'Strange Way of Life' Fashion Focus Premiere

Overview

One of 2023's most-anticipated films is hitting Palace Cinemas' big screens on Saturday, October 28. That flick: Strange Way of Life, the latest work by inimitable Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar (Parallel Mothers). It's a 30-minute short, hence the fact that it won't get the usual silver-screen release — and it's also a sublime queer western starring Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight) and Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us).

Almodóvar? Hawke? Pascal? Queer western? Yes, that's Strange Way of Life, which is why it's such a must-see. It made its Australian debut at this year's Sydney Film Festival, then also played the Melbourne International Film Festival, heading to our shores straight from premiering at Cannes — and now it's showing in the Victorian capital again at Palace's Fashion Focus Premiere sessions at The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Palace Cinema Como, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema.

In this bite-sized film, Sheriff Jake (Hawke) and rancher Silva (Pascal) share a history, working together as hired gunmen a quarter-century ago. Then, circumstances bring them back together; however, a reunion isn't the only reason they've crossed paths again.

"The strange way of life referred in the title alludes to the famous fado by Amalia Rodrigues, whose lyrics suggest that there is no stranger existence than the one that is lived by turning your back on your own desires," explains Almodóvar.

Tickets cost $25 for Palace Movie Club members and $30 otherwise, for sessions that include a glass of prosecco or wine upon arrival — and are all about celebrating not only the short, but also the costumes designed by Anthony Vaccarello, with fashion house Saint Laurent producing the film.

Also on offer: an interview with the one and only Almodóvar before the short plays.

The Astor is doing drinks at 6.15pm and the screening at 6.30pm, while the times are 6.45pm for a 7pm start at Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth and Palace Cinema Como. Pentridge Cinema's session will kick off at 7.15pm for 7.30pm, and The Kino's at 7.45pm for 8pm.