Let's just call it here and now: Robert Duvall will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor at next year's Academy Awards. It'll be his seventh nomination, and it'll be entirely deserved. The Man. Can. Act, and in his latest film — The Judge — you get the privilege of seeing that ability up close and incredibly personal. As the title suggests, Duvall is 'the Judge' — an elderly statesman of the justice system who's presided over the legal affairs of a small town in Indiana for over 40 years. When his wife passes away, the judge dutifully farewells his sweetheart only to then find himself accused of a hit-and-run that very same night. Thankfully, his high-flying, big-city lawyer son Hank (Robert Downey Jr) is in town for the funeral. Hank is, at least publicly, master of his domain, king of the jungle, pisser on the pants of his opponents. Privately, however, his marriage is crumbling, his daughter pines for more attention and the death of his mother has done nothing to assuage the chasm of estrangement between him and his father. They can scarcely look each other in the eye, let alone share any form of actual dialogue or physical contact, which makes establishing any form of legal defence markedly challenging. Throw in the attentions of the ex-girlfriend (Vera Farmiga), the grumpy brother (Vincent D'Onofrio), the mentally challenged brother (Jeremy Strong) and the unrelenting prosecutor (Billy Bob Thornton), and Hank's already reluctant return home fast becomes an almost unliveable nightmare. The Judge was directed by David Dobkin, whose previous films have largely fallen into the comedy/action arena (most notably: Wedding Crashers and Shanghai Knights). Here, he wields the direction with a split personality: sometimes hitting home runs, other times swinging and missing with wildly misfiring scenes. When the latter happens (and, regrettably, it's probably more than the former), The Judge descends into by-the-numbers schmaltz and dials up the cheese. Surprisingly this is often in the courtroom scenes where, traditionally, drama is most at home. The revelations are either too insignificant or heavily flagged, meaning the jurors' gasps and gallery's sighs are more comical than convincing. Downey Jr is well-cast as Hank, bringing the swagger of Iron Man without the bells and whistles to protect him. His scenes with Duvall carry the movie entirely, and whether by design or misstep, every other character becomes little more than background noise. It's not a film with a lot to offer by way of innovation, but it knows how to jerk the tears on more than a few occasions and (despite its unjustifiable length) keeps you engaged enough right through to the end. Most of that engagement, though, comes via Duvall, whose layered and moving performance is right up there with the best of the year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZBvK6ni97W8
When Candace Bushnell first started penning a newspaper column about life, love and sex in New York City back in the early 90s, she couldn't have known what would follow. Those missives sparked a book, plus two prequels on the page. Then came a smash-hit TV series, two movies, a prequel television show and a small-screen sequel. And, there's no signs of all things Sex and the City-related slowing down anytime soon. In fact, follow-up And Just Like That... is guaranteed to hang around for at least one more season, with HBO renewing the show. The series first premiered in 2021, and is currently airing its second season — and now a third has been locked in. "We are delighted to share that since the launch of season two, And Just Like That… ranks as the #1 Max Original overall, and is the most-watched returning Max Original to date," said Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content at Max, HBO's streaming service in the US. "As we approach the highly anticipated season finale on Thursday, we raise our cosmos to Michael Patrick King and his magnificent team of writers, producers, cast and crew, who continue to charm us, 25 years later, with dynamic friendships and engaging stories. We cannot wait for audiences to see where season three will take our favourite New Yorkers." "We are thrilled to spend more time in the Sex and the City universe telling new stories about the lives of these relatable and aspirational characters played by these amazing actors. And Just Like That… here comes season three," added King, the series' executive producer, who also worked as a writer, director and executive producer on the original show (and on the two terrible 2008 and 2010 Sex and the City movies). Sarah Jessica Parker (Hocus Pocus 2), Kristin Davis (Deadly Illusions) and Cynthia Nixon (The Gilded Age) star in And Just Like That..., but it isn't just called Sex and the City again for one key reason: Kim Cattrall is largely sitting it out. While she does make a brief cameo in season two, however, the program has been focusing on Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York Goldenblatt and Miranda Hobbes, not Samantha Jones, thanks to off-screen dramas. Other familiar faces abound, though, including John Corbett (To All the Boys: Always and Forever) reprising his role as Aidan Shaw in season two. Mario Cantone (Better Things), David Eigenberg (Chicago Fire) and Evan Handler (Power) have all also returned. Among the full cast: Sara Ramírez (Madam Secretary), Sarita Choudhury (Ramy), Nicole Ari Parker (Chicago PD), Karen Pittman (The Morning Show), Christopher Jackson (Space Oddity), Niall Cunningham (Poker Face), Cathy Ang (My Best Friend's Exorcism) and Alexa Swinton (Old). Cosmos at the ready — again. Exactly when your next excuse to sip vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and lime juice will arrive hasn't been revealed, but expect it on Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. And if you've spent any part of the past two-and-a-half decades dreaming about being a fabulously dressed Big Apple writer who seems to do very little work but can still afford a fantasy wardrobe — or if you've just filled it drinking a lot of pink-coloured cocktails — then you'll already be excited. Also, you'll know that when the first season of And Just Like That... arrived to step into Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte's lives and friendships in their 50s, when things are even more complicated than they were two decades ago, it did so 17 years after Sex and the City wrapped up its 1998–2004 HBO run. There's no sneak peek at And Just Like That... season three yet, but you can check out the season two trailer below: And Just Like That... streams via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. We'll update you with a season three release date when one is announced. Images: HBO.
UPDATE, July 9: Due to Sydney's lockdown, Lord of the Fries won't be celebrating National Fry Day at its Newtown store. For Sydney only, the free chip giveaway will take place on a different, yet-to-be-advised date. This article has been updated to reflect that change — and we'll provide you with more details for Sydney when they're announced. Despite also serving up everything from all-day breakfast to ice cream sandwiches, we still think that fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. It's right there in the name, after all. The chain's chips are particularly tasty — as made with Australian potatoes and cooked in a cottonseed sunflower oil blend. There is one thing better than Lord of the Fries' titular dish, however. That'd be free fries from the chip-loving establishment. And on Tuesday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away just that. Free. Fries. Yes, really. To snag free fries on Tuesday, you'll need to head to your chosen store in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia between 1–2pm — and you'll be gifted a serving of shoestring deliciousness. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. There is a limit of one freebie per person, though, so take that into consideration if you're feeling particularly peckish. You'll get your choice of classic sauces, too. This is great news for, Melburnians, Brisbanites and Adelaideans who like fries — aka everyone. Folks in in Melbourne can choose between 14 different stores, Brisbanites can flock to Fortitude Valley (or Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast) and people in Adelaide can hit up Hindley Street and Glenelg. And if you're wondering why, that's because it's National Fry Day. Of course it is. Lord of the Fries also has a store in Newtown in Sydney; however, it will celebrate National Fry Day with a free fries giveaway on a different, yet-to-be-advised date. We'll provide you with more details for Sydney when they're announced. Lord of the Fries is giving away free fries from 1–2pm on Tuesday, July 13 at all of its Australian stores outside of Sydney. To find your closest store, head to the chain's website.
Renowned chef David Chang is branching out into the world of home cooking. The founder of the Momofuku restaurant group has just announced that the company will be bottling and selling a spicy Korean chilli sauce, one that he claims goes with everything from pizza to pork buns to kale. Ssam Sauce is red in colour, and is presumably similar to traditional Korean gochujang, made from chilli, rice, fermented soybeans and salt. Momofuku is yet to announce exactly when the product goes on sale — or if it will be available in Australia — but Chang himself has taken to Instagram with the bold claim that the sauce "improves pizza, French fries, rice, ramen, juicy rucy's, chicken & dumplings, spicy fried chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, chicken rings, hamburgers, kale, quinoa, beet salads and pork buns." The chef went so far as to say that Ssam sauce "even makes sriracha better." Huy Fong Foods, producers of America's leading sriracha sauce, have yet to respond to the jibe — although we're still holding out hope for a social media flame war the likes of which the condiment world has never seen before. This of course marks the second major sauce-based news story of recent weeks, following McDonald's announcement that they will be selling bottles of their Big Mac Special Sauce for the first time ever, exclusively here in Australia. One 'limited edition' bottle just sold on eBay from $20,600 — hopefully Momofuku's product will be a little bit more reasonably priced. Chang opened his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar, in New York City back in 2004. Since then it's inspired more than a dozen off-shoots, including the dual Michelin star recipient Momofuku Ko, as well as Momofuku Seiobo in Sydney. Via Grub Street.
Just as the winter lull is about to take hold, Vivid comes to light up Sydney and draw us out from under the covers. This year, the festival is bigger and brighter than ever with a jam-packed lineup of installations, performances and talks. If you've been looking for an excuse to visit the harbour city, Vivid is it. With its growing popularity comes growing crowds to navigate. Never fear though, with the help of our friends at Samsung, we've put together a cheat sheet on how to see the best works without battling the hoards. We also sent photographer Cole Bennetts out with Samsung's new Galaxy S9 in hand to capture these popular lights and share some of his low light photography advice. To get the most out of the below big installations — and the best snap on your phone — here are a few crowd-beating tricks and low light tips you should have up your sleeve. And just remember, the festival runs for over a fortnight so you don't need to squeeze everything in at once. METAMATHEMAGICAL — SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE SAILS The light projection onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House is the jewel in the crown of the Vivid festival. This year they're lit by North Coast artist Jonathan Zawada, whose series draws on images of the Australian environment. Metamathemagical celebrates the beautiful and the strange in nature, morphed into vivid neon. In the series of 23 overlapping, almost sculptural works, the natural becomes hyperreal, juxtaposed against everyday objects and recognisable Australian motifs from science, nature and culture. Zawada has also included representations of works by famous and lesser-known Australian artists. With the Opera House as the crown jewel, it's sure to get a lot of attention. Avoid the harbourside scramble for the perfect shot, and instead, check out one of these bars to enjoy the show and get a snap from a unique vantage — just make sure to go early to snag a prime seat. Cole's tip: If you don't have something to help steady your phone during long-exposure shots, the S9 has a great inbuilt stabilisation function. Hold your breath when you take the picture, this will make you consciously be still and help stop handshake through breathing. THE NIGHT. REIMAGINED. — LUNA PARK BY WAY OF THE OPERA HOUSE If you've always found the Luna Park face just a tad bit off-putting, you can now replace it with your own. To celebrate Vivid's ten years and the release of the new Galaxy S9 and S9+ phones, Samsung has created a pretty unique experience. At the Opera House forecourt, walk through Samsung's nine-shaped installation (get it?) to play with photographic elements of light and shadow. As you make your way through, you'll be met with slow-mo experiences and the chance to create your own AR Emoji. Once you reach the centre, your face will be projected across the water where it will then become the new face of Luna Park. With a lot of faces expected to shine across Luna Park, this is one we suggest hitting just as the lights turn on for the night — there are limited spots for the AR projection and, naturally, high demand is expected. So, get in first, create your own AR Emoji then make your way to see some hidden Vivid gems. VIRTUAL VIBRATION — MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Another Vivid icon, the heritage listed façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art will go psychedelic this year. The Virtual Vibration installation combines morphing imagery and music to create an immersive sensory experience. Designed by the Spinifex Group and MCA Collection artist Jonny Niesche, the work also features a score by British electro producer, Mark Pritchard. Stand on the foreshore of Circular Quay and look up to the MCA bathed in colour, backed by an epic soundtrack. Smart money says come during the week rather than on the weekends to see this one. Treat yourself to a Wednesday night out mid-festival, and you'll avoid the weekend hoards. Plus, after viewing the outside of the MCA, you can head inside for its Lights on Later Vivid program, which includes a glowing gin-serving pop-up bar. SNUGGLEPOT AND CUDDLEPIE — CUSTOMS HOUSE Childhood favourites and original bush babies, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie will take over Customs House this year to celebrate their 100th birthday. Animators Ample Projects have lent their skills to bring author May Gibb's creations from page to façade. Watch as Gibb's iconic characters appear larger than life and journey through the Australian bush projected across the historic sandstone building. Just as in the books, the Gumnut Babies make their way through the sometimes strange and unexpected world around them, encountering friend and foe along the way. This is one for kids and big kids alike. Try to at least avoid the (young) kid crowd, and hit this one post-bedtime, just before the lights go out for the night at 11pm. Cole's tip: At the very base level, photography is about capturing light. When taking pictures at night, look for a street light, neon sign or another interesting light source, experiment a bit and have fun. You will be surprised by the results. AQUEOUS — ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN Wind your way through the botanic gardens on an interactive pathway, captivating both during the day and at night. While the sun's still up, Aqueous mirrors its surrounds — the sky above, the neighbouring trees, those on its path — and by night the cells of the walkway glow as you make your way along. The snaking trail illuminates with different lights and colours depending on whether you walk, run, jump or play. Created by US artist Jen Lewin, the installation has just finished a successful turn at Burning Man and is sure to be a big hit here, too. Hot tip: the Vivid app keeps you up-to-date with how busy particular venues are. Since this installation is a surefire people-pleaser, screen the crowds via the app before you make tracks to the garden. Beat the crowds and get the best snap of the Vivid lights on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light. Images: Cole Bennetts.
In an absolute triumph for Melbourne music fans today, Cherry Bar’s crowdfunding campaign to refurbish the venue has been successful, as they have reached 114 percent of their goal this afternoon, with 39 days left to spare. The 200-capacity venue will need a $90,000 overhaul to soundproof the bar and comply with strict noise regulations. Some of the work expected to go into the venue includes double-glazed windows, a new entrance and extra brick walls. Cherry Bar owner James Young asked punters and supporters of live music to help contribute to a third of the cost through a crowdfunding campaign with Pledge Music. Incentives for donors range from stubby holders to lifetime entry and a 'brick' in the wall with your name on it. "It was tempting, for about three seconds, to leave our 42-day crowdfunding campaign open so that people who wanted to could continue to buy personally named bricks and 'I Saved Rock 'n' Roll' T-shirts and stubby holders to help fund Cherry Bar's sound-proofing works," Young told us. "But we hit our target and the right thing to do was to close down the campaign straight away with a smile on our faces, joy in our hearts and immense gratitude to all the music loving public who have generously contributed just under half the money we need to immediately commence soundproofing works in AC/DC Lane." The reason for the rebuilding is due to a new apartment block being erected next door. The apartment block will be 12 stories high with 189 apartments inside. If our maths is correct, that is a hell of a lot of potential noise complaints that Cherry could be facing from their new neighbours. "Crowdfunding has become the new success model for bands — bands who are looking for money to tour, to fund record releases, PR campaigns, recording," Young told ABC AM. "Bands that I'm involved with have successfully implemented these campaigns and been able to achieve things they didn't think they could possibly achieve, based on the generosity of their fans.” Thankfully the wonderfully giving nature of live music lovers has shown itself once more. Just in time for Soul night this evening, and yes, we’ll be dancing. Via ABC AM.
Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And it's just in time, too. To save Melburnians from these blustery days, they'll be churning out 31 hot chocolate flavours over 31 days. This year, the festival will be run across three locations: the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie in Bellbrae and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie. Eight different flavours will be served up each week, so make sure you plan your visit(s) carefully as to not miss out on the best. Fan favourite flavours like triple chocolate brownie and Nutella will return to this year's menu, along with the more adventurous likes of Mocha Margarita, Hot Shoey, which is served with a mini chocolate shoe, and the Green Goddess with kale and coconut All limited edition hot chocolates will be served with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and a giant handcrafted marshmallow. Some of the highlights will arrive topped with fairy floss, melting chocolate discs and edible drinking cups — the perfect antidote to any winter blues. The chocolateries together creates over 6000 hot chocolates per year, so newcomers can trust they know their way around this winter-warmer. If exploring the festival and enjoying all the free chocolate tastings isn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can also book into a 45-minute tasting session at both the Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula stores. For $20 you'll be able to sample eight hot chocolates and make three of your own 'hot chocolate spoons' from over 50 ingredients to take home. The Hot Chocolate Festival will run daily from 9am–5pm, August 1–31 at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae; the Yarra Valley Chocolateire, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen; and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie, 45 Cook Street, Flinders.
Our fascination with celebrities and their private lives is a phenomenon that often beggars belief. Nothing short of President Obama ordering an invasion of Canada would have pushed Tom Cruise's latest divorce from the front pages, and the reality that there are multiple websites dedicated entirely to Angelina Jolie's tattoos does at times make us worry. But for better or worse, we remain transfixed, often more for the mundanity and banality than for the glitz and glamour (although Rich Kids of Instagram specialises in all of the above). So here are ten brilliant photographs of superstars taken by their superstar friends, proving that celebrities doing normal, even boring, things will never cease to entertain us. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Photographer: Sammy Davis Jr. Kurt Cobain, Frances Bean and Patty Schemel Photographer: Courtney Love Kirsten Dunst Photographer: Sofia Coppola George Harrison Photographer: Paul McCartney Ian McKellen Photographer: Andy Warhol Keith Richards and Kenny Aaronson Photographer: Mick Jagger Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier Photographer: Frank Sinatra Bill Cosby Photographer: Dennis Hopper Neil Armstrong Photographer: Buzz Aldrin Peter O'Toole Photographer: Sammy Davis Jr.
Spring has almost sprung and we couldn't be happier as we're about to see the return of some of Australias most vibrant flower festivals. This year's events will make you feel like you're frolicking in Dutch tulip fields or wandering through the cherry blossom-filled streets of Japan (with plenty of photo opportunities along the way). If the millions of flowers on display aren't enough, there are also food and wine festivals, loads of local markets and a bunch of music events to keep you interested. So, round up your friends, grab your camera and make the trip to these best flower festivals happening across Australia in 2019.
What do The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Muriel's Wedding, Strictly Ballroom, Starstruck and Moulin Rouge! all have in common? Other than being ace Australian films, they've all made the leap from cinemas to theatres — and to stage musicals, to be specific. They're about to have company, too, with another Aussie gem set to follow the screen-to-stage route. This time, classic 90s and early 00s children's TV series Round the Twist is getting the musical treatment. If you've ever, ever felt like seeing the beloved show on a stage with everyone belting out tunes about strange things happening, this dream is about to become a reality. Exactly when Round the Twist the Musical will debut, and where, and who'll star in it hasn't yet been revealed, however. Still, we're bet you're now more excited right now than a Twist family member in a lighthouse. Airing for two seasons between 1990–93, then another two from 2000–01, Round the Twist adapted Paul Jennings' popular books into an offbeat fantasy series. If you were the right age, it was must-see TV — and now it's your next must-see musical. Here's hoping that the new stage production not only does justice to the show that absolutely every Aussie kid watched in the 90s and 00s, and more than once, but that it taps into its balance of humour, strangeness and scares. Oh, and that there's a big lighthouse involved, of course. Obviously, we all know which song definitely has to be included — and multiple times, ideally. Yes, it's the theme tune by Andrew Duffield that you've now got stuck in your head and will keep singing to yourself for the rest of the week. (And no, we're not sorry for putting it there.) RGM Productions is thrilled to announce development & production of ROUND THE TWIST THE MUSICAL after a successful RISE application in Australia. Based on the short stories by Paul Jennings, the cult TV series aired on the BBC in 70 countries over 30 years and is now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/8Z2nfutBkX — RGM Productions (@RGMProd) September 6, 2021 RGM Productions, which also has the Priscilla and Starstruck musicals to its name, is behind the all-singing, all-dancing version of Round the Twist — and announced that it is in development and production after receiving funding from the Australian Government's Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) scheme. Writer/composer Paul Hodge, director Simon Phillips and producer Garry McQuinn will be guiding the show, with the latter advising that "RGM came on board to develop Round the Twist the Musical buoyed by the immense energy and enthusiasm of Paul Hodge and Simon Phillips" in a statement on Facebook. He continued: "we are thrilled that RISE has seen fit to award this great new Australian work with funding, enabling us to give everyone a great night in the theatre, enjoying the antics of the Twist family." If you need something to watch until the stage production comes to the fruition, all four seasons of Round the Twist are streaming on Netflix. And you can also check out the trailer for Round the Twist's first season below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjuXTD0m9Lc Round the Twist the Musical is now in development — we'll update you with further details, including about its premiere season, when additional information is announced.
Lawrence Greenwood aka Whitley's last album, Go Forth, Find Mammoth, was a breezy, lightweight yet layered and complex example of why Australia is at the top of the list when it comes to folk singer-songwriters. After the success of the album, Whitley went on an indefinite hiatus that left fans wondering if they'd ever hear a new note from him again. Well, after some time away, Whitley has returned with a bunch of new songs in the form of his new album, Even the Stars Are a Mess. For this record, Whitley travelled to Mexico, Cuba, The Netherlands, Peru and Italy for inspiration. To celebrate his own return to the stage, Whitley is heading on a massive tour that will see him play most major cities and mega-festival, Splendour in the Grass. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7BOzH7EVV4s
Despite years of public rallies, crowdfunding efforts and court action, Sydney's Brutalist, box-like Sirius building is officially up for sale. Although the New South Wales government first announced that the 70s-era structure was on the market back in December, expressions of interest just opened yesterday, Friday, May 25, with Savills Australia now actively seeking buyers for the iconic location. While it's a blow for the vocal Save Our Sirius campaign, the 2-60 Cumberland Street address will apparently be subject to some restrictions. The government "will maintain interest in the site, ensuring any future developments are sympathetic to the surrounding area," according to Savills Australia. And, a proposed State Environmental Planning Policy amendment will apply, imposing new controls regarding the zoning, height, maximum gross floor area, active street frontages and design of the site. It has been a particularly eventful year for the 79-unit tower, which stands tall by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Final public tours took place in January, a farewell party for the structure's last remaining resident — 91-year-old Myra Demetriou — was held the same month and Save Our Sirius revealed they'd be lodging their own purchase bid. In response to the official launch of expressions of interest, Save Our Sirius restated their quest to retain the building in its current form, ensure it is used as affordable inner-city housing for workers in the area, and to have its historical significance officially recognised. "We again call on the NSW Government to stop the sale, deploy Sirius for key worker accommodation, and list Sirius on the State Heritage Register," the group advised in a statement. Even with the government restrictions, if Sirius is bought by developers, the 79-unit tower is highly likely to be demolished to make room for new apartments. As well as wiping out a crucial part of '70s architectural history, it'll also mean saying goodbye to an important public housing initiative, allowing people on low incomes to live in the centre of this expensive city and enjoy harbour views. With the situation certain to keep developing over the coming months, take a look through our gallery of the building as it currently stands. Images: Katherine Lu / Kimberley Low.
For almost 18 months, there's been no time for No Time to Die. Originally slated to hit cinemas worldwide back in April 2020, the 25th official film featuring Bond, James Bond has suffered from more than a few delays due to the pandemic — and was one of the first movies to initially move its release date, in fact. Yes, you could say the feature's plans have been both shaken and stirred, and multiple times. In Australia, they've just been given another push. In most of the world, lovers of both martinis and spy films will finally get their latest fix of suave secret agents, sinister plots to destroy the world and big-screen espionage thrills from the end of September; however, that's no longer the case in Australia. With cinemas in New South Wales and Victoria closed for the foreseeable future due to lockdowns in both states, and reopening dates not yet announced, No Time to Die's Aussie debut has been shifted from Thursday, September 30 to Thursday, November 11. Movie buffs can expect this to keep happening — although, unlike in 2020 and earlier in 2021 when film release dates kept being swapped around due to COVID-19, now it's just occurring in Australia. And yes, No Time to Die is delaying its release countrywide, even though cinemas in Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory currently remain open. Need a reminder of what to look forward to, Bond-wise? A new trailer for No Time to Die has also just dropped, following a first sneak peek all the way back in 2019 and a more recent trailer in 2020. Obviously, all the franchise staples are covered in the clips so far, including world-in-peril action, savvy ladies, plenty of gadgets, eye-popping stunts and spectacles, and an Aston Martin. And, because no Bond movie would be complete without a formidable villain, this flick serves up two: an unhinged, mask-wearing new adversary called Safin (Bohemian Rhapsody Oscar-winner Rami Malek), plus imprisoned ex-opponent Blofeld (Christoph Waltz, Alita: Battle Angel). Daniel Craig returns as 007, marking not only his fifth stint as the spy since 2006's Casino Royale, but his last — and he has company in the 00 stakes. Following the events of 2015's Spectre, Bond has left active service and started a new life in Jamaica, causing MI6 to recruit someone else to cover his turf. That'd be new agent Nomi (Captain Marvel's Lashana Lynch), and you can obviously expect the pair to cross paths. Bond being Bond, he was never going to be able to escape his line of work easily, after all. Here, he's brought back in by CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright, Westworld) to help with a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective, Maniac) and penned by a team that includes Fukunaga, The Report director Scott Z Burns and Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this Bond instalment also brings back all the usual offsiders. Ralph Fiennes (The Dig) returns as M, alongside Naomie Harris (The Third Day) as Eve Moneypenny, Ben Whishaw (Little Joe) as Q and Rory Kinnear (Peterloo) as MI6 head Bill Tanner. Lea Seydoux (Kursk) is back as psychiatrist Dr Madeleine Swan, too — and, reuniting with Craig after co-starring in the fabulously entertaining Knives Out, Ana de Armas also joins the cast. Watch the final No Time to Die trailer below: No Time to Die will release in Australian cinemas on November 11, 2021.
Do you sometimes find yourself resenting Chet Faker for his award-winning whisker-wearing*? Do you refuse to listen to Mumford & Sons, not only for their blatant commercial success but also their rugged yet luxurious face forests? Well, you're not alone. Men in the US have been dealing with similar beard-related anxieties and have undergone facial hair transplants to compensate. Using similar techniques to that of Shane Warne and the Advanced Hair Studio, facial hair transplants take hair from the patient's head, make micro-incisions on a bare patch of face, and insert the roots into empty follicles. Even when the hair falls out, the implanted roots begin to grow new hair. All in all, it's a process that ranges from US$3,000 - $7,000. And, for that money, here's hoping it's worth the pain. Though plastics surgeons have reported an increase in "hip" and "fashionable" young men from Brooklyn seeking the procedure, it also has roots in more substantial causes. Many who seek the transplant are the victims of facial scars, women seeking gender reassignment, or Hasidic Jews trying to achieve a denser payot. (Now you feel bad about laughing, right?) Though it may be easy to make fun of those seeking the procedure for the wrong reasons, it's also pretty concerning. Are men developing body image problems about their bare chin in the same way some women are about their flat chests? So what if you don't look like a homeless lumberjack? It doesn't make you less of a man. If anything, it takes you one step away from the likes of Zach Galifianakis and Shia LaBeouf. And, if you ask us, that's surely something to be thankful for. *Can neither confirm nor deny his ARIA win was beard-related. Via DNAinfo. Image by Juan Luis.
Following the massive success of its Hokusai exhibition in 2017, the NGV will once again look to the cultural influence of Japan with an exploration of the country's widespread impact on Western modern art. Running from May 25 to October 28, Japonisme: Japan and the Birth of Modern Art considers the crucial period of time following the reopening of international trade from Japan in 1854. As artworks began to flow from Japan into Europe and America, a cultural revolution of sorts was set in motion as Western artists became exposed to the artworks and visual language of Japan for the first time. Influencing artists like Vincent van Gogh and other legends of the day, this moment in history is considered one of the crucial events that lay the foundations of Western modern art. Japonisme (which will be free to attend) delves into the NGV's huge Asian arts collection, showcasing examples that demonstrate Japan's influence of much of the world's art throughout the last 150 years. Western decorative arts, paper works, paintings, fashion and textiles, photography, as well as Japanese art will be on display. Specific highlights include Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's much-loved Divan Japonais poster, examples from the 1866 Bracquemond-Rousseau dinner service, and an undulating art nouveau cabinet designed by Louis Majorelle, demonstrating the influence of Japanese styling on French furniture. Japonisme will show just how the Japanese respect for the environment influenced European artists, and you'll notice just how many examples of European art highlight the reworked organic forms, rich colours and gentle textures typically associated with Japanese aesthetics. Japonisme: Japan and the Birth of Modern Art will run from May 25 to October 28 at the NGV International. Find more info at ngv.vic.gov.au. Image: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Divan Japonais (1893).
No one loves long-haul flights. If you don't have the cash to upgrade your seat, no one loves trying to get some sleep when you're soaring through the air for nine, 13 or even 17-plus hours. But thanks to Air New Zealand's new economy skynest, getting some shuteye midair is about to get a whole lot easier — come 2024, when the airline's new Dreamliners will take to the skies. First announced back in 2020, and now confirmed to come into operation in just two more years, Air NZ's economy skynest is a first-of-its-kind option that'll feature six lie-flat pods. Yes, they look like bunk beds on a plane, and you'll be able to slumber in them while zooming to your destination. If it sounds like a game changer, that's because it is. Back in 2020, Air NZ announced the pods as part of filing patent and trademark applications, and noted that it'd make a final decision on whether they'd come into effect within a year. That go-ahead might've arrived a bit later — aka now, not in 2021 — but that doesn't make it any less exciting. "New Zealand's location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-longhaul travel experience. We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested. Whether they are heading straight into a meeting or to their first holiday hotspot — they want to hit the ground running," said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran. "It's a proud moment to finally unveil five years of hard mahi, in what truly is a cabin of possibility. One that will provide customers with options to get some shut eye wherever they're sitting." While the full details are yet to be revealed, when they were first announced, the pods were intended to include a full-size pillow, sheets, a blanket, ear plugs, privacy curtains and lighting designed for sleep. The airline also said it was exploring other features such as separate reading light, personal device USB outlet and ventilation outlet. Also on the way: new business premier luxe suites and business premier seats, if you are flush with cash. The former will include a door that closes, plus a space to dine; the latter will let you share your nest with a friend if you're in the middle row. The new Dreamliners will also feature premium economy seats, with more protected space to recline without annoying the person behind you; economy skycouch, so you can spread out, lie down and sleep; and economy stretch, with more leg room than a regular seat. And, those usual seats will get more storage space, a 50-percent bigger entertainment screen, and bluetooth audio and pairing. Also, the aircrafts will feature care stations in the premium economy and economy cabins, letting travellers stretch their legs, grab a bite to eat and get a drink whenever they wish. Design-wise, the planes' interiors will take cues from Aotearoa in a number of ways, too — such as carpet inspired by the forest, and nodding to the tūī in the seats. Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest will be available from 2024. For more information in the interim, visit the airline's website.
There is nothing, nothing more purely joyous as hurtling down an epic plastic lane covered in soap bubbles and hose water. Slip 'N' Slides have pride of place in some of our Paddle Pop-dotted, sunburn-ridden backyard memories, but all is not lost to the slippery realms of memory. This year, a giant Slide 'N' Slide is coming to your city, with Nova's Slidestreet confirmed for Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne this summer. Created by the team behind Perth's ice skating pop-up, Winterland, the Slidestreet is inspired by the urban slide created by UK artist Luke Jerram. With its successful Perth run under its belt, the 315 metre-long Slidestreet is heading to Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens on January 24 and Sydney’s Centennial Park on Australia Day, January 26. Melburnians, you lucky, lucky bunch, you could also be casually getting the world's longest slide in February — permit permitting. At $15 +BF a slide, it's a teeny bit exxy for something you could DIY with a little help from Bunnings, but sometimes you just have to hand over the cashola for novelty bragging rights. And if you thought an entire event could be created around the humble Slip 'N' Slide, you're bang on. The whole day will feature food trucks, icy summer treats, DJs, pop-up bars — yep, the whole bloody works. We're guessing this is to give the sad, sad, slideless spectators something to do while their ticket-holding friends have All The Fun. Importantly, according to the Slidestreet rules, Go Pro selfie poles are NOT allowed on the slide. Slidestreet is heading to Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens on January 24 and Sydney’s Centennial Park on Australia Day, January 26. Tickets start at $15 +BF a slide, available here.
For the inner bookworm in all of us, French designer and inventor Oscar Lhermitte has come up with a way to make torn, dog-eared pages a thing of the past. By rethinking the traditional bookmark, the Albatros is a simple yet functional product which will help keep your novel in pristine condition. Made from polyester and long lasting adhesive, the nifty structure and shape of Lhermitte’s invention follows your reading without the hassle of fumbling around with pages. The days of frustratingly forgetting your page number in a novel may be over. Currently available on IndieGoGo, you can pre-order a set of 6 for $10.
Mona Foma is making the huge move from Hobart to Launceston in serious style — by giving away free airfares and three-day festival tickets to an entire Air Mofo plane worth of lucky, lucky festivalgoers. The 'private airline', a collaboration between Mona Foma and Tourism Tasmania, will exclusively service competition winners for MONA's summer festival. Seats will be given away in rows of six, so your five closest mates will be given the deluxe treatment, too. The airline will fly from Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with winners arriving in Launceston for the start of the festival — around noon on Friday, January 18. Expect more than just your average plane ride on board Air Mofo. "It's going to be like the festival — it'll be weird, there'll be good food, great booze, and some confronting in-flight entertainment that probably can't be unseen," says Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie. Mona's summer festival will take over Launceston from January 18–20 and the lineup boasts everything from real human body parts on display to a onesie exhibition, with free tickets offered to the local Amish community. Music highlights include Swedish star Neneh Cherry, Welsh electronic music icons Underworld and Tassie's own Courtney Barnett, plus a Mona Foma exclusive: a four-part performance by producer and composer Oneohtrix Point Never and the MYRIAD ensemble, framed from the perspective of an alien intelligence in an unlovely combination of medieval folk, dance music, R&B, and sci-fi imagery. You can check out more festival highlights over here. Head here to enter the competition. The otherwise standard form includes the question, "tell us in 25 words or less why you and your five fellow Mofos need to party at Mona Foma in Launceston". Needless to say, it's best to nail that answer if you want those tickets. Three-day festival passes are also on sale now — this year priced at $99 for the weekend. And, if you're looking for other ways to enjoy the festival's new surrounds, check out our weekender's guide to Launceston during Mona Foma. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jS4uZtMaJk&feature=youtu.be Mona Foma 2019 will take over Launceston, Tasmania from January 18–20. To enter the free airfare and festival passes competition, head over here.
With so much time on our hands during lockdown, many have turned to their kitchens in order to expand their cooking skills. Among the most popular isolation cooking projects is taking on homemade pasta, and who better to guide you through the process than two grandmas with a over 100 years' of combined pasta making experience, all the way in Italy? Nonna Live offers private and group pasta making lessons online. Classes usually go for $100 USD ($157 AUD/$166 NZD), but have been marked down to $60 USD ($94 AUD/$99 NZD). They take about two hours, and will take you through the entire pasta making process, with a delicious dish as your end reward. Nonna Live classes are led by two Italian grandmothers: 84-year-old Nonna Nerina, who has become well-known for her pasta making through her AirBnB experiences and lessons in Italy; and Nonna Giuseppa, owner of Pasta Cuomo, a pastaficio in the Amalfi Coast that has been in her family for 150 years. You'll get a list of ingredients and cooking equipment you need to make a delicious meal in their classes, a week out. https://www.facebook.com/nonnas.it/photos/a.864756793704541/1475787695934778/?type=3&theater
It's the frostiest of Australia's annual film festivals for two reasons — the time of year it arrives, and the region it showcases — and it's back for 2022 with another round of recent and retro flicks. That'd be the Scandinavian Film Festival, which naturally hits cinemas around the country each winter. Well, winter Down Under, that is. This year's fest will play 19 titles, primarily hailing from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, with the program touring the nation between Tuesday, July 12–Wednesday, August 10. That gives film buffs in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Byron Bay around a month — three weeks in some places — to get their Nordic movie fix, whether you're keen on a historical epic or a dive into Scandi cinema history. Yes, blasts from the pasts are a feature of the 2022 lineup — starting with opening night's Margrete — Queen of the North. Starring Trine Dyrholm (The Commune) and directed by Charlotte Sieling (Lovecraft Country, Homeland), the historical drama is set in 1402, and hones in on Denmark's Queen Margrete, who oversaw the Kalmar Union that brought together Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Also peering backwards: the Scandi Screen Sirens selection, which celebrates leading ladies from times gone by — all in classics. So, you'll catch Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, Greta Garbo in Queen Christina and Britt Ekland in The Wicker Man. There's also two Liv Ullmann films: The Serpent's Egg, directed by iconic Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman; plus The New Land, the 1972 gem in the festival's closing night slot. Elsewhere, the program includes Dyrholm again in A Matter of Trust, which heads to Australia straight from premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival; Finnish effort The Woodcutter's Story, which played the 2022 Cannes Film Festival Critics' Week; and The Emigrants, a new adaptation of Vilhelm Moberg's novels. The latter first hit the screen in 1971, in a film of the same name — to which the aforementioned The New Land was a sequel. From a selection of 19 flicks all up, there's also the Danish boarding school-set Pretty Young Thing, which will have its world premiere at the fest; psychological drama Quake from Iceland; Berlinale Crystal Bear Award-winner Comedy Queen, about a 13-year-old girl who wants to be a stand-up comedian; and documentary Nordic by Nature, which was filmed in the Faroe Islands, including in its seafood industry, and also covers two-star Michelin restaurant KOKS. And if Scandinavian talent has you thinking of Game of Thrones' Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, he's accounted for A Taste of Hunger from Denmark. It's about the quest for a Michelin star, actually, with the drama following a couple determined to get one for their restaurant. SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES: July 12–August 7: Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney July 13–August 7: Palace Electric, Canberra July 14–August 7: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema, Melbourne July 19–August 10: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Adelaide July 20–August 10: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX, Perth July 20–August 10: Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane July 22–August 10: Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The Scandinavian Film Festival tours Australia from Tuesday, July 12–Wednesday, August 10. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the festival's website.
In its first move to get Australians to Europe faster and with fewer stopovers, and vice versa, Qantas launched direct flights from Perth to London. Then came straight-to-Rome routes as well. Next on the agenda are flights from Perth to Paris — which will be perfect for Euro summer getaways, hitting up Europe in general all year round and also for the 2024 Paris Olympics. If you've been watching the Matildas endeavour to quality to play next year's big sporting contest in qualifiers in Perth, this news might feel particularly timely. Even if you don't fall into that category, it's still a welcome development. Sitting on one plane for almost an entire day isn't for everyone; however, if you can handle looking at the same aircraft walls, screens and fellow travellers for 17 hours, that'll be on the agenda to Paris from July next year. Expect to spend three hours less in transit from Perth to Paris as a result, which is three hours more that you get to spend in the City of Light pretending you're in Lupin or Emily in Paris. Expect to fly on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, too. When they start soaring on Friday, July 12, 2024, the flights will run four days a week to begin with, moving to three days per week in mid-August 2024 after peak season. "This route has been on our wish list for a while and we think customers will be as pleased as we are to see it go on sale," said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson, with tickets available now. "Our direct flights to London and Rome have been hugely popular, and Paris is the next most-requested destination, so we know the demand for this service will be strong as well." "Some of the first customers on these flights will be Australian athletes heading to Paris to compete at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games." Qantas is the only airline doing direct Perth-to-Paris flights, with the new service adding 75,000-plus new seats from Australia to Europe annually. Fares currently start at $1899, as a launch special that's available until Thursday, November 2. Fancy jetting into Paris direct, then coming home from London or Rome — but still non-stop from those cities? The airline is also doing 'circle fares', which operate between the three European places that it flies direct to and from. Of course, if you hail from another part of the country other than Perth, you will have to make your way to the Western Australian capital first. Still, that flight from Perth to Paris won't make a layover — getting you from Down Under to France quicker, plus without switching planes, worrying about connecting legs and navigating other airports. Wondering about the possibility of travelling non-stop to Europe from Australia's east coast, which Qantas has been looking into for years now? The carrier announced that in 2022 that direct Sydney-to-London flights (and direct Sydney-to-New York routes as well) would start in late 2025. Fingers crossed for departure dates from Melbourne and Brisbane as well, and adding a direct leg to Berlin among the non-stop Euro destinations, too. Qantas' new Perth–Paris direct flights will start flying from Friday, July 12, 2024. For more information, or to book tickets, head to the airline's website. 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.
The only resort on the Whitsundays' Daydream Island is finally set to reopen after being devastated by Cyclone Debbie back in March 2018. Following a $100 million redevelopment, Daydream Island Resort is making its return in serious fashion — with a 200-metre living reef, three restaurants, a poolside bar and an outdoor cinema to boot. The exclusive resort will reopen on April 10 with 277 fully refurbished suites that span ocean, garden and pool views. Those aren't any ordinary ocean views, either, with crystal clear turquoise waters surrounding every corner of this tiny oasis. And the massive, newly landscaped pool wraps throughout the resort's tropical gardens and links to its coral beaches, offering views of the Great Barrier Reef beyond. The resort's living reef has also been revitalised — it's a coral lagoon that spans 200 metres and surrounds the central building, with its 1.5 million litres of water housing over 100 species of fish, coral and invertebrates. Guests can learn from local marine biologists while helping to feed baby stingrays and explore the new underwater observatory that lies four metres below sea level. Daydream Island will also boast three distinct restaurants, all of which feature seasonal and local produce. Fine-dining restaurant Infinity offers panoramic ocean views and a menu of Asian-fusion eats, along with a teppanyaki private dining room. Then there's Inkstone Kitchen and Bar, a modern Australian restaurant using native ingredients. Think crispy skin coral trout sourced from Bowen, served over squid ink linguine, and surrounded by thin slices of smoked crocodile and Australian caviar, too. The third dining option, Graze Interactive Dining, better resembles a greenhouse — it's contained in a lush space with hanging greenery and large glass windows that look out over the Living Reef. The dining room is run as a marketplace, with live cooking stations and a buffet breakfast on offer. There's three bars as well, including the poolside Barefoot Bar that'll serve up gourmet-style bar bites, including burgers, pork ribs and chicken wings, along with fresh smoothies and the requisite island cocktails. An outdoor cinema and gym facilities don't hurt the appeal, either. Those keen to explore the Whitsundays further can book snorkelling, helicopter tours, sailing, jet-skiing and island-hopping experiences through the resort, too. While you're in the region, don't miss the chance to check out the nearby Whitehaven Beach, which is listed as one of the best beaches in the world. Daydream Island Resort will reopen on April 10. Room rates start at $492 per night for a standard room, and bookings are open now. For more to see and do in the region, check out our Outside Guide to the Whitsundays.
"Sitting on a bench in Wicks Park in Marrickville, reading a field report by The Lifted Brow's Sam Cooney, I madly looked around for a caramel door described in the text. There it was! As if the writer had put the doorway there himself! Of course, I knew he hadn't, but it was perfect — the exact kind of dark magic that all good writers and artists and musicians perform when their work seems to lift up walls behind walls behind walls and reveal something new and unexpected with great clarity. This is what digital literature can do and be! It's a revelation — experiential and immersive and immediate." This eerie literary experience, as described by Concrete Playground writer Lauren Carroll Harris, was made possible through the award-winning digital project The Silent History. A science-fiction novel that takes the form of an app, The Silent History tells the tale of a dystopian future where a mysterious epidemic has robbed children of the ability to develop language. From 2011 to 2043, readers watch on as these mute children — dubbed 'silents' — tear families apart, unnerve entire government sectors and generally freak people out. Part sci-fi thriller, part-real-life scavenger hunt, the app has been called "entirely revolutionary" by Wired magazine, while the LA Times declared it "a landmark project that illuminates a possible future for e-book novels." We spoke to its creator, ex-McSweeney's managing editor and publisher Eli Horowitz, in Australia for the Sydney Writers' Festival, about what it means to read an app and what writers are doing differently to entertain a digital audience. The Writer as a Prime Mover "The first thing I wanted was it to be a story that you could explore," says Horowitz, "because I have this thing, which I bet that a lot of people have, when you read a book you love or see a movie you love or whatever, you almost then want to keep on existing in that world. You want to see what's just off the page or off the screen, and keep on exploring and living in it." The tablet platform, with its promise of interactivity and updatability, was a natural fit. An app like The Silent History combines the familiar pleasures of a page-turning narrative with the gaming world's mechanics of exploration and investigation. "Once I had that then the plot needed to be kind of global and sprawling, the kind of essential premise that could play itself out a lot of different ways, so that's why it became kind of like a medical story, an epidemic story almost, that lends itself well to that." But that's just the beginning. Around this main story arc float hundreds of 'field reports', site-specific side narratives that readers can only access when they travel to the physical location where the report is set. These reports can be written by anyone, anywhere — in fact, there are already a bunch tucked away around Australia. And if you're feeling inspired, you are free to pen your own and submit it for approval from The Silent History's US editing team. The Writer as a team player Horowitz, begotten of a librarian and originally a carpenter ("not a very good one"), claims that the whole process featured very little in the way of creative genius and a whole lot of good ol' problem solving. He admits that the communal approach of the project — which is what has brought The Silent History so much attention — wasn't even originally part of the blueprint. "The collaborative aspect was not so much any kind of ideological belief about crowd-sourcing or wikis or whatever but more that I wanted these things to be all over the place and I couldn't put them all over the place," he explains, "The more people we had [writing] the more of a geographic spread we could have." It sounds simple enough. But creative genius or problem solver, Horowitz has been hailed as a literary revolutionary. He and his team, Ying, Horowitz & Quinn LLC, are considered trailblazers in e-storytelling, crafting a digital experience unlike any other. While e-books have been popping up on the App Store since the release of the iPad in 2010, none has received this level of fanfare. The Writer as a Coder "A lot of times [with] these projects, the downfall is that they're essentially a technology project and they find some writing to cram into it or it's essentially a literary project and then at the end they add the technological aspect and it's still kind of unsatisfied or clunky or buggy," says Horowitz, "so having it all work together was really important." For all the praise coming his way, though, the San Franciscan remains humble. During his eight years at Californian publishing house McSweeney's, he operated under the mantra that anything he printed had to "earn the page it's on". He says that he brought this same approach over to the app world, trying to create something that "earns the screen it's on". "I approach this in very much the same way that I would approach a book with McSweeney's or whatever else," he says. "Just to think about how form and content both can affect each other, and to think about the total experience of the project. I don't see this as a move away from print or anything, I see this as just another tool in our toolbox." Eli Horowitz will be appearing at the The Sydney Writer's Festival from May 24 to 26 at the events Reading in the E-Future, Festival Club Friday, The Silent History and Tales From the Editorial Front Line. He'll also pop into the Sydney Apple Store on May 28 as part of Vivid Sydney.
The biggest event on the horticultural calendar is almost upon us. And no, we're not talking about the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, although that did kick off today. What we're talking about is the second ever ShitGardens Exhibition, a green gathering at the Lulu Café and Gallery in North Melbourne celebrating the most disastrous gardens the world has to offer. Running from Friday, March 31 until Sunday, April 2, the exhibition has been organised by the guys behind the ShitGardens Instagram account. If you're not already familiar with their work, know that they've racked up more than 18,000 followers cataloging the most ill-advised, outrageous and downright shitty landscaping choices to spring forth from the fertile ground. The show will feature some of their best (read: worst) Instagram submissions along with "a selection of original works". There'll also be a pop-up bar, and a menu of "garden-esque" tapas plates to snack on. Best of all, all proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Harrowing hedge creature spotted in the Swedish village of Molle. A post shared by Shit Gardens (@shitgardens) on Mar 22, 2017 at 4:37pm PDT Number four- the clipped form of a hedonist A post shared by Shit Gardens (@shitgardens) on Mar 14, 2017 at 11:32pm PDT Answer me these questions three... A post shared by Shit Gardens (@shitgardens) on Mar 12, 2017 at 4:46pm PDT Happy Valentines Day 😏 A post shared by Shit Gardens (@shitgardens) on Feb 13, 2017 at 7:13pm PST When the garden stares right back at you. A post shared by Shit Gardens (@shitgardens) on Jan 21, 2017 at 12:54pm PST Image via Wikimedia.
He first caught the film world's attention with zom-rom-com Shaun of the Dead, and also toyed with both horror and comedy in Hot Fuzz. But Scott Pilgrim vs the World, The World's End and Baby Driver filmmaker Edgar Wright hasn't ever dived headfirst into mind-bending psychological thriller territory — until his next flick hits cinemas later this year, that is. In Last Night in Soho, no one is set to kill the undead to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now'. That said, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit) does play a singer in 60s-era London who appears to be a ghost. In the movie's just-dropped first trailer, her character Sandy pops up when aspiring fashion designer Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie, Jojo Rabbit) manages to venture back in time. Mysteriously travelling six decades into the past, Eloise looks in the mirror and sees Sandy's reflection, rather than her own. In a sneak peek filled with neon hues, things only get trippier from there — and, in a feature that takes plenty of cues from horror and thriller flicks from the time, more lurid as well. Impeccable period-appropriate set and costume design, vibrant pink lighting aplenty and an all-round dreamy feel are also part of the trailer, as Eloise finds herself coming face to face with her idol while plunged into a ghost story. Similarly playing a pivotal part: The Crown and Doctor Who's Matt Smith, who pops up alongside Taylor-Joy in the film's eerie 60s-set scenes. Whether following small-town cops in Hot Fuzz or jumping into the heist genre with Baby Driver — or directing late 90s/early 00s sitcom Spaced, too — Wright's work always stands out visually, and Last Night in Soho clearly promises to continue the trend. It's also the second of two Wright-helmed flicks headed to our screens this year, following documentary The Sparks Brothers, about the pop duo that also happens to be providing the tunes for this year's Adam Driver-starring musical Annette. Check out the trailer for Last Night in Soho below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ppe1YYATQY Last Night in Soho is set to release in Australian cinemas on October 21. Images: Parisa Taghizadeh / Focus Features.
When it comes to kicking back and relaxing, some people swear by a nice warm bath. Others prefer tapping their toes to their favourite tunes, having a boozy beverage or just switching off from their always-vibrating phone. And, for another group, there's nothing that induces bliss better than listening to the one and only Keanu Reeves. Actually, that last category should really apply to everyone. If you're someone who finds the actor behind John Wick, Neo, Johnny Utah and Ted "Theodore" Logan particularly soothing, then you'll want to make a date with HBO's new series A World of Calm. It doesn't yet have a release date but, when it does hit the channel's HBO Max streaming service in the US and hopefully make its way to audiences Down Under as well, it'll give the world exactly what we want: Keanu's voice reading a narrative that has been scientifically-engineered to induce a feeling of tranquility, as paired with music and footage that's also designed to do the same. Ideally he'll say "whoa!" more than once. In HBO's first leap into health and wellness-style content, the ten-episode series is based on the popular Calm sleep, meditation and relaxation app, with the US TV network pairing up with the folks behind the latter. Specifically, the two companies are aiming to bring Calm's Sleep Stories to the screen — which have been called "bedtime stories for grown ups", have notched up more than 250 million listens, and are all about calming and soothing listeners. Keanu will only be doing the honours on one of A World of Calm's half-hour episodes; however the rest of the series definitely doesn't slouch in the star-power stakes. Joining him is a cast that'd do any movie proud, spanning not only Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Lucy Liu and Cillian Murphy, but also two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. As for what you'll be looking at while your ears soak in the dulcet tones of all of the above A-list stars — who'll basically be guiding you through a televised relaxation session — HBO advises that it'll be serving up "mesmeric imagery". Created with Nutopia, the folks behind National Geographic's One Strange Rock and Disney+'s The World According to Jeff Goldblum, that'll also include visuals from the company's global network of cinematographers and filmmakers. Intrigued? While you're waiting for A World of Calm, you can check out one of the audio-only Calm Sleep Stories — as read by Game of Thrones' Jerome Flynn — below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4x9ssJ0jfM A World of Calm doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you with further details when they come to hand.
Although it's tempting to live in your swim shorts all season, it's not socially acceptable unless you live on the beach. But with warmer days and nights, we don’t blame you for wanting to keep things cool and casual. This summer, there are plenty of modern styles that can be easily added to any wardrobe. We've also got a style guide for women. Here it is over here. Classic For the style-conscious man who knows what he likes: this season, be on the lookout for well-tailored and timeless pieces. Tailored shorts, short-sleeved shirts and anything in beige, white or tan are your signature summer go-to's. But classic doesn't have to mean boring, so don't be afraid to roll up your (pant) cuffs and get a little creative. Blue Suits Have to wear a suit for work? You don't have to stick to your banal black and greys. Nobody wants to be caught sweltering in the sun on their lunch break. Instead, opt for lighter-coloured suites in tans and blues. The spring and summer has seen all fifty shades of cool, from nautical navies to pale pigeons. Wear a crisp white or striped collared shirt underneath, throw on a fedora and voila: instant update. Images: Milan street style by Lee Oliveira Look from Shipley & Halmos’ SS 14 collection shot by Yannis Vlamos for GoRunway.com Suit from Dolce & Gabbana’s SS 14 men’s collection Nautical Stripes Ah, sailor stripes, a pattern that faithfully returns every season. When worn outside of the summer months, you look like a Frenchman. But once the season begins those black/navy and white stripes become the universal flag of leisure time. Whether you own a sailboat, yacht or (k)not, these laidback lines give the appearance that you know your way around a dock. Pair a tee with some Nantucket Red chinos and deck shoes, and you're ready to go. Or, if you're not exactly on holiday, throw one of those equally stylish blue blazers over for a smarter look. Striped shorts are also popping up this season, but please, limit the lines to one piece. You’re going for the seaman look, not inmate. Images: Jumper from J.Crew shot by Yannis Vlamos Jumper from Burberry Prorsum's SS 14 men’s collection Sydney Streetsyle shot by Carolina Falk for Style Creeper Cuffed Hem and No Socks Ok, this look might seem a little trendy, but if you think about it, those Italians have been doing it for years. Envision the mod Roman gentleman, propped up against a wall in a perfectly tailored suit, smoking his cigarette. Yep, his cuffs are rolled. Socks? No way. It's summer, too hot for that. The look is a no-brainer to pull off, and it's definitely not limited to suits or any type of shoe. Keep it casual by rolling up anything you like, from khakis to jeans. (Extra bonus points if you're wearing a striped tee and navy sport coat.) Images from Pinterest. Trendy When it comes to staying with-it, the trendy guy knows what's up. He's probably been rolling his pants and going sockless for years. Mixing prints and and implementing bright colours are standard. There is, however, a sexy simplicity in going monochromatic. Whichever look you prefer, you're not afraid to mix things up. Florals Once restricted to Mediterranean and Polynesian holidays, the floral print is taking spring and summerwear to the next level. Blooms are sprouting up everywhere on shirts, suit detailing, hats, jackets, shoes and, for those brave enough, pants. Think of this as the new 'real men wear pink'. Mixing other small prints such as polka dots or stripes with florals is being popularised by those who are extra adventurous. But if that's literally too bold for you, pair your piece of choice with something basic like a chambray button-up or chino shorts. We swear, you'll feel like every day is Friday. Images: Shirt from Burberry Prorsum’s SS 14 men’s collection Shorts by D’Marge Look from Marcs’ SS14 mens collection Denim on Denim (aka the Canadian Tuxedo) This has been a look sported by our North American friends for a while. Traditionally worn with flannels and work boots, the quintessential lumberjack vibe is a favourite of hipsters. Pair this tux with the three Bs (Beanie, Beard and cheap Beer), and you're pretty for the party. But the Canadian tuxedo is a little too cosy for an Aussie summer. More realistically, you'd ditch the jacket and wear a chambray over jeans or jorts. Beer is still an appreciated accessory. Images: Street style snap by Romeo Style Denim look from Calvin Klein’s SS 13 collection at men’s Fashion Week in New York Sydney street style snap by Carolina Falk for Style Creeper Neon There is nothing new about neon. Everyone has a bright thing or two, but it's probably limited to sports wear. Nike and other companies have been incorporating electric colours into their shoes and clothes for ages. Now, neon has spread outside the gym for men. Making its way onto chinos, shoes, windbreakers and even suits, neon is a huge trend for men this season. We're not expecting the execs of the CBDs to start running around in hot pink suits; rather, the gym junkies, beach bums and trendily bold will enjoy this craze. It's most sensible to limit your exposure to a pair of shorts, tee shirt or light windbreaker. You don't want to go about blinding anyone. Images: Shorts from Ben Sherman Suit from Salvatore Ferragamo’s SS 13/14 collection Milan Vukmirovic at Men’s Fashion Week 2013 in Milan shot by Lee Oliveira Maverick The true maverick isn’t afraid of to go out on a limb. You probably already own a neon suit and are about to buy ones in floral and camo prints after seeing the spring/summer runway photos. You’re also not afraid to steal ideas from the girls. Hey, they adopt men’s looks all the time (hello, blue suits), so why shouldn’t you? Hot items such as studded slipper/loafers and clutches are being revamped on such a masculine level, you'd think they'd been yours all along. The true maverick knows how to own even the craziest trends. The Man Clutch Although a man carrying a bag has been a stigmatic subject in the past, I think we can all agree that the times are a-changin'. In an age where men have increasingly more things to lug around — tech devices, work papers, gym essentials, etc — a guy needs a place to stash his stuff. If you think satchels and messenger bags are overdone, then consider this your new and lighter briefcase. But fear not, for the male clutch is nothing like its female counterpart. Depending on the size, they look more like document holders, tablet covers or big leather/suede pouches than the feminine envelope-styles. Tucked under your arm as you dash about town, an oversized pouch will make you look like man on a mission. Images: Look from Paul Joe’s SS 14 collection shot by Yannis Vlamos for GoRunway.com MBFWA street style by Style Creeper Parisian street style shot by Lee Oliveira Camouflage Suits Camouflage print was one of the biggest trends for men this past European summer. Popping up on clothes, shoes and accessories (clutch included), the print is best limited to one item per outfit. However, with the monochrome/print sensation taking off for both women and men this season, it's only natural that camo pieces have grown together to create the ultimate organic ensemble. And this G.I. Joe-inspired look is a very real thing. Directly interpreted from the New York runways by the likes of American designer Mark McNairy (who is infamous for his crazy combos), the camo combination has been seen on carpets both concrete and red. Lucky for you, it's been modified for warmer weather with shorts options. So if you're feeling like a real rebel, feel free to try out this oxymoron of army-inspired fashion. Images: Camo street style by The Sartorialist Look from Mark McNairy’s SS 14 collection shot by Yannis Vlamos Singer Pharrell Williams in a Moncler Bleu Camo Tux at the 60th Art Basel Miami Party by Getty Images Studded Loafers Leave it to the rappers and basketball players to take a female trend and make it rock star-worthy. Stars like Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Dwyane Wade have been seen sporting spiked slippers at fashion shows and NBA finals. Somehow the trend has made it all the way down here, with sightings of the studded loafers at this year's MBFWA and on the streets of Melbourne. It's a bold look, since these kicks quite literally have an edge to them. They take any outfit, from a tux to a tee and jeans, to the next level. Images from Pinterest
The Lonely Hearts Club — known for running a few kick ass female-focused events around town — is teaming up with Two Birds Brewing for a beery night geared just for women. The craft brewers will take over The Smith from 6.30pm on Friday, April 13 for an empowering night championing birds that brew. The two-hour showcase will see Two Birds co-founder Danielle Allen and marketing manager Kerry McBride run through a tasting session of their brews, which are all handcrafted nearby at their Yarraville brewery. They'll chat with patrons on how they've made it in the male-dominated beer industry and give entrepreneurial advice on starting your own business, too. Early bird tickets have already sold out but you can still snag standard tickets at $45 a pop. It's a great way to support an event (and a business) that's run by strong women for strong women — plus, it's a great excuse for some cold Friday night brews.
Instead of glumly clicking through your friends’ Facebook photos of their amazing holidays as you sit at home (that they clearly put up just to make you feel bad), plan your own dream holiday, old-school style. The YOUniverse do-it-yourself kits allow you to customise your own vintage globe with different travel routes, photos, banners and travel stickers. All you need is a little old-fashioned imagination and you can plan journeys that defy logic and financial restraints. Make it your resolution to tick one off the list by 2013.
The Dialug, a 2011 iF concept design entry, is a beautifully designed plug and socket that has an integrated timer so that it knows when to turn itself off, meaning you no longer need to wonder whether or not you've unplugged all necessary electronic devices as your bus trundles into work. After all, no one wants to come home to a blown fuse or fire because they left their hair straightener plugged in and on their bed. From designers DanBee Lee, JangSoo Kim, KyoYeon Kim and WooRi Kim, the Dialug not only saves power but also charges your devices for the right amount of time, which is handy because overcharging damages the life span of lithium charged electronic devices. [via Technobob]
Nobody can resist a subtle jab at Tom Cruise, but Com Truise is known for more than just the pun. The New Yorker's been generating buzz ever since appearing on the electronic music scene four years ago. Now, Truise, aka Seth Haley, is touring Australia for the first time, taking him across Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney in a series of intimate sets. Like his name, Com Truise's music is fun and energetic, hailing back to an era of luscious '80s synth. Haley's most recent release, Wave 1, from the faultless Ghostly International label, is a trademark to his signature style — slick production which transforms the otherwise monochrome sounds of today's pop with an eclectic mix of sci-fi sounds, funk beats and drenching bass. It's music that makes everything feel textured, fuzzy, lo-fi and somewhat rainbow-coloured. Just go with it. Supported by Midlife.
The Intern is one of those films that’s not easily labelled. It absolutely feels like a romcom, especially with writer/director Nancy Meyers at the helm (responsible for the likes of Father of the Bride and It's Complicated), but there’s not really any romance in it to speak of. It’s also a funny film, though you’d fall short of calling it a comedy, and it consistently packs in the feels, only there are too many lighter moments for it to be an out-and-out drama. Ultimately, whether by chance or design, The Intern's indeterminate status actually offers us a neat reflection of the story within it, for this is a story about two individuals — the ‘retiree’ and the ‘working mum’ — both grappling with the expectations and misconceptions that accompany those characterisations. De Niro, the retiree, is a 70-something widower without a purpose. Intelligent, polite and openly uncomfortable with inaction, his character Ben Whittaker applies for (and secures) a place in a senior’s intern program at fashion tech startup About the Fit. Anne Hathaway, the ‘working mum’, is the company’s 30-something founder and CEO, Jules Ostin. Passionate and driven but overworked, Jules is fending off shareholder insistence that she hire a ‘proper’ CEO while simultaneously struggling to keep her family together on account of her relentless schedule and the restless ‘stay-at-home dad’ (another unhelpful label) waiting at home. When De Niro is assigned to be Hathaway’s personal intern, their initially uncomfortable partnership soon develops into an indispensable friendship: he the calming influence on her, and she his newfound sense of purpose. The early scenes in The Intern are enough to give serious pause. De Niro’s ‘old guy in a young person’s tech world’ shtick had the potential to be incredibly hammy, and moments like not knowing how to wake up his laptop or use a USB did not augur well for avoiding the tired ‘analog meets digital’ cliche. Hathaway’s character, too, was immediately unlikeable, wearing her wireless headset and riding her fixed-gear bicycle through the office from meeting to meeting. Thankfully, though, neither concern plays out for long. De Niro’s reserve — that trademark smile and gentle nod that has traditionally masked violent intent — works perfectly as a juxtaposition to the madness of the Gen Y workplace around him. His old-school approach to both work and life endears him to all, as he offers advice from fashion and accessories through to putting down the phone and actually talking to people. Similarly, as soon as Hathaway’s pristine veneer reveals its vulnerabilities, she becomes at once an entirely sympathetic character and a surprisingly cogent representation of the unresolved workplace gender debate. In many ways, The Intern plays out like an adaption of Annabel Crabb’s The Wife Drought or Unfinished Business by Anne-Marie Slaughter, the first female director of policy planning at the US State Department and author of the controversial ‘Why Women Still Can’t Have It All’ essay in the Atlantic. Both these texts highlight the difficulties and hypocrisies surrounding successful women in the workplace, including why we never hear the label ‘working dad’, and — at its heart — this is what The Intern ultimately concerns itself with. There are plenty of laughs along the way, as well as some admittedly saccharine scenes, but mostly this is a heartwarming tale of friendship and a constructive engagement with feminism and gender inequality.
Every Mac user the world over knows the scenario: you save up, invest in a shiny new Apple product and take it home just in time to discover a newer, better version has been released. So too comes the biopic Steve Jobs, released just a few short years after 2013’s JOBS starring Ashton Kutcher. Sleeker, slicker and definitely better designed, Danny Boyle’s film is undoubtedly the kind of superior upgrade that this compelling story demands. Written by West Wing creator and Social Network scribe Aaron Sorkin, and based on the book by Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs is an intense three-act drama of such fervid dialogue and minimal action that it would not feel at all out of place on a stage instead of a screen. Each ‘act’ takes place in the minutes preceding one of Jobs’ iconic product launches, and each is filmed in an appropriately coeval format – 16mm film stock for 1984’s Mac launch, 35mm for the introduction of 1988’s NeXT 'Black Box’ and digital for 1998’s iMac. The staging is an effective device, giving the film a persistent tension by combining the inherent pre-launch nerves with heated backstage conversations between all of the key figures in Jobs’ life. Portrayed magnificently by Michael Fassbender, we find in Steve Jobs a flawed visionary, as opposed to the saccharine, almost messianic figure found in the Kutcher version. Fassbender extracts and develops every foible nestled within Sorkin’s crackling screenplay – the obsessive preoccupation with seemingly trivial details, the isolating stubbornness and the unyielding belief that he was always right (resulting in a beautifully placed third-act beat when he’s confronted by an inescapable mistake of his own making). The supporting cast is equally strong, with three outstanding performances from Jeff Daniels as Jobs’s father figure-cum-foe John Sculley, Seth Rogen as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Kate Winslet as Jobs’s confidant Joanna Hoffman (sporting a terrific, if also inconsistent, Polish accent). Daniels, Rogen and Winslet each get their time in the light, exchanging witty quips and stinging admonitions with Fassbender. Says Jobs at one point: "It’s like five minutes before every launch everyone goes to the bar and then tells me what they really think of me.” It’s an overly convenient conceit, certainly, but one that also helps ground the story in the personal (rather than technological) demons confronted by its protagonist. All the usual Sorkinisms are there, and the script does at times feel overwritten, with its hyper-theatrics and laconic wordplay labouring to convince you it's cleverer than it actually is. Still, the performances transcend the shortcomings and allow Steve Jobs to provide a balanced and often critical perspective of a man whose determination to change the world did, for the most part, actually succeed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEr6K1bwIVs
UPDATE: MAY 15, 2018 — Because you can't really enjoy a cheese board without a glass of time, The Cheese Riot has this week launched a series of cheese and wine hampers. They range from $119–159, feature some top Australian wines, and can be ordered here. Australian farmers put out some seriously delicious cheese, but, if you live in the city, the best stuff isn't necessarily easy to find. Most are made on country farms, several hours' drive away, and don't often make it to major supermarkets. The good news is that a cheese lover by the name of Anna Perejma wants to change all that. She's the founder of The Cheese Riot, a brand new service brings boutique Aussie cheeses to your doorstep. The Cheese Riot is the result of Perejma travels around the country, sampling all the cheese she could get her hands on. Picking the tastiest and boldest varieties, she's now connecting directly with the cheesemakers and producers where possible, then popping their wares into boxes and sending them to subscribers all over Australia. As well as 600 - 800 grams of cheese per box, each shipment also includes a changing range of Aussie-made accompaniments, such as chutney, pastes, honey and matching teas. Two subscription options are available: the Give Me Cheese box for $89, and the Give Me Premium Cheese box for $129, which features harder-to-find cheeses or special batches. They're sent to most places in Australia, with Sydney metro residents receiving same-day delivery "It's like the Dollar Shave Club, but for cheese," explains Perejma. "Every month, you'll get a selection of cheeses delivered to your house, most made by small producers who live in the middle of nowhere. The idea is to unlock products people want but can't get." It's a venture driven by Perejma's love of Australian wares, and her eagerness to share our delicious dairy products. "Our products are just as good as anything you'll find internationally, but don't get enough recognition." And before you start wondering about Perejma's credentials, her resume includes events officer at the Australian Specialist Cheesemakers' Association — yes, the ASCA really exists — where she recently organised the & Cheese event series that included a Young Henrys beer and cheese pairing and a Four Pillars gin cocktails and cheese pairing at Moya's Juniper Lounge. We're pretty confident you can trust her palate. In addition, Perejma wants to "take the wank out of cheese" and encourage a sense of community around sharing it. "You can enjoy cheese any way you like, be that on your own with Netflix and a glass of wine or with a bunch of friends at a picnic in the park." The Cheese Riot will also be hosting artisan cheese appreciation classes in Sydney, through AirBnb Experiences. For more information about The Cheese Riot, visit their website. By Jasmine Crittenden and Sarah Ward.
If you've ever dreamed of your reality aligning a little more closely with that of, say, late-'70's rock band The Runaways or old-school Aussie indie act The Sunset Strip, consider Collingwood's FeeFee's Bar your new happy place. Gracing that eastern stretch of Johnston Street between Wellington and Hoddle, this newcomer clocks in on the glamorous side of grunge, with the spirit of rock 'n' roll coursing through its veins. For owner Fiona Meiklejohn, FeeFee's is the upscale, music-focused bar the area was missing — it's Melbourne's answer to iconic, rock-tinged haunts like London's Crobar, Le Fanfaron in Paris and The Burgundy Room in Hollywood. "It's a place for people to come, sit in a beautiful environment and enjoy a cocktail, whilst soaking up the rock vibes,"" she explains. "A haven for those who love real music." To that end, expect a complete departure from sticky carpets and dive bar shabbiness. Instead, Meiklejohn and partner Jonas Schöfer have gone for what they describe as a '1970s Scandinavian après-ski vibe', with a rock 'n' roll influence. It's a space that speaks to a bygone era of music-inspired revelry, all flocked wallpaper, sexy lighting, and framed portraits of rock gods and goddesses lining the walls. Meanwhile, the bar's slinging crafty cocktails and top-shelf gins alongside all your favourite tinnies, and the soundtrack changes focus throughout the week, gearing up to weekend DJ sets of disco, funk, and old-school rock. Plus, on Friday, June 9, they'll be handing out 100 free pots of Young Henrys beer from 6pm. FeeFee's Bar is now open at 113 Johnston Street, Collingwood. For more info, visit feefeesbar.com.
Whether your favourite objects sit in the realm of furniture, accessories or even lighting pendants, if you've got a thing for clever design, there's only one place you need to be next month. And that's at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre when it plays host to the next instalment of the Melbourne Design Fair. From Thursday, May 18–Sunday, May 21, you can fuel your obsession with beautifully made items as you stroll among works by more than 150 designers. And if you spy something you love, lots of the pieces will be available for sale, too. [caption id="attachment_897661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of works from Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthberton's display at Melbourne Design Fair 2022, presented by the NGV in collaboration with Melbourne Art Foundation. Photo by Sean Fennessy.[/caption] There'll be more than 60 exhibits from celebrated studios, galleries and collectives, including Sullivan+Strumpf, Craft Victoria, MARS Gallery and Neon Parc, plus Funaki, Canberra Glassworks, Design Tasmania and more. Both established and up-and-coming talent will be on show, with everything from furniture and textiles to jewellery and ceramics to swoon over. Ogle at unconventional coffee tables, bold statement necklaces, covetable chairs and maybe even the next big thing in lighting design. NGV-curated exhibition DISCOVERY will debut as part of this year's showcase, spotlighting — and selling works by — emerging designers including Charlie White, Annie Paxton, Livio Lucca Tobler and members of the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists. Meanwhile, return favourite FOCUS will take visitors on a deep-dive into the process and practice of five leading Aussie female artists. [caption id="attachment_897659" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Nobody's Perfect, 2022, Gaetano Pesce (Neon Parc). Photo by Olga Antipina, courtesy of Gaetano Pesce.[/caption] Top image: Installation view of works from Modern Times' display at Melbourne Design Fair 2022, presented by the NGV in collaboration with Melbourne Art Foundation. Photo by Sean Fennessy.
UPDATE, March 28, 2023: Nope is available to stream via Netflix, Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Kudos to Jordan Peele for giving his third feature as a writer/director a haters-gonna-hate-hate-hate name: for anyone unimpressed with Nope, the response is right there. Kudos, too, to the Get Out and Us filmmaker for making his third bold, intelligent and supremely entertaining horror movie in a row — a reach-for-the-skies masterpiece that's ambitious and eerie, imaginative and expertly crafted, as savvy about cinema as it is about spectacle, and inspires the exact opposite term to its moniker. Reteaming with Peele after nabbing an Oscar nomination for Get Out, Daniel Kaluuya utters the titular word more than once in Nope. Exclaiming "yep" in your head each time he does is an instant reaction. Everything about the film evokes that same thrilled endorsement, but it comes particularly easily whenever Kaluuya's character surveys the wild and weird events around him. We say yay to his nays because we know we'd respond the same way if confronted by even half the chaos that Peele whooshes through the movie. As played with near-silent weariness by the always-excellent Judas and the Black Messiah Oscar-winner, Haywood's Hollywood Horses trainer OJ doesn't just dismiss the strange thing in the heavens, though. He can't, even if he doesn't realise the full extent of what's happening when his father (Keith David, Love Life) suddenly slumps on his steed on an otherwise ordinary day. Six months later, OJ and his sister Emerald (Keke Palmer, Lightyear) are trying to keep the family business running; he does the wrangling, she does the on-set safety spiels, which double as a primer on the Haywoods' lengthy links to the movie industry. The first moving images ever presented, by Eadweard Muybridge of a galloping horse in the 1800s, featured their great-great-great grandfather as the jockey, Emerald explains. His image was immortalised, but not his name — and, although she doesn't say it directly, that's a fate she isn't eager to share. In fact, Emerald ends her patter by proclaiming that she's available for almost any Hollywood job that might come up. Unsurprisingly, OJ is horrified about the hustle. Her big chance is indeed tied to their ranch, but not in the way that Emerald initially realises either — because who'd predict that something would be lurking above the Haywoods' Agua Dulce property? Just as Get Out saw Peele reinterrogate the possession movie and Us did the same with doppelgängers, Nope goes all in on flying saucers. So, Emerald wants the kind of proof that only video footage can offer. She wants her "Oprah shot", as well as a hefty payday. Soon, the brother-sister duo are buying new surveillance equipment — which piques the interest of UFO-obsessed electronics salesman Angel Torres (Brandon Perea, The OA) — and also enlisting renowned cinematographer Antlers Holst (Michael Wincott, Veni Vidi Vici) to capture the lucrative image. Cue plenty of faces staring up in shock and wonder, as Steven Spielberg has made a mainstay of his films — and cue a movie that nods to Jaws as much as Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Peele makes smartly and playfully cineliterate flicks, which aren't content to merely wink and nudge, but instead say "yep" themselves: yep to all the tropes and symbols that the comedian-turned-filmmaker can filter through his own lens, and his determination to unearth the reality of living in America today, just as he did when he was making some of this century's best skits on Key & Peele. Indeed, Nope is keenly aware of the lure and power of spectacle, especially the on-screen kind, which also echoes through in the picture's other pivotal character. Ricky 'Jupe' Park (Steven Yeun, Minari) isn't involved in the Haywoods' attempts to snap upwards, but the former child star runs a neighbouring theme park called Jupiter's Claim, which cashes in on his big hit role in a movie called Kid Sheriff. He's known for short-lived 90s sitcom Gordy's Home, too, starring opposite a chimpanzee, and moments of the show also pop up in Peele's film. A creepy glimpse at Gordy's Home actually opens Nope, starting the feature with a cryptic teaser that couldn't be more potent. Menace hovering above, sprawling vistas and the clouds that pepper them, galloping horses, rampaging apes, waving skydancers, cheesy Wild West shows, predators versus prey, the quest for fame and its self-destructive toll, cashing in: that all earns Peele's attention, weaved together in one jaw-droppingly impressive and unnerving package. This is the filmmaker's clever and compelling stab at a monster movie as well, which applies in a variety of manners. Here's one that doesn't give too much away: the way that animals have been exploited for entertainment, coupled with humanity's pursuit of bigger and better spectacles no matter the consequences, has long proven an act of monstrousness to be battled. Here's another: chasing visual thrills isn't innocent, a truth that resounds unshakeably in today's always-filming times. Nope is a pics-or-it-didn't-happen flick, too, and explores the price that people are willing to pay to keep getting those images. Perfect shots and the industry that relies upon them aren't without their cost, Peele posits — while also filling his frames with a sublimely surreal sci-fi-western vision lensed with rich detail by Hoyte Van Hoytema, Christopher Nolan's recent cinematographer (see: Tenet, Dunkirk and Interstellar). A movie can call attention to cinema's usually ignored ills and equally demand the utmost attention to its stunning array of sights, of course, and Nope is one such feature. Its sound design and score, courtesy of Johnnie Burn (Ammonite) and Michael Abels (Us, Get Out) respectively, are also both staggering and loaded, finding the ideal balance between haunting quiet and symphonic screaming. Nope is many things. It's a reminder that Hollywood's historical approach to race — its blatant lack of diversity, and its willingness to erase the contributions of people of colour, to be accurate — has proven a monstrosity as well. It's an examination of the power of images, for better and for worse. It sees the dark side of courting celebrity as a supposed way of improving our lots in life. Nope takes Peele's The Twilight Zone fascination, after reviving and hosting the 2019–20 version, to its next level. It's also a cowboys-and-aliens flick, and it's as dazzling as a blockbuster that blends science fiction, western, comedy and horror can be. Nope is frequently a daylight nightmare, boasts this year's second-best use of the wide blue yonder after Top Gun: Maverick, and is so terrifying in one barn-set scene that chills follow. Throw in that exceptional cast, including the pitch-perfect chalk-and-cheese double act that springs from Kaluuya's subtlety and Palmer's energy, and it's a downright marvel, as well as another Peele winner. The yeps keep coming — and yep, you'll never look at the clouds the same way afterwards.
It might not have been planned, but Bluebonnet Barbecue is definitely one of Melbourne's most well-travelled restaurants. After a fire forced the beloved barbecue joint out of its original Collingwood home after just two years of operation, it enjoyed a temporary residency at The Curtin, before eventually settling into new digs within the former North Fitzroy Star in 2016. And now, with redevelopment in the works for the pub, Chris Terlikar's famed eatery is on the move again — though this time it's to a permanent abode, having signed a 20-year lease on a space in Brunswick East. But Bluebonnet's not going anywhere without a proper farewell, which of course involves plenty of meaty treats for all. From March 5–23, it's reinstating its legendary All You Can Meat bottomless barbecue feeds. Book a table for dinner on any of those days (or lunch on weekends) and $55 will get you a feast fit for a carnivore king. The Fitzroy North location will remain open until further notice, and then it'll move into its new home. We'll update you with more info once it's locked in. Bluebonnet Barbecue will remain open until further notice at 32 St Georges Road South, Fitzroy North. For closing dates and details, keep checking bluebonnetbbq.com.au. Updated: April 9, 2018.
Following yesterday's indefinite, effective ban on all international travel, in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19 across Australia, Qantas and Jetstar have announced they will suspend all scheduled international flights from late March until the end of May 2020. As a result, the airlines will temporarily step down two-thirds of their 30,000-person staff until at least the end of May. In a statement, the Qantas Group says the decision was made "in order to preserve as many jobs as possible longer term". Employees will be able to draw on "annual and long service leave" and additional support will be introduced, including leave at half pay and early access to long service leave. Qantas says it is also talking to Woolworths about temporary jobs for its stood-down staff. The decision comes after Qantas and Jetstar earlier this week announced they'd be cutting back international flights by 90 percent and domestic flights by 60 percent. For now, domestic flights will continue running at a 40 percent capacity, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying "domestic air travel is low risk". We could see domestic flights cut further in the near future, however, with Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein this morning announcing that from midnight this Friday, March 20 only essential travellers will be allowed into Tasmania without quarantine. Non-essential travellers, including Tasmanian residents returning to the island from mainland Australia, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Essential travellers include health care workers, emergency workers, defence personnel and air and ship crew. These measures are similar to those currently in place for international travellers arriving into Australia, which mandates compulsory 14-day isolation periods for everyone arriving from overseas. Virgin Australia will also suspend all international flights from March 30, and will cut domestic flights by 50 percent, too. For further details about Qantas and Jetstar's plans, visit the company's website. For more information about Virgin Australia's reductions, visit its website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
If Jailbreak, Escape From Alcatraz or The Shawshank Redemption are among your favourite flicks, you're going to want to lock yourself into a date at Palace Cinemas' latest venture. Australia's much-loved movie house has just announced it's opening a brand new 15-screen cinema Coburg's former Pentridge Prison . Yep 15 screens — and they'll all be fitted with big, comfy seats, when the site opens in mid-2019. And like Northcote's solar-powered Palace Westgarth, the new cinema, which is temporarily named Champ Street, has been designed with environmental sustainability in mind. "My family's vision for Palace Champ Street is to create a warm, vibrant, film, arts, and hospitality hub, which will unite cinema lovers of all ages and cultural backgrounds," said Palace's CEO Benjamin Zeccola. The cinema will occupy the second floor of the brand new two-level Pentridge development, which will house residential, retail and commercial structures. When finished, the ex-prison site will feature a hotel and a bunch of restaurants, bars and cafes. As usual, you'll be able to count on Palace's quality programming of both mainstream and indie films, in addition to regular festivals that feature contemporary films from all over the world. Palace has had quite the year so far. They've just announced plans for two new cinema complexes in Sydney — a 14-screen cinema in Chippendale and 10-screen venue Double Bay — as well as one in Byron Bay. Palace Champ Street is set to open at the Pentridge site mid-2019. Stay tuned for more developments.
One of Melbourne's most controversial new building projects could be axed as Federation Square edges closer to having permanent heritage status. The Victorian landmark, which was granted temporary heritage protection in August, was today recommended for permanent inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register by Heritage Victoria. Despite being only 16 years old, Fed Square has been recommended for heritage status on the basis of its "historical, architectural, aesthetic, cultural and technical significance" to Victoria. If it gets the heritage tick, Fed Square won't be the first 'young' building to receive protection. Both the National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre were recognised as having state-level heritage significance soon after their completion — which does give some hope. The recommendation will be advertised for 60 days — allowing time for community feedback — before the Heritage Council of Victoria, an independent body, makes its final decision. If the permanent heritage protection does go ahead, it could thwart Apple's plans to build its first Australian flagship store in the Square. After being announced late last year, Apple's proposed Fed Square store has received considerable community backlash, with new designs revealed in July in response. The opposition to the store isn't just about how it looks, though, but the fact that it'll tear down and replace the existing Yarra Building and also displace the Koorie Heritage Trust in the process. Contentiously, it'll also see public land sold off to a commercial retailer. At present, the temporary heritage protection, which is in place until December 21, prevents any work on the new Apple store from commencing — and any work on another big change taking place in the vicinity, the Metro Tunnel. Fed Square's visitor centre is set to be demolished to build an entry to the tunnel, with work due to begin imminently. To proceed according to schedule, contractor Cross Yarra Partnership will need to apply for a permit or exemption to go ahead — something it has already done, according to The Age. The Heritage Council of Victoria is scheduled to make its final decision regarding Federation Square's heritage status on December 18, 2018. Until then, the square is still covered by its temporary protection. Image: Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria
Melbourne's sunny season is in full swing — and, if you like celebrating warm weather, adorable animation and mini golf all at once, the part-tee is taking over Federation Square. Everyone's favourite Pixar characters are popping up in Melbourne at a putt-putt course inspired by the Disney-owned studio's loveable films. Yes, Pixar Putt is returning, with the kidult-friendly course heading to Skyline Terrace from Saturday, December 30–Monday, January 29. Designed to challenge both eight-year olds and adults, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. Flicks such as Monsters Inc, Onward, Finding Nemo, Up, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, Inside Out, Soul, Turning Red and Lightyear all get some putting love, too. Clearly, there's no need for a trip to Disneyland — and this year's course features a new holes inspired by Pixar's recent Elemental. So, if you don't think you'll beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the summer, challenge them to a match here. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday–Saturday night — and they're only for adults. Operating from 7–10pm, the late-night putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. Otherwise, head along from 10am–8pm Sunday–Wednesday — and from 10am on Thursdays as well — and be prepared to have littlies for company.
Have you heard? Legendary pop and dance icons Charli XCX, Duke Dumont, Cosmo's Midnight and Sonny Fodera are taking to the stage with other stellar artists across four stunning waterside locations for the 2023 run of For The Love. On Saturday, March 4, stars from here and abroad will be taking over Melbourne's Catani Gardens for one massive day and night of good-time vibes — with St Kilda's palm-lined amphitheatre as your backdrop, you'll be dancing to hits and sending out your summer on a high. The 2023 lineup is stacked. The team at Untitled Group — the same minds behind Beyond the Valley and Pitch Music & Arts — have gathered an incredibly strong list of acts to keep the energy high while FTL delivers its signature elevated experience (complete with stand-out fashion and lifestyle elements). Expect Snakehips, Budjerah and KYE, as well as Sumner and Jade Zoe, to make appearances. And while you can experience all of this as a regular punter, For The Love's VIP tickets make it that much better. Enjoy a private bar (avoiding longer lines elsewhere — huge win), upgraded amenities and access to the coveted VIP deck (for uninterrupted views of the stage) and the double-storey VIP fashion lounge (where you'll mingle with FTL's fun-loving ambassadors and social personalities). Is is, by far, the best way to experience this red-hot lineup, which is why Concrete Playground Trips has teamed up with For The Love to create an epic VIP travel package. First off, we're putting guests up in the Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne for two nights — just a short drive from the For The Love venue. In each room? Grey Goose Vodka Essences (to start your pre-drinking the right way) and Tend-2 Hangover Relief (the 100% organic pills that will save you a bit of pain the next day). The much-anticipated event is an exceptional way to send off summer — set your reminders now, legends. The VIP For The Love Melbourne package is exclusive to Concrete Playground Trips. To book your curated experience, head to the website. Top image: Cait Miers
The largest-ever showcase of living Australian artists will casually drop by Ballarat this spring, with the inaugural Biennale of Australian Art (BOAA) in town from September 21 until November 6. It's big news for the small city, with the six-week event set to be a major drawcard for the Central Highlands region of Victoria. There'll be 150 artists coming from all reaches of Australia, making up 65 curated solo exhibitions, as the Biennale aims to have equal representation of artists from every state and territory. Taking place in over 14 different venues across Ballarat, its art points will certainly be amped up several notches by the array of visual arts and live music set to take over the town. With the event boasting a strong focus on Indigenous talent, art from the Numina sisters, Abdul Abdullah, Kim Anderson, David Jensz and Peggy Griffiths will be on display, among work from over a hundred others. Music-wise, the BOAA Band Wagon will be doing the rounds: a specially built music truck that'll provide the sound staging for the event's outdoor gigs at Lake Wendouree and St Andrews Grounds, as well as concerts held at Ballarat's other music venues. In special events, there'll be a living sculpture fashion parade, an evening program called BOAA Dark and a lake sculpture walk, which turns Lake Wendouree into an outdoor gallery featuring 26 sculptures. Free mini buses, bikes and rickshaws will transport attendees around the art path, pausing at pit stops providing food and local beers and wines for your hungry, thirsty and very well-arted selves. With the Biennale expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors, Ballarat looks set to be a pretty busy little place over the six weeks. Two-day or six-week (festival) passes are available at $25 and $100 respectively, so start planning your road trips. The Biennale of Australian Art runs from September 21 until November 6 in Ballarat. For more information, visit the BOAA website.
She might be one of the grand old dames of Brunswick Street, but The Provincial Hotel is certainly keeping things fresh this spring, opening up her doors to a brand new rooftop bar. Launching Friday, September 15, the sky-high space looks set to be hot property as Melbourne's weather starts playing ball, with vintage patio furniture and shabby chic styling mingling to create an al fresco hangout as relaxed as the suburb it calls home. The drinks offering hits all the right notes. Think easygoing, with just enough attitude, starring signature cocktails like the fruity 'You're Punching, Mate' and a new-school riff on the classic Pina Colada. They're backed by a fuss-free, ten-strong tap beer rotation and a globe-spanning wine list that's got a little something for everyone. Meanwhile, the food situation is a hands-on affair that'll see you getting stuck into burgers like The Fitzy (laced with cheese Doritos) and The Sticky Smith Street (featuring a combo of battered sausage, sticky pork and pickles). In an extra win for the wallet, you'll find a whole range of $10 burgers on offer from 4-7pm each Friday. Visit the Northside's newest rooftop bar at The Provincial Hotel, 299 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. For more information check them out on Facebook.
The merits of her ethics and her music are subjective, but the amount of power Amanda Palmer wields in the music industry is conclusive. Even those who found it most difficult to stomach her Kickstarter campaign would probably have little trouble swallowing her claims about the current state of the music business and the appropriateness of asking fans for financial aid, which she recently compiled into one persuasive TED talk titled 'The Art of Asking'. But Amanda Palmer isn't the only industry luminary with a penchant for both lyrics and discourse. Here are nine other thought-provoking, though slightly less controversial, TED talks by famous musicians. 1. AMANDA PALMER: THE ART OF ASKING Start googling 'Amanda Palmer Kickstarter' and it's not long before you're prompted to search 'Amanda Palmer Kickstarter shitstorm'. When the musician took to crowdsourcing last year to raise money for her solo album, people wasted no time in branding her as selfish. 'The Art of Asking' is Palmer's side of the story and raises some interesting points about the difference between 'asking' and 'making' fans pay for music. Palmer is master of the anecdote, and one of the most memorable here is the guy who gave her $10 after a show because he had burned her CD off a friend. 2. DAVID BYRNE: HOW ARCHITECTURE HELPED MUSIC EVOLVE Artists have always had a grand old time of blaming sound systems for poor performance, but the irrepressible David Byrne puts forth quite a different argument for the venue shaping the music. For examples he turns to everything from bird calls and African drumming to Mozart and iconic New York punk venue CBGB — even tying in voting — and by the end of it you're convinced that we make nearly everything with a specific venue or context in mind. 3. BENJAMIN ZANDER: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF CLASSICAL MUSIC In a TED talk that could equally be called 'The Transformative Power of Benjamin Zander', the magnetic conductor attempts to make every listener realise his or her untapped love for classical music. And after 20 minutes of interesting facts interspersed with heart-melting anecdotes and piano playing that you just don't want to stop, you're pretty sure he's succeeded. 4. ITAY TALGAM: LEAD LIKE THE GREAT CONDUCTORS Conductor of both music and business Itay Talgam leads a talk on how to create harmony without saying a word. He explores the unique styles of six 20th-century conductors and shows what we can learn from each, and in doing so makes some compelling points about control: how to retain it, when to loosen it and how not to lose it. 5. TOD MACHOVER AND DAN ELLSEY PLAY NEW MUSIC Tod Machover of MIT's Media Lab often incorporates new technologies into his works as part of his commitment to bringing musical expression to everyone. Here he presents a talk with Dan Ellsey, a composer with cerebral palsy, to demonstrate how a piece of software called Hyperscore allows people to write music by humming or wielding a mouse. It's a beautiful testimony to music's powers of healing and communication and also features some epic Guitar Hero battles. 6. ANNIE LENNOX: WHY I AM AN HIV/AIDS ACTIVIST Annie Lennox is the founder of SING, a voice for women and children living with AIDS/HIV that raises money to prevent the spread of the disease and support those currently living with it. In this TED talk she shares some of the experiences that inspired her to raise awareness of the AIDs/HIV crisis and explains the meaning behind the 'HIV Positive' T-shirt that sent the rumour mill spinning when she wore it on American Idol three years ago. 7. EMMANUEL JAL: THE MUSIC OF A WAR CHILD "When the rest of the children were learning how to read and write / I was learning how fight". Here Emmanuel Jal reveals the incredible story about his journey from child soldier in the Sudan to world recognised hip hop star and humanitarian. He bounces between speech and lyrics in broadcasting his message about the power, both spiritual and intellectual, of music. 8. ROBERT GUPTA: MUSIC IS MEDICINE, MUSIC IS SANITY Robert Gupta had just completed his undergrate and was studying Parkinson's disease at Harvard when he came to a crossroads at his life, caught between choosing to continue studying neuroscience or to pursue his other love — the violin. He chose the violin, but when a violinist friends suffering from schizophrenia ended up living on the street, he found musical therapy can be a powerful medical instrument itself. 9. EVELYN GLENNIE: HOW TO TRULY LISTEN In this illustration of how listening to music involves more than letting sound waves hit your eardrums, award-winning deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie makes the argument that listening to music is about being aware of how your whole body takes in and reacts to sound. A decade after this talk was filmed, in the light of Spotify, Rdio, SoundCloud and iTunes, her points about the difference between hearing and listening are more relevant than ever. 10. ADAM SADOWSKY ENGINEERS A VIRAL MUSIC VIDEO The reason Adam Sadowsky doesn't look like a member of an alternative rock band is because he isn't, but he is the guy behind the amazing video for OK Go's 2010 single 'This Too Shall Pass', which has been watched almost 40 million times on YouTube. The video is 3 minutes and 54 seconds of Rube Goldberg machine action, painstakingly constructed by smashing two pianos and four televisions and making over 100 trips to Home Depot. There are no magic tricks involved, but the physics will blow your mind.
So, you've binged on The Jinx and Making a Murderer, and now you need another outlet for your factual film and television fix. Well, we predict you're about to get excited about the newest addition to Australia's film festival circuit: Hot Docs. Hot Docs isn't just your small-scale local documentary festival. Screening more than 200 films, it's North America’s largest doco-focused showcase, and has been running for 23 years. Given that it's also known as the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it is limited to the borders of the nation in its name; however, when it makes the leap to Australia in June this year, that'll no longer be the case. Thanks to the folks at Palace Cinemas — including the artistic director of the Australian offshoot, Richard Moore — this brand new doco onslaught will be shown on Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra screens this June and July. Indeed, Palace just keeps building their annual calendar of events, with this revelation following the announcement of a new festival dedicated to American independent cinema, which will kick off in May. The move is certainly timely, and is just the latest link between the festival's main Toronto base and our sunny shores. This year, the Canadian run has selected Australia as its special country of focus. And for its Aussie debut, it will screen a curated selection of festival hits and audience favourites, spanning premieres of both local and international content. Hot Docs will screen at Sydney's Chauvel Cinema from June 21 to July 3, Melbourne's Palace Westgarth from June 14 to 26, and Canberra's Palace Electric from June 15 to 26. For more information, keep an eye on the Palace Cinemas website and Hot Docs Oz Facebook page.
