilience through decades marked by difficulties of destruction, discrimination and displacement; however, it is also shaped by a daughter's burgeoning awakening to things only age and experience could help her appreciate. Many laudatory words are directed towards Helen in the film's narration, written by and told from Sophia's perspective as a letter from the latter to the former but actually voiced by another. The extolling of virtues is justified by the accounts of Helen's epic ordeals in Poland and Siberia during the Second World War, then in Africa in the aftermath, and finally in Australia in an attempt to establish a new life as a single mother. The language remains lyrical and love-fuelled, sensitive and sentimental, even if the revelation that it is uttered by someone else (Jen Vuletic) somewhat skews the sense of intimacy. Of course, the spoken component is just one part of the documentary, with the visual complement impressive in its detailed assemblage. Starting with Helen in an aged care centre, then going back to the beginning, Sophia combines archival footage and photographs with contemporary-shot interviews and visits. The most fulfilling and fortunate element comes from work filmed many years ago, in the fledgling days of her career and with the flame of inquiry into her maternal genesis just beginning to spark, of earlier chats with Helen. Turkiewicz's career has spanned a significant slice of Australian film and television since the early 1980s, most notably the AFI-winning feature Silver City. It is fitting that it similarly took stock of familiar circumstances, albeit in fictionalised form. Here, she confronts the true tale with obvious emotion, but also insight and information. Once My Mother is a time capsule of a unique bond, and a testament to the impact of tenacity, both resonant and relatable. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-fos7dm2inE
Excellent news, marshmallows. In fact, if you're a Veronica Mars fan, this past year just keeps delivering. First, we found out that the beloved series was coming back for a fourth season. Then, not one, not two, but three teasers and trailers showed us just what kind of sleuthing fun we were in for. Now, Australian streaming platform Stan has announced that it'll become Ms Mars' new home for the fictional private eye's upcoming run of episodes. This news isn't minor — until now, just when and where Aussie were going to be able to watch Veronica Mars' fourth season was unknown. And if you've got a long-enough memory, and can recall how poorly the original first three seasons were treated by local TV back in the mid 2000s, you might've been worried. With the show launching on Friday, July 26 in the US, it'll hit Stan here on Saturday, July 27 — at the same time, thanks to the time difference. In America, it appears that all eight new episodes are dropping at once, so expect that to be the case here as well. Story-wise, the fourth season sees Veronica (Kristen Bell) back in her hometown of Neptune, still in the P.I. game with her dad Keith (Enrico Colantoni) and still solving mysteries. This time, a series of bombings and a shady ex-con turned businessman (JK Simmons) are on her radar. As well as plenty of twists and turns to follow, expect a heap of other familiar faces in the form of Jason Dohring as Veronica's on-again, off-again love interest Logan, Percy Daggs III as her bestie Wallace and Ryan Hansen as her sleazy ex-classmate Dick. Check out the full trailer, from US network Hulu, below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt0QuaQ0huk Veronica Mars will hit Stan on Saturday, July 27, with an exact launch time yet-to-be announced. We'll update you when it is.
"It's actually a western" is a fairly common call these days, directed towards everything from superhero films to horror flicks. In the case of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the comparison really sticks. In the latest biting black comedy from writer-director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths), a horrific tragedy inspires a determined crusade, as a lone hero commits to doing whatever it takes to see justice done and a small town gets caught up in the chaos. Shots are fired, in the form of controversial signs, scuffles with dentists, cursing at priests, and hurling both people and Molotov cocktails through windows. Clad in faded boilersuit rather than cowboy hat and holster, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) leads the charge. After spotting a trio of weathered billboards on the rarely used Drinkwater Road outside of the titular locale, she hires them out with the purpose of sending one hell of a message. Still mourning the death of her teenage daughter seven months earlier, and equally furious and frustrated about the lack of progress in the local police investigation, Mildred arranges for the signs to bear three statements. "Raped while dying," reads the first. "And still no arrests?", asks the second. "How come, Chief Willoughby?", pleads the third. The origins of the film's fantastic title might be immediately apparent, but the directions that Three Billboards heads in from there are far from predictable. The movie wears its rage as prominently as Mildred wears her wilt-inducing glare, while at the same time chronicling her grief with empathy and understanding. It's a delicate balance, never downplaying either her ire or her pain, and it's one that McDonagh gets just right. It also proves essential as Mildred crosses paths with other townsfolk, such as the well-respected Chief (Woody Harrelson) named on her signs, and the easily angered Officer Jason Dixon (Sam Rockwell), who's known for his brutal racism more than his law-enforcement prowess. Packed with dark, hilarious, nigh-unprintable dialogue, McDonagh's script mightn't be subtle, but it is teeming with complexity — much more than some of its seemingly simplistic takes on race and gender might initially indicate. Taking his cues from gunslinging revenge tales gone by, the filmmaker crafts a complicated rumination on humanity's contradictions, including the way that the right intentions can still lead to murky outcomes, and vice versa. His storytelling approach demonstrates a similarly stark contrast in action, convincingly flitting from scathing to thoughtful to loud, foul-mouthed and attention-seeking, and back again, in an instant. From the second that McDormand's Mildred locks eyes on the billboards, there's no doubting the movie's other big standout. It's hardly surprising given the actress' track record, but it bears highlighting all the same. While Harrelson and Rockwell are in terrific form, they've got nothing on McDormand, who seems certain to pick up another Academy Award nomination more than 20 years after scoring her first playing the polar opposite type of role in Fargo. She's in total command of the movie from beginning to end, though in true western style it's the small gestures, more than the witty speeches, that really leave a lasting impression. The range that she shows — whether in a momentarily faltering gaze, an unthinking act of kindness in a confrontational situation, or a look of troubled realisation — many actors can only dream of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aZ3r-84EQc
It has proven to be a massive year for Big Scary, who have released their highly anticipated follow-up record to 2011's debut, Vacation, and now have a freshly announced national tour that will see the Melbourne duo popping into every corner of Australia. Not Art, the band's second record, saw Tom Iansek and Jo Syme shift into a new direction in terms of sound and production. Though they're primarily known for their alt-rock aesthetic, Iansek has this time sought out new influences from the likes of Kanye West and has thus produced a record that dips into hip hop whilst still maintaining elements of their signature pop sensibilities. On tour, the duo will expand into a four-piece live band — something they've never tried before — in order to fulfil the complex and lush textures heard throughout their record, most prominent in lead singles 'Luck Now' and 'Phil Collins'. Kicking off the proceedings will be Melbourne singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett, whose latest musical adventure and stellar songwriting can be heard in the form of her new single, 'Avant Gardener'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=K_EjSuYWzxA
Everyone stares at screens these days instead of talking. No one remembers trivia because they can just look it up online. Handwriting looks like chicken scratch because we're so accustomed to typing. Future generations will never own a standalone calculator or alarm clock. They're some of the common criticisms levelled at our technology heavy world these days; however, one thing is definitely changing: our memories. Pics or it didn't happen is also a way for us to record and catalogue our lives, rather than burn them into our brains. At the Queensland College of Art from December 8 until March 11 (excluding a seasonal break between December 11 and February 1), The Mnemonic Mirror will contemplate this subject, as well as other ways in which we try to remember. 12 artists offer their take on the topic, exploring the past, communicating the issues of the future and questioning both the good and bad repercussions.
Wandering around a market while the sun shines is all well and good, but there's something extra appealing about the nighttime variety. Happening every Friday and Saturday night in Brisbane's north — and back for 2021, too — BITE Markets fits the bill. And, it serves up plenty of food, because that's what every night market attendee really wants. Created by caterer Tom Burke, the twice-weekly setup boasts more than 30 'flavour makers' on its lineup, all trying to keep your hunger in check. Fancy a big heap of pasta? Sweet treats in the form of cakes, doughnuts, churros and poffertjes? Dumplings, bao, banh mi, wings, calamari, German sausages and Japanese eats? They're all on the menu, with the likes of Bamboo Street Asian Kitchen, Calamari Canteen, Hong Kong Dumplings, It's a Wing Thing, Oyster Shack and Moreton Bay Mocktails coming to North Harbour to sling their wares. A shipping container setup like Hamilton's Eat Street — complete with landscaping and a dining precinct — BITE Markets showcases local talents, so prepare to feast on meals whipped up by the best producers, food creators and artisans in the area. Running from 4–10pm each Friday and Saturday, the huge foodie gathering calls a patch of Nolan Drive in Morayfield home. Entry costs $3 for adults — and for those driving north, there's more than 600 car parks onsite.
There’s not much going on (music-wise) in Brisbane, our sunny, but sleepy city. Or is there? We have good bands here, and we have good venues for them to play in, right? But for some reason the stigma that Brisbane just don’t got it goin’ on still hangs around like a bad smell. And then Unconvention came around. The inaugural conference first started in 2010 and is a not-for-profit, grassroots-led music conference which focuses around creating sustainable careers within the local independent music industry. In short: Melbourne Schmelbourne! Sydney Schmydmey! We can do it all, and right here in Bristown. There’ll be forum discussions, workshops and networking events over the two days of Unconvention, and it’s open to pretty much anyone: independent musicians, promoters, labels, entrepreneurs, writers, technologists, innovators and artists. It’s time to shut down that sleepy city stigma – Unconvention’s a good place to start the revolution. Buy tickets here. Image credit: Unconvention
What happens when some of Brisbane's most beloved burger bosses go head to head? Well, you're about to find out. Come June 16 and 17, the likes of Mr Burger, Ben's Burgers, Salt Meats Cheese, Notorious E.A.T, Bearded Brothers and more will all descend on the Welcome to Bowen Hills lot for Brisbane's first Burger Invitational. If there's one thing that Brissie loves, it's burgers, after all — and to celebrate, the event will offer a weekend's worth of meat and other goodie between two pieces of bread. Expect some fierce foodie competition as each vendor vies for burger glory. Plus, if you gather up five mates, you can sit in a booth and pair your burg-eating experience with bottomless booze for three hours. General entry is free, and — as always — you can bring your four-legged BFF along. As for the burgs, everything on the menu will be available at regular prices on the day.
Falls Festival might be gearing up to celebrate a quarter-century, but it feels a bit like we're the ones getting the birthday presents instead. Helping to ring in the art and music festival's 25th year is a pretty buzzworthy gang of musical mates, headlined by Australia's own wunderkind Flume, as he returns to the Falls stage for the first time since wooing the Lorne crowds in 2012. He's joined on the bill by international names like Seattle-based Grammy nominees Fleet Foxes (who were here earlier in the year for Sydney Festival), Oxford four-piece Glass Animals (who were also just here for Laneway), Californian indie-pop darlings Foster The People and The Kooks, who'll be celebrating a milestone of their own, having clocked up ten years since their debut album. If you've had your ear to the ground, you'll already know the part about Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher dropping in for his first-ever Aussie headline shows. True to form, the Falls 2017 local lineup is equally exciting, and every bit as broad. Homegrown acts hitting the stage include the party-ready Peking Duk, Brisbane rockers Dune Rats, Melbourne natives The Smith Street Band and Total Giovanni, and indie duo Angus & Julia Stone, off the back of their soon-to-launch album Snow. And it looks like you can start limbering up those vocal chords for a gutsy rendition of 'The Horses', with the legendary Daryl Braithwaite also slated for an appearance. As always, the tunes are backed by a colourful curation of art events, performances, pop-ups, markets, wellness sessions and gourmet eats. You can, however, say goodbye to the usual drink ticket situation, which has been ditched in favour of paywave and cash-enabled bars. It's all happening over New Years at the usual spots in Tassie's Marion Bay, Lorne in Victoria, and the North Byron Parklands, with WA's 2017 Falls Festival landing itself a new home within the Fremantle Oval precinct. But here's the full lineup. FALLS FESTIVAL 2017 LINEUP Flume (no sideshows) Fleet Foxes Run The Jewels The Kooks Glass Animals (no sideshows) Peking Duk Angus & Julia Stone Foster The People Liam Gallagher Vince Staples Jungle Dune Rats The Smith Street Band D.R.A.M Daryl Braithwaite Everything Everything Allday The Jungle Giants Thundamentals Methyl Ethel Slumberjack D.d Dumbo Anna Lunoe Dz Deathrays Confidence Man Julia Jacklin Bad//dreems Cosmo's Midnight Winston Surfshirt Luca Brasi Alex Lahey Camp Cope Flint Eastwood Ecca Vandal Dave Total Giovanni + More to be announced
They've been spoiling Sydneysiders with their vegan Mexican fare since early 2017, and now they're heading north. A collaboration between restaurateurs Toby Wilson, Sean McManus and Jon Kennedy, Bad Hombres is all about traditional, authentic, regional-style, meat-free cuisine — which is just what'll be on the menu for five weeks at Alf's Place. From Wednesdays to Saturdays from November 15, the eatery will set up shop at Brisbane's new rotating supper club to put on quite the Mexican spread, plus ten beers on tap and a selection of natural Aussie wines. And while they're not giving away the exact menu, hungry patrons can expect share plates that blend Mexican street food with locally sourced Australian and Asian ingredients and flavours. In other words, you won't find Tex-Mex here. You won't find meaty dishes that simply swap in veggies, either. Yes, vegans, rejoice. As Kennedy explains, "we're also not about 'trying' to be vegan and replacing certain elements with imitation products. It's about really tasty, plant-based Mexican food with big, authentic flavours and having some fun."
Arj Barker is probably the coolest friend a guy or gal could have – well, almost exclusively according to Bret and Jermaine of the Flight of the Conchords. Arj Barker is even more probably the funniest friend a guy or gal could have– well, according to most of Australia, with Kochie riding a strong second. Arj Barker just gets Aussie culture – while most of our politicians remain in the dark – and as his satirical, analytical humour gets sharper, we’ve been seeing Arj on our shores ever more. It’s been two years since he graced our holy ground with his Flight of the Conchord pals, and he’d been touring pretty much non-stop ever since. His trail of sold out shows, adoring fans, and stocking filler DVD sales is just a testament to how poignant and funny he actually is. And now Arj is coming back! His new show Go Time will be showing at the Powerhouse for nearly a fortnight, packed full of everything we love, from his dress style to special skills, about Mr Barker. Tickets are only $36, so skip along and witness a man who sports Dave Grohl facial hair, Chris Rock's comedic prowess and a pretty mean Owen Wilson impression.
The fierce, animalistic and unrelenting force that is Lightning Bolt is steamrolling their way back to the Brisbane stage, for a show like no other. With the band’s inception prioritising art as well as music, it’s not hard to guess where the group got their left-of-centre approach to performance. They’re known for literally immersing themselves in their audiences, while annihilating their instruments with a talent so overwhelming, you won’t believe it. This is not for the faint of heart. Fans of performance metal and the heaviest of bass rock will find themselves right at home. However, for those looking to expand their horizons, you will be witness to some of the most finely choreographed and explosive drum-and-bass combinations this side of garage fuzz. It’s been three years since Lightning Bolt dragged us by the collective collar down the path of musical mayhem; these tickets will go faster than you can say “what did I just see?”
Variety might be the spice of life, but it seems that alcohol helps spark creativity — at least where Brisbane's art classes are involved. So far this year you've been able to paint a picture in the middle of the Night Noodle Markets, whip up a portrait of your own pet, head to the city's permanent boozy studio and its new pop-up, and partake in any number of other combinations of watercolours, pastels and plonk. Now, you can also sketch live models with a beer in your hand. Milton dive bar The Scratch is putting on the brew-fuelled session from 10am–12pm on Sunday, October 7, with local artist Aaron Micallef overseeing the class. You'll draw the human form, using nude life models as your guide, and the $20 fee also includes a pot of beer or cider. Yes, Life Drawing and Beer is basically your high school art class — just with an alcoholic beverage — and spaces are limited. There'll be a number of art boards supplied, but it's best to bring your own supplies. The Scratch, obviously, will supply the beer.
Before a few rounds of inner-city putt putt meant heading to a church-turned-bar, Victoria Park was Brisbane's go-to central mini-golf spot. There's more to the Herston space than that, of course — including over eight decades of history, a full-sized golf course, a driving range, weekend cart markets and an alfresco restaurant with an adjacent pizza kitchen. Now, they're also adding roasted rotisserie meats to the mix. Meet The Rotisserie Kitchen, the new addition that opens its doors on October 4. From Wednesday through until Sunday each week, it'll serve up roast chicken and porchetta with sides of roast potato and seasonal salads, aka home-style cooking that you don't have to whip you yourself. Like its neighbouring pizza counterpart, which opened in late 2016, the roast-focused eatery isn't just an extension. Cooking spinning, succulent poultry and pork is an important task, so the kitchen boasts its own dedicated staff, with two chefs taking care of the site's meaty needs. They'll be working with a Rotisol oven from France, which is "designed to seal in meats' natural juices while reducing fat throughout the rotation process," explains Victoria Park Bistro executive chef Jason Peppler. Yes, that sounds like the perfect meal once you've tap, tap, tapped your way to putt putt victory. Find The Rotisserie Kitchen at Victoria Park Gold Course, 309 Herston Road, Herston from October 4. Head to their website for further details.
Jugglers Artspace presents Brisbane artist BoHDi? Yep, but in Me, Myself and I, he's not alone. They're also presenting his infinite catalogue of bold-featured characters and tense-faced animals, plus everything else he's been able to create with aerosol paints, intaglio printing and a whole can of talent. BoHDi has been exhibiting his work around Brisbane for the last seven years. His art works with the central theme of the human condition, preferring to show the human form as awkward instead of elegant. "Doesn't matter what I'm doing or how I'm doing it, my work must always be balanced and honest; if they don't achieve these two values I don't feel my work is successful," he says of his own practice. You can check out a whole range of his past work on his website, then head along to see his latest stuff at Me, Myself and I at Jugglers Artpace from July 24 to 29.
This autumn, the Regatta is giving its courtyard a temporary makeover. The theme: bohemian. That means soft textiles aplenty, oh-so-many patterns, rustic-hued plants almost as far as the eye can see and a relaxed atmosphere. Who said feeling chill was just for summer? Running through until the end of May, this pop-up also serves up food to match. Tuck into seven types of pizza, including a garlic prawn number, plus another with assorted mushrooms and truffle pesto — or, opt for a salumi share plate with your mates. Baked haloumi and brisket loaded fries are also on the menu, as are reuben sliders and smokey beef tacos. Drinks-wise, expect cocktail specials and red wine sangria, all available during the pop-up's Wednesday–Sunday time slot — starting at 11.30am each day. The hotel's regular beverage lineup is on offer as well, so you won't be going thirsty. Entry is free, reservations aren't required and the pop-up runs till late.
In 2003, Aaron Eckhart starred in a film called Paycheck. That's not even a joke, it actually happened. It's pretty much the acting equivalent of ending a relationship and then sleeping with someone whose name is literally 'Rebound'. But then came Thank You for Smoking, followed by Batman Begins. All of a sudden, Eckhart was credible. He was bankable. He was Harvey Dent — the very best of us. Symbolically, if he were to fail, what hope was there for anyone else? Well, having just seen I, Frankenstein, the answer is apparently 'none'. So give up now. The Joker won. It's hopeless. It's...it's all just so hopeless. Here's the story. We pick up the action where Mary Shelley saw fit to end it: with Frankenstein dead and his monster wandering the countryside lonely and without purpose. Then some demons try to capture him, whereupon some gargoyles come to life and save him. As it turns out, that little back and forth was just round #45,678,001,235 in one of those 'secret wars that's been fought for millennia without man's knowledge yet could very well decide the fate of all mankind' kind of things. And now Frankenstein's monster is caught right in the middle of it: still lonely, still angry and almost certainly itchy from all those stitches. And that's the story. Good versus evil. Statue versus demon. Miranda Otto versus Bill Nighy. At one point, Otto has to deliver the line "I am Queen of the Gargoyle League", immediately capturing the 'je ne sais quoi' of paycheck movies and prompting memories of a theme-park-river-stoned Lisa Simpson. As Frankenstein's monster, Eckhart looks suitably buff and menacing, though his performance is so drab and monotone it robs the film of any semblance of fun. Nighy, at least, remains a delight to watch as the Satan-esque villain Naberius, whilst Aussie actor Jai Courtney phones in a 'hey, check out my guns' performance as Otto's bodyguard Gideon. The action is the only thing that keeps I, Frankenstein rolling along with any pace, but even that's just one CGI light show after another, and none aside from the first are of any real note. Ultimately, this is an animated corpse of a film about a reanimated one, so either save your money or buy a turkey, sew a vibrator inside of it and watch that roll around for 90 minutes instead. https://youtube.com/watch?v=pxOSPfUw3qw
Cheese wheel pasta will never stop being delicious. Cooking up everyone's favourite Italian staple, stirring it through a huge circle of melting dairy and then devouring the results — what's not to love? But, sometimes, even the best concepts need a little shakeup. In Salt Meats Cheese's case, it's now serving up cheese wheel risotto as well. Every Wednesday night is now Cheese Wheel Risotto Night at SMC's South Bank digs. The basic mechanics remain the same; however instead of whisking through spaghetti, linguine or some other type of pasta, SMC's chefs will be popping some arborio rice into a huge wheel of cheese. And, they'll be serving it to you at your table. There are three flavours to choose from — smoked cheese, truffle pecorino and gorgonzola — which sounds like a great excuse to have multiple helpings, or to head back multiple times. Feel hungry just thinking about it? The supremely cheesy meal will only set you back $25.
From crunchy leaves to crackling fires, there are so many things to love about winter. And one of the best is the annual harvest. As the weather cools, farmers head to their orchards, wine makers to their vineyards and chefs to their kitchen gardens to reap the delicious rewards of an entire year's work. This year, if you'd like to get in on the action, plan a trip to the Central Coast. Over the June long weekend, the region will host the Harvest Festival. It's an epic celebration of local produce — and the mountains, valleys and waterways that nurture it. With scores of gatherings on the program — from property open days and tours to farmers' markets — you'll get to choose your own adventure. Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventure will host a food and wine festival across both days of the festival, while Dooralong Hall will host a country-focused market filled with stalls, exhibits, craft and workshops. Meanwhile, make tracks to Yarramalong for a masterclass in edible flowers ($25) or to Kulnura to try your hand at orange picking ($25 per group) or take part in a citrus juice factory tour at Eastcoast Beverages (free). You can also head to Mangrove Mountain for alpaca patting on a working farm, to Somersby for pecan picking with The Pecan Lady and to The Springs restaurant in Peats Ridge for cocktails inspired by the Australian bush. And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Harvest Festival will take place across Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. To see the full program, head over here. There'll also be a free shuttle service running between various event hubs. Check out the route here.
Living in a sensory world, the most exercised sense in modern life is that of sight. As such, not only do other lesser-used senses become more sensitive through lack of use, but our sense of sight is so powerful, it is coloured by our own perceptions, understandings and experiences. As we so often switch between participant and observer, it is interesting to examine the latter. How we receive visual information is entirely up to the individual. How we interpret this can provide an opportunity for the individual to learn about the way they perceive the world around them, opening up the space between the observer and what is being observed. Welcome to the exhibition wherein artists respond to this very idea. Observe, presented by Alexander Jackson Wyatt, accompanied by diverse responses from Alrey Batol, Rachael Archibald and Kiah Reading, will be a sensory experience, designed to not just lull you into another artistic plane, but look inward at your own individual responses in a way that might reveal more than the works in front of you.
One of Australia's favourite lit events, Women of Letters, is doing a slight, temporary rebranding, simply by dropping their first syllable. Men of Letters brings to the Zoo stage a huge selection of Brisbane's — hell Australia's — best male talent as they rediscover the lost art of letter writing. Included on a jam-packed lineup are a wealth of the titular men-folk, including award-winning feature journalist Trent Dalton, author and bookseller Christopher Currie, and poet Sam Wagan Watson. They'll be demonstrating their winning ways with words, and they're not alone. Also having a hand in the day's letter writing are Jason Whalley of Frenzal Rhomb, Federal Labor Member for Grayndler and Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Anthony Albanese, journo Andrew McMillen, actor Hugh Parker, barrister Andrew Boe, chef and Esquire owner Ryan Squires, Brisbane Powerhouse artistic director Kris Stewart, and comedian Damien Powr. Each will be penning and reading a letter to 'The Woman Who Changed My Life'. Doors open at 3pm, and wine, cheese, stamps and envelopes are provided. Grab your finest quill and head along.
She’s been described as “the most striking voice since Adele” (Telegraph UK), a crooner whose concoctions of neo-soul and indie folk, but with an added punch, is delivered with six-string acoustic notes. British chanteuse, Lianne La Havas, will be visiting Brisbane while in the country for the 2013 Sydney Festival, and the critics want us to know that we’re lucky to have her. She’s wowing industry giants wherever she goes; La Havas supported Bon Iver on their North American tour after lead man Justin Vernon was so moved by her stage presence - and that was just during a soundcheck! Her entrancing, slow vibratos and simple arrangements have been captivating audiences across London, Paris and New York, and she shows no signs of losing momentum. Lianne La Havas will be supported by Brisbane’s own Thelma Plum, the combination sure to prove a soulful musical experience.
UPDATE, September 24, 2020: Arctic is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Whether stranding Sandra Bullock in space in Gravity, casting Robert Redford adrift in All Is Lost or pitting Liam Neeson against wolves in The Grey, survival thrillers rise and fall on the strength of their performances. You can now add Mads Mikkelsen to the list of actors testing their mettle against the elements — and add him to the ranks of stellar near-solo portrayals as well. His character, Overgård, is trapped in the Arctic Circle. Snow and rock stretch out as far as his weary eyes can see, the remnants of a crashed plane provide his only shelter, and greeting each morning relies on his wits and will. As a result, much of Arctic involves looking at his weathered, determined face, and it paints a compelling picture. Details are hard to come by in Arctic, which thrusts viewers into the thick of Overgård's plight from its opening frames. He's first spied scraping away at the ground to create a giant SOS sign, then tending to his icy fishing holes, and then cranking the transmitter he hopes will attract the attention of any aircraft that happen to fly nearby. The specifics of his situation — why, when, how — aren't offered, and they aren't important. All that matters is his dogged fight to survive. Before long, however, he's not the only person trying to endure oppressively frosty climes. A helicopter appears like something out of Overgård's dreams, but then it swiftly crashes, leaving an injured and unconscious woman (Maria Thelma Smáradóttir) in his care. While the scenario might sound familiar, The Mountain Between Us this isn't. Arctic is concerned with survival and nothing more, with no rosy backstories or blossoming romances. Writer-director Joe Penna and his co-scribe Ryan Morrison understand the most crucial aspect of their chosen genre: that there's nothing more powerful than watching a tale of life and death play out in the actions and expressions of a desperate protagonist. Faced with challenge after challenge — finding food, abiding the cold, attending to injuries, contending with polar bears, staving off frostbite and more — Overgård becomes the ultimate everyman. The circumstances he's navigating might be nightmare fuel for most, but the mechanics of soldiering on when the world is sparse, conditions are harsh and a disaster could wipe you out are both potent and relatable on an existential level. The key, unsurprisingly, is Mikkelsen. The Danish star has played a grimy drug dealer in crime franchise Pusher, a suave Bond villain in Casino Royale, a persecuted teacher in The Hunt and a cannibalistic sociopath in TV series Hannibal, amassing a hefty resume and becoming one of the finest actors working today. Monopolising the screen in Arctic, he's at his best as a man confronting his worst experience and persevering by any means necessary. His performance is one of loaded silence and telling physicality; of saying more by saying nothing. The exertion as Overgård battles the inhospitable conditions, the care as he treats a stranger's wellbeing like his own, the desolation as he thinks his quest will never end — Mikkelsen ensures that viewers always share the ride on his character's emotional rollercoaster. Indeed, when there's a talent like Mikkelsen leading the charge, it's easy to overlook Arctic's generic moments. Much about the film fits the survivalist playbook, yet it never feels routine — just recognisable. And when the movie's star isn't stealing the show, Brazilian first-timer Penna and his cinematographer Tómas Örn Tómasson have the ideal substitution, with Iceland's frozen vistas telling their own intricate tale. As lensed with an awareness of the landscape's stark beauty as well as its evident dangers (and often viewed in wide and aerial shots that emphasise its enormous size), Arctic's vast expanse of ice and snow perfectly reflects Overgård's inner state. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjlJm_SJc3Y
Yo, your baby boi Bangs is here! Ladies, I know you've been eagerly awaiting a trip to Da Movies, and the day is almost here. Bangs is in da hood and he knows what else you like. After realising the coveted Gen Y dream of achieving a viral YouTube video, it seems Mr Bangs aka Ajak Chol has been riding high ever since. He has just dropped his newest release Reflections, and is ready to bring the rhyme to our fine city this Thursday. He said it himself, he's the 'mother effing hiphop superstar', and my dear readers, you'd be one sore loser if you missed this massive act. Forget Yeezy and Jay Z, the man from Sudan has a whole lotta love to give and will be smashing out his hit Take U To Da Movies as well as Meet Me On Facebook, because, honestly who wouldn't want to? He is trumped by Ezu, and has LL Cool James, Botanical, FidFrantic + others deejaying all night long. From the buzz surrounding this show, it looks like you'll have to get in as soon as the doors open at 7pm to snag a place, as sources tell me Alloneword will be at capacity. Who you gonna call? Your baby boi Bangs, that's who.
Come Saturday, September 1, one of Fortitude Valley's favourite pubs will become a huge dance floor — but, unless you're out there making shapes yourself, you won't be able to hear it. Yes, it's silent disco time as part of this year's Valley Fiesta, and the Pig 'n' Whistle on Brunswick Street is doing the energetic yet quiet honours. Of course, if you're one of the 200 folks wearing headphones and stepping out under the lights, things will be rather loud. And bright, with the headsets boasting flashing LEDs to add to the disco vibe. As for what you'll be dancing to, you'll have a choice. There'll be a DJ playing house music — but if you'd rather go retro, you'll also be able to tune into two channels playing 80s and 90s tracks, and reggae too. The fancy footwork runs from 8–11pm, with the $30 + booking fee tickets including a Red Bull cocktail on arrival.
If you live in Brisbane, you've heard all about the city's connections with Asia; we are the home of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, after all. Since 2013, the BrisAsia Festival has also been on that list, paying homage to the culture of our neighbours. Running from Wednesday, February 6 to Thursday, March 7, this year's program features yet another mix of traditional and contemporary Asian arts, channelled into events across Brisbane. And while one of the unmistakable highlights will serve up a feast for your stomach — yes, that'd be the return of Dumpling Day — that's just the beginning of the fun. Where do we start? Work your way through Asian films such as Mirai and Maquia, Where the Promised Flower Blooms, attend a lunar new year rooftop party, dress up for a cosplay-filled summer shindig at Musgrave Park or catch the return season of Single Asian Female. Or, wander around GOMA's Asia-Pacific art showcase, enjoy a tai chi lesson, embark on a food tour of Sunnybank, listen to traditional Japanese instruments or battle it out in the gaming arena.
UPDATE, March 19, 2021: Assassins is available to stream via Docplay. If a Hollywood screenwriter had cooked up the story at the centre of Assassins, they would've been told that it's too far-fetched. The plot likely wouldn't have even made it into the many direct-to-streaming action flicks that wear their over-the-top narratives as a badge of honour, and probably only would've reached screens in an Armando Iannucci-style satire. Indeed, this is the type of tale that can only be true. Not that the world needs any additional reminders, but it's yet more proof that real life really is far stranger than fiction. And, while this exceptional documentary from filmmaker Ryan White (The Keepers) won't be the only movie to bring the story to the big screen — dramatised versions are guaranteed to follow, and other flicks are certain to mine its minutiae as well — it'll always remain one of the best. On February 13, 2017, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, a man was assassinated in broad daylight. While standing by the self check-in kiosks at around 9am, he was approached from behind by two women. After they each rubbed their hands across his face, he was dead within the hour. For a plethora of reasons, the attack garnered global news headlines. Such a brazen murder, carried out not only in public but also in full view of the Malaysian airport's security cameras, was always going to receive worldwide attention. The use of extremely deadly chemical weapon VX obviously demanded scrutiny — and so did the fact that the victim was Kim Jong-nam, the estranged elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. But, despite the onslaught of newsprint, pixels and airtime devoted to the incident when it happened, the full details behind it took time to unfurl. As Assassins explores, those facts are fascinating, gripping and distressing in equal measure. Across 104 minutes, White asks the question that was on everyone's lips four years ago: why? That query has many layers. It starts with wondering why two women in their 20s — one from Indonesia, the other from Vietnam — with no clear political affiliations would kill an exiled North Korean who was once expected to lead his nation. From there, it expands to contemplate why Malaysian law enforcement officers and prosecutors were so content to believe that culprits Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong acted without any involvement from North Korea, and why a number of the latter country's citizens were interviewed, but then released and allowed to return home without facing any legal repercussions. Aisyah and Huong certainly weren't afforded the same treatment. Charged with Kim Jong-nam's murder, they were put through a long trial, and faced the death penalty if convicted. The pair, who didn't know each other beforehand, pled their innocence from the outset. Both women were adamant that they had each been hired to make prank videos for a YouTube show and, as far as they knew, their efforts in Kuala Lumpur were part of their latest production. For those who haven't followed the case in the media, Assassins meticulously steps through the ins and outs. Even if you are familiar with the specifics, the film provides an exhaustive summary. Via interviews with Aisyah and Huong's attorneys shot as the trial was unfolding, it offers an evolving perspective on the two women's situation. For additional detail, it checks in with local Bloomberg reporter Hadi Azmi as he's covering the case. In chats that look back rather than happened as the legal proceedings occurred, it gets the Washington Post's former Beijing bureau chief Anna Fifield to fill in the gaps, including about North Korea's political history, how Kim Jong-nam came to be the black sheep of his family and the hopes some had that he could one day be installed as an alternate leader. Assassins also features discussions with Aisyah and Huong's friends and families, the prank show clips that were central to the duo's defence and audio from their time in court. Returning again and again to CCTV footage of the attack, it turns two well-worn true-crime doco staples — security vision and animated re-enactments — into must-see viewing. From its opening moments, the documentary couldn't be more methodical; however, its tone is just as important as its wealth of material. Assassins tells an unmistakably and inescapably wild tale. As the film works through the attack and its aftermath, White knows that he's in prime thriller territory, too. But, even though this story has more genuine twists, turns and conspiracies than the best works of fiction, it's compiled in an edge-of-the-seat yet never sensationalistic fashion. That's essential not only to accurately survey all the relevant details, but to treat Aisyah and Huong with empathy — and, as the movie explains, no other approach would be suitable. In fact, as remarkable a job as Assassins does in examining the incident in its spotlight, it's even more exceptional at showing how disturbingly easy it was to lay the blame upon a single mother and a cocktail waitress. Accordingly, what starts as a jaw-dropping murder tale becomes a globe-hopping account of exploitation, manipulation and gaslighting — and an equally chilling and infuriating one in the process. Assassins doesn't shout its sense of outrage, but the film is both thorough and incensed, as it needs to be. Given the troubling overall picture that it convincingly paints, nothing else would've sufficed. After all, this is a documentary about a world where a country's agents might've gotten away with murder, all because too many people were willing to buy a flimsy cover story that pointed the finger at two vulnerable women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNkmnVd9wHM
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Brisbane at present. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. THE ALPINIST Standing atop Yosemite National Park's El Capitan after scaling it alone and without ropes, harnesses or any other safety equipment, Alex Honnold cut a surprisingly subdued figure. As the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo captured, he was obviously ecstatic, but he isn't the type to leap and scream with excitement. So, he smiled blissfully. He also advised the cameras that he was "so delighted". In the opening moments of new doco The Alpinist, however, he is effusive — as enthusiastic as the no-nonsense climbing superstar gets, that is. In a historical clip, he's asked who he's excited about in his very specific extreme sports world. His answer: "this kid Marc-André Leclerc." Zipping from the Canadian Rockies to Patagonia, with ample craggy pitstops in-between, The Alpinist tells Leclerc's tale, explaining why someone of Honnold's fame and acclaim sings his praises. Using the Free Solo subject as an entry point is a smart choice by filmmakers Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen — industry veterans themselves, with 2014's Valley Uprising on their shared resume and 2017's The Dawn Wall on Mortimer's — but their climber of focus here would demand attention even without the high-profile endorsement. Indeed, dizzying early shots of him in action almost say all that's needed about his approach to great heights, and his near-preternatural skill in the field. Scaling hard, immovable rock faces is one thing, but Leclerc is seen here clambering up alpine surfaces, conquering glistening yet precarious sheets of ice and snow. Any shot that features the Canadian twenty-something mountaineering is nothing short of breathtaking. Describing it as 'clambering up' does him a disservice, actually, and downplays The Alpinist's stunning footage as well. Leclerc is just that graceful and intuitive as he reaches higher, seemingly always knowing exactly where to place his hands, feet and axe, all while heading upwards in frighteningly dangerous situations. As Mortimer notes, narrating the documentary and almost-indulgently inserting himself into the story, alpine free soloing is another level of climbing. No shortage of talking-head interviewees also stress this reality. Protective equipment is still absent, but all that ice and snow could melt or fall at any second. In fact, the routes that the obsessive Leclerc finds in his climbs will no longer exist again, and mightn't just moments after he's made his ascent. Simply charting Leclerc's impressive feats could've been The Alpinist sole remit; Mortimer and Rosen certainly wanted that and, again, the film's hypnotic, vertigo-inducing imagery is just that extraordinary. Some shots peer at the mountains in all their towering glory, letting viewers spot the tiny speck moving amid their majesty in their own time, before zooming in to get a closer look at Leclerc. Other nerve-shattering scenes intimately capture every careful choice, every movement of his limbs and every decision about what to hold on to, inescapably aware that these are sheer life-or-death moments. But The Alpinist isn't the movie its makers initially dreamed of, because Leclerc isn't Honnold or The Dawn Wall's Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson. While affable when posed in front of the camera, he's also silently begrudging, because he'd visibly rather just be doing what he loves in total anonymity instead of talking about it, having it filmed and earning the world's eyes. Read our full review. A FIRE INSIDE Some colours only exist in nature, as much as paints, dyes and pixels attempt to pretend otherwise. The raging reds, blazing oranges and burning yellows seen in A Fire Inside's bushfire footage are some such hues — and, away from the safety of a cinema screen, no one should ever want to spy these specific searing tones. They're haunting enough as it is to look at in a movie. Taking up entire frames of on-the-ground footage shot during the summer of 2019–20, they're scorching in their brightness and intensity. This documentary about the national natural disaster just two years ago, when swathes of Australia burned for months, deploys those apocalyptic colours and the imagery containing them sparingly, notably; however, even when they only flicker briefly, those shades aren't easily forgotten. After everything the pandemic has delivered since the beginning of 2020, just as the 'Black Summer' bushfires were cooling, that chapter of history might seem far longer ago than just a couple of years. A Fire Inside is also an act of remembrance, though. Directors Justin Krook (Machine, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead) and Luke Mazzaferro (a producer on Girls Can't Surf and The Meddler) firmly look backwards, pushing these events back to the top of viewers' memories. That said, they also survey the situation since, as the rebuilding effort has been complicated and elongated by COVID-19. This approach also enables them to survey the lingering aftermath, including the homes that still haven't been rebuilt, the people still residing in makeshift setups, and the emotional and mental toll that's set to dwell for much longer still. Accordingly, what could've merely been a record of a catastrophe becomes a portrait of both survival and resilience. Unsurprisingly, interviews drive this Australian doco, focusing on the afflicted and the volunteers. Folks in each group chat about their experiences, and the lines between them frequently blur. Firefighter Nathan Barnden provides the first and clearest instance; the film's key early subject, he saved seven strangers and retained his own life in an inferno on the very first night that the fires reached New South Wales' far south coast, but also lost his cousin and uncle to the blazes the same evening. Barnden claims Krook and Mazzaferro's attention for multiple reasons, including his initial youthful eagerness to pick up a hose — following his father, who had done the same — as well as his candour about his distress in the months and now years afterwards. Often overlooked in tales of such events, that kind of emotion sears itself onto the screen with unshakeable power, too. A Fire Inside spends time with others affected, residents and volunteers alike. RFS captain Brendan O'Connor saved his community, alongside his crew, but suffered in his personal life — and his is just one of the film's stories. Krook and Mazzaferro don't loiter on the same kinds of details over and over again, but whether talking to food bank staff, backpackers helping with re-fencing damaged farms or locals who saw everything they belonged succumb to the flames, the duelling sensations of both endurance and loss remain throughout their doco. The mood: careful, caring, sensitive and poignant. This is a movie that conjures up every sentiment expected, but also one that earns every reaction. Heartbreak and hope seesaw, and recognising that back-and-forth ride is one of the film's canny touches. Read our full review. LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE Love Is Love Is Love starts with a setup so clunky it can only be pure movie gimmickry, following a couple navigating their latest long-distance stint. Film producer Jack (Chris Messina, I Care a Lot) is on location, while caterer Joanne (Joanne Whalley, Daredevil) remains at home — and, when apart, they still have dinner together via video chat. In a ritual that can only have been in place as long as the necessary technology has existed to enable it, they get dressed up and take their respective laptops to restaurants. Then, they order, eat, drink and chat. It's a common occurrence; at the pair's local, where Joanne sits, the staff are clearly used to it. The idea sounds like a clumsy rom-com contrivance, and it is. It's also the kind of on-screen concept conceived to make shooting easy. And, across this anthology film's opening chapter, it plays as both laboured and all-too-neat. Jack and Joanne's uninteresting dinner kicks off Love Is Love Is Love as it then goes on, in what proves a struggle of a movie from start to finish. Comprised of three shorts all unpacking the titular concept, the film presents skin-deep sentiments in needlessly forced situations, and offers about the same level of insight and entertainment (and empty visual gloss and warmth) as a greeting card. Writer/director Eleanor Coppola has been in similar thematic territory before with 2016's Paris Can Wait, a feature that was also far too slight, simplistic and obvious. And, as she did then, the filmmaker fills her latest leisurely romantic drama with cliches and thinly written characters while eschewing authenticity. In its second chapter, Love Is Love Is Love moves to another duo: the long-married John (Marshall Bell, Reservation Dogs) and Diana (Kathy Baker, The Ranch). They've spent decades together, but have become a little too comfortable following their own interests. That no longer satisfies John, who announces that he's been thinking about getting a girlfriend. So, despite suffering from seasickness, Diana agrees to go sailing with him. Again, it makes for a straightforward and trite tale — as does the film's final chapter. In the closing entry, Caroline (Maya Kazan, The Little Things) hosts a lunch filled with women. Every other attendee was a friend of her recently-deceased mother, but has been a stranger to each other. Now, they come together to sit, talk, eat, drink, reminisce and share intimate tales about the person they all clearly miss. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Love Is Love Is Love is how Coppola often casts actors known for their link to others; Whalley was wed to Val Kilmer, Kazan's sister is Clickbait's Zoe, and Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson (Gloria Bell) and Arquette sister Rosanna (Ratched) also pop up. The movie's tales also speak to interpersonal imbalances, having a husband busy in the film industry, and wanting more time between a mother and daughter — all from a filmmaker married to The Godfather and Apocalypse Now's Francis Ford Coppola, and who gave birth to On the Rocks' Sofia Coppola. That doesn't give Love Is Love Is Love any depth, however. Rather, it makes it both flimsier and more indulgent. Love might be the topic of discussion but, helming just her second fictional narrative, its 85-year-old director can't inspire her audience to feel much for the movie itself. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on May 6, May 13, May 20 and May 27; June 3, June 10, June 17 and June 24; July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22 and July 29; August 5, August 12, August 19 and August 26; and September 2, September 9, September 16, September 23 and September 30. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Locked Down, The Perfect Candidate, Those Who Wish Me Dead, Spiral: From the Book of Saw, Ema, A Quiet Place Part II, Cruella, My Name Is Gulpilil, Lapsis, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Fast and Furious 9, Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks, In the Heights, Herself, Little Joe, Black Widow, The Sparks Brothers, Nine Days, Gunpowder Milkshake, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Old, Jungle Cruise, The Suicide Squad, Free Guy, Respect, The Night House, Candyman, Annette, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Streamline, Coming Home in the Dark, Pig, Big Deal, The Killing of Two Lovers, Nitram and Riders of Justice.
