No one ever needs an excuse to escape their daily routines with a stint of mini golf, ten-pin bowling or sleuthing through a challenge room, but on Tuesday, September 5, Funlab's venues are giving you a mighty great reason to anyway. That's when the company's Day of Fun rolls around for 2023, and lets you get putting, rolling and puzzle-solving for $5 a pop — all to help Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation. All day at 44 venues Australia-wide, including in Melbourne, Funlab will donate all of its proceeds to the charity, which provides early-intervention mental health services to 12–25 year olds across Australia. So, you'll be aiding your own headspace — tap, tap, tapping your way around an indoor mini golf course will do that, for instance — and also showing some love to a great cause. Funlab's Melbourne sites include multiple Holey Moley and Strike Bowling joints, plus Chadstone's Hijinx Hotel and Archie Brothers and B .Lucky in Melbourne Central — and the $5 deal covers bowling, darts, laser tag, an hour of games and nine holes of golf (all at $5 per activity). Booking in advance is recommended, but Archie Brothers and B. Lucky are doing walk-ins only. Obviously, if you'd like to add a few drinks — these venues serve plenty — that'll cost you extra. [caption id="attachment_681171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption]
Festival FOMO is real, and festival sideshows are one solution: the gigs you go to when you're not going to the main gig. Can't make it to Adelaide for two music-filled October days at Harvest Rock II? Loving the South Australia-only fest's lineup? Some of the event's highlights have announced dates along Australia's east coast — and one of them is Sparks. The iconic duo, aka brothers Ron and Russell Mael, will draw upon a whopping 57 years of making ridiculously catchy and smartly funny tunes on their first tour of Australia since 2001. In Melbourne, they'll be unleashing highlights from their enormous back catalogue at the Palais Theatre. Thanks to 2021's double of Edgar Wright-directed documentary The Sparks Brothers and Cannes Film Festival opener Annette, the Maels have been everywhere of late — and, when that includes the Victorian capital on Thursday, October 26, they'll be busting out tracks like 'The Number One Song in Heaven', 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us' and latest single 'The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte'. In a glorious move, Sparks have been beginning their recent sets with 'So May We Start' from Annette, too, which won them the Best Composer award at Cannes.
It's time to bust out those picnic rugs because The Peninsula Picnic is returning for its annual celebration of food, wine and good times. Taking over the Mornington Racecourse on Saturday, March 25, this year's lineup promises to be as impressive as ever, showcasing the region's finest epicurean delights alongside a jam-packed musical offering. Showing off their goods on the day — and ensuring bellies and wine glasses stay happily full — will be a hand-picked selection of local producers and eateries. Expect offerings from renowned wineries like Paringa Estate, Montalto and T'Gallant, and dining hotspots like Red Gum BBQ, DOC Mornington and Lorida Greek Taverna. There'll also be boozy delights from the likes of Bass & Flinders Distillery, St Andrews Beach Brewery and Jimmy Rum, with market stalls and tastings galore. Topping it all off, The Peninsula Picnic has landed a cracking lineup of live tunes, headlined by none other than The Temper Trap. The indie-rockers will be joined by award-winning music star Josh Pyke, Mackay singer-songwriter legend Tia Gostelow, all-female mariachi band Queen of Hearts and emerging local songwriter Tahls.
"Movies are dreams that you never forget," says Mitzi Fabelman (Michelle Williams, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) early in Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans. Have truer words ever been spoken in any of the director's 33 flicks? Uttered to her eight-year-old son Sammy (feature debutant Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord), Mitzi's statement lingers, providing the film's beating heart even when the coming-of-age tale it spins isn't always idyllic. Individual pictures can come and go, of course. Only some — including on America's most populist filmmaker's own resume, packed as it is with Jaws, Indiana Jones, E.T., Jurassic Park, West Side Story and the like — truly stand the test of time. But as Mitzi understands, and imparts to her on-screen Spielberg boyhood surrogate, movies as an art form are a dream that keeps beaming in our heads. We return to theatres again and again for more. We glue our eyes to films at home, too. We lap up the worlds they visit, stories they relay and fantasies they incite, and we eagerly add our own. To everyone that's ever stared at the silver screen in awe and wonder, The Fabelmans pays tribute far more than it basks in the glow of its director. Because everyone is crafting cinematic autobiographies of sorts of late, Spielberg adds this tender yet clear-eyed look at his childhood to a growing list of similarly self-reflective flicks; however, he's as fascinated with cinema as a dream-sparking and -making force as is he with fictionalising and mythologising his own beginnings. Slot The Fabelmans in alongside James Gray's Armageddon Time, Kenneth Branagh's Belfast, Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza and Alejandro González Iñárritu's Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths from the past year or so, then, and easily. Don't consider it merely Spielberg jumping on a trend, though. This is a sincere, perceptive and potent movie about how movies act as a mirror — and a vividly shot and engagingly performed one, complete with a pitch-perfect late cameo that's pure cinephile heaven — whether we're watching or creating them. First comes the viewing, as it does with us all no matter if we end up picking up a camera. While The Fabelmans charts Sammy's film fixation as it quickly expands from devouring celluloid dreams to fashioning them — giving Spielberg's career an origin story, clearly — that initial dalliance with the big screen in the 1950s couldn't be more pivotal. Heading to catch Cecil B DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth with Mitzi and dad Burt (Paul Dano, The Batman), the boy is anxious. And, when his debut experience with cinema involves witnessing a train crash in the movie, he's haunted afterwards. The Fabelmans makes that obsession the source of nightmares as well as inspiration, but once Sammy begins working through and rewriting his feelings by restaging the scene using a model train set, plus capturing it on Burt's Super-8 camera, the latter wins out. Both before and after Sammy hits his teen years (where he's played by The Predator's Gabriel LaBelle), The Fabelmans adores staging the wannabe filmmaker's DIY shoots. The horror of the dentist, mummies wrapped in toilet paper, westerns, war flicks: enlisting his sisters Natalie (Sweet Magnolias' Alina Brace as a kid, then Hunters' Keeley Karsten) and Reggie (Pivoting's Birdie Borria, then Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's Julia Butters), and his Boy Scout troupe, he's constantly filtering what he spies in darkened rooms into his enthusiastic work. There's a touch of Be Kind Rewind to these moments, joyously, but Spielberg highlights technique, too, such as Sammy's genius idea to make gunfights look more realistic. Cinema isn't just about storytelling, he reminds, but also science — even if career-minded computer engineer Burt can't see past the art, disapprovingly and to Mitzi's dismay, to the technique behind dolly tracks, camera angles that convey meaning and careful editing. Every filmmaker wants their audience to forget they're watching a movie, getting so immersed that everything else fades from mind while the projector whirls, but Spielberg loves the dream as well as the method behind it. He highlights the push and pull between the two into The Fabelmans from the outset, from the instant that the young Sammy stands in the middle of the frame outside the cinema, putting his creative, emotive, ex-concert pianist mum on one side and his analytical, data-driven, workaholic dad on the other. That's a gorgeous and intelligent touch, benefiting from luminous lensing by Janusz Kamiński, Spielberg's regular cinematographer. As built into the screenplay co-penned with fellow returning collaborator Tony Kushner — the helmer's first script since 2001's A.I. Artificial Intelligence — it also speaks to the family chaos that keeps thrusting Sammy and the Fabelmans in an array of directions. This movie isn't called Sammy, after all. Filmmaking is a communal experience — again whether you're enjoying the end result or toiling for it — and Sammy's pursuit of it doesn't occur in a vacuum. That maiden cinema visit wouldn't have happened without his mother and father. His response to it, right through to wanting to make the pictures his career, couldn't have either. Just like the nocturnal kind, cinema's reveries flow from an everyday reality, with The Fabelmans deeply invested in Sammy's. That spans hopping around the US following Burt's work, from New Jersey to Phoenix and then California; Mitzi and Burt's fragile chalk-and-cheese pairing, plus her obvious fondness for his best friend Bennie (Seth Rogen, Pam & Tommy); fitting in as a Jewish family amid antisemitism; words of wisdom from a long-lost uncle (Judd Hirsch, The Goldbergs) with a Hollywood background; high-school romances, bullying and other dramas; and sibling rivalries and complicated parent-child bonds. As a memoir, The Fabelmans isn't nostalgic about anything except cinema's undying allure — crucially so for the film's performances. Spielberg's mother was a pianist. His dad was an engineer. They moved to same spots seen in the movie, and their relationship didn't survive the director's childhood. Every choice in The Fabelmans is warm, including the John Williams score, but that doesn't mean sweeping past Mitzi's unfulfilled professional and romantic desires, overlooking Burt's work focus or ignoring the restlessness simmering within the family. Embracing those complexities gives Williams, Dano and LaBelle ample fuel for thoughtful, moving and multi-layered portrayals that always feel personal. Playing your director's mum, dad or younger self isn't guaranteed to have that impact, but Spielberg's compassionate direction makes it a given. His clever, insightful, funny and oh-so-astute ending here also makes The Fabelmans unforgettable; "how would you like to meet the world's greatest director?" indeed.
In the decade since her gone-too-soon death in 2012, Whitney Houston has proven one of filmmaking's greatest loves of all. No fewer than five movies have told her tale, including documentaries Whitney: Can I Be Me and Whitney. And, that's without including a feature about her daughter Bobbi Kristina, a miniseries focused on her ex-husband Bobby Brown and dramas clearly based on her story. If she was still alive, a movie like Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody would've still reached screens at some point, though. Hollywood adores music biopics, especially lately, with Houston's latest stint in the celluloid spotlight following Elvis, Respect, The United States vs Billie Holiday, Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody in recent years alone. I Wanna Dance with Somebody even shares screenwriter Anthony McCarten with the latter — formula and inevitability combining, as is this genre's repeated refrain. All of that attention has been echoing around Houston for obvious — and patently well-documented — reasons. Her mezzo-soprano voice, which earned her the nickname "The Voice", soared to stratospheric and literally breathtaking levels. She still holds the record for the most consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, which she took from The Beatles and the Bee Gees, as her career zoomed skyward as well. Houston's list of hits is massive and varied, spanning ballads such as 'Saving All My Love For You', dancefloor-filling pop like 'How Will I Know' and the anthemic 'I'm Every Woman', to name a mere few tracks. That swift rise from New Jersey church choir member to one of the biggest bestselling music artists ever was matched by tabloid-fodder lows, however, and that tragic passing — and I Wanna Dance with Somebody charts it all. Taking its name from one of Houston's most exuberant singles isn't just a music biopic 101 move, although it's definitely that. Director Kasi Lemmons (Harriet) follows the standard Wikipedia entry-like genre template, piecing together all of the requisite details, but she wants those titular words to constantly make a statement. Houston does want to dance — one of the strengths of that 80s tune has always been how genuine it feels — with the phrase used here to reflect how Whitney (Naomi Ackie, Master of None) just wants to be herself, to be loved as such, and openly be with Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams, Black Lightning). While still dreaming of success, Whitney and Robyn meet and sparks fly, but the times, attitudes and the demands of fame don't treat their romance kindly. I Wanna Dance with Somebody doesn't shy away from their relationship, or from the disapproval of Whitney's gospel singer mother Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie, Cowboy Bebop) and stern father John (Clarke Peters, The Man Who Fell to Earth). Whitney just wants to keep her hair short and wear jeans, too, but being a young Black woman in the 80s shooting for music stardom comes with demands. I Wanna Dance with Somebody is never so simplistic to equate having to don dresses and wigs with not being able to be true to her sexuality, but it paints a picture of a woman consistently forced to put others' expectations of her first. So, after being signed to Arista Records at 19 by producer and executive Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci, The King's Man), Whitney becomes America's princess next door. I Wanna Dance with Somebody doesn't ignore her willingness to play the game, either — to perform the part she's told to if it means she'll keep rocketing higher, as a scene recreating the 'How Will I Know' music video shows — but the film's thesis is plain: made to be someone she wasn't, and stripped of the support she always wanted, this tale was unlikely to have a happy ending. Joining the list of Lady Macbeth actors going on to huge things — the other: Florence Pugh — Ackie gives a commanding, multi-layered performance as the conflicted Houston. I Wanna Dance with Somebody is more concerned with attitude and emotion than strict physical resemblance, and it works. That the film is raw, heartfelt and moving in conveying Whitney's plight, including through her criticism for being too white, tumultuous relationship with Brown, moving into cinema with The Bodyguard, battles with her dad over his management and her substance-abuse troubles, all comes down to that pivotal portrayal. Indeed, such is the power in Ackie's efforts, she's still a tour-de-force while she's lip-synching. Smartly, Lemmons uses Houston's own vocals. When you're making a movie about "The Voice", you need to let your audience hear said voice. Visibly, is Ackie singing herself — the feature just dubs in the star she's playing over the top — and, unsurprisingly, the scenes where Whitney is on a stage or behind a microphone are high among I Wanna Dance with Somebody's standouts. In a film that's impassioned, too, serving up electrifying performance recreations is a wise move. Baz Luhrmann's Elvis turned concert scenes into a dizzying, multi-sensory, like-you're-there art, helping demonstrate why its subject had such an impact — an approach Lemmons and her cinematographer Barry Ackroyd (The Old Guard) apply to expressing Houston's immense vocal talent. Among the key Whitney moments restaged: singing 'Home' during her 1983 stint on The Merv Griffin Show shortly after being signed by Davis, her slowed-down version of the American national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, busting out 'I Will Always Love You' at The Concert for a New South Africa in 1994 and her American Music Awards medley of 'I Loves You Porgy', 'And I Am Telling You' and 'I Have Nothing' that same year. Throughout the script, talk turns to breathing, challenges and the mechanics of crooning — belting out that above trio is dubbed "climbing Mount Everest without oxygen" — but seeing is believing. Spying Ackie's arms outstretched, spreading far and wide as Houston reaches for those high notes, is a potent and understandably repeated sight. Still, unlike the singer at its centre, I Wanna Dance with Somebody is content with staying in expected territory. That makes for a rousing yet routine addition to the music biopic canon — and, because Lemmons and McCarten are committed to covering as much as possible, a rushed one as well despite its 146-minute running time. As proves the case of many famous figures who earn dramatisations of their lives, there's so much to include here that multiple movies could've easily eventuated. Again, plenty of other films about Houston have already. This jam-packed on-screen dance wants to have it all and show where Houston's broken heart went, but it doesn't burn deep enough to last.
If you've been looking for an excuse to hit the slopes this winter, the annual Transfer Banked Slalom is returning to Thredbo on Friday, August 12. Now in its eighth year, the event invites snowboarders of all ages and skill levels to compete in the race located at Thredbo's Playground Area below the chairlift. Entrants can compete in a range of categories from 12 years and under through to the open men's and women's races. Or, if you're not quite confident enough to compete yourself, you can head along on the day to watch from the YETI chill zone. There will be drinks and plenty of talent displayed on the day with some big names competing in the open categories including Olympians Tess Coady, Scotty James, Valentino Guseli, Jarryd Hughes and Josie Baff. As with all good days at Thredbo, there will also be an afterparty at the Merritts Mountain House Deck. All competitors are invited to celebrate after their ride down the mountain with Adelaide brewery Pirate Life adding to the festivities with beers and live music. Passes to compete in the event are $89 and must be accompanied by a lift pass which competitors can get a discount on.
Who says Australian winters can't be romantic? The Yarra Valley will see a majestic winter market, bringing that European Christmas feel on Saturday, July 8. The Fireside Winter Twilight Market will showcase local food from the region's finest producers, all coming together at the historic Yarra Valley Railway in Healesville. Soak in the rustic ambience of an Aussie-style winter wonderland, complete with toasty fire pits to keep you warm. The Market will be an 18+ event, so leave the kids at home and reignite that romantic spark. Sample the flavours of Yarra Valley with some tasty winter treats that you can wash down with a selection of local wines, beers, and ciders. Sip and savour from names like Balgownie Estate, St Huberts, Rob Dolan Wines and more. Don't miss out on this enchanting evening, tickets are available now for $45 which includes a Bettercup to take home, wine tastings, and a glass of wine, beer, or cider — a bargain. You can buy as much additional food and drinks as your heart desires throughout the evening. Secure your limited ticket before Wednesday, July 5. After that, tickets will be available at the gate for $55. The Fireside Winter Twilight Market runs on Saturday, July 8 from 4–8pm. For more information and to get your tickets, visit the website.
There's no such thing as 'just a cocktail', as everyone who's fond of making and sipping them knows. Sourcing the exact right ingredients, combining them in the ideal way, perfecting your favourite recipe — ace all three stages, and you'll find yourself with a refreshing, drinkable work of art. One particular part of the above equation is especially crucial, of course. If you don't pick the right spirit to start with, your cruisy afternoon cocktail just won't taste the same. And, if you can go one better and find a standout local drop — an inventive gin or a memorable premix, for example — you'll be able to both enjoy a stellar beverage and support a homegrown distillery at the same time. When it comes to great spirits made right here in Victoria, you might already have your go-to. Or, you could be looking for ideas for your next concoction. Either way, we've teamed up with our pals at BWS to highlight five local outfits pumping out first-rate spirits you should know about. And, as well as adding them to your liquor cabinet, you can also sing their praises by voting for them to be stocked in more BWS stores across Victoria.
Slowly, Australia is starting to emerge from COVID-19 lockdown, which includes bars, pubs and venues — but life isn't back to normal just yet. That means that Isolation Trivia is still going strong and, on Saturday, June 13, going green as well. Yep, it's hosting a session dedicated to animated favourite Shrek. If you know why it really isn't easy being an ogre, you've watched the vibrant CGI animation more times than you can remember, and you've memorised the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, well, this is for you. And, as no one who has ever seen Shrek before can manage to forget, a whole lot of Smashmouth — aka 'All Star' and their version of 'I'm a Believer' — will also likely feature prominently. No bookings or registrations are required — all you need to do it hit up the event Facebook page at 6.25pm. And if you're wondering exactly which parts of the Shrek franchise you'll be quizzed on, this trivia night will focus on the 2001 movie that started it all, plus 2004's Shrek 2. So, no need to worry about Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After, Puss in Boots, or all the Shrek short films, TV shows and TV specials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwXOrWvPBPk
We love a story behind a name and Fox Maiden in Hawthorn has a nice one. Inspired by the Japanese legends of Kitsune — fox creatures that hold incredible powers of transformation and strong influence — the homegrown store takes the life-changing ability of fashion seriously. The bright and airy boutique stocks the best of the best Australian and international labels, from chic formal gowns by Lexi Clothing to statement shoes by Jeffrey Campbell. Drop in the next time you need a new LBD and you'll probably leave with more than you bargained for. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
If you like your art vibrant, multisensory and immersive, you're going to get a real kick out of The Kaleidoscopic Turn. The NGV has scoured their archives, as well as acquiring numerous new pieces, to explore contemporary trends in art which play with colour, light, sound, movement and space. From Op Art to colourfield painting, the exhibition will include large installations, kinetic sculptures, video art, paintings and works on paper. With an exhibition title like The Kaleidoscopic Turn, you can expect some pretty wild and wonderful things. The works will range from pieces from the 1960s to now, where artists have experimented with pattern, repetition, light, colour, movement and space as well as various optical and kinetic effects. While there's a large focus on contemporary Australian artists, the exhibition will feature works from international figures such as Olafur Eliasson, Bridget Riley, Martha Boto and Zilvinas Kempinas. Find your happy place somewhere over the rainbow at this free NGV exhibition.
Music lovers all over the country have been holding their breaths for the much-awaited Parklife lineup announcement. And yesterday they were able to exhale with utter excitement at the acts that are set to hit the stages around Australia in late September and early October. We have a double VIP pass to giveaway in each city that Parklife will be making an appearance. Lucky winners of the VIP tickets will not only gain access to the exclusive Garden Bar, which offers such treasures as toilets, phone chargers, massages and the chance to catch up with Parklife artists, but they'll also get free drinks and a Parklife Mixtape, and be able to skip the ever-dreaded queues. To go in the running, just head to the Concrete Playground Facebook page and leave a comment under this story telling us which artist you want to see most, and which city you want tickets for. Entries will close at noon on June 21. Parklife dates and venues:Parklife Brisbane - Saturday, September 29 at Botanic GardensParklife Sydney - Sunday, September 30 at Centennial ParkParklife Perth - Monday, October 1 at Wellington SquareParklife Melbourne - Saturday, October 6 at Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Kings DomainParklife Adelaide - Sunday, October 7 at Botanic Gardens Discounted presale tickets ($25 off in all cities except Adelaide, which is $17 off) are available from 12pm on June 21 until midnight on June 25. Head to parklife.com.au for more info.
Tavi Gevinson, the precocious pixie editrix, is finally manifesting her person on our shores. As a hugely successful teen blogger and founder of Rookie magazine, her entrepreneurial chutzpah is something of a phenomenon. Sydney Opera House Concert Hall will host Tavi's Big Big World, part of Ideas at the House, a program which presents conversations with influential personalities. She'll also be at the Melbourne Writers Festival. She's an old hand at public speaking, too, having already given a TED talk. Awash as the internet is with kids promoting their #personalbrands, it's cool to see someone so young found a publication like Rookie, a surprisingly down-to-earth and intellectual voice in the teen zine scene. Launched in 2011, it's festooned with the Tavi aesthetic, which, since her solo blogging days as a 13-year-old, has channelled '90s pop-goth and pretty pastels, movies like Ghost World and all the quirkiest developments of the fashion world. But it's Tavi's self-awareness and feminism that make her a compelling fashion commentator: never glossing over the fact that this is an industry which fetishises youth, she's all for female empowerment. We're looking forward to hearing her speak on a local stage. Book here (from July 12) to see Tavi speak at the Opera House on August 18, and here for her August 23 appearance in Melbourne.
We all have at least one mate whose avocado obsession is off the charts. After all, we've collectively chosen the tasty green fruit over the joys of home ownership, right? Well ironically, the two things have now – sort of – become one, as the world's first Avo-Condo lands at Sydney's Circular Quay. The latest edition of Things You Never Knew You Needed, this avocado-shaped tiny home has popped up in celebration of 'National Avocado Day' on July 31. The quirky, custom-built accommodation will set up shop at Campbell's Cove Lookout for just two nights, offering avo-crazed punters the chance to book a once-in-a-lifetime sleepover on Wednesday, July 31, and Thursday, August 1. Perched right on the footpath within its own white picket fence, the Avo-Condo boasts some primo real estate and top-notch views. Though the realistic avocado-styled exterior and avo-themed furnishings inside might be a little harder to ignore. Avo-Condo will be available to book exclusively through Booking.com, from 9am on Monday, July 29. Surprisingly, it's only a little more expensive than an actual serve of smashed avo, clocking in at $100 per night. Avo-Condo will reside at Campbell's Cove Lookout, 4 Circular Quay Way, The Rocks, on July 31 and August 1. Bookings will open at 9am on Monday, July 29 at booking.com.
Auckland's Clap Clap Riot have a tendency to whip up a raucous, good-vibin' crowd; the dudes can't help it. Armed with catchy-as-blazes hooks, singalong singles and loud, loud amps, the foursome are rampaging across the Tasman for a short run of Australian dates down the east coast; stopping at Melbourne's Shebeen, The Brightside in Brisbane and Sydney's FBi Social for a genuine humdinger of a mini-tour. Showcasing their second album Nobody / Everybody released in February, the foursome have moved away from the more rock-steady sound of their wildly successful debut Counting Spins (which casually debuted at #1 on the Official NZ Album Chart). Produced and mixed by Kody Nielson (The Mint Chicks / Opossom) and engineered and mastered by Olly Harmer (The Naked and Famous), their second release is peppered with handclap-worthy singalongs and '60s throwbacks; a cleaner, catchier package all round. Hitting Shebeen with applauded singles 'Everybody' and 'Cold As Ice' and brand newie 'All About The Weather', Clap Clap Riot are a surefire live shindig for your Thursday. Supported by Pretty City + Five Mile Town. https://youtube.com/watch?v=h6Yk0jyoIlY
Life might be a bittersweet symphony, as The Verve told us all back in 1997, but right now is a pretty great time to be a fan of a hugely influential late-90s teen flick that helped immortalise that very track. The movie in question is Cruel Intentions, of course, and it's about to hit the stage in Melbourne. And yes, the musical's soundtrack is filled hits from the era, including 'Bittersweet Symphony', obviously. Indeed, if that song and Placebo's 'Every You Every Me' get you thinking about Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair, then you're clearly a fan of the film. And if you were a 90s or 00s teen who watched and rewatched the 1999 classic over and over again — soaking in all those dangerous liaisons, the scheming that went with them, Joshua Jackson's blonde locks and Gellar in a decidedly non-Buffy role — then you'll probably be first in line to see Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical. The movie-to-theatre production has been unleashing its teen tumult and throwback soundtrack in America since 2015, and now it's finally heading to our shores. Its Melbourne leg will kick off on Wednesday, May 25 at the Athenaeum Theatre, and run through till Saturday, June 25. Because it's a jukebox musical, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical is also filled with a heap other tunes from that late 90s, early 00s era; think: *NYSNC's 'Bye Bye Bye', Britney Spears' 'Sometimes', No Doubt's 'Just A Girl', Jewel's 'Foolish Games', Christina Aguilera's 'Genie In A Bottle' and Sixpence None the Richer's 'Kiss Me', for starters. If you've seen the movie — the original, not the direct-to-video 2001 and 2004 sequels, one of which starred a very young Amy Adams (Dear Evan Hansen) taking over Gellar's role — then you'll know the story. Based on 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, which was also been adapted in the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons with Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer and Uma Thurman, Cruel Intentions follows step-siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. Manipulating each other's love lives is their main hobby, a pastime that levels up a few notches when Kathryn places a bet on whether Sebastian can sleep with Annette Hargrove, the headmaster's daughter at their exclusive prep school. Updated June 6.
Finally the warmer months are here, and you can make the most of the sunshine and bearable water temps by trying your hand (or feet as it were) at stand-up paddle boarding. A carry-over from ancient Polynesian times, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years as a brilliant way to sharpen that balance and exercise on the high seas – and the St Kilda shoreline provides the ideal spot to get into the swing of it in Melbourne. Plus, the sport's a whole lot easier to master than its gnarlier cousin surfing — one lesson is usually enough to have you paddling like a pro. Once you're mastered the art of stand-up paddle boarding, head to St Kilda's favourite casual bar and eatery, Pontoon. There are loads of fresh seafood plates to share and some beachside classics to choose from – absolutely perfect after spending your morning carving up the seas.
To be a character in a Luca Guadagnino film is to be ravenous. The Italian director does have a self-described Desire trilogy — I Am Love, A Bigger Splash and Call Me By Your Name — on his resume, after all. In those movies and more, he spins sensual stories about hungry hearts, minds and eyes, all while feeding his audience's very same body parts. He tells tales of protagonists bubbling with lust and yearning, craving love and acceptance, and trying to devour this fleeting thing called life while they're living it. Guadagnino hones in on the willingness to surrender to that rumbling and pining, whether pursuing a swooning, sweeping, summery romance in the first feature that put Timothée Chalamet in front of his camera, or losing oneself to twitchy, witchy dance in his Suspiria remake. Never before has he taken having an insatiable appetite to its most literal and unnerving extreme, however, but aching cannibal love story Bones and All is pure Guadagnino. Peaches filled with longing's sticky remnants are so 2017 for Guadagnino, and for now-Little Women, Don't Look Up and Dune star Chalamet. Biting into voracious romances will never get old, though. Five years after Call Me By Your Name earned them both Oscar nominations — the filmmaker for Best Picture, his lead for Best Actor — they reteam for a movie that traverses the American midwest rather than northern Italy, swaps erotic fruit for human flesh and comes loaded with an eerie undercurrent, but also dwells in similar territory. It's still the 80s, and both hope and melancholy still drift in the air. Taylor Russell (Lost in Space) drives the feature as Maren, an 18-year-old with an urge to snack on people that makes her an unpopular slumber-party guest. When she meets Chalamet's Lee, a fellow 'eater', Bones and All becomes another sublime exploration of love's all-consuming feelings — and every bit as exquisite as Guadagnino and Chalamet's last stunning collaboration. First seen newly arrived in a small Virginia town, Maren sneaks out to attend that aforementioned sleepover, which there's zero chance her strict single dad (André Holland, Passing) would've allowed her to attend. Following a swift, grisly chomp on a freshly manicured finger, it's clear why, and evident why Maren's exasperated father doesn't want to stay around in the aftermath. He moves her to Maryland first, leaving her with a cassette spouting backstory, including that her bloodthirsty tastes date back to her toddler days, and to munched-on babysitters — plus a birth certificate bearing her mother's (Chloë Sevigny, Russian Doll) name. So springs a road trip to Minnesota, searching for that estranged mum and more answers. Then, travelling through Ohio brings Maren to the creepy yet earnest Sully (a memorable Mark Rylance, The Phantom of the Open), who shares her hankerings and says he could smell her from blocks over. Next, in an Indiana supermarket, she crosses paths with Lee. Sporting confidence aplenty — "when you weigh 140 pounds wet, you gotta have a big attitude," Lee tells Maren — Chalamet makes an imprint from his first scene. Indeed, that initial moment with Russell leaves an imprint itself, too, resembling Andrea Arnold's American Honey as much of Bones and All does. Inverting the dynamic that worked so well for him in Call Me By Your Name, the internet's boyfriend isn't the thirsty newcomer. Instead, he's the seasoned hand, one half of Bones and All's dreamy but dangerous couple, and always second to Russell's astonishing work as Maren. Both actors turn in subtle, evocative and rousing performances that sting with rawness, naturalism and deeply stomached pain while soothing through their chemistry amid the gristle. As a result, whenever they're together, they're as inviting a treat as the feature serves up. Still, in yet another powerful performance, Russell repeatedly shows why her exceptional breakout turn in Waves wasn't a one-off. As Guadagnino and his now three-time screenwriter David Kajganich (A Bigger Splash, Suspiria) adapt Camille DeAngelis's award-winning 2015 novel, Russell and Chalamet also navigate a coming-of-age search for belonging — an outsider story with actual teeth, and one that isn't afraid to use them. When Maren first gets chewing, she's making a rare friend, only for her world to dissolve by being herself. After her meat-cute with Lee, then seeing his unapologetic approach needing to eat, she finally starts to feel like she fits in. Yet whether she's facing the reality of killing to feed or getting queasy over a fireside encounter with a perturbing eater (Call Me By Your Name's Michael Stuhlbarg) and someone who has willingly chosen the cannibal life (Halloween Ends director David Gordon Green), she keeps grappling with who she is. Maren yearns to connect — and does with Lee, although unsurprisingly shies away from Sully's too-keen offer of companionship — but also has to learn to deal with her appetite, the stark realities of her situation, and the line between predator and prey, none of which she can ignore. If 70s classic Badlands met teen vampire tale Let the Right One In while driving across middle America under the magic-hour sky — and with Duran Duran, Joy Division and New Order as a soundtrack — Bones and All would be on that exact road. Visually, it adores the former, as gorgeously and expressively lensed by cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan (Beginning). The atmospheric score by Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and his film-composing partner Atticus Ross (Academy Award-winners for The Social Network and Soul) has a nervy and layered feel reminiscent of the latter, however. Combining such sumptuous imagery with the affecting score might seem like a stark contrast. Mixing the feature's aesthetics with the narrative's innate horrors, because there's no escaping the gruesome subject matter, blood and all, might appear the same, in fact. But Bones and All's pieces always swirl together in a vivid, affecting, like-you're-there fashion. That's another Guadagnino trademark, as seen most recently in his teens-in-Italy series We Are Who We Are. Bones and All's precise premise hardly matches anyone's lived experience but, even with the film rippling with a tense and disquieting air that never subsides at its headiest and most lyrical of moments — yes, a movie can be tender, a thriller and queasy at once — its underlying feelings couldn't be more relatable. Guadagnino and his committed cast consistently make their decisions with that in mind, tearing into the universal, unavoidable truth that to be human is to wrestle with primal needs and wants. Raw, Fresh, Yellowjackets and The Neon Demon have all sunk their gnashers into cannibalism on-screen in recent years, and well, but Bones and All proves the kind of picture that truly makes you understand the term haunting. Intense, impassioned, frantic and fragile all at once — because teenage love always is, and life in general — it's a flick so rich, lingering and piercing in its emotions, characters and ideas that it gnaws on you after viewing.
Celebrated American concept artist Joseph Kosuth heads to our shores this year as one of the featured artists for Melbourne Festival 2017. After emerging during the 1960s, Kosuth has been examining the nature of art with large-scale installations and text-based neon artworks for more than 50 years. Interested in the ideas behind art itself, Kosuth's work is held in virtually every major gallery in the world and has created site-specific installations for Musée du Louvre, The Hague and presented work at four editions of the Venice Biennale. Taking place at Anna Schwartz Gallery, A Short History of My Thought continues Kosuth's lifelong investigation of art's ability to provide insights into questions of existence, and how we art can better help understand how meaning is constructed and interpreted in our lives. Joseph Kosuth: A Short History of My Thought is on display now as part of Melbourne Festival 2017, showing until Saturday, November 25. Image: Neon, Joseph Kosuth (1965), white neon mounted directly on the wall, 12x40cm.
If you're of an age when you can remember burning your friend's So Fresh CD so you could stay up to date with the coolest songs of the season, congrats. You're old now. But also, congrats, because you will seriously enjoy this So Fresh shindig. The old-school get-together to end all old-school get-togethers is coming to Welcome to Thornbury on Saturday, November 23, and it'll be playing bangers strictly of the 2000s vintage. You can expect a disturbing percentage of Channel 10 alums (Australian Idol winners/losers and ex-Neighbours actors) as well as way too much Nickelback for polite company. Also, just throwing this out there: we're desperately hoping for a timely comeback of the Duff sisters duet 'Our Lips Are Sealed'. This time around, the retro tunes will come with plenty of party fun, with a ball pit, jumping castle, fireworks and face-painting, plus free fairy floss and lollipops. Entry starts from $15 for first release tickets, and of course it's obviously 18 and over — because if you're under 18 you definitely don't know what So Fresh is. Or CDs, probably.
Get ready, folk-rock fans, for a little something to spice up your musical repertoire from Okkervil River. The Texan-indie rockers have released their seventh full-length studio album, and you could hear it live this summer when they make their sixth tour of Australia. A nostalgic ode to the days of his New Hampshire-spent youth, The Silver Gymnasium is the autobiographical creation of frontman Will Sheff. Since the band members grew up in the 1980s, it's only fitting that the album stays true to the times with lots of pop influences. You probably wouldn't think of '80s pop and southwestern folk rock as a match, but Okkervil River makes it seem completely natural. Tracks like 'Stay Young' and 'Deep Down the Deep River' could be soundtrack-worthy of cult classics like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles with their catchy tunes and reflective lyrics. You'll find yourself humming along, fondly (or not so) reminded of the glory days of your high school years.
Australian cinephiles are well and truly accustomed to seeing the rest of the world via the big screen but, after the past year, 2021's Spanish Film Festival really couldn't be more welcome. And, it won't just transport movie buffs to the country that gives the annual filmic showcase its name. Twenty features from Spain are definitely on the bill, but so are nine from Latin America. That gives Melburnians plenty of movie-watching options come Thursday, April 22, when the fest kicks off its local season for this year. You'll have until Sunday, May 9 to head to The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema, tuck into some popcorn, enjoy everything from award-winning rom-coms to twisty thrillers, and pretend that you're somewhere other than your own city. Highlights include road movie Wishlist, starring Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!'s Victoria Abril; romantic comedies Rosa's Wedding and The Wedding Unplanner, because matrimony seems to be a theme; Goya Award-winner Schoolgirls, which took out the gong for Best Film; and While At War, the latest film from The Others director Alejandro Amenábar. Heroic Losers serves up a charming heist comedy starring the always engaging Ricardo Darín (Everybody Knows), while the 1950s–70s-set The Moneychanger delivers a satirical twist on crime epics. If you're only going to see one movie, though, make it Ema — not just because it stars Gael García Bernal and is directed by No, The Club, Neruda and Jackie filmmaker Pablo Larraín, but because this tale about a dancer (Mariana Di Girolamo) is a simply stunning piece of cinema. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpt6Vffhtik&feature=emb_logo
Alice Skye grew up in country Victoria outside the Grampians, which gave her all the inspiration she needed for her debut album released earlier this year to much national acclaim. With no shortage of awards — like Triple J's Unearthed National Indigenous Music Award and the First Peoples Emerging Artist Award — Alice is an artist on the rise. Playing for free for you as part of Melbourne Music Week, you can catch Alice at MPavilion in the Queen Vic Gardens on a Sunday afternoon.
Hearing Gurrumul perform live is one of those haunting yet rejuvenating experiences that will last with you for days. His surreal melodies and powerful voice have captivated audiences for years, and this one-off show at Sidney Myer Music Bowl is sure to show off all his highly-acclaimed talents. From his time with Yothu Yindi right up to his most recent album, Rrakala, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has pioneered a unique style of indigenous Australian storytelling, and his solo work — all sung in his native Yolngu — is always heavy with the burdens of his people and his land. His performance at the Melbourne Festival is the first in a three-year series, and this year he will be accompanied by Philharmonia Australia and a filmed narration of his stories made by the musician's fellow clan members. In a surprising, but welcome move, Gurrumul will also be supported by indie songstress Sarah Blasko. Though their styles are undoubtedly different, it will be interesting to see how they complement one another on the night — one Australian voice to another. Gurrumul will be performing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl as part of the Melbourne Festival on Saturday October 12. We have a double pass to give away for this one-off show. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
If you're looking for a one-stop shop for luxury homewares, you need to explore Fenton & Fenton. This store has it all – from quirky monkey lamps (that surprisingly kind of work), to comfy armchairs, sheepskin rugs and beautiful side tables. That's as well as fine art pieces, bed linen and bird light holders. You name it, and Fenton & Fenton probably stocks the best version of it. As such, things don't come cheap here. But even if you're not ready to shell out $1250 for a side table, it's still worth a visit for inspiration. The store is full of colour and pieces will have you ready to start a full home makeover ASAP. In addition to its Collingwood store, Fenton & Fenton also has an outpost in Prahran.
As fans across the globe gear up for the Arctic Monkeys' sixth album to drop later this week, the acclaimed English rockers have pushed the excitement levels even further, announcing a series of international pop-ups and film screenings to coincide with the launch. And even Australia's getting a look-in, with the local edition of the store — named after the forthcoming album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino — is popping up at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar, this Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12. According to the Arctic Monkeys' website, the TBHC pop-ups will offer a range of "unique and limited album and merchandise items", alongside screenings of the band's favourite 70s flicks. Titles include Le Cercle Rouge, Inherent Vice, The Last Waltz and Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse. The event's running at the Surry Hills theatre from 11am until 8.30pm each day, though as you can imagine, tickets to the screenings are already selling fast. Only a handful of other lucky cities will also host these Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino pop-ups: Berlin, Tokyo, Paris, New York and the band's own hometown of Sheffield. The Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino will pop up at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. Tickets to the Sydney screenings are on sale here.
With COVID-19 testing ramping up in Victoria over the past few weeks — and 161,000 administered in the last fortnight — the state is preparing to relax some coronavirus-related restrictions. At the moment, Victoria has some of the most stringent rules in Australia, but come 11.59pm tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 12, a number of limitations will be lifted. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed the state's next stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions today, Monday, May 11, following a similar announcement at the federal level on Friday. While Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled the nation's three-step plan to lift lockdown limitations between now and July before the weekend, that country-wide framework needs to be implemented at the state level individually by each state. Victoria's announcement coincides with the end of its second four-week state of emergency, which expires at midnight tonight. Victoria's first stage of relaxed restrictions, will be introduced at 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 12, and remain in place with a renewed State of Emergency until 11.59pm on Sunday, May 31. A selection of normal, everyday activities that have been off the cards since March will be permissible once again, with the following allowed: Up to five visitors in your home Outdoor gatherings of up to ten people, including leaving the house for recreational activities such as hiking, jogging, fishing and golf Weddings will be allowed to have a maximum of ten guests Funerals with up to 20 mourners indoors and 30 outdoors Religious gatherings and ceremonies will be permitted with up to 10 people Previously, Victorians were only allowed to leave their homes for one of four reasons — to obtain food and supplies, to receive medical care or provide care yourself, for exercise and to attend work or education if you cannot do so from home — but from 11.59pm tomorrow night, there'll be a fifth reason: to visit friends and family. The Premier has said that there's no limit on how far you can travel to visit friends and family or to exercise, but overnight stays are not allowed and camping, AirBnBs and hotels are still off-limits. He also said that the new rule is not an excuse to have "a rotating roster of acquaintances and associates – or your third best friend from primary school – over for a visit. This is about seeing those you need to – if you need to." The Premier also said that "while the numbers are stable, there is a real need to be cautious", and Melburnians should work at home if they can until the end of May. "If you can stay at home — you must stay at home," the Premier said. Unlike in NSW and Queensland, Victoria's cafes and restaurants are not yet allowed to reopen to dine-in customers, but the Premier is hopeful this will be allowed to in June, when they next step of eased restrictions is likely to be introduced. "As we go through this month, we'll keep reviewing the situation and our case numbers – and hopefully, we'll be able to make further announcements then," the Premier said. For more information about NSW's eased restrictions, read the Premier's press release. 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 spending all this time at home has made you realise you're a pretty poor bartender, don't despair. Just turn to the big wide web and you'll be shaking and stirring some tasty tipples in no time. Want a martini, negroni or a giant cosmopolitan? Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Ina Garten have you covered. But what about a real party starter, like the espresso martini? Well, now top-quality spirit labels Mr Black (coffee liqueur) and Belvedere (vodka) are bringing you an online class, so you can shake up an espresso martini good enough for a caffeine-craving James Bond. Kicking off at 7pm on Thursday, June 11, the Espresso Martini Masterclass will be led by some of the best in the biz. Belvedere's Australian brand ambassador, Garth Foster, and Mr Black's Martin Hudak will be teaching you how to make a mean coffee-fuelled martini in just one hour. The live-stream class will be available via Facebook or Zoom (link provided closer to the event). Don't have any Belvedere or Mr Black in your liquor cabinet? Both Shorty's Liquor and Wine.com are delivering pre-bundled kits so you don't have to subject yourself to subpar booze. Belvedere's x Mr Black's Espresso Martini Masterclass is taking place from 7–8pm on Thursday, June 11. To order the necessary booze, head to Shorty's Liquor or Wine.com.
Think you've seen it all when it comes to wedding fairs? Think again — this one's a little less about the dress and a little more suited for, well, suits. Groom Fest will unite around 40 wedding vendors from all over Australia to concentrate on those who need a snappy three-piece suit and a pocket square to top it all off — the grooms of the world. There'll be much to see in the way of men's fashion, not to mention suiting, styling and grooming advice, with a barber setting up shop to do live hairstyling demonstrations. Presenter and wedding celebrant Shura Taft will play MC for the day, while you wander through the stalls and get that special day sorted. To help you sail even closer to being your smoothest self, live panel sessions will cover everything from delivering a killer wedding speech to nailing that daunting first dance. There'll be plenty of food and drinks on offer, including gin tastings from Sydney-based distillery Archie Rose and live music performances from The White Tree Band (to help settle that band-versus-DJ argument once and for all). The event is open to all (not just grooms), so round up the troops for a two-hour wedding planning power session. All attendees will score a free goodie bag filled with items from Hunter Lab, a free Hello May magazine and the official Pocket Groom's Guide, written and produced exclusively for the event. Groom Fest will take place from 7.30–9.30pm on Tuesday, March 26 at The Toff in Town. Entry is free but RSVPs are essential — and you can add a donation to Movember at check-out if you wish. To reserve your ticket, head this way. Images: The White Tree.
Just one of the ways we see the patriarchy manifesting in modern life is in the gender information gap — only 18 percent of biographies on Wikipedia are about women and only 16 percent of the online encyclopedia's contributors identify as female. Under representation and misrepresentation can go hand in hand, which is why an intersectional feminist organisation was created to change the stats. Art + Feminism is all about teaching people of all gender identities and expressions to edit Wikipedia. Since 2014, the group has facilitated the creation of more than 58,000 articles over hundreds of worldwide edit-a-thons. You can get involved this International Women's Day at NGV International at a day dedicated to increasing the online presence of women artists and creators, with the help of the Women's Art Register, Wikimedia Australia and WikiD: women, Wikipedia and design. There'll be people on hand to help get you registered with an account and show you the ropes. Just bring your laptop down to the NGV International Great Hall from 11am–2pm on Sunday, March 8. The Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon is free to attend, but it's recommended that you book through the NGV website to secure your spot.
Every year, So Frenchy So Chic asks Melburnians a question: do you fancy prancing through a field laced with the charm of provincial France, but without needing to book a flight? If your answer is yes, which it should be, then you'll be pleased to know that that exact setup is just casual summer weekendery when the fest rolls in each January. The ever-popular French celebration will bring the can-can back to Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion. The date: Sunday, January 14. For newcomers, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties, including (but not limited to) gourmet picnic hampers, très bon crepes and steak frites sandwiches, and supremely good wine — all set to a blissed-out French soundtrack. So Frenchy So Chic hinges on an eclectic lineup of artists, both taking cues from the classic sonic stylings of France and showcasing top-notch French talent. On the 2024 bill: La Femme, Marlon Magnée and Sacha Got's psych-punk rock group; Kill The Pain, aka Australian singer and songwriter Phoebe Killdeer with French vocalist Mélanie Pain; Laure Briard, fresh from releasing album Ne pas trop rester bleue; and the Serge Gainsbourg- and Angus and Julia Stone-loving Malo'. As always, the wine and food will flow just as easily as the tunes, headlined by an abundance of bubbly courtesy of Champagne Lanson, one of France's oldest champagne houses and a So Frenchy So Chic favourite. Expect oysters, croque monsieurs, duck liver parfait, mussels, chocolate eclairs, macarons and cheese upon cheese. Of course, there'll be plenty of French beer, cocktails, and rosé, red and white wines, too, no matter what you choose to snack on throughout the day. For groups of ten, this year's festival also includes a $199-per-person option that gets you your own prime spot with low-seated wooden tables decorated with flowers, rugs and cushions to make things comfy, two bottles of champers, a shady umbrella, and two charcuterie hampers and two cheese hampers. If you've got kids, you'll be happy to know that the whole thing is very family-friendly, with children's tickets starting from $25 (and entry free for kids under 12). Images: Liz Sunshine / Simon Schiff.
When Memoria begins, it echoes with a thud that's not only booming and instantly arresting — a clamour that'd make anyone stop and listen — but is also deeply haunting. It arrives with a noise that, if the movie's opening scene was a viral clip rather than part of Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul's spectacular Cannes Jury Prize-winning feature, it'd be tweeted around with a familiar message: sound on. The racket wakes up Jessica Holland (Tilda Swinton, The Souvenir: Part II) in the night, and it's soon all that she can think about; like character, like film. It's a din that she later describes as "a big ball of concrete that falls into a metal well which is surrounded by seawater"; however, that doesn't help her work out what it is, where it's coming from or why it's reverberating. The other question that starts to brood: is she the only one who can hear it? So springs a feature that's all about listening, and truly understands that while movies are innately visual — they're moving pictures, hence the term — no one should forget the audio that's gone with it for nearly a century now. Watching Weerasethakul's work has always engaged the ears intently, with the writer/director behind the Palme d'Or-winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives and just-as-lyrical Cemetery of Splendour crafting cinema that genuinely values all that the filmic format can offer. Enjoying Memoria intuitively serves up a reminder of how crucial sound can be to the big-screen experience, emphasising the cavernous chasm between pictures that live and breathe that truth and those that could simply be pictures. Of course, feasting on Weerasethakul's films has also always been about appreciating not only cinema in all its wonders, but as an inimitable art form. Like the noise that lingers in his protagonist's brain here, his movies aren't easily forgotten. With Weerasethakul behind the lens and Swinton on-screen, Memoria is a match made in cinephile heaven — even before it starts obsessing over sound and having its audience do the same. He helms movies like no one else, she's an acting force of nature, and their pairing is film catnip. He also makes his English-language debut, as well as his first feature outside of Thailand, while she brings the serenity and magnetism that only she can, turning in a far more understated turn than seen in the recent likes of The French Dispatch and The Personal History of David Copperfield. Yes, Weerasethakul and Swinton prove a beautiful duo. Weerasethakul makes contemplative, meditative, visually poetic movies, after all, and Swinton's face screams with all those traits. They're both devastatingly precise in what they do, too, and also delightfully expressive. And, they each force you to pay the utmost attention to their every single choice as well. As Jessica, Swinton plays a British expat in Colombia — an orchidologist born in Scotland, residing in Medellín and staying in Bogota when she hears that very specific din. After explaining it in exquisite detail to sound engineer Hernán (Juan Pablo Urrego, My Father), he tries to recreate the noise for her, but only she seems to know exactly what it sounds like. At the same time, Jessica's sister Karen (debutant Agnes Brekke) is in hospital with a strange ailment. Also, there's word of a curse that's linked to a tunnel being built over a burial ground, and Jessica consults with an archaeologist (Jeanne Balibar, Les Misérables) before heading from the city to the country. Grief echoes as strongly through Jessica's life as the bang she can't shake, and she wanders like someone in a dreamy daze, whether she's roaming around an art gallery or crossing paths with a rural fisherman also called Hernán (Elkin Díaz, Besieged). No plot description can ever do Weerasethakul's films justice, and Memoria doesn't even consider tying its various threads in an obvious way. Rather, it invites viewers to unlock its puzzles by soaking in every patient 35-millimetre shot and exacting sound, and it's a mesmerising cinematic experience. Part of the film's hypnotic thrall stems from the connections gleaned, too, especially for the filmmaker's fans. Sleep, one of his favourite topics, is inescapable. Spying the hospital-set scenes and not thinking of Cemetery of Splendour is impossible. In the movie's latter sections, when it revels in the Colombian countryside, it's just as difficult not to recall Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. And there is indeed another past that's being conjured up here, separate from Weerasethakul's cinematic background (plus the fact that Memoria's lead is named after 1943 voodoo horror I Walked with a Zombie): that of its setting, its history of violence and the shadow that remains today. How the past, present and future bleed into each other — or drip like water falling into a well, then pool together — sits at the heart of Memoria. That too isn't new for Weerasethakul, but he can't be accused of repeating himself. He also ponders what sticks and fades, and how and why. Witnessing its two Hernán sequences, both of which are sublime in their own fashions, cements this train of thought. In the first, the young audio engineer searches his database of movie sound effects, trying to locate something universal to match a noise that's clearly so personal to Jessica — and observing their to and fro, absurdity included, ranks among the best scenes Weerasethakul has given cinema. In the second, which is loaded with queries about whether the two men with the shared name are one and the same or alternate versions, how life can resemble a mere reverie gets thrust to the fore amid spellbindingly vivid greenery. They aren't straightforward, but there are answers in Memoria. Better than that, there's a powerful and provocative commitment to surprising and challenging that resounds right down to the movie's final glorious reveal. We catalogue and contemplate the past in a plethora of ways, and shifting, shattering and distorting is a natural consequence, as Weerasethakul tells us with his intoxicating frames and soundscape. He gets stunning help from cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Suspiria, Call Me By Your Name and also plenty of Weerasethakul's work) and sound designer Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr (another of the filmmaker's veterans), because his features are always technical powerhouses — but being on Swinton's ethereal wavelength is essential. She's the audience's guide through a beguiling mystery, her director's surrogate in this quest through Colombia, and an anchor in an achievement that feels like just what the best cinema is meant to: a dream with our eyes and ears wide open. Top image: Sandro Kopp © Kick the Machine Films, Burning, Anna Sanders Films, Match Factory Productions, ZDF-Arte and Piano, 2021
Is your wardrobe overflowing with clothes that you don't wear? We've all been there, and we've all been too busy to do anything about it. Through its op shops, Australian Red Cross finds a new home for your pre-loved outfits, shoes and accessories, with proceeds going towards its charity efforts — but we all know that wanting to donate your old threads is one thing and finding the time to do it is another. That's why Australian Red Cross has once again partnered with Uber for its annual Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive. When it launched in 2018, it collected over 43,500 kilograms of clothing in that first year alone, which saw clothing items worth an estimated $800,000 donated. And you'd best take the drive part literally, as the ride-sharing service will actually drive to your house, pick up your unwanted clothes and accessories, and deliver them to Red Cross Shops. Even better: it's not only super easy to take part, but it's free as well. Melburnians just make sure you're ready between 10am–4pm on Saturday, November 19. Once you've bagged up all of your old bits and pieces (items you'd happily give your best friend, and no toys, books, furniture or electrical objects) into a bundle that weighs no more than 20 kilograms, it's all incredibly simple. Open the Uber app during that six-hour window, then find the 'package' option. After that, you need to click 'send a package', enter "Red Cross Clothing Drive" as the destination, and select one of the Red Cross Clothing Drive locations displayed An Uber driver will then stop outside your house, meaning that you just need to take your preloved goods out to their car. Voila, you've cleared out your closet and you've helped folks in need, all with the tap of a button.
It has been four years since Royal Stacks started slinging its burgers, fries and shakes in Melbourne, and you'd better believe it's celebrating that fact. To mark the occasion, the eatery is kicking back old school-style, throwing back to the 90s for a week-long party. All three of Royal Stacks' Melbourne stores will be serving up dishes at 90s prices — including a menu that nods to Eddie Murphy flick Coming to America, which actually inspired the whole chain in the first place. Sure, the movie was made in the late 80s, but we're sure you're willing to overlook that fact in the name of cheap burgs. From Tuesday, January 14–Tuesday, January 21, you can get your hands on a McDowell burger for $9.90, or a Prince Akeem mini burger with fries and a soft drink for the same price. Slurp down a Randy Watson Sexual Chocolate Milkshake — aka a triple-chocolate milkshake topped with crushed Tim Tams — for $5, and nab an ice cream cone for 30 cents, too. If you're eating with a pal, you can nab a Kicks Pack with two Single Stacks, two fries and two soft drinks for $19.90. At the Collins Street store, retro tunes will also be pumping through Royal Stacks' speakers — 90s bangers, obviously. And, the walls will be decked with 90s-themed decor, including movie posters, while staff will be sporting themed uniforms. Images: Giulia Morlando.
Irish-French singer Camille O’Sullivan left a burgeoning career as an architect after embracing the cabaret on display in Berlin and Dublin. Since then she’s won international acclaim for her singular interpretations of the songs of artists like Nick Cave, Kurt Weill, Tom Waits and Jacques Brel, drawing on the German tradition of “art song”, and the narrative music of Weimar composers. In O’Sullivan’s modern incarnation, this tradition manifests itself in radical retellings of classic songs — her rendition of Nick Cave's 'The Ship Song' is well worth a listen. On tour in Australia, for her show at the intimate Fairfax Studio at the Arts Centre O’Sullivan will be playing songs from her album Changeling, including works from Radiohead, David Bowie and Arcade Fire.
Many Melburnians are partial to a bottomless, boozy afternoon, but it's usually not the most virtuous way to spend a weekend. That's until now, thanks to the launch of The Wharf Hotel's brand-new 'cleaner' version: Guilt Free Garden Party. Grab your friends, nab a spot overlooking the Yarra River and enjoy a good Saturday afternoon session — without overindulging. For $49, you'll be sipping on free-flowing, low-sugar cocktails and enjoying nutritious (but still delicious) snacks. For drinks, there'll be cocktail jugs made with all-natural and seasonal ingredients — think tequila mixed with watermelon and basil; dark rum with spiced pineapple; vodka with mixed berries; and gin with lemon, lime and orange. Food-wise, you'll be grazing on a platter of healthy snacks. Because everything on the menu is made from naturally low sugar and low calorie foods, you won't have to worry about swaying too far from any diets or fitness goals. Even better? You can bring your fur baby along with you to enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine. The Wharf Hotel's Guilt Free Garden Party sessions kick off on Saturday, October 4 and then will run every Saturday, from 2–4pm and cost $49 per person. Bookings are essential and can be made here.
Do you know what us Melburnians can't get enough of? Little pick-me-ups to make the days a bit sunnier. It may be as small as turning a new corner on your daily walk to discover lesser-known street art in the area, or getting satisfaction from finishing off a DIY project you've had on hold. It's the little things that matter most right now. So, to help give you some ideas for your working week ahead, we've teamed up with Oporto to bring you five easy pick-me-ups to make your week a little bit better. Plus, they'll speed up the days until the weekend rolls around again. MONDAY: SEND A GREEN BABY TO YOUR FRIENDS Know a mate who's feeling a little blue? Pick them up with a present delivered right to their door. And choose one that has lasting benefits. We know of ten plant stores across the city that have the green goods to do just the trick to lift your friend's spirits — and help give them a smile every time a fresh leaf sprouts. Choose them a bestseller from Vine Boy, such as a monstera, or opt for a seasonal indoor variety from Folia House. Alternatively, Botanicah's online store has cute cacti if that's more your mate's style. It also stocks cute ceramic plant hangers, locally made pots and an assortment of accessories to throw in, too. With spring in the air, a new pop of green is just what the doctor ordered. [caption id="attachment_781727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Adnate[/caption] TUESDAY: DISCOVER A HIDDEN GEM IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD There are always under appreciated spots in every neighbourhood to uncover and explore. So why not take a new path on your walk today and discover a hidden gem in your hood? While sticking to the lockdown guidelines, of course, you could find some street art by local artists, try a new takeaway coffee place and maybe even order a new type of drink to shake things up. You could visit a new-to-you local grocer or try out a different bakery and grab some pastries and pies. Getting the blood flowing always helps the mood, too. [caption id="attachment_783396" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Kilda, Visit Victoria[/caption] WEDNESDAY: BEAT THE MIDWEEK BLUES Get over the hump that is Wednesday and beat any midweek blues that may have crept into your week by ordering Oporto's new Halloumi and Chicken Rappa. Protein, dairy and carbs. Need we say more? It has grilled halloumi side by side with grilled chicken breast fillets, crisp lettuce, slaw mix and avocado doused in creamy mayo accompanied with a tomato and capsicum relish. The best part is: this scrumptious package wrapped in a warm pita bread wrap can be ordered online and delivered to your door. Eat this feast while watching the sunset over the city (from a park near you) and if you are able to, why not meet with a friend for a socially distanced picnic (within the current guidelines, of course). [caption id="attachment_768047" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cornersmith[/caption] THURSDAY: COMPLETE THAT DIY PROJECT You know that home project you've been meaning to start since March? Maybe it's time to finally give it a good crack — or find a completely new crafty new idea to try your hand at. With spring in the air, it's a perfect time to get your hands dirty creating a veggie garden or box. The Little Veggie Patch Co has beginner seed kits, guidebooks for growing food at home and plenty of pots and planters to get your started. Jump on board the sourdough train with a sourdough starting kit from Ballarat Home Brew or Simply No Knead. Or, wow your housemates by taking an online pickling course with Cornersmith. Now's the time to start or finish something worth talking about. FRIDAY: THROW YOUR DREAM PARTY Who says that just because you can't go out (much), you can't have a party? Get out the disco ball, put on your finest or wildest outfit and throw the party of your dreams. Start by trying a new cocktail recipe to get you in the mood. Enjoy beach vibes with a coconut margarita or pretend you're in a smoky bar with a tequila old fashioned. Then, tune into an online set, such as Room 2 Radio, which will transport you into a virtual dance party with local DJs. Join in on the live chat too to mingle with the other partygoers and enjoy some solid Melbourne nightlife – just, at home. Check out Oporto's full Rappa Range here, then make tracks to your closest store — or order online. Top image: Yarra River sunset, Visit Victoria
St Kilda's lavish beach spot Captain Baxter is teaming up with French vodka distiller Grey Goose to bring a bit of the French Riviera to Melbourne's foreshore. Running from Friday, December 20 until Monday, March 9, 2020, the pop-up is the perfect way for you to embrace summer. The rooftop space will be decked out with Riviera-inspired decor, creating a chic Euro-summer vibes — think cabanas, a petanque green and picnic tables. Plus, you'll have panoramic views over St Kilda Beach, Port Phillip Bay and the city. So, be sure to head here for a sunset cocktail. Drinks-wise, you'll be sipping a range of speciality vodka cocktails. And, as Grey Goose is such a versatile spirit, you can bet the bartenders will be mixing up a range of drinks. So, whether you're into the classic vodka, lime and soda, an orange-flavoured espresso martini, a Le Grand Fizz or a zesty Pear Gimlet, the pop-up will be sure to quench your thirst. If you want to take things up a notch, round up the crew and book one of the six picnic tables which are available for bookings of eight people for $160 and include free vodka cocktails on arrival. There'll be a full calendar of events and summer parties, too. So, be sure to check Captain Baxter's website and Facebook for the latest details.
Rejoice, gin enthusiasts of Melbourne, as a series of juniper-fuelled cocktail classes is coming to town so you can take your mixology to the next level. Teaming up with German distillery Monkey 47, riverside bar Ocean 12 will host classes every Thursday from March to May on its terrace, which will be transformed into a lush forest with glowing mushrooms, wild vines and plenty of greenery. Running from 6.30–8.30pm, the classes include a free G&T on arrival, food and expert tips of the trade — all for $79. You'll be shaking and stirring cocktails, including a cucumber-infused gin martini that even a tux-wearing 007 would want to knock back, as well as other impressive tipples using Monkey 47 dry gin and Monkey 47 sloe gin. Afterwards, keep the good times going by taking advantage of the bar's happy hour from 8–10pm, where select beer, wines and spirits are a cheeky $8 while Monkey 47-based cocktails will be $12 a pop.
Who doesn't love a competitive (but still jovial) round of trivia at their local? Well, Harlow is taking things up a notch by throwing in lipstick, heels and a whole lot of dazzle with its Drag Queen Trivia Night. So, next time you feel like a more fun-fuelled quiz, make tracks to Richmond's bustling pub on a Monday. Questions kick off at 7.30pm, but you can nab a spot early and tuck into a cheeky $16 steak beforehand, which is available from 5pm onwards. We're talking 250g of porterhouse steak with chips and salad. Alternatively, if you're on more of a plant-based diet, there's a 'fake' steak option. You won't go thirsty either with happy hour from 4–7pm, where Harlow will be slinging $7 schooners, wines and basic spirits. Then, you and your crew can show off your knowledge with a touch of glitter and glamour as a Drag Queen asks the money questions. You can expect plenty of outrageous and side-splitting jokes thrown in, too. Plus, you're not (just) playing for fun, as there are prizes to be won, with beer cards, jugs and a $100 credit to be won every single Monday. To get in on all the action we recommend you book your spot ASAP, which you can do here.
If you can't make it to Meredith over the weekend, but still feel the need to boogie down, James Holden's show at The Hi-Fi is where you should direct yourself this week. The music Holden makes defies genres by mixing them together, with anything from techno to psychedelia getting thrown into the mix. He also plays many different roles in the industry, from making his own music to producing, remixing, and being his own boss at Border Community. Holden's unique brand of electronic music is as explorative as it is danceable, and it's certainly more interesting than your average all-out doof-fest. While Holden has become renowned for his impressive DJ sets, experiencing this artist performing live is sure to be an adventure. The Oxford mathematics graduate brings something new to the well-worn world of synth and, if you’re looking to go on a musical journey while lacing up those dancing shoes, look no further.
Saving your pennies is all very well when it comes to having five-minute showers, riding your bike to work, and nabbing the Manager's Specials at your local IGA, but it's a different kettle of fish when it comes to sandwiches. We here at CP take them very seriously, and budget accordingly. An $8.80 Myki full fare trip? No thanks, we'll walk. But a $28 luxe wagyu sandwich at Saint Dreux? We'll invest in that. Sometimes you realise life is short, wagyu beef sandos are delicious, and you gotta roll with the punches when it comes to spending money on tasty things. But, still, it got us thinking: what else can you eat in the city for $28? Well, it turns out, quite a lot. Cough up a lobster and some coins, and you'll find you can snag yourself 21 fried pumpkin cakes, or a dozen sushi rolls, or lots of baked cheese tarts. So, here are ten ways to get the biggest bang from you 28 bucks in Melbourne. Choose wisely. WAGYU SANDWICH, SAINT DREUX Saint Dreux, the CBD's new katsu sandwich and coffee bar, is a minimalist, white bread affair. The new offering from the Slater Street Bench crew concentrates on doing a couple of things, and doing them well: katsu sandwiches and Japanese-style castella cakes. The star of the show — and what will have you happily queuing up, or finding you've missed the boat if you got there too late — is the wagyu beef katsu sando. Medium-rare in the middle and fried on the outside, the marbled beef sando will have you forgetting all about the concept of wholemeal bread and willingly spending almost your monthly phone bill on a single lunch. [caption id="attachment_684479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Jaco[/caption] CHEESE FONDUE, SWISS CLUB RESTAURANT The Swiss Club Restaurant is one of those bastions of the Melbourne hospitality scene – founded in 1899, it has long been an epicentre for the Swiss community in Melbourne. It also serves up Swiss food, drink and entertainment on any given night of the week, including a not-for-the-fainthearted fondue. Tthe big ol' pot of cheese is made of Gruyère and Emmental cheese, melted with garlic and white wine, and served with bread and pear. You'll need to go with at least one mate and, at $26 per person, is enough to have you putting off your vague veganism plans for another year, because cheese. A ROTI FEAST, MAMAK Mamak is the indisputable home of roti in Melbourne, with its cheerful Lonsdale Street digs serving up huge, steaming plates for both lunch and dinner every day of the week. The Malaysian restaurant has a couple of branches in Sydney, too, so the roti love obviously stretches around the country: hot, buttery and flaky, it's high time to get it in your gob if you haven't already. You can get a roti canai (the OG choice, served with two curry dips and a spicy sambal), an egg roti (also a must-try) as well as a dessert roti — roti kaya, filled with pandan and coconut — for $27.50. Mamak's roti is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and filled with happiness all over. [caption id="attachment_673756" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Giulia Morlando[/caption] TWO PEZZO AND A CANNOLI, PEZZO Pezzo is an Italian pita pocket-like street food you'll eat once and want every day forever more — so don't say we didn't warn you. These little pockets of Italy are made of 48-hour fermented pizza dough, baked into bun shape, cut apart with scissors and then stuffed full of delicious Italian ingredients. Think meatballs and cheese, veal schnitz and pickles, or calamari and white sauce. Grab two savoury pezzo and a cannoli, too, all for around $28. THREE PIZZA SLICES AND A PINT, HEARTBREAKER Heartbreaker already has you sorted when it comes to spending winter nights sipping whisky and listening to tunes on their jukebox. It's the sort of dive bar you slide into, late at night, feeling like you just want to hear that one Bruce Springsteen song that reminds you of your ex — then, against your better judgement, chuck it on. Deal with the ensuing feels by grabbing a pint and a couple of slices of pizza: hole-in-the-wall Connie's Pizza runs out of the back, open late night for your carbs and comfort need. However you're feeling, you'll also be well fed and watered — you can get three slices for $18, so add a beer on and you can still be within the $28 limit. SEVEN BAO, WONDERBAO Wonderbao is a pretty apt name for this restaurant, which serves basically only bao and hot soy milk drinks. It churns out scores of wonderful little delicious steamed Chinese buns every day. White, starchy, and just the right amount of filling vs bun, Wonderbao has got its formula down pat. Standard bao go for $2.70 (try the char siu barbecue pork — the OG and perhaps the best) to $4 (filled with egg, shiitake mushroom and Chinese sausage). The more open sandwich-type, the gua bao, are priced at $5.20. You can either get a full variety pack of your choosing, mixing and matching, or just call it a day and order ten char siu BBQ pork bao for $27. Don't' worry, you'll have room: they're wonderfully light and fluffy. SEVEN CHEESE TARTS, HOKKAIDO BAKED CHEESE TART Malaysian-born chain Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart does one thing really well: unsurprisingly, baked cheese tarts. Melbourne can't get enough of these lil cheesy babies. With four locations across Melbourne, there are two in the CBD: at QV and Melbourne Central. Prepare to contend with lines but for good reason – the tiny cheese tarts, which are made with Hokkaido-style dairy products, are full of rich savoury-yet-sweet flavour, good eaten either cold or warm. While other flavours exist now such as blueberry, the original are still the place to start: at $3.90 each, you can take home seven of them for under $28 for your whole household to try, or just one for every day of your week if you don't like sharing. TWELVE SUSHI ROLLS, TOKUI SUSHI Lonsdale Street's Tokui Sushi may be the best value sushi in the CBD. And even though its infamously low prices of $2 per roll have recently risen to $2.20, there hasn't exactly been riots in the streets. It's still miles cheaper than any other sushi place around. Every single roll is the same price, so you can live your chicken teriyaki and smoked salmon dreams on a budget. You can get 12 rolls for $26.40, so really that's all you need to know about that. FOURTEEN OYSTERS, PHILIPPE Sure, oysters are generally a bit of an indulgence, but they're fairly accessible at Collins Street's Philippe. The French restaurant was opened by chef Philippe Mouchel in 2016 — and while it's not particularly light on the wallet, there are some bargains to be had. While the a la carte menu is a ritzy affair of foie gras and duck, you can also nab oysters at $2 a pop here. Available all day Monday to Friday (and from 5pm on Saturdays) in the bar, you can get 14 of the tasty sea molluscs and feel like you're living your very best life. [caption id="attachment_622463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] TWENTY-ONE FRIED PUMPKIN CAKES, SHANGHAI VILLAGE DUMPLING We've got a very fond spot for cheap and cheerful, and Shanghai Village Dumpling most certainly takes the cake for the title — well, the 21 cakes to be exact. While its large, steaming hot plates of dumplings are obviously what you'll go for, you'll find yourself staying for (perhaps surprisingly) dessert. The crispy pumpkin pastries are the stuff of deep-fried dreams; moreish and that exact cross between sweet and savoury, we're serious when we say to not fill up on fried pork dumplings before you get to these fellas. You can get three pieces for $4, so looks like it's over 20 for $28. Go on, then.
There are many activities you can do in a two-hour time slot. You could watch all six episodes of the ABC's satirical beauty blog Sarah's Channel, cook 60 packets of 2 Minute Noodles or listen to Pink Floyd's 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' 4.6 times. But we think the tastiest way to pass 120 minutes is to spend it eating endless plates of tacos. And that's exactly what you can on Friday, October 4, when Fitzroy's El Camino Cantina celebrates 'World Taco Day' with two hours of unlimited tacos for just $25 a pop. Rock up anytime after midday and you'll be able to dig into bottomless tacos topped with cajun chicken and pickled cabbage; minced beef, cheese and lettuce (it's meant to taste a little like a cheeseburger); or mushrooms and chipotle coleslaw. If you want to spend a bit more on your feast, you can also splurge on a $10 lobster or wagyu taco. To redeem the bottomless offer, you will need to purchase a drink of sorts. You can choose from one of the restaurant's five frozen margaritas, a glass of sangria, a Dos Equis or, really, anything else on the extensive drinks menu. To book your spot, head to the El Camino Cantina website.
Bid farewell to the working week at Courtyard Cantina. Every Friday evening throughout February, the Immigration Museum is hosting an after-work shindig, complete with pop-up bar, mouth-watering street food and free live entertainment. Each Cantina event runs from 5pm to 9pm and will feature a rotating mix of musical and culinary guests. Expect food from the likes of Feast of Merit, Trailer Made, Burn City Smokers and Mankoushe while Blair Stafford, CC:DISCO! and Cocoa Noire are at the mic. There'll also be a number of special presentations, ranging from a cocktail tasting with Fred Siggins of Black Pearl to a local fashion display courtesy of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. Cantina visitors will also get half price museum entry to view current exhibitions, including the Flyaway Print Exchange and Identity: yours, mine, ours. For the complete Courtyard Cantina schedule, go here.
A tense, make-your-stomach-drop drama from director Benedict Andrews, Una is not an easy watch. You'll find your skin crawling, and your legs and arms crossed, physically recoiling from the modern-day version of Lolita too realistic for comfort unfolding on screen. You might even forget all about the big crush you have on your fave Aussie dad figure Ben Mendelsohn. The effect of Una is just that jarring. The film tells the story of Una (Rooney Mara), a woman whose sudden reappearance threatens to destroy the life of Ray (Mendelsohn), a man who at first glance it seems she was once intimately involved with. But we soon pick up on the fact that "involved with" here means "sexually abused by". Una was 13 when Ray began a sexual relationship with her. Years later, she arrives at his workplace, come to confront him about the past. In brief, disjointed moments of flashback we meet Una as a child, and Ray as a younger man who becomes obsessed with his neighbour's daughter, sexually abusing her through the guise of them "being in love". Back then, it all ended in a plan to run away to Europe, a single motel bed, abandonment, and a jail sentence. Years later, Ray (now "Peter") has rebuilt his life with a new job, a new wife, a new house, and a whole new identity. Una? Not so. Still dealing with what was done to her as a child, she lives in the same house where it all happened, with a mother she's still failing to communicate with. The last time we see Una as a child, she's pleading with Ray via live video feed in a courtroom, asking him to come back, to make contact, and to tell her why he left her. The first time we meet her as an adult, she's having sex with a faceless man at a club and wandering home in the early morning, stuck in her anger and her past. The film was adapted from Blackbird, a play by David Harrower, and its origins on the stage are clear to see. Una's musings to Ray, mostly within the confines of the lunchroom at his workplace, are delivered like monologues. Mara chews up and spits out the dialogue the way her character must have practised hundreds of times in the years since her abuse. The film succeeds in what it sets out to do in part through its handling of the aspects of Una and Ray's past that, obviously, it can't actually show. A chill runs down your spine with each horrible moment left unseen; a close-up of two hands holding each other, or a long shot of a huge tree that obscures our view. Our imaginations run cold along with our blood. Mendelsohn is convincingly charismatic while bringing the requisite darkness to his role. Mara struggles a little in her attempts to pull off a British accent, but aside from that her performance is exceptional. The chemistry between the two is patently present, enough to make you shudder. Una is one of those films that you can't stop watching, no matter how much you might want to; a tense, confined study of a paedophile that dares you to look away. Is Ray rehabilitated, trying to move on from the unforgivable actions of his past? Or is he still as sick and manipulative as ever? The film, and Mendelsohn, will leave you guessing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSpZBmnamhg
For a single weekend this Spring experience the people, space, process and ideas that unfold within the private studios of the Yarra Valley art community. This year’s program includes 43 inspiring artists, and the not to be missed group exhibition at Oakridge Winery’s brand new beautifully designed restaurant and cellar door in Coldstream. Oakridge will open early for an Open Studios inspired breakfast on the weekend of the event, giving you a chance to view original artworks and plan your weekend studio visits using the YVOS guidebook or iPhone app. A secondary exhibition, 'Prelim' at The Memo in Healesville, also features a rare collection of preliminary sketches, studies, plans and visual diaries that artists use to inform their work. It’s a peak behind the curtain and a rare opportunity to find out more about the local artists not too far off from Melbourne’s front door. Find out more about the artists participating in this year's Yarra Valley Open Studios here.
The detection of gravitational waves was a watershed moment in astrophysics, with the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics awarded to the team responsible for confirming their existence. Now, their discovery provides the inspiration for an immersive multimedia experience at the Melbourne Planetarium as part of this year's Melbourne Festival. Directed by local writer, poet and broadcaster Alicia Sometimes, Particle/Wave will draw on the work of poets, musicians, scientists, and sound and video artists for a unique exploration of the forces that keep the universe spinning. Image: Andrew Watson.
A fixture in the historic mining town for over a century, the Broken Hill Musicians Club will play host to Adelaide's finest tribute act for one night only. The Flaming Sambucas have been playing around Australia — and the world — since 1991 and have a range of setlists up their sleeves, from Elton John to Lady Gaga. For this show, they'll be busting out the hits you know and love from everybody's favourite Swedish supergroup. There'll be 'Dancing Queen', there'll be wigs, there'll be costumes and — consider yourself forewarned — there will certainly be audience participation. Expect this slice of NSW outback to transform into a riot of sing-alongs and glittering disco balls. Best of all, the gig's free — you've just go to get there. For the latest info on NSW border restrictions, head here. If travelling from Queensland or Victoria, check out Queensland Health and DHHS websites, respectively.
