Get Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand and more exceptional women in a room, point a camera their way, let the talk flow: Sarah Polley's Women Talking does just that, and the Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar-nominee is phenomenal. The actor-turned-filmmaker's fourth effort behind the lens after 2006's Away From Her, 2011's Take This Waltz and 2012's Stories We Tell does plenty more, but its basic setup is as straightforward as its title states. Adapted from Miriam Toews' 2018 novel of the same name, this isn't a simple or easy film, however. That book and this feature draw on events in a Bolivian Mennonite colony from 2005–9, where a spate of mass druggings and rapes of women and girls were reported at the hands of some of the group's men. In a patriarchal faith and society, women talking about their experiences is a rebellious, revolutionary act anyway — and talking about what comes next is just as charged. "The elders told us that it was the work of ghosts, or Satan, or that we were lying to get attention, or that it was an act of wild female imagination." That's teenage narrator Autje's (debutant Kate Hallett) explanation for how such assaults could occur and continue, as offered in Women Talking's sombre opening voiceover. Writing and helming, Polley declares her feature "an act of female imagination" as well, as Toews did on the page, but the truth in the movie's words is both lingering and haunting. While the film anchors its dramas in a specific year, 2010, it's purposefully vague on any details that could ground it in one place. Set within a community where modern technology is banned and horse-drawn buggies are the only form of transport, it's a work of fiction inspired by reality, rather than a recreation. Whether you're aware of the true tale behind the book going in or not, this deeply powerful and affecting picture speaks to how women have long been treated in a male-dominated world at large — and what's so often left unsaid, too. Stay and do nothing. Stay and fight. Leave the only home they've ever had behind, be excommunicated from their faith and forgo their spot in heaven. When the Mennonite women catch one of their attackers, he names more, arrests follow and the men are sent to the city — the culprits imprisoned, the rest there to bail them out — those three choices face the ladies of Women Talking. To decide which path to take, they hold a secret vote while the colony's males are away. When the results are tied, a cohort within the cohort chat it out in the barn. From elders to mothers and teens, everyone has a different perspective across three generations, or a different reason for their perspective, but the hurt, pain, dismay and distress simmering among the stern gazes, carefully braided hair and surrounding hay is shared. The women's religious beliefs dictate one solution only: absolution. That's the outcome demanded by the scarred Janz (The Tragedy of Macbeth's McDormand, also a co-producer here), so much so that she won't entertain alternatives. But her peers Agata (Judith Ivey, The Accidental Wolf) and Greta (Sheila McCarthy, The Broken Hearts Gallery) see shades of grey in their predicament — shades that Polley and her returning Away From Her and Take This Waltz cinematographer Luc Montpellier highlight in Women Talking's colour palette, even though their viewers will scream internally for the women to immediately leave. While dialogue-driven by necessity, the film also spies the country idyll that sits outside the barn doors, where the kids play contentedly in the crops. This isn't an aesthetically sunny movie — its tones are muted, as its women have long been required to be — but it still sees what departing means on multiple levels with clear eyes. As the debate rages against Hildur Guðnadóttir's (Tár) score of yearning — The Monkees' 'Daydream Believer' also gets a spin, surreally so — Agata's daughter Salome (Foy, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain) furiously advocates for battling. Her toddler daughter was among those attacked, which is understandably something she can't forgive, forget and keep living submissively beside the perpetrators, in a culture that allowed it to happen, afterwards. For Greta's just-as-irate daughter Mariche (Buckley, Men), who is abused by her husband openly aside from the widespread attacks, nothing good can come from running — including with their god. And for Salome's sister Ona (Mara, Nightmare Alley), who is pregnant from being raped, her ideals keep her going. As pros and cons about fighting or fleeing are thrown around, she speaks calmly but passionately about wanting a better community where the Mennonite women have agency and educations, as well as being safe and free. Indeed, because the group cannot read or write, formerly ex-communicated teacher August (Ben Whishaw, No Time to Die) is the lone male permitted to their meeting, taking minutes. More than a decade has passed between Polley's third film and Women Talking, and cinema has been all the poorer for it. How rich and resonant — how raw, sensitive and potent at the same time — her latest directorial effort proves. Compassionate and thoughtful in every frame, it scorches as a based-on-a-true-tale drama and as a state-of-the-world allegory, and says just as much beneath all the feverish utterances. Even with the Mennonite order's rules and conformity, costuming and hairstyles convey plenty about varying personalities. Letting colour seep into the movie's characters as the sun sets parallels the vibrant personalities these ladies are not expected to possess. And when Women Talking peers at the boys of the collective, it does so softly, asking what it takes to turn those innocent faces into men who'd subdue Salome, Mariche, Ona and company with cow tranquillisers to violate them. Such a complex and empathetic feature that's also intense, gripping and wide-ranging — pondering gender inequality, what community truly means and should stand for, religious devotion and the sins permitted in its name, unthinking compliance to any societal order and more — is unsurprisingly packed with performances to match. Women Talking's cast are deservedly up for the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards ensemble prize, while Buckley and Whishaw earned Gotham Awards nominations as well; there's no weak link in this troupe, including with all the rhythmic chatter. Each in their own way, Foy, Mara, McDormand and their co-stars radiate heartbreak, determination, vulnerability and anger. Whishaw is similarly excellent, but also never the film's focus. These portrayals are talking, too, in a movie that wouldn't fantasise about offering easy answers — but dreams of the possibilities spirited conversations and no longer staying silent can and do bring.
There's plenty to love about newly-opened, vegan snack bar, Follies. Along with a food and beverage menu that's entirely plant-based, Follies pays homage to the classic pintxos bars found in Barcelona and San Sebastian. Everything on the menu comes in a bite-sized ration, served on toothpicks as a nod to its Basque Country heritage. Follies is the lockdown brainchild of Melbourne-born and bred Olivia Franklin, a young but eager hospitality veteran. A nostalgic ode to the 70s, Follies' fit-out has been brought to life with the help of retro wallpaper prints, bright orange table tops and the fuzzy, original carpet from the 70s. "I have always been drawn to the contrasting colours of the late 70s and early 80s, so Follies is a natural tangible progression of my 70s dreams," Franklin says. Patrons will find a reliable everyday menu of hot, cold, sweet and savoury pintxos priced at $5.50 for a small stick and $7 for a large. The pintxos bar choices run to the likes of peach and goats cheese crostini done with a balsamic glaze, and cream cheese-stuffed peppers laden with walnuts. Extra soft and juicy Italian meatballs are served coated in a rich tomato and red wine sauce, while a Patatas Bravas with roast chickpeas is a must-try. Seasonal and event-themed specials are also promised to make appearances throughout the year. Drinks take the form of house cocktails, spritzes, local beers and an ever-evolving selection of vegan, low-intervention wines. The Frosty Fruit margarita contains a crowd-pleasing tequila, Cointreau, passionfruit and lime, while a Porny Pom mixes vodka, vanilla, pomegranate liquor, molasses and prosecco. Low-to-no alcohol drinks are given plenty of love too, with a range of iced teas, spritzes and pét-nat for guests looking for alternative bevvies. An enticing daily happy hour offers $18 cocktails, $10 spritzes, $9 wines and $7 schooners. Bottomless lunch comes in at an easy $75, including bottomless pintxos, spritz, beer and wine. Follies is now open at 34 Johnston Street, Fitzroy from 5pm–11pm Tuesday–Thursday, 12pm–11pm Friday–Sunday. Images: Genevieve Rankin
Content warning: sexual assault In the wake of revelations about rapper Riff Raff and a brave woman coming forward to tell her story, Richmond's Corner Hotel swiftly cancelled the rapper's show at its venue. The rapper's Australian tour was then also cancelled. The Richmond pub then scheduled a forum and fundraiser to replace it: a community-led discussion on sexual assault and predatory behaviour in the Australian music industry called Where To From Here? Music, Community and the "State of Play"'. The forum will be run by LISTEN, a group that aims to initiate change, inclusion and equality within the Australian music scene, and to promote visibility and experiences of marginalised people in the industry. Things will start at 6pm with a discussion with the sister of Eliza Stafford, the survivor who came forward against Riff Raff, then continue with a panel discussion, targeting the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and assault in the sphere of the live music environment. LISTEN will also provide a soundtrack for the night, with female, LGBTQI+ and gender non-conforming artists and DJs taking to the stage post-panel. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds (including $1 from each drink sold in the bandroom) will go directly to non-profit organisations. This event is designed to discuss and illuminate the unacceptable behaviour that occurs at live music events and within the industry, and will be dealing with subject matter that may be triggering – the organisers are working to create a separate space, as well as helpers, for those who may find it tough to hear and experience.
Now, a weekday trip to IDES might sound like pure madness to anyone who wants to pay their rent this month. You usually wouldn't get out the door without a hefty bill (fair payment for a very satisfied stomach), unless you're brave. The IDES sample tables are offered on Tuesday and Wednesday, and you'll get a four-course meal for only $70 a head. But there's a catch — the dishes on your menu aren't on the menu. It's a chef's selection of new dishes, so you'll effectively be the guinea pig for a very experimental (and ex-Attica) chef Peter Gunn and, frankly, we can't think of a more exciting way to spend a mid-week evening.
When it comes to cellaring alcohol, it's important to remember that wine isn't the only player in town. 'Aged like a fine beer' might not be a common expression, but it's a helluva true one, and with the 2017 edition of the Coopers Vintage Ale, you'd be hard pressed to find a finer, tastier or more exciting place to start. Coopers' iconic limited release ales are a unique and hotly anticipated annual fixture for beer enthusiasts, and this year (for the first time in a decade) they've revised their distinctive grist recipe to produce an extraordinary crimson-red ale with an enriched malt flavour. Even better, thanks to the seeding of live yeast, the longevity of this fine ale is not only assured, but recommended. The Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 is designed to mature with time and evolve with distinctly different flavours. This isn't about the creation of new tastes; it's about change — the gentle fade of the initially prominent flavours in favour of those that grow bolder over time. So when and how should you enjoy the many stages of the Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 journey? Let us count the ways... YEAR ZERO: BAR SNACKS We're always being told to live in the now, so the first rule of cellaring beer is that at least one bottle should be consumed immediately after purchase. Not only does this have the obvious benefit of enjoying a fresh brew, it also gives you a baseline against which all your future tastings can compare. For the Coopers Vintage Ale 2017, that initial taste is going to be a tantalising combination of the bitter, aromatic hop varieties Denali and Calypso, which deliver a delicate spectrum of fruity aromas in these early days. That's why the intensity of a bowl of hot chips, stacked nachos or, even better, a full plate of poutine with chips, cheese curd, bacon and the works are the perfect balancing points for the beer's initial strong and vibrant characteristics. Enjoy these in the comfort of home or head out to one of the pubs currently offering the vintage ale on tap. YEAR TWO: INDIAN FOOD Flavour isn't fixed; it's constantly evolving, which is why the cellaring experience is such a joy. Early in its life, the ale boasts distinct pineapple and pear characteristics, alongside pine and citrus notes that all finish with a respectable level of bitterness. But after two years in the vault, that bitterness will have eased off just enough to make an Indian dish the perfect meal with which to partner it. That's because hop flavours blend so seamlessly with Indian staple spices like tamarind and coriander, at first amplifying them, then helping to ease. YEAR FIVE: MEXICAN EATS Like a caterpillar in its chrysalis, by year five Coopers' 2017 vintage will be well and truly in a state of transformation. Its early, fruity, estery flavours and initial bitterness have at last begun to mellow, giving way to rich, sweet, caramel-like characters, and it's that very caramelisation of malts that works so perfectly with a hearty Mexican dish heavy on the meat. Why? Because Mexican dishes are basically the beer's food equivalent: they're a delicious blend of caramels and citrus that deliver light and dark flavours all at once. It's hard to go wrong with Mexican, but we'd suggest pairing your drink with pork or beef tacos with extra chilli, coriander and queso fresco, then drizzled with a little lime. YEAR EIGHT: CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE Sometimes pairing food with a drink is all about counterpoints and balance. Other times, it's about complimenting and amplifying. At the year eight stage of the vintage beer's maturation, there could be no better time to indulge in the rich malt, honey and dry nutty characteristics arising from its special blend of caramalt. From that blend, Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 not only gets its bold malty flavours, but also its fine and creamy head. Nothing could go better with flavours and feel like that than decadent desserts of toffee, chocolate and cheese. For starters, try pairing it with ginger-spiced chocolate truffles, allowing the malt to accentuate the caramel of the milk chocolate and the hops to intensify the spice. As for cheese, an aged Gouda will bring out the best of the beer's rich malt, dried dark fruit character and deep caramel flavours. YEAR TEN: RED, RED MEAT The time has come. The sands have emptied from the hourglass, and at long last the vintage ale you cellared in 2017 now celebrates its big tenth birthday. What began as a bitter, full-bodied hop profile now has a mature, enriched malt flavour running deep with notes of caramel and toffee. This is no time for snacks and finger food. The time has come for firing up the flames and getting your grill on, because now all that can match the glory of the ten-year-old Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 is a big, fat, juicy steak. The caramelised crust on the meat will accentuate the beer's matured taste, while the now diminished hop and bitterness will subtly complement the meal's savoury side. A limited number of the 2017 Coopers Vintage Ale cartons have been released, so get to stocking your cellar quickly. Otherwise, you can find the vintage available on tap at a few key venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond. Find your closest pub serving the brew here.
When Disney revealed that it was moving into streaming, it also announced a slew of high-profile titles designed to keep everyone's eyes glued to the company's new platform. Naturally, that included Marvel, with a number of new Disney+ series commissioned to broaden out the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If you loved Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Vision (Paul Bettany) and Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) on the big screen, you'll now get to enjoy more of each in a variety of spinoff shows. So far, in typical Mouse House style, details have been kept close to Disney's chest. We know that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision are due to release later in 2020, with Loki set to follow in 2021. Thanks to their titles, we obviously also know who they're about. And, we know that they'll all star the familiar faces that brought the characters to big-screen fame — and that they'll each run for six episodes apiece. Broadly, we know the premise for each series, too. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will take place after the aforementioned huge blockbuster, following its eponymous characters as they team up in the aftermath. As for WandaVision, it's a sitcom-style series exploring the home lives of Wanda and Vision, although there's undoubtedly more to it. And when Loki hits next year, it'll see the God of Mischief return — and it'll be set after Endgame. Until now, however, we haven't seen any footage from any of the three shows — but, during this year's Super Bowl, Marvel dropped its first sneak peek. The company released a combined teaser for the trio of series, so there's still not much in the way of substantial detail. That said, if you've been hanging out to see what's in store post-Avengers: Endgame, a quick glimpse is better than nothing. Check out the teaser below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=62EB4JniuTc&feature=emb_logo The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision will hit Disney+ sometime later in 2020, with Loki due to premiere in 2021 — we'll update you with release dates when they're announced.
They've been making ace threads for almost two decades, and now they're making a spot in Sydney their own. Jumping from the shelves of other stores to their bricks-and-mortar outlet, denim label Ksubi has set up shop in Paddington. While they've dabbled in their own retail outlets in the past, the new digs mark the brand's only current stand-alone store in the world. Opening its doors at 130 Oxford Street as part of the designer boutique-filled The Intersection shopping precinct, the new Ksubi store turns 250 square metres into a minimalist, monochromatic space for their full clothing collection, plus YSL frames and Henson jewellery. On the shelves, think distressed denim jeans, jackets, cut-off shorts and skirts aplenty, obviously. Interior design-wise, think industrial-esque touches that evoke Ksubi's unfussy style. Indeed, inside eager shoppers will find white neon lighting, flat black fixtures, raw concrete floors, and an array of very memorable magenta change rooms complete with defaced doors. Plus, Ksubi's new digs also feature a number of permanent installations by commissioned artists. Find Ksubi at 130 Oxford Street, Paddington, or head to their website for further information.
Who doesn't love a competitive (but still jovial) round of trivia at their local? Well, Harlow is taking things up a notch by throwing in lipstick, heels and a whole lot of dazzle with its Drag Queen Trivia Night. So, next time you feel like a more fun-fuelled quiz, make tracks to Richmond's bustling pub on a Monday. Questions kick off at 7.30pm, but you can nab a spot early and tuck into a cheeky $16 steak beforehand, which is available from 5pm onwards. We're talking 250g of porterhouse steak with chips and salad. Alternatively, if you're on more of a plant-based diet, there's a 'fake' steak option. You won't go thirsty either with happy hour from 4–7pm, where Harlow will be slinging $7 schooners, wines and basic spirits. Then, you and your crew can show off your knowledge with a touch of glitter and glamour as a Drag Queen asks the money questions. You can expect plenty of outrageous and side-splitting jokes thrown in, too. Plus, you're not (just) playing for fun, as there are prizes to be won, with beer cards, jugs and a $100 credit to be won every single Monday. To get in on all the action we recommend you book your spot ASAP, which you can do here.
A film festival dedicated to American films? Bear with us here. Sure, Hollywood pumps out most of the movies that reach our screens, but don't expect to see superheroes battling for supremacy, transforming robotic cars saving the world or an endless parade of sequels at Essential Independents: American Cinema, Now. Instead, the brand new event is dedicated to the types of US flicks that don't usually make it to our shores. Here, smaller titles and character-driven fare share the spotlight with experimental efforts, intriguing docos and the kind of classics that you won't find on every retro lineup. Think revisionist westerns featuring gun-slinging gals and explorations of important American artists, plus the chance to see early work by the Coen brothers, Kathryn Bigelow, Richard Linklater and Sofia Coppola in a cinema. It's a real celebration of the other side of American filmmaking, and the source of the usual festival dilemma: choosing what to see. If you're having a tough time picking the best of the bunch, we're here to help. Here's our five top films you won't want to miss. THE FITS Fleet footwork might feature prominently, but The Fits isn't just another dance movie. And, while it chronicles an 11-year-old girl's attempt to find her way in the world, it isn't the usual coming-of-age effort either. Instead, the striking debut from emerging talent Anna Rose Holmer blends both — as well as an intimate look at housing estate living, an understanding of the struggles of being a tomboy approaching womanhood, and an enigmatic mystery — into one unique package. If the sensitive story at the centre of the film doesn't win you over, then Holmer's fluid yet fresh style of filmmaking will. THE KEEPING ROOM Since first coming into prominence in low-key sci-fi effort Another Earth, Brit Marling has proven one of the American indie scene's most intriguing figures. Audiences either love her or don't quite know what to make of her — but whether she's co-writing and starring in Sound of My Voice and The East, or featuring in I, Origins, she's always interesting. The Keeping Room provides her latest fascinating role, this time pairing up with Pitch Perfect 2's Hailee Steinfeld and rising star Muna Otaru. Together, they explore the plight of women left behind during the American civil war, and offer up a female-centric take on one of the most masculine of movie genres. (T)ERROR True crime fans, rejoice. And then prepare to be thrilled, shocked and even a little horrified. (T)ERROR is the first documentary to thrust audiences right into the thick of the action, with filmmakers Lyric R. Cabral and David Felix Sutcliffe on the ground with the FBI during an active counterterrorism operation. Yes, it's as tense as it sounds — but it is also equally revelatory. The informant at the centre doesn't just let viewers in on secret phone calls and meetings, but exposes the murky procedures followed and questionable decisions made in the name of security. SIXTY SIX Making an animated movie is a massive task; however it doesn't normally take 13 years. But that's how long Lewis Klahr spent crafting Sixty Six — and evidence of his hard work is obvious in every image. Using bits and pieces from '50s and '60s comic books, advertising and pulp novels to tell stories steeped in Greek mythology, the end result looks like an art film in every sense of the word. Unravelling over 12 episodes, it's a true collage of sound and vision, a portrait of a time period and a bit of a road trip. It's the kind of experimental feature that really doesn't come around very often. RIVER OF GRASS Before Kelly Reichardt explored the companionship only a pet can bring in Wendy and Lucy, delved into the western genre in Meek's Cutoff and contemplated eco-activism in Night Moves — and brought Michelle Williams, Laura Dern and Kristen Stewart together for her recent Sundance hit Certain Women, too — she spun a story of social isolation and disconnection in the Florida suburbs. More than two decades later, her debut feature River of Glass has been gloriously restored for all the world to see. If you only see one retrospective title at this year's festival, make it this one. Essential Independents: American Cinema, Now runs from May 17 to June 8, and will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide. For the full program, visit the festival website.
With a new TED Talk posted every weekday, there is certainly no shortage of brilliance shared on the TED site. We are regularly amazed by the genius and passion of the thought leaders who grace the stage at ideas conference. Here, we have rounded up seven of the best TED Talks delivered in 2012 thus far. https://youtube.com/watch?v=GZadCj8O1-0 'The $8 Billion iPod' by Rob Reid Reid delivers an enlightening look at 'copyright math' (TM), a new field of study that analyzes the state of the entertainment industry based on numbers from entertainment lawyers and lobbyists. https://youtube.com/watch?v=fWInyaMWBY8 'Why I Must Speak Out About Climate Change' by James Hanson Climate scientist Hanson tells of his involvement in the debate over global climate change, revealing and outlining his intense worry about the future of the planet. https://youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4 'The Power of Introverts' by Susan Cain Cain points out the shamefulness society has assigned to introverts, prizing outgoing qualities and overlooking the immense talents introverts can offer. https://youtube.com/watch?v=c2tOp7OxyQ8 'We Need to Talk About an Injustice' by Bryan Stevenson Stevenson reveals difficult truths about the American justice system, challenging racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, as well as social apathy towards the issue. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2MYsx6WArKY 'Religion, Evolution and the Ecstasy of Self-Transcendence" by Jonathan Haidt Psychologist Haidt explores the human fascination with self-transcendence, hypothesizing on the scientific reasoning behind our obsession with 'losing ourselves'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4ErEBkj_3PY 'Robots That Fly...And Cooperate' by Vijay Kumar Within his University of Pennsylvania lab, Kumar has been building small robots that fly, sense each other, and form teams autonomously. Like a flock of birds, these multi-robot formations possess control and coordination, which Kumar studies in this talk. https://youtube.com/watch?v=BltRufe5kkI 'Abundance is Our Future' by Peter Diamandis With all the doom and gloom talk of our civilisation's fate, Diamandis' optimism stands in stark contrast. Diamandis makes the case that, as a civilisation, we are capable of inventing innovations to cope with our changing world. He believes that we can, and will, conquer the challenges facing humanity today.
Celebrated chef Matt Moran is already one of the most significant players in the Australian hospitality scene, running accomplished Sydney restaurants like Aria, Chiswick, Barangaroo House, North Bondi Fish and the always-busy House Canteen at Opera Bar, as well as Brisbane's Riverbar & Kitchen. Now, Moran is spreading his footprint beyond Australia and partnering with Marriott International to take over the kitchen at two luxury resorts in Fiji. Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort will now both boast his signature farm-to-table ethos and hearty modern cooking from March until August this year. The Tatavu Grill & Bar at the newly-refurbished Sheraton resort offers guests a luxury barefoot dining experience and the kitchen crew cooking over a multi-level open vertical grill, while Fish Bar at Marriott's Momi Bay resort serves up panoramic ocean views alongside a menu that will pull from both land and sea, experimenting with local meat and seafood paired with flavoured Fijian salt. [caption id="attachment_889838" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fish Bar[/caption] "Fiji offers an exciting canvas to create something truly special with the freshest line caught seafood and an abundance of fresh vegetables and lush tropical fruits," says Moran, who will also be hosting a pair of culinary events to celebrate the takeovers. On Tuesday, March 21, he'll be popping-up at Tatavu, before travelling to Fish Bar the night after. For both occasions, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner showcasing highlights from the new menus, hosted by the chef. [caption id="attachment_889840" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort[/caption] "I love teaching people about food and how pure, fresh ingredients, treated simply, are the basis for creating extraordinary dining experiences and I know that Marriott International Fiji aligns with this philosophy," Moran says. The takeover will run until Thursday, August 31 and is open to guests at both resorts. The one-off dinners hosted by Matt Moran are available to book for 399 Fijian dollars or around $260AUD. [caption id="attachment_889841" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tatavu Grill & Bar[/caption] Matt Moran will take over the kitchens at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort from Thursday, March 23 until Thursday, August 31. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Christopher Nolan has never made a Bond film. He certainly didn't helm The Matrix franchise, either. But combine the two — picking and twisting elements of each, including narrative tropes, sci-fi trickery and special effects wizardry — and the writer/director's latest slick, bold, mind-bending action-thriller Tenet is the end result. The movie's spy flick credentials are established at the outset, thanks to a tense, taut, supremely well-executed opening attack on the jam-packed Kiev Opera House. In a sequence that feels especially unnerving in today's crowd-phobic world, Tenet's nods to late 90s and early 00s sci-fi are evident here, too. Guns fire frequently, but when one in particular discharges, a bullet returns to the weapon rather than shooting out from it. It doesn't occur slowly, yet it still happens noticeably; if you wanted to dub it 'reverse bullet time', that wouldn't feel out of place. Soon afterwards, in case viewers weren't already thinking about Bond or The Matrix, Tenet's CIA operative protagonist — who is literally called 'the Protagonist' (John David Washington) — navigates his way through a familiar exposition dump-style sequence. A scientist (Clémence Poésy) talks him through some of the nuts and bolts of the shadowy situation he finds himself in, including explaining the inverse trajectory of the bullets. She has gadgets to mention as well. Actually, she has a lot more to say, specifically about inverted objects being sent back through time from the future. They're "the detritus of a coming war," she advises, which the Protagonist needs to prevent or life as everyone knows it will cease to be. Tenet wants you to pay very close attention at this point, with the film laying out oh-so many of the details, tidbits and stakes its plot balances upon. But it's the sight of the Protagonist learning how to fire a reverse bullet, then exclaiming a Keanu-esque "whoa!", that's extra memorable. If Tenet's premise so far sounds a little vague and convoluted, well, that's its wavelength. As obsessed with time, space, existence and consciousness as many of Nolan's movies, the cerebral film doesn't get any less tangled or labyrinthine from there, and it doesn't ever try to. Teaming up with suave English handler Neil (Robert Pattinson), the Protagonist hops around the globe from India and Estonia to Oslo and the Bay of Naples, with the pair wearing immaculate suits and endeavouring to stop the impending battle. Getting to know an arms dealer, Priya (Bollywood veteran Dimple Kapadia), is a key part of the plan. So is becoming entangled in the strained marriage between art expert Kat (Elizabeth Debicki) and her thick Russian-accented, clearly up-to-no-good husband Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh) and, at Neil's suggestion, also crashing a large freight plane into an airport. There's more to Tenet — much, much, much more, including twists upon twists that are best experienced while watching. But, as it charts the Protagonist's quest, the film boasts the kind of plot that is actually quite straightforward, yet is told in an overly complicated fashion (and in a lengthy way as well, with the feature's 150-minute duration felt). Keeping viewers puzzling for as long as possible is the main aim, and that sometimes comes at the expense of telling a great story in the clearest possible manner. It's a tale that, as a result, can occasionally feel cumbersome instead of thrilling. Nolan likes messing with audiences' heads, as Following, Memento and Insomnia established early, the Dark Knight trilogy continued, and even Dunkirk's structural approach demonstrated, so none of this should come as a surprise. Here, however, he jumps even beyond Inception's leaps, The Prestige's magic tricks and Interstellar's temporal dilations. When Poésy's character tells the Protagonist "don't try to understand it; just feel it," she's obviously speaking to Tenet's viewers as well — and, regardless of who is in the director's chair, that's a lazy cop-out. Tenet is entertaining, though. When it's at its best, it's downright spectacular. Some of its big setpieces — the aforementioned opera house scene, a breathtaking fight that stretches, sprawls and weaves through narrow corridors, and a narratively superfluous but enthrallingly shot catamaran race, for example — are simply stunning. In fact, like The Matrix's bullet time, fellow action films will be trying to ape Tenet's standout moments for decades to come. Nolan's feature is also impeccably cast, with Washington as charismatic as he was in BlacKkKlansman, Pattinson continuing to choose excellent roles and Kapadia a shrewd delight. Debicki and a forceful Branagh play characters with one-note functions and arcs, but they still have a sizeable impact. Throw in the percussive, suspenseful score by Ludwig Göransson (The Mandalorian) doing his best Hans Zimmer impression, as well as evocative production design by Nolan regular Nathan Crowley and glossy visuals lensed by Hoyte Van Hoytema (an Oscar nominee for Dunkirk), as there's plenty here to love. That said, there's also a sense that Tenet is bounding forward in some ways, while also needlessly looping back on itself in others. This a film with a palindromic name, and that inverts and reverts time again and again, so that's apt — although, given how meticulous Nolan's work always is, including this movie, the end sensation is unlikely to be intentional. Tenet is stirring, but also laborious. It's designed to not just immerse viewers in an inventive head trip, but to overwhelm; however it makes the audience work hard and feel like they're working. It's intricate and exacting, and also messy and repetitive. Right down to its penchant for frustratingly drowning out some of the dialogue with its thrumming score, it's a Nolan film through and through, in other words — usually to a mesmerising degree, but too indulgently as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3zIWteWCMY
Melbourne's been busy reminding us that summer is well and truly over, yet we forecast a scorcher in the inner-north this weekend. On Saturday, April 1, Welcome to Brunswick is firing up for the return of its tongue-numbing Hot Sauce and Chilli Festival. The day's main event is the infamous Hot Sauce Taste Challenge, where a bunch of brave punters will consume some of the world's fieriest condiments in ascending order of burn. If you're game, simply sign up on the day — but be warned, you'll need to sign a waiver. Meanwhile, the bar will be pouring chilli lager on tap, plus shaking up plenty of spicy margaritas. Thirst quenched, you can stock up on fiery pantry staples with a scoot around the boutique hot sauce market, sampling and purchasing sauces from a wide range of local brands. You can nab yourself some 'Hot For Brunswick' merch, too. Of course, there'll also be a swag of spicy food truck menu items to sink your teeth into, in case you love to linger in the burn. Entry to the festival is free and walk-ins are welcome, otherwise you may be able to nab a table by booking online.
Melburnians, if you're currently reading this from somewhere dry, warm and cosy, we suggest that you keep it that way for the rest of the day. After a particularly rainy morning — parts of the city copped 12mm of rain between 6–7am — the wet weather is set to stick around for the rest of the day. And not just any old wet weather, either. The Bureau of Meteorology is reporting that around 50 millimetres of rain is expected to fall on Melbourne today — which is just under 59 millimetres, the average rainfall for the entire month of December. Flood warnings have been issued around the state after 130 millimetres of rain poured down on northeast Victoria in the last 24 hours. The wild weather is a result of tropical cyclone Owen moving closer to us, creating a low-pressure system across the state. That means heavy rainfall and lots of thunderstorms before the cyclone moves up to NSW on Friday. Take a look at it here. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1072728661814591488 Naturally, the rain is affecting some services. Public transport looks to be experiencing only minor delays, but a few inbound lanes on the Westgate near Williamstown Road due to flooding. Stay dry out there. And remember to check Vic Roads, PTV and BOM for warnings and updates.
If your adventures have taken you to Melbourne's Westgate Park in the past few weeks, then you might've noticed something a little unusual. The lake has turned a pretty shade of pink. And, before you ask, no, it's not a Mother's Day thing. Nor is it fairies. In fact, the change in colour is due to a bunch of factors all happening at once, namely: lots of salt, lots of sunlight, hot temperatures and a lack of rain. The lake bed is covered in salt crust and, when matters get extra salty, the algae growing there creates beta carotene during photosynthesis. Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment, contained in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, mangoes and papayas, among other fruits and veggies. The pink salt water lake at Westgate Park (6 May 2018). . . #pinklake #saltwaterlake #saltwater #westgatepark #pink #pinkwater #algalbloom #melbourne #australia A post shared by Isaac Borthwick (@isaac.b.photo) on May 15, 2018 at 4:42am PDT In the case of Westgate Park Lake, the beta carotene has seeped into the water, giving it a somewhat magical look. This is not the first time the phenomenon has happened — you've probably seen it pop up on Instagram before — but it has stuck around for longer than usual this year. Given that the pinkness is a natural event, neither Parks Victoria nor we can tell you how long it's going to last, but it will probably start to fade as winter hits. If you're keen to take a peek, then find it on the eastern banks of Yarra River at Fishermans Bend. It's closest to Port Melbourne on one side and Yarraville on the other, and is most easily accessed by car or bus (take the 235 from the city or 606 from Elsternwick/St Kilda). Just note that Parks Victoria asks that visitors stick to official paths and avoid poking around the lake's edge. Although it might look tempting in these images, definitely do not swim in the water. Unlike the water, it will not be pretty.
I love the idea of growing my own food. The problem is, I’m one of those people who only has to look at a plant for it to turn into an aphid colony. I’m pretty convinced Indira Naidoo is a magician fronting as a journo and gardener of edible balconies. If you know what I’m talking about, here’s some good news. A couple of graduates from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) have created a personal farm that you can grow in your kitchen. And they know it works because they’ve already been providing home-grown veg to their college friends. Named ‘The Grove’, the farm looks a bit like a trendy hutch. It’s actually comprised of plant modules stacked on top of one another. A fish tank is included to provide nutrients. You don’t need any soil, because growth happens through aquaponics. But you do need to know how to work a smartphone. The ‘Grove OS’ enables users to monitor and control variables such as pH levels, moisture and temperature, as well as buy plants. All you have to do is swipe through and click on any vegetable, herb or fruit that catches your eye. “Farming — how we feed our growing and urbanising population — is a big problem on so many levels,” says Grove Labs CEO Gabe Blanchet. “A fundamental shift in culture enabled by powerful but simple technology, is the solution we, as humans, desperately need.” Pre-orders are available online. Via PSFK.
There's no way around it — these pleasant sunny days are waning fast. All the bright autumn colours will soon fade to grey, the breeze will turn to a gale and we'll be swapping cardigans for parkas. If, like us, you're keen on soaking up every last bit of this season, you'd better get going. In partnership with award-winning bourbon brand American Honey, we're bringing you the top five ways to savour the last days of autumn before winter officially arrives in Melbourne. Think rooftop igloo gardens, brunches, backyard barbecues, houseboat stays and art galleries aplenty. ESCAPE TO A ROOFTOP IGLOO Making the adjustment back to indoor dining after a summer spent leisurely feasting outdoors can be a tough one. That's why The Auburn Hotel in Hawthorn East is bringing back its rooftop igloos for a second year. Kicking off in autumn despite its name, the Winter Igloo Garden lets Melburnians enjoy the rooftop while escaping the cold and embracing a chilly weather theme all at once. This year, the space will be home to five igloos for small groups and one jumbo igloo that'll fit up to 30 of your nearest and dearest. Inside, expect tonnes of lush greenery, as well as a specially curated menu of food and drinks. To kick things off, American Honey-themed cocktails like the hot toddy will keep you warm, made with bourbon, lemon, honey and hot water — or there's also the old fashioned with a honeycomb twist. All of the honey is sourced from the Melbourne Rooftop Honey sustainable beehives. Food-wise, there's a menu for small or large groups starting at $49 per person. Think salt and pepper calamari and charcuterie boards for starters, 18-hour braised lamb shoulder for the main, and chocolate fondue with strawberries, marshmallows and honey popcorn for dessert. Prices include an American Honey cocktail on arrival as well. The Winter Igloo Garden will be open for a limited time from May through August, with bookings available online. INDULGE IN BRUNCH Fitzroy's The Provincial is throwing its own rooftop breakfast feast. The Let's Do Brunch Honey will see the space transformed into a lush garden — and sustainably fitted with recycled timber, scrap metal, salvaged glass and beehives. Thanks to a farm-to-table menu featuring all locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, attendees can expect an American-style brunch with beer, wine and featured cocktails, plus a stacked share menu. Get ready to tuck into winter fruit platters, honey-smoked chicken wings, waffles topped with barrel-aged honey and honey-whisky cheesecake. Cocktails caught your eye? The list is curated by American Honey and features a garnish wall for pick-your-own trimmings. Cocktails on offer include the old fashioned (smoked bacon-washed American Honey, peach liquor and fresh apple juice) and the Honey John Collins (American Honey, Creme de Cassis, lime and ginger ale). Grab your friends and enjoy a cocktail pitcher or two — the drinks won't stop from 11am–1pm. The Let's Do Brunch Honey is available from May through August. To book, head online. GATHER YOUR MATES FOR A BACKYARD BARBECUE There's no better way to enjoy these last drops of sun than a classic backyard barbie with your best mates. Grab the snags, obviously, and farewell the last of the good weather by trying your hand at creating a few crowd-pleasing cocktail jugs to pair with your grilled feast. Reminiscent of those summer days is the honey and kombucha iced tea, a concoction of American Honey bourbon, Triple Sec, lemon and kombucha. And if you don't have a backyard, don't worry — this cocktail will taste just as good on a balcony or in the park. GO ON AN EPIC ART GALLERY HOP While the weather permits, try your hand at a DIY exhibition tour around the city. With so many display spaces in and around the Melbourne CBD, we recommend getting a group together and embarking on one epic art gallery hop — the Immigration Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art are all within walking distance and, for the really ambitious, could all be hit in one day. First up, explore the Immigration Museum's new exhibition of tattoos, Our Bodies, Our Voices, Our Marks. Then, at the NGV this autumn, there's a massive exhibition by lauded American sculptor Alexander Calder. As for the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, it's offering a large-scale display of drawings and sculptures by internationally renowned Melbourne-born artist Tom Nicholson. [caption id="attachment_660939" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SPEND THE NIGHT ON A MURRAY RIVER HOUSEBOAT One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the vibrant colours of autumn (while you still can) is to head toward the Murray River, which is just two-and-a-half hours north of Melbourne. The season turns the natural surroundings vibrant red, orange and golden hues — which'll catch your eye and make for quite the gorgeous happy snaps. Cruising the pristine river doesn't have to be a day activity, either, especially if you skip the Airbnb and book your accommodation on a houseboat. The region specialises in houseboat stays, with options ranging from budget-friendly to high-end. For the latter, try the luxury two-deck Magic Murray Houseboats, featuring two fully-equipped kitchens, luxe linens, a sun deck and a heated spa to boot. For a more wallet-conscious option, check out Mildura Houseboats. Some houseboats also offer adventure packages, including kayaking and fishing, along with exploration of local wineries and villages along the river.
Walk the halls of the State Supreme Court, say a prayer at the Albanian Mosque on Lygon Street, or take a peek behind the curtain at the Circus Oz headquarters in Collingwood. They're just three of the buildings on the Open House Melbourne program. On the weekend of July 26, more than 100 buildings, large and small, old and new, will open their doors to the public. The event is designed to showcase the architectural history and diversity of the city, with a particular focus on sustainable design. Select sites will also offer free guided tours, providing visitors with insight not just about a given building but about the work that happens inside. So, for example, you could learn about cancer research at the Peter McCallum Institute, and then pick yourself up with a visit to the Lego Education Centre. For a full list of participating buildings as well as information on affiliated events, visit the Open House Melbourne website.
UPDATE, February 17, 2021: Waves is available to stream via Amazon Prime, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. The sight of streaming sunlight, South Florida's scenery and a blissful young couple shouldn't hit like a gut punch, but in Waves, it does. When this magnificently moving film opens, it does so with high-schooler Tyler Williams (Kelvin Harrison Jr) and his girlfriend Alexis Lopez (Alexa Demie). They sing and drive with carefree exuberance — buoyed by both youth and first love — with their happiness not only captured by fluid, enticing camerawork that circles around and around, but mirrored by the use of Animal Collective's upbeat, energetic 'FloriDada' on the soundtrack. Waves continues its sinuous cinematography and alluring tunes as it follows Tyler through a snapshot of his teenage existence, too. Viewers meet his upper middle-class family, who dote on his every word. We witness his prowess on the school wrestling team, where he's a star. We see how infatuated he is with Alexis, and vice versa. But, as intoxicatingly sensory as all of this is — and as expertly calibrated by writer/director Trey Edward Shults to convey exactly how Tyler is feeling — its glow fades quickly when the agonised glimmer in Tyler's eye becomes evident. It's only there when he's alone, looking in the mirror, but it's a picture of heartbreak. As played with a complicated mix of charm, arrogance, sadness, anger and vulnerability by the excellent Harrison, Tyler navigates his seemingly content life with an outward smile, while balancing on a knife's edge. He doesn't completely know it, though, although he can clearly feel the pressure mounting. Forceful in reminding him that African Americans are "not afforded the luxury of being average", his father Ronald (Sterling K Brown) is well-intentioned, but also stern and domineering. He pushes Tyler to be better at every turn and, when they train together for the teen's wrestling matches, even gets competitive. Stepmother Catherine (Hamilton's Renée Elise Goldsberry) is far more gentle; however the focus placed on Tyler compared to his younger sister Emily (Taylor Russell) is always obvious in her household. And so, when an injury threatens to undo his sporting future and his romance with Alexis breaks down, Tyler makes a series of self-sabotaging decisions. One leads to tragedy — and the fact that this isn't a joyful movie becomes devastatingly apparent. Waves is a graceful movie, though, even as it relentlessly hits hard. It starts with a feverish, frenzied outburst of adolescent life, pivots on a shocking and shattering night, then switches its focus to Emily in the painful aftermath — and it does so nimbly, compellingly, and with poise and precision. This is a film that's carefully crafted to not just tell several intertwined tales, but to express the bustling emotions that go with them. It's also exactingly engineered to ride the crests of the Williams' family's lives, sink into the troughs, and bob back up and down again as each given moment calls for. It is called Waves, after all. And, as that well-chosen name nods to, it follows the sadness that ripples through the lives of its characters, their attempts to keep afloat however they can, and all the other ebbs and flows they endure. They drift apart and glide back together, and Shults provides an immensely affecting account of their experiences, with the feature always raw and resonant as it grapples with loss, love, and the chaos and reality of being a Black teenager in America today. In Emily's section of the story, charting the above path from her perspective comes with a swift change of style: switching aspect ratios, easing back the pace, and taking a quieter, calmer, more lyrical approach. Where Waves' window into Tyler's life is frantic, fast-paced and, as the drama intensifies, often cloaked in lurid hues from parties and police lights, the film prefers slower, smoother and softer imagery for his sister, who must try to regain some sense of normality after the movie's big turning point. She's always been in Tyler's shadow, so the transition makes emotional sense, too. She's more reserved, accustomed to watching on rather than being the centre of attention, and well-versed in soaking in what slivers of happiness she can. Accordingly, as the Williams' family tries to recover from Tyler's life-changing actions, Emily makes a new connection with classmate Luke (Lucas Hedges), helps him deal with his own traumas and allows herself to be herself. Best known for Netflix's Lost in Space remake and horror flick Escape Room so far, Russell is just as phenomenal as the more overtly powerful Harrison. In fact, Waves proves a superbly acted movie all-round, with Shults wrangling intricate, intimate and expressive performances out of his entire cast. That shouldn't come as a surprise given the filmmaker's resume. But, while he already has the stellar Krisha and effective It Comes at Night to his name, this is his best work yet. With exceptional assistance from his usual cinematographer Drew Daniels, his own deft editing with Isaac Hagy (Guava Island), and a magnetic score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross — and a willingness to cover weighty issues such as race relations, the US legal system and engrained discrimination as well — every second of Shults' film pierces and probes as it cuts to the heart of Tyler and Emily's tales, and the impact upon their loved ones, school and community. The result: a stunningly visceral, stirring and profound drama that rushes, peaks and rolls like its moniker suggests, sweeping audiences along for every single moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIzchAe5H5A
Mark your calendars with a big red X, because the Ballarat Beer Festival is back. Taking over Lake Wendouree on Saturday, January 20, this annual event is one of the highlights of the drinking year, with some 34 independent brewers serving more than 150 brews. Combine that with live music, food stalls and a range of drinking-friendly activities like beer trivia and musical bingo, and it's an event that beer lovers won't want to miss. Stomping Ground, Temple Brewing, Pirate Life, Hop Nation and Kaiju! are just a few of the brewers who'll be pouring their wares, some of which will be running beer-ed classes on the day. There'll also be cocktails on offer if beer isn't your thing — although if that's the case, you might want to ask yourself what you're doing at the festival in the first place.
A ride in one of London's famous black cabs is on every tourist's must-do list, but for locals and visitors alike, they're about to get a whole lot busier. Five years after obtaining a license to operate in the UK capital, ride-sharing alternative Uber has been told that its permit won't be renewed when it expires at the end of September. In a statement, transport regulator Transport for London has announced that they will not be granting the company a new private hire operator licence after concluding "that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper" to operate according to its regulations. Specifically, "TfL considers that Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications." The government body raised particular concerns about Uber's approach to background checks and reporting serious criminal offences, as well as its use of "software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties." Uber, which boasts more than 40,000 drivers in London, has 21 days to appeal the decision. The company will be allowed to continue operating until the appeals process has been completed. Unsurprisingly, in a city where the ride-sharing app is used by more than 3.5 million passengers, Uber hasn't taken the news lightly, responding that "London is closed to innovative companies who bring choice to consumers," according to the ABC. No stranger to regulatory woes, the current situation follows in the footsteps of similar troubles in other places around the globe — from withdrawing from Denmark and having its apps blocked in Italy, to struggling with the necessary reforms in the Northern Territory following an earlier ban and facing tougher legislation in Queensland. Via the ABC.
In good news for people who hate spending more than ten seconds on a single task, you can now get personalised contents insurance with just one swipe. A new app named Trōv has just launched in Australia, and it allows you to insure individual items quickly, painlessly and potentially without even having to ask your parents for help. It's being described by media outlets as the 'Tinder of insurance', which is honestly quite ridiculous as the only similarity between the two apps is the generic swiping motion and the fact you access it on your smartphone. But despite the fact that the app can't offer you a date for Friday night, Trōv is pretty cool. The app allows you to insure individual items against damage, loss and theft on-demand. So you add your valuables to your account (at the moment they're just insuring common electronics), choose your excess, and — much like switching Wi-Fi on and off — 'turn on' protection for that particular item. You can 'turn off' protection in the same way as well. Insuring individual items means that you don't need to take out a hella expensive blanket contents insurance plan just to cover the one or two things you own that actually have monetary worth. And, during periods when you're not using your gear or it's packed away safely, you can turn insurance off to save some moolah. Best of all, it's a good alternative to not insuring any of your stuff and simply praying that the God of small things is a merciful one. Another concession to the tech generation is the claims process, which can be started by sending a text. It's not quite at the level of ordering takeaway with an emoji but it's certainly better than being on hold with an insurance claims operator for ten hours. The San Fransisco start-up behind Trōv have obviously tried to understand the way Gen Y use technology and apply it to something we largely don't understand: insurance. According to The Age, Trōv has gained $US39 million in funding so far, which includes $US5 million from Australian insurance company Suncorp — hence the Australian launch. It will expand to the UK later this year, and the US in 2017. Trōv can currently only insure electronics and appliances, but is working to add more options to their repertoire. In the meantime, you can insure some of the most precious items we have: our laptops and phones. They're the bringers of GoT, memes and UberEATS, after all.
The famed works of artists like Monet, Renoir and Pissarro are set to make their way down under, with the Art Gallery of South Australia announcing it'll host a major French Impressionism exhibition curated by Paris' Musée d'Orsay. Featuring over 65 world-celebrated Impressionist works from the French museum's collection, Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay will grace the gallery's Elder Wing from March 29 to July 29, 2018. Exploring the use of colour throughout the Impressionist movement, the exhibition is set to serve up a pretty sensational visual feast. Expect the luminous tones of Monet's La Pie (The Magpie), the rich blues and greens of Cézanne's French countryside imagery and the moody hues of Manet's Spanish-influenced pieces, alongside scores of other innovative nineteenth century masterpieces. With many of the works having never before travelled to the southern hemisphere, Colours of Impressionism is a huge coup for the Aussie art world, with director Nick Mitzevich calling it "the most important exhibition ever to be shown at the Art Gallery of South Australia." As the state's Premier and Arts Minister Jay Weatherill notes, "the works of artists such as Monet and Cézanne, for example, are so well regarded that this exhibition is bound to be very popular among Australians who would welcome the chance to see such an extensive display of Impressionist works in their own backyard." Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay will exhibit at the Art Gallery of South Australia from Thursday, March 29 to Sunday, July 29, 2018. For more information, visit the gallery website. Image: Claude Monet, The Water Lilies Pond, pink harmony, 1900, oil on canvas, 90 x 100 cm, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France, ©photo Musée d'Orsay / rmn
It has been six months since The Handmaid's Tale dropped its first teaser for its upcoming fourth season, which, like plenty of other things this year, was postponed until 2021. But, even though new episodes won't bless screens this year, fans of the dystopian series can rejoice at the latest news — because the show has just been renewed for a fifth season. Yes, even though The Handmaid's Tale's fourth season won't air until sometime next year, it already has an extra batch of episodes beyond that locked in. The news was announced as part of Disney's big 2020 Investor Day, because the Mouse House owns a majority stake in Hulu, the US streaming platform that produces the series. That means that audiences can look forward to more time with the show's protagonist, June (Elisabeth Moss), following season three's cliffhanger ending. And, it means more of the series' oh-so-relevant dialogue that's full of lines that feel like they could be said today, in reality, in everyday life. Using a deeply dystopian scenario to reflect the modern world has always been one of the acclaimed, award-winning series' strengths, of course. It was true of Margaret Atwood's 1985 book that started it all, too, and it doesn't look likely to change on-screen anytime soon. So, this tale of rebellion and revolution isn't anywhere near done yet. Toppling a totalitarian society that's taken over the former United States, tearing down its oppression of women under the guise of 'traditional values', and fighting for freedom and equality doesn't happen quickly, after all. If you're wondering what's in store next, June is set to strike back against Gilead and become a fierce rebel leader in season four — but, like everything in this series, that comes with risks and challenges. Obviously a sneak peek of The Handmaid's Tale's fifth season isn't available yet, and won't be until after its fourth season both airs and finishes – but you can watch (or rewatch) the season four trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WLqBUi4r6o The fourth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit screens in 2021 — on SBS in Australia — and we'll update you with further details when they're announced. The show's fifth season will air sometime after that, likely in 2022.
Us Melburnians do love our bottomless food and booze. And now, thanks to Richmond's buzzing cocktail bar, Fargo and Co, we can add bottomless fried chook to our weekday must-eat lists. Head down to the vibrant Swan Street spot on Wednesdays, from 4–6pm, and you'll be settling in for two hours of all-you-can-eat succulent, fried chicken — for just $25. Or, if you and your mates are vego or vegan, you can tuck into crispy buffalo broccoli instead. If you're feeling a little thirsty and want to take it up a notch, you can upgrade to a package that includes free-flowing booze, too. We're talking all the beer and bubbles you can sip in a two-hour sitting, while you munch on your fried feed. And, it'll only cost you an additional $20. To book your spot — which we suggest you do soon — head here.
When Nathan Sasi isn't cooking up a storm as the head chef at inner-city fine-dining restaurant Mercado, he's overseeing Good Times Artisan Ice Cream. When he's not doing that, he's collaborating with Lynx and designer Felix Chan to design accessories for Lynx's Find Your Magic collection. That's quite a number of hats to wear. And that's what makes him Sydney's renaissance man – he's clever, detail-focused, enthusiastic and can take on as many projects as he likes. He gets things done, and he gets them done well. Whether he's working in the kitchen, whipping up imaginative flavours in his ice cream shop or dabbling in the sartorial world, Sasi's entire existence focuses on showcasing his own personal style. We wondered, how does he balance so many projects? And how does he ensures that he expresses his individuality in everything he does? "You have to be passionate," he says. "Having a sense of confidence – not arrogance – with your style helps you pull of your look." Whether it's fashion, food, or life in general, Sasi says your style has to suit your personality. He says being passionate about what you do helps you to be persistent and reach your goals, and it also helps with the ability to juggle several different projects somewhat easier, or at least worthwhile. "Just go for it," is the advice he followed when it came to realising his childhood dream of selling everyone's favourite frozen sweet treat at Good Times. "Growing up I actually wanted to be a dentist or a lawyer," Sasi notes. But, "I always dreamt of having my own ice cream parlour, really so I could have an endless supply of ice cream." Sasi didn't just dream big though. He was also practical and thorough, and knew what worked best for him. His two food-focused roles are all about perfecting every element of the eating experience in a creative and unique way, from the Spanish-style dishes available at the former to hand-made ice cream served at the latter. "Becoming a chef was something I knew I was going to work towards actually becoming," he advises. "Once I developed my style of cooking with learning the art of making everything from scratch — charcuterie, cheese, vinegars, you name it — I knew that I wanted to extend that outside of the kitchen and typical restaurant setting. That's where the dream of really owning an ice cream parlour came about." [caption id="attachment_586645" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sasi's collaboration with Lynx.[/caption] It was while he was waiting for Mercado to come to fruition that Good Times became a reality, with Sasi forging ahead — or just going for it — when the opportunity arose. "I was waiting for the build of Mercado Restaurant to be completed, and with time up my sleeve and a vacant space in a prime location in Potts Point, I decided I would give it a crack," he says. Give it a crack, he did. Good Times made a splash as soon as it opened its doors back in February. Sasi makes all the bases from scratch with pure cream and milk rather than pre-made powered mixes, along with using top quality ingredients for the garnishes. He found his inner magic and infused it into Good Times — and it's that outlook that inspired Lynx to come calling for a collaboration. He often alters his own clothes to create a little uniqueness, saying "people own the right to express themselves through their fashion choices, through their accessories and personal style." His own look is a blend of "old school gentlemen with a touch of rock and roll," which shines through in his collaboration with Chan. The line of silk pocket squares, checked socks and patterned ties they've designed together doesn't just try to convey Sasi's particular style, but aims to share his way of looking at the world. "I think to some degree, cooking and fashion go hand in hand. Chefs are putting what they create with heart and soul onto a plate for restaurant reviewers and diners to critique, so they tend to just do what they love, what feels right — and don't fuss too much about what others think, providing they are doing what is true to them." "You learn early on that you aren't always going to please everyone, and I think the same goes with fashion," he says. "If we didn't take risks and love being creative in the kitchen then we probably wouldn't be chefs." Or in Sasi's case, chefs, ice cream parlour owners and accessory designers. The Find Your Magic collection is available to purchase at Men In This Town, all proceeds will go to I-Manifest.
SXSW Sydney's big 2024 return is only days away — and it's still expanding its already jam-packed lineup. If you're a fan of both movies and TV, the event's Screen Festival has been stacking its program for months, but it isn't done yet. Newly added to the bill across Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20: a 90s-set disaster comedy on opening night, television sneak peeks and world premieres, Japan's submission for 2025's Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars and plenty more. When the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival kicks off for this year, it'll do so with a movie that bowed at its Austin counterpart, heads back to the 90s, sports a Saturday Night Live alum behind the lens and boasts plenty of well-known faces on-screen, including the Harbour City event's music keynote speaker for 2024. The film: A24's Y2K, the directorial debut of Kyle Mooney (No Hard Feelings), with Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), Julian Dennison (Uproar), Jaeden Martell (Arcadian) and The Kid LAROI starring. The storyline: it's New Year's Eve in 1999, a heap of folks are at a high-school party and the Y2K bug strikes. The fest's new small-screen highlights span debuting and returning fare, as well as a new show that's the latest version of a popular hit that just keeps being remade. Plum, which stars Brendan Cowell (The Twelve) as a footballer who learns that his concussions have led to a brain disorder, and also features Asher Keddie (Fake) and Jemaine Clement (Time Bandits), is premiering at SXSW Sydney before airing on ABC. Apple TV+ delight Shrinking with Jason Segel (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) and Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) is showing a sneak peek of its second season, and the new Australian take on The Office joins the program via a panel discussion featuring lead Felicity Ward (Time Bandits) with executive producers and writers Jackie van Beek (Nude Tuesday) and Julie De Fina (Aftertaste). Back on movies, Matt Damon (The Instigators)- and Ben Affleck (The Flash)-produced sports drama Unstoppable will enjoy its Australian premiere. Telling Anthony Robles' true tale, it stars Jharrel Jerome (I'm a Virgo) as the wrestler born with one leg — plus Bobby Cannavale (MaXXXine), Michael Peña (A Million Miles Away), Don Cheadle (Fight Night) and Jennifer Lopez (Atlas). Also on the film list: the world premiere of the Chicago-set Pools, which features Odessa A'zion (Ghosts) as a college sophomore at summer school; Messy, another summer-set flick, this time featuring Alexi Wasser (Poker Face), Ione Skye (Beef) Adam Goldberg (The Exorcism); First Nations coming-of-age tale Jazzy, with Lily Gladstone (Fancy Dance) as a star and executive producer; and They're Here, a documentary about UFO fanatics. Or, from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Before We Vanish) comes both Cloud and Serpent's Path — the first of which is Japan's aforementioned Oscar entry, with the second remaking the director's own 1998 revenge film in French. The new additions join already-revealed headliners Saturday Night, Smile 2, Nightbitch, The Front Room and Pavements — and, as seen in other past lineup announcements, everything from cults, cat-loving animation and Christmas carnage thanks to Azrael, Ghost Cat Anzu and Carnage for Christmas. Movie buffs can also look forward to Ilana Glazer (The Afterparty)-led mom-com Babes; the maximum-security prison-set Sing Sing with Colman Domingo (Drive-Away Dolls); and Inside, which features Guy Pearce (The Clearing), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun) and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders). There's also doco Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird, spending time with At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala; Teaches of Peaches, which goes on tour with its namesake; the Lucy Lawless (My Life Is Murder)-directed doco Never Look Away about CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth; Peter Dinklage (Unfrosted) and Juliette Lewis (Yellowjackets) lead western-thriller The Thicket; and Aussie documentary Like My Brother, about four aspiring AFLW players from the Tiwi Islands. The list goes on, with The Most Australian Band Ever! about the Hard-Ons, That Sugar Film and 2040 filmmaker Damon Gameau's Future Council, and Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts from Barbecue and We Don't Deserve Dogs' Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker also set to screen. SXSW Sydney 2024, including the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, runs from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details.
Endless fried chicken. Bottomless fries. All-you-can-drink beer, wine and cocktails. If that sounds like your ideal Valentine's Day date night — or just ideal Friday night — lock in a night in South Melbourne. Local pub The Market Hotel is welcoming its new kitchen resident — burger joint The Pickle & The Patty — and together they're throwing an Anti-Valentine's Valentine's Day party on Friday, February 14. Hit the pub from 7.30pm and you'll get two hours of endless food and booze. The former comes courtesy of The Pickle & The Patty — you might remember these guys from their recent pop-ups, including that pint-sized carpark store in Ascot Vale — who'll be plating up endless all-beef hot dogs, fries and four flavours of fried chicken wings (or fried cauliflower for those vego peeps). As no date night is complete without dessert, there'll also be bottomless jam doughnuts. On the drinks side of things, there'll be two hours of endless beer, wine and select cocktails. See you there. Anti-Valentine's Valentine's Day runs from 7.30–9.30pm.
The Jungle Collective has just returned from Sydney and it's already set to open its Abbotsford's warehouse for the third time this year. The bohemian plant sale will again open to the public on Saturday, March 24 from 9am, offering hundreds of indoor plants of over 60 green species. While the last Melbourne sale focused on elephant plants, this time the selection will be more broad — meaning there will be plants of all shapes and sized available. We don't know exactly what will be there, but patrons can expect the usual array of hanging plants and ferns, along with rare finds like giant Birds of Paradise and east Asian-native rubber fig trees. For those who have a hard time keeping their new friends alive, the on-site horticulturist will again be in attendance to help answer all of your plant-based woes. As usual, they'll have jungle tunes and vibes going, along with themed dress-up specials — including five bucks off if you wear bunny ears. No ticket or registration is required for this sale, but takeaway boxes will be limited, so plan ahead and bring your own. Image: Mooikin.
"I'm a muddler freak," laughs mixologist Tomas Vikario. He's talking, of course, about the bartenders' tool which is used to muddle or mash ingredients together at the bottom of a cocktail glass. (Tomas has an unhealthy collection of 20 muddlers; one is even custom-made). Concrete Playground's favourite cheeky mixologist is showing us how to make a simple summer cocktail that's easy to recreate in the comfort of your very own herb garden. (Or kitchen. We just couldn't resist making ours in the sunshine.) For Tomas, a muddler is an essential tool for a good mojito. Tomas has been a mixologist ever since a graphic design course drove him to drink*, over eighteen years ago. Born in Croatia and now living in Sydney, he first shared his passion and experience with CP for our first DIY cocktail recipe 'A Perrier Tea Break'. Today, Tomas shows us his fresh, fruity twist on the classic Cuban mojito. "I like to put a twist on every classic drink," Tomas tells us. "The Perrier Summer Berry Mojito actually improves with every sip – the mint, rum, berry and lime flavours become more intense as the ingredients have time to mingle together." And mingling at home with friends and Ernest Hemingway's tipple of choice is exactly what we fancy doing this summer. Here's how you can too. *Half true. Tomas assures us that the end of his graphics design career and the beginning of his passion for mixology has no correlation. Ingredients: 30ml lime juiceWhite cane sugarBlueberriesStrawberriesMint50ml Havana Club rumPerrier sparkling mineral water STEP 1 It's just not a mojito without that fine balance between sweet and sour. So to start, add two spoons of white cane sugar to a tall glass; Tomas suggests using a highball or Collins glass. (Too many friends, not enough highballs? Tomas has the answer for that one too: old jam jars or tin cans. Be sure to clean them out first, obviously. Take a look at the final image for an example.) STEP 2 Add 30ml of freshly-squeezed lime juice (that's the juice of approximately one lime). STEP 3 Add two chopped strawberries and six blueberries, before gently pressing the sugar, berries and lime together using a muddler. This extracts the juice and aromas of the fruit. STEP 4 Now add two stalks of fresh mint (approximately 10-15 mint leaves). Tomas recommends tapping or scrunching the mint before adding it to the glass, this helps to release the flavour and aroma of the herb. Muddle the ingredients together and try not to break the leaves – 0r the glass! STEP 5 Add 50ml of rum. Tomas uses Havana Club rum for that authentic Cuban taste. STEP 6 Using a long-handled spoon, stir in a few cubes of ice. STEP 7 Top up with more ice and add chilled Perrier sparkling mineral water for 100% natural, long-lasting bubbles. STEP 8 Decorate with a sprig of mint. Place a straw next to the mint for extra minty aroma as you drink. MIX IT UP: FLAVOUR VARIATIONS "People have so many childhood memories of eating mangoes – so it's a great alternative flavour instead of the berries," says Tomas. If you like the sound of a Perrier Mango Mojito or a Perrier Watermelon Mojito, simply replace strawberries and blueberries with half a small mango, or four cubes of watermelon. Or, try all three. ¡Qué rico!
At least once each summer we're lying spread-eagled under a fan, too hot to move and wishing there was a way to retrieve an iced treat without having to step out in the 42-degree heat. These days there are a lot of services that could deliver you a box of Icy Poles or a tub of Messina, but 7-Eleven have just completed the ultimate hot-day delivery — they delivered a Slurpee to a customer in Reno, Nevada by drone. This is pretty big news because not only is it absolutely heaven-sent to see a Slurpee coming at you slowly from the sky, but it's also the first completed drone delivery to a customer's home in the United States. The convenience store retail chain teamed up with local drone developers Flirtey to make the delivery, which comprised of Slurpees, a chicken sandwich, doughnuts, coffee and lollies. Solid haul. The drone delivery system in something that 7-Eleven hope to roll out across the world, but with new rules that will allow the operation of small drones coming into effect in the US next month, it looks like that's where they'll start. It means that the company could potentially start delivering goods to those who can't easily leave the house or need items urgently. It's been a big week on the drone delivery front. Over in the UK, Amazon just got approval from the government to start testing their drone delivery service after they decided to lift some strict flying restrictions. The test runs — which, up until now, have been done only in rural areas — will start immediately, and could deliver small packages to people in as little as 30 minutes. As for here at home, Australia Post is currently in the process of trialling drone technology for small parcel delivery. So we might see Slurpees in the sky sooner than you think. Via TechCrunch and The Telegraph.
In 2021, déjà vu and heading to the movies keep going hand in hand. Many of the big-name big-screen releases showing in cinemas this year were due to release last year, which means we've been hearing about them for a while — so, if you feel like first saw the trailer for sci-fi epic Dune quite some time ago, for instance, there's a very good reason for that. More than ten months after that first glimpse dropped, another trailer has just arrived. Unsurprisingly, it's sandy. And, once again, it teases a movie that's set to combine a beloved science fiction title, a star-studded cast and a Hans Zimmer score. Pairing up all three worked rather spectacularly in Blade Runner 2049, and now filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is hoping that it'll just turn out just as swimmingly with his Timothée Chalamet-, Oscar Isaac- and Zendaya-led version of Dune. In the latest adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, Chalamet (Little Women) plays Paul Atreides — son of Duke Leto Atreides (Isaac, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker), who has just been given stewardship of the planet Arrakis. In this futuristic tale, Arrakis is the source of 'the spice', the most valuable substance in the universe. It's also home to a population of people known as the Fremen, as well as to giant sandworms, and it's known for being dangerous partly due to the latter. And, once Paul, Leto and Paul's mother Lady Jessica (Doctor Sleep's Rebecca Ferguson) move to the planet, it's the subject of a bitter battle with malicious forces over the spice trade. If all of the above sounds more than a bit familiar, that's because David Lynch brought Dune to the screen back in 1984, with his Kyle MacLachlan-starring movie becoming one one of the most unfairly maligned sci-fi films ever made. Fellow director Alejandro Jodorowsky also tried to make his own version — a feat that wasn't successful, sadly, but was explored in the excellent documentary Jodorowsky's Dune. Just how Villeneuve's take will fare is still yet to be seen, obviously, with the film initially due to hit cinemas Down Under on Boxing Day 2020, but now slated to release on October 21, 2021. But the French Canadian director has an impressive resume — see: Arrival, Sicario, Enemy, Prisoners and Incendies, just to name a few titles on his resume — and with Dune, he's clearly reaching for epic territory. Like the first trailer, the latest glimpse at the film makes that case quite heartily. As well as serving up plenty of Call Me By Your Name's Chalamet as the film's brooding hero, the sneak peek features sandy expanses aplenty, weighty chats with Isaac, and many a confrontation. And, a stellar cast that also includes Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame), Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl), Dave Bautista (Army of the Dead), Charlotte Rampling (Red Sparrow), Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and Javier Bardem (Everybody Knows), all getting caught up in a spice war. Check out the latest trailer below: Dune will release in Australian cinemas on October 21, 2021. Top image: Chiabella James. Copyright: © 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Now that summer has dropped its anchor, it's time to fancy up your cocktail making and shaking skills. And, as many a pro mixologist would tell you, this doesn't mean manufacturing a whole new wheel. Your best bet is to rehabilitate a classic, but give it a subtle modification or two. After all, if a beverage has made its way through the years better than Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire', then surely we owe it our utmost respect. Here are three renovated cocktails to whip up at pool parties, languid beachy gatherings and festivals before January has slipped away. BEACHY DAYS: THE JAMAICAN STORMY The spicy, refreshing Jamaican Stormy is made for long evenings on – or near – the sand, whether you're camping or kicking back in a beachfront house. It's an evolution of the Moscow Mule, a vodka-ginger beer-lime combo that was invented in Hollywood in the early '40s and soon became the go-to drink at L.A. beach parties. In this concoction, the vodka is replaced with rum for a deeper flavour profile. Line up 1 part Appleton Estate V/X, 2 parts spicy ginger beer, 3 lime wedges and 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional). Squeeze the limes into a highball glass, pressing them with a muddler. Add ice, build in the remaining ingredients and give it a gentle stir. The more fiery the ginger beer, the better. POOL PARTIES: THE ESTATE DAIQUIRI Ernest Hemingway had one named after him. John F. Kennedy drank a few on the night he was elected president. The daiquiri, which, as far as we know, was first incarnated in Cuba in the 1890s, is one of the world's most-ordered drinks. Its sweet-and-sour easy drinkability makes it perfect for summer pool parties. In this recipe, the addition of Appleton's versatile Estate Reserve creates an especially smooth version. Take 1½ parts Appleton Estate Reserve, 1 part fresh lime juice and 1/6 part simple syrup. Pop them in a cocktail shaker with ice, give it a good shake and strain into a chilled Coupette glass. Add a twist of orange peel for garnish. POST-FESTIVAL NIGHT CAP: THE ESTATE OLD FASHIONED The Old Fashioned's unique combination of class and comfort makes it the ideal post-festival night cap. According to Slate gentleman and scholar Tory Patterson, the Old Fashioned is at once "the manliest cocktail order" and "something your grandmother drank." Having been around since 1806, it's one of the oldest cocktails on record, which means all kinds of wondrous variations have emerged. Here, the Old Fashioned is served premium-style, with the inclusion of Appleton's indulgent rare blend 12-year-old. You'll need 2½ parts Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old, 1/2 part sugar syrup, 2 dash Angostura bitters and 2 dash orange bitters. Put all ingredients in a mixing glass with a large cube of ice. Stir quickly until the glass frosts, then strain into an Old Fashioned glass, over a large block of ice or an ice sphere. Add orange peel for garnish.
He was cast as Aquaman before Jason Momoa. He starred in a reimagined version of The Great Gatsby directed by Martin Scorsese. He played Pablo Escobar in a big crime epic as well — and if you're currently wondering just who fits the bill, it's Entourage's protagonist Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier). Of course, all of the above is purely fiction. Still, as loosely based on Mark Wahlberg's own journey from his everyday life to the Hollywood A-list, Entourage takes Vinnie on quite the ride. The eight-series comedy-drama chronicles all the details, including not just its central figure's many exploits in show business, but also those of his older brother and fellow actor Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon), plus his childhood pals Eric (Kevin Connolly) and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara). The show is called Entourage, after all.
Who said we were running out of space in our urban centres? Berlin has found enough room for a farm in the heart of the city, large enough to supply its inhabitants with tons of fresh produce each month. What better place for a vegetable garden than the roof of an abandoned malt factory, or a fish farm in the factory's empty cylinders once used to dry barley? The 'Fresh From The Roof' project aims to plant 7,000 square metres of crops in this haven above the urban sprawl, fertilised entirely by the excrement of the city-slicking fish below. In return, the plants work to purify the fish tank water, making it the ideal venture for regions suffering water shortages. If only all apartment dwellers could work out how to reside in such utter harmony with their neighbours. The three German entrepreneurs behind Fresh From The Roof have already seen small-scale success, producing lettuce and tomatoes from their prototype for the urban farm built out of a recycled shipping container. But while the large-scale project won't be guzzling too much energy, there's no promise that it won't guzzle plenty of cash. The running cost of the rooftop farm is estimated at a whopping $6.7 million. But with an increasing consumer demand for organic, home-grown produce, and of course that pressing need to get creative in the way we use our space, hopefully this little farm will produce a positive return on investment.
Think about how nervous you feel when you're on a first date. Now imagine that it's happening in front of a theatre full of people. In an era of online dating, when people are judged based solely on a handful of selfies, theatremaker Bron Batten transports the rituals of modern romance from your smartphone to the stage for the Festival of Live Art 2016. Onstage Dating is exactly what it sounds like: each night, a different volunteer gets put through the ringer, as Batten gleefully deconstructs the conventions of contemporary courtship. Will true love flourish, or will the night end in disaster? Either way, it sounds like fascinating viewing. Image: Theresa Harrison.
The long weekend is here. And, as Monday is a public holiday, some of your regular spots will be shut. So, if you're on the hunt for a caffeine hit, long lunch or a few more beers, we've put together an extensive list of all the bars, cafes and restaurants that'll be open on Monday, June 10. There is something for everybody on this list, too — from Hanoi Hannah's Vietnamese hawker-style fare to King & Godfree's authentic Italian baked goods and Stomping Ground's craft brews. And if you're looking for further inspiration on how to spend your days off, head this way for our pick of the best long weekend happenings. [caption id="attachment_712460" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sebastian[/caption] RESTAURANTS Agostino, Carlton - noon–late Baby Pizza, Richmond: noon–late Chin Chin, CBD: 11am–11pm Fatto Cantina, CBD: 5pm–late Hanoi Hannah Express Lane, Windsor: 11.30am–10pm Hanoi Hannah Vol. II, Elsternwick: noon–late Hanoi Hannah New Quarter, Richmond: noon–late Hawker Hall, Windsor: noon–late Kong BBQ, Richmond: noon–late Matilda 159 Domain, South Yarra: noon–3pm, 6–10pm Pontoon, St Kilda: noon–late Sebastian, Williamstown: noon–late Stokehouse, St Kilda: noon–late Tipico, Windsor: 5.30–10.30pm Tokyo Tina,Windsor: noon–late [caption id="attachment_699800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Espy by Alex Drewniak.[/caption] BARS The Alehouse Project, Brunswick East: 3pm–midnight Arbory Bar & Eatery, CBD: 7.30am–1am Borsch, Vodka and Tears, Windsor: noon–late The Duke of Wellington, CBD: noon–1am The Espy, St Kilda: noon–late The Exchange Hotel, Port Melbourne: noon–late Fatto Bar, CBD: 4pm–late (with all-day happy hour) Harlow, Richmond: noon–1am Johnny's Green Room, Carlton: noon–late Middle Park Hotel, Middle Park: 4pm–late Newmarket Hotel, St Kilda: 4pm–late Portsea Hotel, Mornington Peninsula: 11am–late Station Hotel, Footscray: noon–late St Giles Wine Bar, Camberwell: noon–10pm Stomping Ground Beer Hall, Collingwood: 11.30am–12am Up in Smoke, Footscray: noon–10pm Village Bell Hotel, St Kilda: 9am–1am [caption id="attachment_671316" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bentwood, Fitzroy by Kate Shanasy[/caption] CAFES Bentwood, Fitzroy: 7.30am–4pm Collective Espresso, Camberwell: 7am–4pm Fergus, Malvern East: 8am–3pm The Foreigner, Ivanhoe: 8.30am–2pm Friends of Mine, Richmond: 7.30am–4pm The Grain Store, CBD: 8am–3pm King & Godfree Deli & Espresso Bar, Carlton: espresso bar 8am–late; deli 9am–8pm Pidapipo, CBD, Carlton and Windsor: noon–11pm Short Round, Thornbury: 8am–3pm Trei Cafe, Glen Waverley: 8.30am–1.30pm Mr Tucci, Glen Iris: 8am–2pm Top image: Hanoi Hannah Vol. 11
It's a classic cycle: we say we want to discover somewhere new, then we end up at the same holiday spots. We're creatures of comfort, after all. But, with such fantastically varied landscapes at our Australian fingertips, it's the year to switch things up. Let's start with your coastal weekender. Instead of another (delightful) beachside vacay, why not opt for some riverside charm? The serenity of the Murray Region is overlooked by city-slickers, but it's an area enlivened by passionate locals, immense natural beauty and deep history and culture. The riverside towns here are jam-packed with rich First Nations history, a thriving contemporary arts scene and some seriously niche slices of Australia's past. So, if you're ready to hit the road, the banks of the Murray will take you on a journey through time — think ancient lakebeds, a giant shed dedicated to Aussie beers from decades gone by and an insanely intricate display of replica paddlesteamers. Together with Destination NSW, we've got you covered with this extensive list of ways to enjoy the region. [caption id="attachment_894057" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] MURRAY ART MUSEUM ALBURY Opened in 2015, Albury's contemporary art museum is a cultural hub for Australian artists, both established and emerging. With a backdrop of quaint, small-town charm, the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) brings vivid modern creations to this regional centre. From now until mid-July, the museum is hosting No Easy Answers. The exhibition invited artists — such as Ella Barclay and Tracey Moffatt — to use their creativity as a medium to tackle the issues of today. If regional charm meeting arty creations sounds good to you, opt for two nights at the Mercure Albury, just around the corner from MAMA. [caption id="attachment_894595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wentworth Victoria[/caption] BARKINDJI WIMPATYA MURRA CENTRE Right on the banks of the river, the Dareton region is thriving with stunning natural wonders, culinary delights and rich cultural history. A trip to this country locale would not be complete without a visit to The Barkindji Wimpatya Murra Centre (Bmeet), a spot where you will be sure to learn about the area's unique Indigenous history. This Aboriginal art gallery showcases an array of local art ranging from traditional to more contemporary work and artefacts. Expect a warm welcome at Bmeet, with local artists often in the workshop and happy to answer any of your curiosities. YARRAWONGA-MULWALA PIONEER MUSEUM Located in the fishing town of Mulwala, The Yarrawonga-Mulwala Pioneer Museum is a treasure trove of local history. This complex, established by the Historical Society, contains a range of exhibits to fascinate any visitor. From aviation to agriculture, vintage vehicles to photography, the curated collection delivers a snapshot of time in this riverside locale. THE GREAT AUSSIE BEER SHED & HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM We all know that beer is a big part of Aussie culture. That's why, in 2003, Neil Thomas opened The Great Aussie Beer Shed. Displaying an unbelievable array of Australian paraphernalia — including over 20,000 beer cans — this museum really is a must-see, located in northern Victoria just three kilometres from Echuca. Proudly showing off a collection that's taken him over 45 years to build, Neil himself will guide you through his treasures. And, it doesn't stop at beer. This 5000-square-foot shed is filled with iconic Aussie products, machinery and more. Afterwards, check out Neil's Farm Museum and its extensive display of equipment dating back to the late 1800s. [caption id="attachment_894059" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] OLD WENTWORTH GAOL The historic Old Wentworth Gaol gives a fascinating peek into our regional history. The lock-up is the oldest Australian-designed gaol in the country, built between 1879 and 1881. Until 1927, it operated with harsh conditions, though now is a popular tourist attraction and an important historical landmark. The structure has been well maintained, meaning you can get a pretty good idea of what it was like to be a resident back in the day. There's plenty of information on display, including an Indigenous history collection, so you're set to school-up on your visit. [caption id="attachment_894058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] RIVERBOAT ROD'S MODEL PADDLESTEAMER DISPLAY Not only does Wentworth contain the country's oldest Australian-designed gaol, this charming NSW town was also once our country's busiest inland river port. If you want a better idea of what the turn-of-the-century paddle steamers looked like — or simply appreciate some dedicated craftsmanship — look no further than Riverboat Rod's. The charming space is home to a pretty incredible display of over 30 handmade paddlesteamer replicas. This collection is possibly the largest and only of its kind in the world and showcases a lifetime of attention to tiny, intricate details. Whether you are interested in aquatic history or not, these models are impressive just as they are. [caption id="attachment_894055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] HOLBROOK SUBMARINE MUSEUM Holbrook is a great stopover town when exploring the Murray. Where else could you uncover a life-size submarine hanging out in the middle of rural NSW? This, and the accompanying fascinating history, can be discovered at the Holbrook Submarine Museum. After you've seen the HMAS Otway out front, head to the museum and stroll through its impressive display of submarine memorabilia from the depths, while you busy yourself learning some WWI history. [caption id="attachment_894763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] MUNGO NATIONAL PARK Mungo National Park is a remarkable destination that cannot be missed when exploring the Murray. It's home to ancient lakebeds and plenty of incredible relics of early Aboriginal culture. This national park is truly an experience to remember. But to make the most of it, make the Mungo Visitor Centre your first stop. Here, you can view amazing displays and learn of the area's First Nations heritage and the archaeological evidence that revealed the once-full Lake Mungo. [caption id="attachment_895130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] EXPLORE DENILIQUIN Deniliquin is a locale found on the Edward River — a tributary of the Murray — making it a primo spot for any riverside activities. Whether you're into water skiing, fishing, bushwalking or just soaking up beautiful surrounds, you're covered here. Stay at Centrepoint Motel, where you'll be just a five-minute walk to the centre of town. What's nearby? The Long Paddock Touring Route, the stock route that's still used today and dishes up a slice of history with a side of tranquillity and art. Along the track, which starts in Echuca Moama and heads out to the Outback, there's both local history on sporadic info boards and public artworks — plus plenty of country pubs. This area is also home to the flattest, most open natural plains on the planet, which deliver spectacular expansive vistas into the horizon (pictured above). Here, you'll also find a cycle loop, The Depot and its incredible collection of automobiles and memorabilia, a vibrant towering mural splashed across a water tower and plenty more. Looking to visit later in the year? The Deni Ute Muster takes over the town in September, and is a celebration of the region's 'ute culture' and unique landscape. For more ways to enjoy the Murray region, check out our foodies guide or guide to a rejuvenating trip. Or, to start planning your history and culture trip to the Murray region, head to the website. Top images: Destination NSW (Walls of China; Barmah National Park; Mungo National Park).
French photographer Patrice Letarnec has created an eye-catching photo series that turns the world on its head. Taking the streets of Paris for a backdrop, the collection of photographs feature gymnastically gifted individuals walking on their hands, creating a delightfully surreal and strangely entertaining result. Letarnec told the Huffington Post, "The main idea was to illustrate the French expression 'marcher sur la tête' — to act foolishly, to go against common sense, which is more or less what we experience in today's world." Patrice Letarnec is a France based photographer and art director. You can check out more of his work on his Tumblr.
Across 2024 and 2025, the TV-watching groove in your couch is only going to get deeper, especially if there's no sweeter streaming sound to your ears than the static of the HBO logo. The American cable network has just dropped a glimpse at a heap of shows that are on the way over the next two years, including brand-new titles, spinoffs from existing hits and returning favourites. There's only one trailer for the whole package, but a heap of must-sees are featured. The sneak peek has arrived to promote HBO's own streaming service, which is now just called Max and isn't available in Australia or New Zealand as yet. Viewers Down Under can expect to catch the bulk of series teased on Binge, Foxtel and Neon — and it's a hefty list. A first trailer for season two of House of the Dragon, has already been released ahead of its winter 2024 premiere, but the Game of Thrones spinoff unsurprisingly gets some attention in HBO's new clip. Yes, there be fire-breathing flying animals, plus long blonde locks. Also popping up is The Penguin, which ties in with 2022's big-screen release The Batman, with Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) reprising the show's titular role. Spanning eight episodes and designed to extend the Dark Knight's big-screen crime saga too, it too will drop next year. Earlier in 2023, HBO revealed that it is also making an IT prequel series that's currently called Welcome to Derry, as set in Stephen King's go-to Maine town and stepping through the locale's scares before the terror that viewers have already seen. The end result won't arrive until 2025 and may have a new moniker by then, but the network's trailer includes the first footage of the show — red balloon and all, obviously. Similarly on their way: 2024 returns for True Detective, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Tokyo Vice, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Hacks, Industry, My Brilliant Friend, Somebody Somewhere and The Jinx. Plus there's new unscripted comedy Jerrod Carmichael: Reality Show; the Robert Downey Jr (Oppenheimer)-led, Vietnam War-set spy thriller and farce The Sympathizer; Kate Winslet (Avatar: The Way of Water) in The Regime, which takes place within a European palace; and The Franchise, the latest series from Veep and The Thick of It's Armando Iannucci. Can't wait for more The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria and And Just Like That...? You will actually have to, sorry. Even though they each get some love in the new HBO trailer, none will make a comeback until 2025 — mark your calendar now. Watch HBO's 2024–25 roundup trailer below: The above HBO shows don't have exact release dates yet — we'll update you when further details are announced. Top image: Macall Polay/Max.
Merrick Watts has some charming words for cafe workers who want to be treated like human beings. Appearing on Channel Nine's Today program, where the discussion centred around a number of Melbourne cafes who refuse service to customers who order while talking on the phone, the radio host and alleged comedian let loose on "hipster" baristas, proclaiming that they should "just make me the coffee" and that "you're not doing real work." "I'm paying for it, so how about you just give it to me, as opposed to the hipster attitude with your beard and all your weird mermaid tattoos," said Watts, to the delighted chortles of his fellow panellists. "Are you a sailor, or are you making coffee?" "Just give me the coffee, let me talk on the phone, 'cause we can't have a conversation, I don't need to engage, because I don't speak pirate!" If you can stomach the rest of the rant, you can watch the 9 News video here. Presumably it's been a while since Watts has deigned to associate with anyone who works in the hospitality industry. Thing is, we actually know quite a few baristas — many of whom work 40+ hours each week. One former Melbourne barista described a typical shift as "8-9 hours without sitting, often 10+ orders deep, trying to juggle customer expectations of friendliness with prompt service". They added: "People on phones generally slowed down the whole process and would often be the first to return a coffee if you'd misinterpreted their wild arm waving." We're not saying you have to be best mates with your barista . And yes, we've all encountered a rude one from time to time — but maybe part of the reason for that are people like Watts, who think it's totally fine to treat lesser paid hospo workers like vending machines. At the end of the day, it's not that hard to take 15 seconds and actually engage with the person on the other side of the counter. Or, if you're really not feeling it, order from a skip-the-queue app and go on your way.
When it comes to one of the easiest pastimes there is — sitting on the couch and staring at a screen — the streaming era has brought about plenty of changes. We all now spend more time than anyone should deciding what to view next, for example, and we tend to know if and where you can watch Friends at any given moment. Another big shift: movies that bypass cinemas no longer arrive with an asterisk next to their name. That didn't ever quite happen literally, obviously, but skipping the big screen and heading straight to home entertainment wasn't really seen as a great sign. These days, however, streaming platforms are delivering top-notch flicks week in, week out — all ready to be viewed and enjoyed by your ravenous eyeballs while you're wearing your pyjamas. Across the first half of 2021, everything from potent Oscar-nominated dramas to caustic and twisty thrillers have made their way to audiences solely via streaming services. Also on the list: spirited coming-of-age flicks, engaging documentaries and a deliciously entertaining movie about a killer pair of jeans. From the year's straight-to-streaming haul so far, we've picked the films that deserve your attention — and one must-see comedy special that runs as long as a movie as well. ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI Pondering the conversations that might've occurred between four pivotal historical figures on one very real evening they spent in each other's company, One Night in Miami boasts the kind of talk-heavy concept that'd clearly work well on the stage. That's where it first began back in 2013 — but adapting theatre pieces for the cinema doesn't always end in success, especially when they primarily involve large swathes of dialogue exchanged in one setting. If Beale Street Could Talk Oscar-winner and Watchmen Emmy-winner Regina King doesn't make a single wrong move here, however. The actor's feature directorial debut proves a film not only of exceptional power and feeling, but of abundant texture and detail as well. It's a movie about people and ideas, including the role the former can play in both bolstering and counteracting the latter, and the Florida-set picture takes as much care with its quartet of protagonists as it does with the matters of race, politics and oppression they talk about. Given the folks involved, there's much to discuss. The film takes place on February 25, 1964, which has become immortalised in history as the night that Cassius Clay (Eli Goree, Riverdale) won his first title fight. Before and after the bout, the future Muhammad Ali hangs out with his equally important pals — activist Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir, High Fidelity), footballer Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge, The Invisible Man) and musician Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr, Hamilton) — with this equally meticulous and moving Oscar-nominee ficitionalising their time together. One Night in Miami is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. I CARE A LOT She didn't end up with an Oscar for her efforts, but Rosamund Pike's Golden Globe win for I Care a Lot was thoroughly well-deserved. The Radioactive and Gone Girl star is stellar in a tricky part in a thorny film — because this dark comic-thriller isn't here to play nice. Pike plays Marla Grayson, a legal guardian to as many elderly Americans as she can convince the courts to send her way. She's more interested in the cash that comes with the job, however, rather than actually looking after her charges. Indeed, with her girlfriend and business partner Fran (Eiza González, Bloodshot), plus an unscrupulous doctor on her payroll, she specifically targets wealthy senior citizens with no family, gets them committed to her care, packs them off to retirement facilities and plunders their bank accounts. Then one such ploy catches the attention of gangster Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones), who dispatches his minions to nudge Marla in a different direction. She isn't willing to acquiesce, though, sparking both a game of cat and mouse and a showdown. Dinklage makes the most of his role, too, but I Care a Lot is always the icy Pike's movie. Well, hers and writer/director J Blakeson's (The Disappearance of Alice Creed), with the latter crafting a takedown of capitalism that's savagely blunt but also blisteringly entertaining. I Care a Lot is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. SLAXX Ask any style guru for their opinion on denim, and they'll all likely give the same answer. Everyone needs a pair of killer jeans, after all — the type that fit perfectly, flatter every inch of your lower half, and that you just don't want to ever take off. In Slaxx, CCC is the store aiming to make all of the above happen. Already priding itself on its eco-friendly, sustainable, sweatshop-free threads, the chain is set to launch a new range of denim that moulds to the wearer's body, with the company's buzzword-spouting CEO (Stephen Bogaert, IT: Chapter Two) certain that they'll change the fashion industry. On the night before the jeans hit the shelves, employees at one store are tasked with making sure everything goes smoothly; however, as new hire Libby (Romane Denis, My Salinger Year), apathetic veteran employee Shruti (Sehar Bhojani, Sex & Ethnicity) and their over-eager boss Craig (Brett Donahue, Private Eyes) soon learn, these are killer jeans in a very literal sense. Quickly, the ravenous pants start stalking and slaying their way through the store. It's a concept that'd do Rubber's Quentin Dupieux proud and, in the hands of Canadian filmmaker Elza Kephart (Go in the Wilderness), the results are highly entertaining. Slaxx wears its equally silly and savage attitude like a second skin, smartly skewers consumerism and retail trends, and possesses stellar special effects that bring its denim to life — and, although never subtle (including in its performances), it's exactly as fun as a film about killer jeans should be. Slaxx is available to stream via Shudder. AND TOMORROW THE ENTIRE WORLD Submitted as Germany's entry for Best International Feature at this year's Oscars, And Tomorrow the Entire World mightn't have ultimately earned a nomination or the prized gong itself, but it's still a compelling and confronting — and timely — film. And, an impassioned one as well, with filmmaker Julia von Heinz (I'm Off Then) leaving zero doubt about her feelings on the re-emergence of right-wing extremist views in general, and specifically in a country that'll never escape the shadow of the Holocaust. University law student Luisa (Mala Emde, Shadowplay) swiftly shares her director's horror and anger. Brought up in comfortable middle-class surroundings, and in a family where taking a weekend hunting trip is commonplace, she has her eyes opened at school when she joins an anti-fascist group. They're soon doing whatever it takes to combat hate-filled ideologies, including letting their actions speak louder than words; however, the stakes are raised when they endeavour to thwart an upcoming attack. Aesthetically, von Heinz opts for edge-of-your seat immersion. Feeling like you're in Luisa's shoes as she steps into a topical conflict is part of the experience, as is feeling her struggles as she grapples with the reality of counteracting abhorrent views by violent means. Emde is exceptional in the lead role, pulsating with urgency in even the quietest of scenes — as does everything in the film. And Tomorrow the Entire World is available to stream via Netflix. HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY: THE REN & STIMPY STORY When August 2021 rolls around, it'll mark 30 years since a psychotic chihuahua and a kindly cat first brought their chaos to the small screen and changed the way people think about Nickelodeon's animated shows. At the time, there was simply nothing like The Ren & Stimpy Show — and that applies to its dark humour, willingness to shock and often grotesquely detailed visuals, as well as its characters, storylines and jokes. The 52-episode show also proved immensely influential. Without it, SpongeBob SquarePants probably wouldn't exist, in fact. But the history of Ren & Stimpy is filled with both highs and lows, as documentary Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story explores. More than just a nostalgic look back, this chronicle by first-time directors Ron Cicero and Kimo Easterwood covers the series' origins, evolution and success, as well as its behind-the-scenes struggles and eventual demise. It chats with the folks who made it happen to examine why it struck such a chord, and to also make plain the reality of making such a hit. And, it doesn't shy away from the accusations levelled at John Kricfalusi, Ren & Stimpy's creator and the voice of Ren, including not only the difficult working environment that sprang under his watch, but the allegations of sexual abuse and grooming that came to light in 2018. Indeed, the latter could fuel its documentary, but here it adds another layer to the tale of a TV show unlike anything else, and the ego that both made it happen and caused its downfall. Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story is available to stream via Docplay. VIOLATION The rape-revenge genre isn't new, but two of the most powerful films to reach Australian audiences this year step into it with unflinching confidence. They do more than that, though. They savagely dissect society's willingness to accept that sexual assault is part of our culture — and misogyny, too. They demand that their audience not only spend almost two hours thinking about a subject so many would rather avoid, but that they have a visceral reaction. The movies: Promising Young Woman and Violation. Both are the product of first-time feature directors. Both include women among their filmmakers, either solely or as half of a duo. Both are anchored by blistering lead performances as well, and neither fades quickly (or at all) from memory. They'd make a stellar double bill; however, tonally, they each march to their own beat. In Violation's case, co-writer and co-director Madeleine Sims-Fewer (Operation Avalanche) stars as Miriam. As she visits her sister Greta (Anna Maguire, The Hummingbird Project) and brother-in-law Dylan (Jesse LaVercombe, Murdoch Mysteries), it soon becomes obvious that more than just a happy reunion is on the cards. Playing a traumatised woman soon grappling the reality of vengeance in a primal and tangible way, Sims-Fewer puts in a performance that it's impossible to look away from, but that's just one of the savvy steps that the actor/filmmaker and her co-director Dusty Mancinelli take. Violation is available to stream via Shudder. MOXIE When Amy Poehler made her feature directorial debut with 2019's Wine Country, movie magic wasn't splashed across the small screen. But thankfully Moxie is now here to wipe that underwhelming comedy out of viewers' minds — and to demonstrate Poehler's knack at helming a high school-set tale of blossoming feminist activism. Adapted from the 2015 novel of the same name, the film follows 16-year-old Vivian (Hadley Robinson, I'm Thinking of Ending Things). Quiet, studious and happy hanging out with her similarly introverted best friend Claudia (Lauren Tsai, Legion), she has always known that her male classmates have an attitude problem, and that their teachers and the general status quo both enable it. But, until newcomer Lucy (Alycia Pascual-Pena, Saved by the Bell) arrives, she's never been willing to rock the boat and fight for change. Inspired by her mother's (Poehler) crusading teen years, she starts a zine that calls out the toxic behaviour around her. That's where the film gets its title, and her school is scandalised by the homemade publication's pages. Story-wise, Moxie isn't big on surprises, especially if you've seen more than a couple of teen flicks in your time, as everyone has. Nonetheless, it's always as impassioned about its tale and as angry about the way the world treats anyone who isn't a white male as it is engaging and hopeful. And, as it follows the quest for equality being passed from one generation to another, it boasts a stellar soundtrack — including Bikini KIll's 'Rebel Girl', of course. Moxie is available to stream via Netflix. OXYGEN When Elizabeth Hansen (Mélanie Laurent, 6 Underground) awakens in a cryogenic chamber, she doesn't know who she is, where she is or why she's there. She's strapped in via an array of invasive tubes and restrictive belts, the pod's oxygen levels are rapidly depleting and, in trying to work out what's going on and how to survive, she only has the unit's artificial intelligence program, called MILO (voiced by Sound of Metal's Mathieu Amalric), on hand. That's how Oxygen starts, taking cues from everything from Buried to Locke. But each engaging single-setting, talk-driven thriller lives or dies on the strength of its story, dialogue and cast, all of which hit their marks here. It helps having Laurent at the film's centre, as tends to happen when the French Inglourious Basterds star is pushed into the spotlight. Also pivotal: director Alexandre Aja's horror background, which includes the remake of The Hills Have Eyes and 2019's Crawl. As he demonstrated with the latter, he's particularly skilled at not merely working with familiar tropes and conventions, but at getting the most out of them. Accordingly, even as Oxygen nods to a wealth of one-location and survival flicks — and a hefty number of closed-in sci-fi movies as well — it still grippingly wrings every ounce of tension it can out of its nightmarish scenario. Oxygen is available to stream via Netflix. THE AMUSEMENT PARK In 1968, George A Romero changed cinema forever. Night of the Living Dead, his first film, was famously made on a tiny budget — but it swiftly became the zombie movie that's influenced every single other zombie movie that's ever followed. His resume from there is filled with other highlights, including further Dead films and the astonishing Martin, but one of his intriguing features didn't actually see the light of day until recently. It was also commissioned by the Lutheran Service Society of Western Pennsylvania to preach the evils of elder abuse, which isn't the type of thing that can be said about any other flick. The Amusement Park is incredibly effective in getting that message across, actually. As star Lincoln Maazel explains in the introduction, it aims to make its statement by putting the audience in its ageing characters' shoes, conveying their ill-treatment just for their advancing years and showing the chaos they feel as a result. That's the exact outcome as Maazel plays an older man who spends a day wandering around the titular setting, only to be constantly disregarded, denigrated, laughed at and pushed aside as hellishness greets him at every turn. Romero's film is grim, obvious and absurd all at once, and it's a powerful and winning combination in his hands. The Amusement Park is available to stream via Shudder. BO BURNHAM: INSIDE Watching Bo Burnham: Inside, a stunning fact becomes evident. A life-changing realisation, really. During a period when most people tried to make sourdough, pieced together jigsaws and spent too much time on Zoom, Bo Burnham created a comedy masterpiece. How does he ever top a special this raw, insightful, funny, clever and of the moment? How did he make it to begin with? How does anyone ever manage to capture every emotion that we've all felt about lockdowns — and about the world's general chaos, spending too much time on the internet, capitalism's exploitation and just the general hellscape that is our modern lives, too — in one 90-minute musical-comedy whirlwind? Filmed in one room of his house over several months (and with his hair and beard growth helping mark the time), Inside unfurls via songs about being stuck indoors, video chats, today's performative society, sexting, ageing and mental health. Burnham sings and acts, and also wrote, directed, shot, edited and produced the whole thing, and there's not a moment, image or line that goes to waste. Being trapped in that room with the Promising Young Woman star and Eighth Grade filmmaker, and therefore being stuck inside the closest thing he can find to manifesting his mind outside his skull, becomes the best kind of rollercoaster ride. Just try getting Burnham's tunes out of your head afterwards, too, because this is an oh-so-relatable and insightful special that lingers. It's also the best thing that's been made about this pandemic yet, hands down. Bo Burnham: Inside is available to stream via Netflix. Looking for more viewing highlights? Check out our list of film and TV streaming recommendations, which is updated monthly.
Finally, a chance to engage in some recreational thievery without that annoying little issue of being in contempt of the law. The Art Series Hotel has extended a general invitation to the public to swing by and steal its artwork right off the wall, as part of their freshly launched competition, 'Steal Banksy'. The promotion was inspired by the authentically illegal activities of a group of vandals who attacked a city wall in London with an angle grinder in 2007, pocketing a slab of concrete baring a Banksy design entitled 'No Ball Games'. The group subsequently sold the stolen artwork on eBay for 20,000 pounds. The act in turn inspired a further series of artwork by Banksy, including the 'No Ball Games' image currently hanging on the wall of a Melbourne hotel. In a nod to this rebellious ingenuity, the Art Series Hotel invites you to book a room between December 15 and January 15, and attempt to steal the artwork without being caught. If you're successful, they'll let you keep it. Perhaps not the most ethical message ever to be projected in a marketing campaign, but it does sound like a lot of fun, and definitely in keeping with Banksy's trademark anti-authoritarianism. Update: The Banksy gets stolen. A second artwork is up for grabs.
Last year, Fitzroy's Rose St Artists' Market teamed up with the Heide Museum of Modern Art to launch the monthly Heide Makers' Market. And for May's instalment, they're taking another road trip to Bulleen for a special Mother's Day edition. Taking over the lush surrounds of the gallery's sculpture park on May 13, the market will celebrate talented local makers. It'll showcase a broad range of handmade goodness, across art and design, jewellery and homewares, so you'll be able to find a perfect last-minute prezzie for Mum. Among the stalls, you'll find chocolate treats from Brazen Brownies, hand-blended scents from Legato Perfume, and Gracie Keal's cuddly handmade dolls, alongside a whole bunch of other locally-made delights. Even if you're not searching for a gift, the gallery's grounds are a damn fine place to grab a coffee and enjoy a Saturday morning saunter around more than 100 stalls. While you're there, you should also check out Charles Blackman: Schoolgirls exhibition.
Whether you're a big nature nerd or err on the indifferent side to the science of it all, chances are you've seen at least some of Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet. The BBC nature documentary series — narrated by the man himself and accompanied by an epic score from Hans Zimmer — first aired back in 2001, and its follow-up second season, Blue Planet II, was released just last year. But the bits you've seen on TV or YouTube are sure to be belittled when the BBC brings the live show to Australia this April. Like the performances of Harry Potter and Star Wars we've seen in recent months, Blue Planet II Live in Concert will see the documentary screened in all its glory accompanied by a live orchestra. And it's a big score. The music for Blue Earth II was composed by none other than Hans Zimmer (responsible for epics like The Lion King, Gladiator, The Dark Knight Rises and Inception) alongside Jacob Shea and David Fleming. In Australia, the score will be performed by three of the country's leading orchestras and, in lieu of Attenborough, Ab Fab's Joanna Lumley will be narrating in real time. The show will travel around Australia in March 2019, visiting Sydney on Saturday, March 9. In the meantime, you can watch ehe first season of Blue Planet on Netflix. Image: Hugh Miller, copyright BBC NHU (2016).
Australian author Christos Tsiolkas is back with a new novel, Barracuda, sure to get the nation talking. The follow-up to 2008's agenda-setting, TV-destined hit, The Slap, it's an exploration of failure and how to come back from it. Ahead of his sold-out talk at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Christos spoke with Marcus Costello about the nature of failure. You're a winner. And you don't have kids. Who are you to talk about teaching kids to fail? Fair call. To be honest I'm very wary of telling anyone how they should lead their lives. The thing is, I believe you can only ever truly talk from your own lived experience. Everyone's failures and, for that matter, everyone's experience of parenthood is unique, so to speak on behalf of anyone else under the pretence that you're all part of a select group [parents] isn't really fair either. That said, you know, maybe because I'm not a parent I can think what's in the best interest of a generation of children, not just my child, my flesh and blood. I can ask the question: Have you come here to learn how to raise your kid to be the best or how to think about what's best for your kid's generation as a whole? I mean, if we care to think about it, the wholesale derailment of the education system by the private sector has failed so many underprivileged children. And yet, my guess is, were they able to afford it, most parents would want to send their kid to a private school, and in so doing, feed the beast. But my talk isn't only about teaching children the virtues of failure. My talk is going to focus on how failure marks a certain adult relationship with Self and the world by way of moments in my life where I feel I've failed and the lacerating but ultimately rewarding experience of atoning for that failure. But if one can atone then it's not true failure; it's just part of an eventual success story, no? I see what you mean. Like, if you flick through any of those in-flight magazines there's always a profile of some celebrity that reads like an elaboration of a Nike advertisement or some dot-com entrepreneur in Forbes talking about how "failure made me stronger". My talk isn't going to be like that. The kind of professional failure I'm interested in exploring isn't so much a book that didn't sell well, but a book I've put out that betrayed my integrity or where I made lazy choices. I feel this way about my second novel, Jesus Man. On a personal level I've failed as a friend, as a son, as a lover ... On a national level, and this is a central theme of my talk, the culture of ruthless materialism and political self-regard that has emerged over the past two generations strikes me as a moral failing. That makes me think of a quote by Po Bronson I found while researching, "Failure is hard, but success is far more dangerous. If you're successful at the wrong thing, the mix of praise and money and opportunity can lock you in forever." Yes! That's so accurate. The seduction of success is something we all need to keep in check because when we step into smaller and smaller social circles it's so easy to fall out of touch with the broader community. How will you feel if your new novel Barracuda flops? Come what may, I feel I've reached a certain point in my life where I know that, for the rest of my time here, writing is what I will do. In that way you're fail-proof. I mean, if you think of yourself as destined to write, compelled by a force greater than commercial success, then you've beat the system. I guess you're right. As an artist it's folly to single out any one work as the mark of failure or success — if you're true to what you do then you see everything you produce as building towards something greater. That said, if Barracuda flops I will be upset, but for other reasons. There are so many people around me who are invested in this book and in my success — I don't want to let them down. Like The Slap your FODI talk is for an elite audience. The sad truth is that if anyone thinks anything of a child being slapped at a BBQ, that marks them as elite. To that end, how dangerous is any idea if you're only talking to those people who actually care to think about ideas? Ah, yes, this is true, and such a hard thing to deal with. I guess I can only hope that what I say will spark conversations beyond the Opera House; that someone will listen to what I have to say and take that message to someone else and the word will filter out that way. I wish I had a better answer to that but I don't. Barracuda is out now through Allen & Unwin. The Festival of Dangerous Ideas is on at the Sydney Opera House from November 2-4. Top image by John Tsiavis.
Doppelgängers: they're more than just a science-fiction staple, a key part of Twin Peaks and the reason that plenty of actors keep winning awards. Whether you've been mistaken for someone else, been sent a photo of someone who could be your twin or walked past a painting or snap that could double as a mirror, we've all had one of those moments. If you'd like more — and you'd like to see how your likeness has been represented in the art world — Google's Arts and Culture app can now help. While the app itself isn't new, launching back in 2016, the ability to search by uploading your own selfies — or photos of someone else — is. Users are prompted to take a photo, which the app then compares against its database of art from over a thousand museums and galleries in 70 countries. If one of them looks like you, depending on your expression and hairstyle in the photo, it'll do its best to find it. At the moment, the new feature doesn't appear to be available in all parts of the world as yet, so if you're fond of taking pics of yourself and finding your likeness in the creative world, fingers crossed that it'll be rolled out soon. There's no point snapping away as practice, as the feature will only allow you to upload a newly taken photo. One side effect, once you can try it out: wanting to visit a whole heap of galleries and museums to see your artistic doppelgängers in person. UPDATE: JANUARY 20, 2018: Google Arts and Culture app users in Australia can now access the selfie submission feature. Users should scroll down until they see the "search with your selfie" tile, which will then take you through the steps. Via Mashable.
Winter in Sydney has become synonymous with Vivid, and the first weeks of autumn brightened by news of its plans. This year, the news is more light, more music and more ideas: interactive light art is expanding to Martin Place and the harbour waters, new music event Modulations comes to Carriageworks while the Pixies prop up the Opera House, and the Vivid Ideas program will bury you under the cumulative wisdom of 300 speakers. Vivid Music includes several new initiatives, including a Stephen Pavlovic-curated event, Modulations, at Carriageworks; New Wave club nights at the Seymour Centre and uber-contemporary performances at both The Basement and the Argyle Centre. We're eagerly awaiting the full VividLIVE announcement on March 24, but for now we can tell you that the Opera House will be hosting The Pixies in intimate mode, a groundbreaking ACO-Presets collaboration traversing 42,000 years of music history and 230+ songs, and a DJ-set from Giorgio Moroder (Daft Punk, Donna Summer, Scarface, Top Gun). Meanwhile, Modulations will feature the Pet Shop Boys' epic multi-sensory ‘Electric’ show, as well as an immersive adventure from Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly), involving music, light, sculpture and interactive technology. Lighting the all-important sails this year is creative agency 59 Projections, who count the London Olympics and the spectacular War Horse among recent works. Last year's projection stars Spinifex are working on the MCA, this time collaborating with artist Jess Johnson, while France's Danny Rose is transforming the facade of Customs House into playable instruments. Even the vessels on Sydney Harbour don't escape a cloak of light. Fifty art installations will grace the hugely popular light walk, including an Aurora Australis; Luke Hespanhol's LOL, beach-ball smiles that laugh with you in Walsh Bay; and one that really appeals to our narcissistic sides, Simon Brockwell's e|MERGEnce in the new Vivid venue of Martin Place. It 3D projection maps your face onto a giant sculpture. While functioning as an umbrella for some massive creative industries events — such as Semi-Permanent and Good Design — Vivid Ideas is still hogging some star speakers for its own signature program. Before I Die artist Candy Chang, viral strategy secret-keeper Sara Critchfield from Upworthy, Antipodium's Geoffrey J Finch, 4D printing leader Skylar Tibbits, American Apparel's Ryan Holiday and street culture juggernauts Joshy D & Mike Giant all feature. As usual, the Vivid Ideas Exchange on level six of the MCA will be the place to let all these thoughts meld. The panels and workshops there will be based around eight 'content clusters', including 'The Future of Work', 'UX IRL' and 'DIY & Maker Culture'. The 18-day festival, named Australia’s Event of the Year in 2013 at the Australian Event Awards, is on from May 23 to June 9. It's kind of staggering how much it's achieved since starting in 2009, last year attracting 800,000-strong crowds and selling 11,000 Vivid-related packages to the international market. Photos of our crazy light shows spread around the world, while Circular Quay restaurants regale with stories of running out of food to serve the swarming masses. For the full program and ticketing information, see the Vivid Sydney website. By Rima Sabina Aouf and Jasmine Crittenden.
The restaurant at Bad Shepherd Brewing Co's Cheltenham HQ has long had people flocking for its low-and-slow American-style barbecue fare. But as of Saturday, May 13, that classic USA-inspired menu is getting a full-blown Aussie makeover in honour of our country's most iconic — and most divisive — condiment. Yep, Vegemite is turning the big 1-0-0 this year and as part of the birthday celebrations, the beloved brand is teaming up with Bad Shepherd's kitchen to create a special Vegemite-infused food offering that packs a huge umami punch. Available exclusively at the Bayside brewery from Saturday, May 13, 2023–Thursday, February 1, 2024, the Mitey Menu spans a bunch of innovative new dishes, both sweet and savoury. Happy little barbecue-loving Vegemites can get excited for creations like Vegemite and cheddar snags, Vegemite-rubbed brisket and fried chicken wings slathered in a Vegemite-infused barbecue sauce. Even dessert's been given the Vegemite treatment, with a sweet-meets-salty cheesecake that we're guessing is unlike anything you've ever tasted before. You can be among the first to say g'day to the Mitey Menu when Bad Shepherd throws a free launch party at the brewery on May 13. There'll be live entertainment and giveaways galore to enjoy while you tuck into the new Aussie-fied food offering. What's more, you'll have the chance to try two additional dishes being whipped up exclusively for the party — Vegemite-glazed chicken lollipops and a buttery smoked potato mash paired with Vegemite gravy. Find the new Mitey Menu at Bad Shepherd Brewing Co, 386 Reserve Road, Cheltenham, from Saturday, May 13, 2023–Thursday, February 1, 2024. The launch party kicks off from 12pm on May 13, with walk-ins welcome.
