The same team behind Frankie Magazine is about to launch a new publication entitled Smith Journal, a kind of guy-friendly take on the concept that has worked so brilliantly for the ladies. Over the years Frankie has created its own niche in the world of magazines. its creators saw a dearth of publications lacking warmth, impeccable design and solid content, so they filled the gap and they’ve done spectacularly well off it. In the past two years Frankie has had astounding jumps in circulation, making it the fastest growing magazine in the country. And the reasons for that are many, including their clean, environmentally-friendly design, support for underground acts and emerging creatives, and their emphasis on strong content, publishing distinctive writers like Benjamin Law and Marieke Hardy. Now they’re applying the same logic to the world of gentlemen’s magazines. The idea behind the name – Smith – is that of blokes doing stuff with their hands – blacksmiths and wordsmiths and the like. Their positioning is both old fashioned and down to earth, but never attempting to be cool or exclusive. And just like Frankie doesn’t bar the boys from the clubhouse, Smith also welcomes lady readers. The difference between Smith and Frankie is that it’s going to be a wee bit bigger and a little less regular. It’ll be printed out at a not-entirely-bus-friendly edition of 140+ pages, with only two issues a year in limited release. The first issue is out September 5.
Bright lights, fame and the chance to become something special all beckon in The Neon Demon. For small-town teen and aspiring model Jesse (Elle Fanning), they're intoxicating — and to the others she meets in her quest for success, so is her innocence and youth. Still, there's a reason that, when Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn first introduces his wide-eyed protagonist, she's splattered in blood and looking not long for this world. She's posing for a photo, but it's immediately apparent that she has wandered into an oh-so-vicious realm. Refn isn't known for being the subtlest of filmmakers, as the manic intensity of Bronson and the detached violence of Only God Forgives both show. He's also a man fond of ensuring that everything audiences see and hear — every colour choice, camera angle, throbbing beat, telling line and moment of silence — is both powerful and entrancing. Combine that with his fondness for dallying with dark tales of human behaviour, and his output tends to be quite polarising. The Neon Demon certainly fits that mould. In fact, it feels like the movie he's been building towards his entire career. Take that as cause for celebration, or a word of warning, depending on how you've felt about his work so far. It's with a parade of suitably neon-saturated images — and with opening credits emblazoned with his own initials — that Refn recounts Jesse's twisted, violent fairytale excursion to Los Angeles. When she meets makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone), she's plunged deeper into an industry and a city that seems gorgeous and glamorous on the outside, yet remains shallow, false and all-consuming underneath. More experienced, older, surgically enhanced models Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee) don't quite befriend the fresh-faced wannabe, but they do take an envious interest. The competitive edge to their interactions only grows the more that the eager Jesse attracts attention. Skewering the superficiality of society's obsession with appearances is hardly new or novel. But it's not what Refn is saying in The Neon Demon that makes it so seductive. Rather, it's how he says it. In turning a stars-in-their-eyes story into a moody, psychological horror film, his scathing satirical edge is always evident. Every stylistic choice draws audiences in, then slowly reveals that they should have kept their distance. He's aided by a pulsating score from regular collaborator Cliff Martinez that's both melodic and just the slightest bit unnerving. Likewise the film's images, which could have been ripped from the front page of a fashion mag, yet retain an insidious air. Everything looks pretty, even when the movie's true nature proves otherwise. To put it simply, Refn wants to both lure people in while threatening all the while to spit them out — and he does so in eye-popping fashion, as does his entire cast. Fanning plays the seeming ingenue with pinpoint precision, and, though there's a stilted air to Aussies Heathcote and Lee, that's clearly by design. Keanu Reeves and Christina Hendricks are both memorable in small, well-used parts as a seedy landlord and a no-nonsense agent, but if there's a supporting player that the film belongs to, it's Malone. In The Neon Demon's most subtle performance, she's caught in the middle of the many extremes swirling around her, and she knows it. Viewers will relate, even if they're too busy either loving or hating Refn's latest big-screen effort to appreciate it. For the record, we're well and truly in the former camp.
From Curtin House to Abbotsford Convent to the shores of St Kilda Beach, there are few things Melburnians seem to enjoy more than catching a movie under the stars. But pop-up cinemas tend to be a summer attraction, and those days are well and truly behind us. Luckily, there's a new operation in town perfectly suited to the wintery weather. Running Thursday to Sunday for six weeks in April and May at South Wharf's Common Man, Hot Tub Cinema lets you and your mates kick back in a six person inflatable hot tub while enjoying a different retro film title every night. Among the standouts are Ghostbusters, Labyrinth, The Karate Kid, Superbad, Bad Boys, Men in Black and Evil Dead. Each screening will also include a half hour intermission for you to grab a snack or replenish your cocktail, and will be followed by an aquatic-themed after party. For the complete Hot Tub Cinema program and to book tickets, go here.
Uncut, unreleased and unseen movie footage provides fans with a unique and fascinating insight into the creative process of cinema's great artists. By taking a trip behind-the-scenes, the viewer is transported into the magical world of film, revealing the true genius of an actor's performance, a white-knuckled chase scene or a director's creative vision. Whether it be peeking into Francis Ford Coppola's famously meticulous nature or into the technical trickery that made it possible for Michael J. Fox to ride a hoverboard in Back To The Future II these astounding pieces of footage lift the veil on some of the mysteries of movie-making and demonstrate how some of the most iconic scenes in movie history became a reality. The Seven Year Itch While not all of us can claim to have seen Marilyn Munroe's 1955 rom-com about the perils of monogamous relationships, just about everyone with access to a television has seen that iconic scene where Marilyn coos and caws seductively as her dress billows around her waist. At only 17-seconds this footage of Marilyn and director Billy Munroe creating one of cinema's most iconic images is simply mesmerising. The Godfather Voted by the International Movie Database as the greatest film of all time, The Godfather is a melange of spectacular performances and sublime scriptwriting all brought together by Francis Ford Coppola's uniquely sympathetic vision of the Italian-American mafia. This collection of completed scenes, interviews with the stars and crew commentary takes us on a fascinating tour of this 1970s masterpiece. Frenzy The macabre and majestic character of Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most mysterious figures in film history. This behind-the-scenes footage from the making of his 53rd film Frenzy shows Hitchcock in his element: watching his production with keen intensity and directing his lead actress Barbara Leigh-Hunt moment-by-moment through her death scene. It is a remarkable insight into the man who more than any other has shaped the direction of modern cinema. Avatar James Cameron has created an unthinkably successful career out of pushing the technical possibilities of film and writing some of the cheesiest, most cringe-inducing dialogue ever to grace the silver screen. With his 2009 sci-fi epic Avatar, Cameron launched a 3D revolution with his green screen wizardry and original use of motion-capture technology. This B-roll footage clearly shows why Cameron is seen as the most innovative technical director working in the industry today with his giant action sequences particularly demonstrative of the immense amount of work required in post-production to create his bombastic epic. The Exorcist Often seen as the scariest film of the 20th Century, The Exorcist combined innovative production techniques, a frightening-as-all-hell soundtrack and an incredibly daring performance by child actor, Linda Blair, to bring the world this terrifying story of a young girl possessed by a demon. This eerie behind-the-scenes footage, taken by cinematographer Owen Roiza for his personal collection, is a compelling vision of the film, showing how the make-up artists were able to transform a cute 12-year old into a demonic monster and how a small country cottage was transformed into a veritable hell-on-earth. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Here is one for every pock-marked teenager who ever dreamed of owning a lightsaber: a backstage look at George Lucas' final chapter of the Star Wars trilogy (the original one, not those god-awful, cash-grabbing prequels). All the gang are here: Luke Skywalker, R2D2, Jabba the Hutt, C3PO and, of course, Princess Leia in her infamous and oft-parodied slave outfit. If you have ever wondered how Lucas was able to create those thrilling lightsaber battles and wow the world with his intricate sets of spacecrafts and flying bounty hunters then this seven minutes of grainy Super 8 footage is a perfect starting point. Back To The Future II For every kid growing up in the 1980s, Michael J. Fox riding a hoverboard was the coolest thing since flared jeans and Huey Lewis. This footage demonstrates how Steven Spielberg's sci-fi protege, Robert Zemekis was able to use skateboards, wooden props and cable suspension to transform Fox into an unlikely teen idol. Set in 2015, we still have our fingers crossed that these hoverboards will be available in your local Toys-R-Us in the years to come. The Rocky Horror Picture Show Mullets, male eyeliner and fishnet stockings abound in this behind-the-scenes look at the camp, cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Interviews with the stars, creators and writers behind this risque rock musical reveal a host of characters that are as weird and wonderful as their on-screen counterpoints. If you've ever wondered what prancing around in drag singing 'Time Walk' for three months feels like then watch out for the interview with Tim Curry, the man who made Dr. Frank-N-Furter into a household name.
Fancy a frolic in the flowers before colder weather arrives? The Ballarat Begonia Festival is just the place, with the Ballarat Botanical Gardens featuring three days of begonias, sustainability and community good vibes from March 8–10. Throughout the festival, visitors can expect a host of free activities, entertainment and educational experiences for all ages. Headlining this floral extravaganza in 2025 is The Last Numbat – a large-scale, interactive performance installation controlled by 14 people at a time. Sharing a message of connection, community and environmental awareness, this is the first time the enormous marionette will be presented on Australia's east coast. Also on the program is a who's who of environmental educators, eco-conscious chefs and award-winning gardeners. Everyone's favourite green thumb Costa Georgiadis will bring his infectious enthusiasm for sustainable gardening, while admired horticulturalist Millie Ross will share her unconventional approach to gardening. Plus, lauded local chef Liam Downes showcases his paddock-to-plate philosophy, highlighting the region's culinary delights. Beyond the main stage, a special begonia display features more than 500 rare and unique varieties, the Garden of Giggles offers free puppet and comedy shows for kids, and the gardeners' market reveals a treasure trove of plants, flowers and garden gifts. Of course, there's also a great selection of food trucks, plus refreshing drinks served from The Boronia Bar.
If you're looking to launch yourself into spring with some sweet new threads in your wardrobe, Melbourne minimalist fashion label Nique has your back. The celebrated brand is treating locals to a mammoth warehouse sample sale, taking over Balaclava's Red Scooter from Friday, August 23, to Sunday, August 25. Here, you'll be able to get your mitts on a stack of one-off samples and current pieces from Nique's collections, famed for their contemporary, gender-neutral aesthetic and clean, tailored lines. The racks will feature bargains of up to 80 percent off, with plenty of sample garments not to be found anywhere else. And, in excellent news for anyone keen to kick off spring with some money still left in their bank account, sale prices will be starting at a tidy $10. Nique Warehouse Sale is open on Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday 1-am–5pm.
Plants, art, friends and family — The Wildwood Collective might have given itself an ambitious remit, but it definitely pulls it off. This Pakington Street space stocks everything you need to become the best plant parent you can be, from We The Wild plant care to Mr Kitly self-watering pots. You can also browse a selection of macrame plant holders, each handmade by studio owner Tess Cook. There's also a considered range of bath and body care, while the space itself is home to two other independent local designers: Ikigai, which designs handmade clayware for the home, and Ernest and Joe, a family-run designer and maker of handmade jewellery using recycled Australian sterling silver and gold. [caption id="attachment_809134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Images: Julia Sansone
There's thinking outside of the box, and then there's redesigning the box — and when it comes to the structure certain to be Taiwan's next landscape, Dutch architecture firm MVRDV has done the latter. To be specific, their new home design does away with squares, preferring a rather unusual form instead. Meet Y House, which is shaped just like the letter, and comes complete with a sky-high pool between the inevitable rooftop gap. "Why not?" is what everyone involved in the project must've sad when someone came up with the idea for a holiday home that resembles a giant Y-shaped sponge. While it'll be made out of concrete when it comes to fruition, the mutiple-storey building will also be littered with circular windows from top to bottom. In addition to the eye-catching pool between the sloped surfaces of the structure's roof, Y House will also feature two multiple levels of communal living space (including a solarium, change rooms, and entertaining and dining area), two lower floors filled with bedrooms, and ground-level garden tea room. A landscaped, Feng Shui-friendly garden will surround the home, as will a second decorative pool with stepping stone paths. The structure might sound futuristic; however it'll become a reality sooner than you might think, with the building due to be constructed in 2017 in a new residential community on the outskirts of Taiwan's Tainan city. And the best part: because it'll be used as a holiday house, you can cross your fingers and hope that the owners will list it on an accommodation-sharing website when they're not using the place. Via Dezeen.
Since opening its first outpost back in 2016, Sandra Foti's Piccolina has become one of Melbourne's best-known gelato brands, quickly growing to encompass six stores. Now, the family is growing again, with plans to launch a spacious new gelateria in Hawthorn this November. Foti will be making the bittersweet move from her original Hawthorn shop to this roomier corner site just 100 metres down Glenferrie Road, serving up a subtly refreshed spin on the Piccolina concept. It's a beautiful building the founder has had her eye on since the very beginning, too: "When we first opened, I wanted THAT space. If you know that Hawthorn strip, that's THE store." While she has mixed emotions about closing the door to Piccolina's first-ever store and the memories that go with it, there was one clear choice when the long-adored space became available. "We just went with it, it was just timing," Foti told Concrete Playground. "The thing that I'm most excited about is giving back to an amazing community that supported us back when we were nothing — when we were the new kids on the block. This is sort of like a journey we're taking together." [caption id="attachment_825791" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sandra Foti[/caption] Boasting an expanded footprint behind its heritage facade, the new outpost will be scooping the brand's full range of all-natural gelato creations. Expect crowd favourites like peanut butter, honeycomb, fior di latte, plus dairy-free options including pistachio, dark chocolate, and even a doughnut flavour crafted with Smith & Deli's iconic cardamom and cinnamon pastry. All the limited-edition gelato varieties will be getting a spin here, as will a new series of special releases launched to coincide with the opening. With recent specials including hits like the Hedgehog — chocolate gelato with toasted coconut, butter biscuit and fudge — and the marshmallow-spiked S'mores, you're in for some very good times, indeed. As with its siblings, the shop's aesthetic comes courtesy of a collaboration with renowned design studio Hecker Guthrie and creative agency Projects of Imagination. This time, however, you can expect a few considered tweaks to the chain's signature stylings, with custom-made communal tables, new materials heroed throughout the fitout and a handful of surprises, too. "I love to mix it up and make sure that we're always giving the customer something new and exciting," Foti explains. "We're bringing the gelateria to life in a new way, but that still feels very much like Piccolina." To that end, there'll be a tap pouring Piccolina's legendary, warm homemade Better Than Nutella sauce to drizzle atop your scoops, a machine churning out freshly whipped cream, a giant double-doored freezer to house the signature gelato cakes, and a menu of Italian-style milkshakes and thickshakes. And yes, it's all landing this November, just in time for the start of summer. Find Piccolina's new store at 731 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, from mid-November.
Appeteaser is the latest collection from Lucy Folk, and boy, is it tempting. This season Folk has used sterling silver, rose and yellow gold vermeil, freshwater pearls, powder-coated steel, 22 carat gold, rubies, white and black diamonds, tsavorite garnets, ceylon sapphires and a playful bout of colour in a series of pieces designed to make you look delicious. Some of the old favourites are back, but with a twist. There's gold corn chip necklaces, peppercorn earrings and mini-taco-adorned friendship bracelets. But expect an element of decadence with this seasons offerings, as elegant pearls and precious jewels are added in subtle ways. A couple of examples we are loving from this collection include the silver and rose gold ‘Caviar Rings’ dotted with sapphires and diamonds to add some sparkle to the seduction. Anchovy cuffs for your wrists and your ears add an intriguing texture to staple pieces, and the peppercorn and pearl earrings are delicate and divine. Probably the standout piece of the collection, however, is the Appeteaser Aphrodisiac necklace. A shucked freshwater oyster shell in either sterling silver or rose gold — with a pearl in the centre, of course — it is sure to make you the topic of conversation at any dinner party. At $750 (silver)/$850 (rose gold) a pop, you might be dining out on the cheap for a while, but if you feel like treating yourself to something scrumptious, you’d be hard pressed to beat this beauty. The Lucy Folk Appeteaser collection hits stores today and is also available online. Check out the saucily tongue-in-cheek campaign video for a little more amuse(-bouche)ment.
In news as certain as Han Solo's swagger, C-3P0's disapproval and Leia Organa proving the fiercest princess in the entire galaxy, another round of orchestra-scored Star Wars screenings is making its way across Australia — and this time, Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi will be unleashing the force. What was originally the final flick in George Lucas' space saga is headed to Sydney's ICC Sydney Theatre on Saturday, September 7, 2019, and Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9, 2019. While Brisbane details have yet to be announced, we'd expect them to arrive soon. If you've been hiding out on Tattooine and aren't quite sure what's in store, this climactic instalment features a second Death Star, a tribe of Ewoks on Endor, Han Solo imprisoned by Jabba the Hutt, plenty of family baggage and one heck of a father-and-son battle — so, classic Star Wars thrills. And, it's all set to John Williams' iconic score, which each city's symphony orchestra will recreate right in front of attendees' eager eyes and ears. As always, we've got a good feeling about this mix of movies and music, which should help fill the gap between this year's Solo: A Star Wars Story and next year's Star Wars: Episode IX. Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi will screen at Sydney's ICC Sydney Theatre on Saturday, September 7, 2019, with tickets now available — and Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9, 2019, with tickets on sale from Wednesday, September 26. Details of a Brisbane session have yet to be announced.
Your dreams of ditching the slow peak-hour crawl for a quick flight through the skies could soon become a reality, as Uber reveals it's seriously considering Melbourne as a trial city for its world-first Uber aircraft. Having already flagged the USA's Dallas and Los Angeles as launch cities for its new flying service, dubbed the Elevate project, the ride share company now has Melbourne in its sights for a third location, largely thanks to its booming population. According to 7News, Uber executives have arrived Down Under to discuss opportunities with the government and to explore how a place like Melbourne could handle a flying ride share system, with passengers catching aircraft instead of cars. Uber's Head of Aviation Eric Allison told 7News that with rapidly growing populations in Sydney and Melbourne, "We see that there is a clear need for this type of service." Earlier this year, the company showed off new plans for its groundbreaking foray into air travel, at the Uber Elevate Summit. Based on these latest designs, the system would operate using electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), with helipad-style takeoff and landing 'Skyports' located on high rooftops at key points around the city. Passengers would be able to tee up a flight using the Uber app, then be driven to a nearby launch pad. "The button press will orchestrate you a car to get to the sky port and then to take you away from the sky port to get you to your final destination," Allison explained to 7News. In an example of how fast Uber Air trips could be, Uber has said that an average 55-minute trip to Melbourne Airport could be cut down to just 5 minutes. And in excellent news for your bank account, the flights would apparently cost no more than an Uber X. Here's a look at how it will work: https://youtu.be/JuWOUEFB_IQ If Melbourne's given the green light as Uber's third test city, we could see trial flights begin as early as 2020, with regular services kicking off by 2023. While this all sounds a bit too good to be true, we do hope we'll be Jetsons-ing around the city for pittance soon. Via au.news.yahoo.com Images: Uber and Humphreys & Partners Architects, Gannett Fleming, Corgan and Pickard Chilton.
Look, we're a spoilt bunch. Not just content with getting food delivered — from actually good restaurants and without having to speak to anyone, no less — we want to be able to get booze to our doorstep as well. Many delivery services allow you to tack on a six-pack with your meal, but this week one of the biggest food delivery services, Deliveroo, will start delivering alcohol-only orders in Melbourne. The service already delivered booze, but only when it was accompanying a food order — UberEATS does the same thing. But now, when you open the Deliveroo app, you'll notice that bottle shops like Blackhearts & Sparrows, Melbourne Wine Store and the Grosvenor Hotel will pop up as well. You can place orders for booze from these stores between noon and 11pm and it will be delivered in 30 minutes or less. Of course, there are a few other booze delivery services operating in Melbourne, like Tipple and QuickBottle, and both Foodora and Menulog allow you to place alcohol-only orders as well. This just adds another option into the mix — here's a list of the bottle shops that will deliver through Deliveroo. Grosvenor Hotel Thirsty Camel Caufield South Cellarbrations Flinders Street Shaw Davey Slum Bar Fitzroy Social Bar Blackhearts and Sparrows Brunswick East Blackhearts and Sparrows Fitzroy Blackhearts and Sparrows Richmond Blackhearts and Sparrows Windsor Bottle House St Kilda Bottle House South Yarra Melbourne Wine Store Deliveroo will now delivery alcohol-only orders between noon and 11pm. For more info, visit deliveroo.com.au.
They may have proved a hit overseas, but here in Australia, dockless share bikes aren't about to win any popularity contests — at least not from the authorities. After making news for clogging up footpaths, sitting wedged up trees and being pulled out of waterways, the bikes are coming under some new rules in Melbourne. The City of Yarra, City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne councils have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with one of the main companies, Singapore's oBike, in an attempt to address the problems these rogue bikes have brought to Melbourne. The new rules seem pretty straightforward, specifying oBikes must be parked upright, aren't allowed to block footpaths and have to be removed from any dangerous locations within two hours. Though with no more than ten oBike employees on the ground overseeing these three council areas, sticking to the rules won't necessarily be easy. Currently, the councils impound any rogue bikes for 14 days, before they're destroyed and turned into scrap metal, with oBike stuck with a $50 fee to reclaim each bike. According to Melbourne City Councillor Nicolas Frances Gilley, the share bike crackdown is about keeping Melbourne's streets safe. "At City of Melbourne, we are continually looking at ways to promote cycling and make it easier for people to use bikes," he said. "But the safety of all city users shouldn't be compromised in the process." It will be interesting to see if these new restrictions make a noticeable change to the way oBikes are managed, and if Sydney follows suit with both its bike sharing services, oBike and Reddy Go.
Since mid-October 2020, New Zealanders have been able to visit some Australian states as part of a one-way travel bubble. The arrangement has been paused a few times due to COVID-19 case numbers in NZ, but it has remained broadly in place. In the coming months, Australians might also be able to hop across the Tasman as well — something that has been floated and discussed plenty of times over the past year, but now looks like it could soon come to fruition. Speaking with the media separately today, Thursday, March 18, both New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and NZ Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson advised that the NZ Government is progressing towards a trans-Tasman bubble. On Radio New Zealand, Robertson said that the country had been "working towards a joint framework, a joint set of protocols" with Australia, which didn't come into effect. Now, though, he doesn't think things are "too far off being able to create the New Zealand version to match up with the Australian version". "There's a few issues still to talk through there, including what we do in the event there is an outbreak — how we manage people who aren't in their home country at that time. But I'm very optimistic that we'll sort that out in reasonable short order, and we can move towards having our unilateral bubble alongside the Australian unilateral bubble," he advised. Speaking at a press conference to launch NZ's involvement in Expo 2020 (which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates from October 2021, after being postponed from 2020), NZ Prime Minister Ardern also discussed the potential travel bubble. "I haven't put firm dates because I don't want there to be moving goalposts. I want to present people with some definitive dates they can plan around — but we have said we'd like to see it soon," Ardern said. "Our goal, though, is that once we open, to be able to do it safely — to do it in a way that people understand the basis on which we may see short term closures, and to enable us to have a bubble that essentially sticks," she continued. At present, New Zealand travellers are allowed to visit all Australian states and territories, apart from Western Australia, without quarantining on arrival — but, because the bubble is only one way at present, they must enter 14 days of managed isolation on return to NZ and pay for it. New Zealand does currently have a travel bubble in place with the Cook Islands, but only one-way as well — from the Cook Islands to NZ. While the details of the quarantine-free arrangements for Australians travelling to NZ are yet to be finalised, it is great news for those who've been dreaming of overseas holidays since the pandemic began. And, it could possibly be in place while Australia's international border still remains shut to most global travel — and before a similar travel bubble could be put in place with Singapore. You can start slowly planning your NZ jaunt, too — we've rounded up some of our favourite glamping sites, wineries, sights and restaurants in NZ over here. 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. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
Forget the idea that you can only be a dog person or a cat person. Kedi puts that theory to rest once and for all. Even if you wouldn't be willing to share your home with a purring companion, there's no chance you won't fall in love with the feisty felines in this Turkish documentary and the contemplative take on life their happy existence provides. That's the beauty of Ceyda Torun's film: its meowing mousers don't come from YouTube, but from the streets of Istanbul, where cats have roamed for thousands of years. They're pets to no one but beloved by all; strays stalking the pavements in a place refreshingly hospitable to their free-wandering lifestyle. As opening narration from one of the city's two-legged residents describes, here, "the cat is more than just a cat. The cat embodies the indescribable chaos, the culture and the uniqueness that is the essence of Istanbul." That may sound like a bold claim, but it soon proves right on the money. Graceful cinematography gets up close and personal with the film's adorable protagonists, while at the same time offering a sweeping view of how they're positioned within the hustle and bustle of their surroundings. Sari searches for food for her new kittens, often successfully begging for scraps at cafes. Bengü has her own hungry mouths to feed, and gets jealous when her favoured humans give their attention to others. Deniz flits around a marketplace making friends with customers, while Duman pursues his refined taste for delicatessen food. Aslan Parçasi is often found by the seashore, soaking up the view near a famous local fish restaurant. Gamsiz hops between apartments. As for Psikopat, she rules her neighbourhood, enforcing her will upon animals and people alike. If they all sound like distinctive characters with their own stories, personalities and behaviours, then it's no less than they deserve. Indeed, that's part of the point of Kedi, which fittingly means 'cat' in Turkish. Boosted by interviews with the humans who know and love these kitties best, Torun treats each animal's journey as she would a person's. In fact, her care and dedication truly lays bare life at street level, her film flitting from bustling eateries to overcrowded areas just like her subjects. Their travels around the city provide a portrait of Istanbul in a microcosm. Finding the ordinary in the extraordinary is a common aim in documentary filmmaking, with the best non-fiction efforts making viewers reassess everything they thought they knew about something regular and routine. With the aid of deft editing and a whimsy tinged soundtrack, the observational and enlightening Kedi couldn't provide a finer example. It wears its affection on its sleeves — or, perhaps its collar — but pairs that obvious love with thoughtful insights. After watching this film, you'll never come across a cat (or watch a cute cat video on the internet) without wondering what stories it might have to tell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKq7UqplcL8
For one evening, two Victorian hospo institutions will join forces to bring a Greek taverna-inspired party to the inner city. Think ouzo, assyrtiko, fresh seafood, Zorba-style dancing and, needless to say, plenty of plate smashing. The two venues behind this act of magnificence are Captain Moonlite, Anglesea — where chef Matt Germanchis serves up coastal European dishes — and Bar Lourinhã, a legendary Spanish-Portguese hideaway at 37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. It's in the latter that the Greek shindig will be taking place. Germanchis and McConnell will spend the night side-by-side in the kitchen, creating a Greek feast of dishes such as sardine-mint cigars, twice-grilled octopus and lamb with smoked yoghurt and bullhorn peppers (just to name a few). To match, there'll be Greek wine galore and plenty of ouzo. "We've developed a menu inspired by our travels with flavours that are close to our hearts," says McConnell. "We've had a lot of requests from guests to revive our long table diners, which we started 10 years ago. Hopefully this collaboration will be the first of many to come." Tickets are $95 per person and include the shared feast, Greek wine, ouzo and plate smashing. To reserve your spot, call (03) 9663 7890 or head to Bar Lourinhã's website.
The Flinders Street site most recently home to George Calombaris' intimate fine diner The Press Club has officially handed over the reins. As of last month, the alluring Elektra Dining Room has taken its place, changing up the pace, and gifting Melbourne with a bold new wining and dining hideaway. At the helm is Executive Chef Reuben Davis, former Executive Chef of The Press Club, and General Manager Joey Commerford, whose resume boasts stints at the likes of the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, Iki-Jime Seafood by Vue, and Vue de Monde. Here, they're out to offer a more relaxed, fun alternative to the usual fine-dining schtick. It's an offering that's plush, elegant and tightly considered, but one you can enjoy at your own whim, whether that means an after-work grazing session or a long dinner. The oft-changing menu is concise and primed for sharing, sporting a modern European lean while also embracing some key international flavours that have left their mark on the Australian dining scene. You might find dishes like a veal schnitzel, oysters baked in rich bacon butter and finished with a grape mignonette, and a butter vol-au-vent with pickles courtesy of a collaboration with Fitzroy's legendary Lune Croissanterie. Meals are available a la carte, though there'll also be chef's menus for those who fancy ditching the decision-making. To match, there's a thoughtful international wine selection boasting a solid 30 drops by the glass, backed by classic cocktails showcasing Aussie spirits like Healesville's Alchemy and Four Pillars. Find Elektra Dining Room at 72 Flinders St, Melbourne. It's open Wednesdays through Sundays from 6pm till late.
Boaz Yakin's 'Safe' follows the two-headed mission of former special forces operative Luke Wright (Jason Stratham) as he sets out to outwit Chinese Triads and the Russian Mafia. 12-year old Mei (Catherine Chan) is Wright's unlikely sidekick: a girl who holds potentially deadly knowledge. Mei has been gifted with mathematical genius, a skill which enables her to memorise the code to a coveted safe containing $30 million. Her secret cannot remain under wraps for long, however. Once word gets out that Mei is the only person who knows the safe's code, the underbelly of the crime world comes clamouring. Wright must protect Mei as together they attempt to outwit the Triads, corrupt NYC officials, and Russian Mafia. From the producer of 'Kill Bill' and 'Inglourious Bastards', this breakneck-speed crime thriller will keep you on-edge, hoping that Wright can successfully complete his trickiest and most important mission yet: to keep Mei safe. To win one of ten double passes to see Safe, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=Mv2VZi5RD6c
Hitchcock had Cary Grant. Kurosawa had Toshiro Mifune. Now, in the modern era, Jaume Collet-Serra has Liam Neeson. The duo have worked together on four films to date: Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night and now The Commuter. This most recent collaboration features all the familar trademarks: Neeson plays Michael MacCauley, a regular, everyday insurance salesman with a complicated past and a fractious family situation, who suddenly finds himself thrust into a high octane, race-against-the-clock scenario complete with double crosses, mysterious messages and plenty of dead bodies. This time around Neeson finds himself on a train. Beyond that, The Commuter runs disappointingly close to the far superior Non-Stop. Just as it was on that terror-threatened plane, Neeson is again tasked with identifying an important passenger about whom he knows nothing. Non-compliance will result in the sudden and violent deaths of those around him. There's an early appearance by a femme fatale (here, the wildly underused Vera Farmiga), a claustrophobic fight scene and, of course, a comically over-the-top climax. But while Non-Stop managed to keep things relatively fresh, The Commuter just feels tired and increasingly incoherent. Collet-Serra's films are often described as modern day B-movies. Whether that's meant as an insult depends on the critic – but either way, it's hard to argue that they don't fit the label. His films are wild rides that focus more on adrenalin than story; Hitchcockian pastiches that thoroughly entertain but don't always hold up under scrutiny. His best film by far is also his most reserved: The Shallows, starring Blake Lively, was a deliciously tense woman-vs-shark thriller that proved to be one of the most enjoyable (and surprising) hits of last year. By comparison, while the filmmaker's collaborations with Neeson have unquestionably borne excellent fruit, their limitations must also be acknowledged. Neeson is a terrific actor with an extraordinary body of work behind him, yet that same gravitas works against him when playing the everyday Joe roles Collet-Serra continues to give him. He's too intense to pull off folksy charm, whilst workmanlike barroom banter ("another day, another dollar") sounds ridiculous coming out of his mouth. The truth is, while Taken remains something of a gold standard in the annals of contemporary action flicks, attempts to replicate it with the same leading man have largely fallen short. The Commuter offers fine entertainment for a switched off brain, but little more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWexI9YiLSc
If you watched Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's vampire sharehouse mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows back in 2014, then instantly found yourself yearning for more, that's understandable. Smart, silly and hilarious, the undead flick is one of the past decade's best comedies. Thanks to two TV spinoffs, that dream has come true, letting viewers keep spending time in the movie's supernatural world — and that's not going to end any time soon. In 2018, the New Zealand-made Wellington Paranormal made it to screens, following the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural. It proved a hit, unsurprisingly, with the first half of the show's second season airing in 2019 — and set to continue in 2020. In 2019, an American television version of What We Do in the Shadows also made its debut, focusing on a group of vampire flatmates living in Staten Island. Featuring Toast of London's Matt Berry, Four Lions' Kayvan Novak, British stand-up comedian Natasia Demetriou, The Magicians' Harvey Guillen, The Office's Mark Proksch and Booksmart's Beanie Feldstein, it sticks to the same basic concept as the original movie, just with memorable new characters. And yes, it too was renewed for a second season — which is due to air this year, and has just released its first puppet-filled teasers. Created and co-written by Clement, and executive produced by the Flight of the Conchords star with Jojo Rabbit Oscar-winner Waititi, the US take on What We Do in the Shadows was first hinted at back in 2017, and then confirmed in May 2018. While the duo don't star in the new-look series, Berry, Novak and company have been doing them proud as the next batch of ravenous — and comic — vamps. Novak plays the gang's self-appointed leader, 'Nandor The Relentless', who dates back to the Ottoman Empire days and is somewhat stuck in his ways. As for Berry's mischievous British dandy Laszlo and Demetriou's seductive Nadja, they're like a blood-sucking Bonnie and Clyde (but much funnier). Guillén plays Nandor's familiar, who'd do anything to join the undead, while Proksch's Colin is an 'energy vampire'. And Feldstein's Jenna is a college student with a new craving. Can't wait to sink your fangs into more? The new batch of episodes will continue the story — charting Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja and the group's undead antics in the New York borough. It wasn't easy being a centuries-old bloodsucker in Wellington in the movie, and it's just as tough (and amusing) on the other side of the world. Check out the first two season two teasers below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il1t77obp-8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9rX8BT97qI What We Do in the Shadows' second season starts airing on April 15 in the US — expect it to hit Foxtel in Australia sometime this year, with exact local airdates yet to be revealed.
If your days spent working from home and social distancing could do with a few more adorable animals, you'll be happy to know the internet is filled with many. Melbourne's zoos are live streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, Sydney's aquarium brought us playtime with Pig the dugong and a Queensland wildlife sanctuary has cams on its koalas 24/7. Now, Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo have launched their own television station: Taronga TV. As well as three 24/7 live-streams focused on the zoos' sumatran tiger cubs, seals and elephants, the station is releasing daily videos across its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels. Already online: some adorable koala content, virtual hangs with the world's largest lizard, penguin feeds, baby monkeys, otters and even a video of a hippo doing a backflip. Yes, hippopotamuses — those giant water-dwelling mammals that generally weigh around 1000 kilograms — can do gymnastics better than me. https://youtu.be/qy9tc9zkN_Y As for what's to come, the zoo is promising a lot of behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, chats with keepers, stories from the Wildlife hospitals (including how it x-rays a seal), conservation work and workshops. There's a heap of kid-focused content, too, if you have any littlies at home at the moment. Both Taronga Zoos are temporarily closed to the public. Taronga TV will release videos daily on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and via its website. Top image: Rick Stevens
A cracking view is usually pretty high on the priorities list when booking a sweet holiday pad, but you probably don't go into it expecting one quite like what Oman's newest accommodation has to offer. Luxury hospo and hotel group Anantara has just opened the doors to an epic new five-star resort, Al Jabal Al Akhdar — and, boy, does it have views. Sitting at a lofty 2000 metres above sea level on the edge of a canyon in Oman's mountainous north (about four hours from Dubai), it's the Middle East's highest retreat. It towers over the Saiq Plateau in a way that's sure to cause a few goosebumps on the drive up. Just look at it. Basically the height of luxury, Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is definitely worthy of a spot on the old if money was no object bucket list — the designer interiors reflect that eye-poppingly rugged terrain and each of the 115 luxury rooms lay claim to panoramic views. Of course, there's a price to pay for such luxury — rooms start at around 720 AUD a night and go up to 4000 AUD. Along with the rooms, there's six different restaurants and lounges, and the culinary situation sounds as interesting as the location. You can even get the best of both at Dining by Design, which sits on a cliff-edge platform named Diana's Point, after its most famous royal visitor. And if a peek from your room's window, or your dinner table, doesn't provide enough of an adrenaline rush, the resort also offers a 'via ferrata' climbing route, where you can boss up and actually scale the side of the cliff. If that's too much, you can always just take a dip in the canyon infinity pool, go mountain biking or get one of the hotel's 'mountain gurus' to take you on a hike of the area. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is located in the Al Hajar mountains, about 30 minutes from the ancient city of Nizwa in Oman. For more information on the hotel, visit jabal-akhdar.anantara.com.
George Calombaris is a long way from Masterchef. In the world of Sydney photographer, Daniel Sponiar, Calombaris is embroiled in a coup de etat with his head chef and sommelier — knife poised for the final strike. In other snaps, Shane Delia plays racecars with his son, and Guy Grossi is practically the Godfather. The world of Australian cuisine is nothing if not diverse. Showing at Edmund Pearce as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Yes Chef! is a playful look at the men behind the menus. Produced in discussion with the chefs themselves, Sponair's photographs tap into their lives beyond the kitchen. "My aim is to present a fresh perspective that reveals who they really are, what has led to their success or what drives their creativity," says Sponiar. For some the answer seems straightforward — family, or leisure in the form of a motorcycle or a surfboard. For Calombaris it worryingly seems he's driven by the murderous rage of his colleagues. Everyone knew the kitchen was cut-throat.
Doublethink — a term coined by George Orwell to describe the state of believing, with equal conviction, two contradictory pieces of information. Ironically, it's perfectly encapsulated by those people who try to convince you that Orwell's sci-fi classic, 1984, is coming true, all the while checking their phones with an addict's fervour. Visual artist Matto Lucas is offering a hyper-exaggerated example of this concept. Taking cues from Orwell's dystopic masterwork, Lucas' Department of Total Freedom has announced its inaugural COMPLETELY UNMONITORED NORMAL HUMAN SOCIAL GATHERING EVENT #0001 at the Braybrook Community Hub as part of Melbourne Fringe. Lucas claims the free event, running across September 22–23 and 29–30, is an attempt to better understand the way we socialise in the current digitised climate. A way to 'celebrate our complete and obvious freedoms'. Audience members will participate in a speed-dating style round of dictated discussions, with an unknown fate awaiting those who deviate. Anyone who's not bluffing about having read 1984 will recognise this as a government exercise from miles away — it's being hosted by Maribyrnong City Council, after all. It's claimed to merely be an 'interactive performance'. Or is that Big Brother-speak? Guess there's only one way to find out. Two plus two is four. Remember that as you walk smiling into the arms of your oppressors this September. This interactive event will take place between 12–2pm and 6–8pm on September 22, 23 and 29 plus 12–2pm on September 30.
Following the success of their previous hotel takeover in Byron Bay, the grand Clicquot Hotel is now heading to Queensland's Sunshine Beach — a hop, skip and jump from Noosa — for 10 days only. The French champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, has made the most extra luxury accommodation focused around premium experiences. Expect exclusive food and Champagne experiences, spa treatments, sunrise surfing lessons and yoga overlooking the coastline. And, of course, everything is adorned with the famous Veuve Yellow. But those offerings are just the cherries on top of the hyper lavish experience. Over two nights, you'll also have private access to Sunshine Beach and Noosa National Park, complimentary Veuve Clicquot champagne whenever the whim takes you (of course), a private sommelier and 24-hour concierge service, as well as chauffeured airport and local transfers. And, for a little extra cost, you can cruise on a chic mahogany speedboat – the Clicquot Dreamboat – along the Noosa River before having a curated picnic on the riverbank, served with chilled Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, the champagne house's refined, full-bodied take on pink bubbles. These guys have gone all out — and then some. It's a stupid-cool pop-up hotel. Clicquot Hotel bookings are available from November 4-13 and you can book your stay here.
No one likes the middle seat on a plane. Does anyone book flights, select where to sit and genuinely (and willingly) pick being stuck between two other people, with no window to look out and no easy access to the aisle, if there's another option? No, no they don't. Until now, that is, because Virgin Australia has just started throwing some love towards folks who do indeed take everyone's least-favourite spot — via a new Middle Seat Lottery. Running since Monday, October 24, and showering people sitting in the middle with prizes until Sunday, April 23, 2023, the Middle Seat Lottery is as self-explanatory as it sounds. Plonk yourself down in the abhorred seat — with a ticket, of course — and you could score goodies for your trouble. The freebies change each week, but there's more than $230,000 in prizes on offer across the six-month competition — only if you either select the middle seat or you're assigned it. Those prizes include Caribbean cruises with Virgin Voyages, complete with flights to and from the USA; a helicopter pub crawl in Darwin, again with flights there and back included; and a Cairns adventure package, which covers flights, accommodation, bungy jumping, river rafting and other activities There's also flights and tickets to your AFL team's away games in 2023 — and, still on Aussie rules, an AFL Grand Final package, covering a lunch, tickets to the game, being on the boundary line before the match, merch and an after party. One prize will be given out each week, with 26 prizes in total across the competition's duration. And if your week doesn't coincide with a holiday giveaway, platinum Velocity Frequent Flyer status with one million points is also on the freebies list. An hour or so in a seat you wouldn't normally pick for the chance to win holidays, heaps of footy or frequent flyer points to book more holidays? Worth it, probably. To go in the running to win any of the above, you do need to be a Velocity Frequent Flyer member over the age of 18. And, you'll have to fly somewhere within Australia, on a Virgin Australia-operated domestic flight, during the competition period — in a middle seat, obviously. Also, to enter, you then need to use the Virgin Australia app within 48 hours of your flight's scheduled departure time, tapping on the Middle Seat Lottery tile, finding your flight and entering your details. From there, winners will be drawn each week and contacted if they're successful. Virgin Australia's Middle Seat Lottery runs from Monday, October 24, 2022–Sunday, April 23, 2023. For more information, head to the Virgin website. Images: Carly Ravenhall. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Whenever a new true-crime tale arrives, audiences fall into three camps: those who are well aware of all of the case's ups and downs, folks who remember the headlines but are vague on the details, and others that come to the whole saga and its specifics brand new. With The Staircase, it's highly likely that more viewers will fall into the first two categories. The eight-part HBO miniseries isn't just based on an IRL crime, after all, but also on a French documentary series of the same name. For those learning about the story afresh, it all started in 2001, when novelist Michael Peterson reported the death of his wife Kathleen. He said that she had fallen down the stairs at their North Carolina home — yes, hence the name — but the authorities weren't convinced. Given that occurred more than two decades ago, how it all turned out is now a matter of history. So, you'll either know it and be intrigued to see how it plays out on-screen with Colin Firth (Supernova, 1917) and Australian star Toni Collette (Nightmare Alley, Dream Horse) as the central couple, or you'll want to discover the intricacies for yourself while watching. Plunging famous faces into a twisty miniseries is firmly HBO's approach of late, with The Staircase following everything from Big Little Lies and The Undoing to Mare of Easttown. Joining the high-profile duo when the US network's latest hits Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Thursday, May 5: an all-star cast that also features Juliette Binoche (How to Be a Good Wife), Michael Stuhlbarg (Call Me By Your Name), Parker Posey (Lost in Space) and Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones), as well Rosemarie DeWitt (Little Fires Everywhere), Dane Dehaan (Lisey's Story), Patrick Schwarzenegger (Moxie), and Aussie actors Olivia DeJonge (Better Watch Out) and Odessa Young (Shirley). There are clearly plenty of moving parts to this narrative, which comes to TV courtesy of writer/director Antonio Campos (The Devil All the Time, The Sinner). As the just-dropped full trailer shows, there's plenty of drama as well. That's true both before and after the Peterson family find themselves immersed in a heartwrenching tragedy. Indeed, the sneak peek starts with happy times — with saying cheers to happy folks sat around the dinner table, in fact — but that isn't how it ends. Given that it's hitting screens 18 years after the original The Staircase, this dramatised version even mentions the film crew eager to start recording the details after Kathleen's death. So, when it starts airing in May — dropping three episodes at once to kick things off, then going weekly — the show will cover a well-known true-crime case as well as the just-as-well-known TV show that's already been made about it. Check out the trailer for The Staircase below: The Staircase will start streaming via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Thursday, May 5.
fortyfivedownstairs is one of the best performance venues in the city, and with a name like that, it's easy to find. It's hosted hundreds of exhibitions, music recitals, theatre performances and other exquisite events since 2002 and now the art of seduction is coming to this versatile and grungy space with The Burlesque Hour: The Glory Box. Oh my. Hold onto your knickers because Glory Box features jaw-dropping acts by Moira Finucane, Yumi Umiumare, Holly Durant and Ursula Martinez, the latter of whom performed at Salman Rushdie's stag night. Paul Capsis, Pamela Rabe and Rhonda Burchmore will also make appearances on select nights only. Within the unpainted brick walls of fortyfivedownstairs, a seductive spectacle will sweetly unfold. Produced by Finucane & Smith, the multi-award winning Australian company, Glory Box is going to present paradise like Pandora never knew it.
While La Niña may be threatening hot vax summer, no doubt you still intend on living it up over the warmer months. After all, you've got mates to catch up with, new bars to check out and a swathe of live gigs to see. And, with all these social occasions coming up, you're probably keeping an eye out for some new summer threads. Lucky for you, top seltzer brand White Claw has teamed up with local fashion brand Barney Cools to bring you the ultimate wardrobe to cruise around in this summer. The brands are basically the epitome of summer, so the collab makes sense. And the best news? You can score it for free. The White Claw x Barney Cools all-white capsule collection includes three epic items: a terry cord party shirt, a breezy vintage-style tee and corduroy cap. Each limited-edition piece is designed to be genderless, too, so they'll suit anyone and everyone who's keen to make the most of summer. Oh, and did we mention that the prize also includes one White Claw variety pack? The new-release pack includes four flavours: watermelon, mango, lime and grapefruit. There are ten White Claw x Barney Cools packs to be won around the country. Should you win, you'll score some White Claws and all three clothing items, so you can don them to the beach, pub, park and just about everywhere else you plan to hit this summer. Keen to win some new summer threads? Enter your details below to go in the running. [competition]836217[/competition]
IPAs, or India Pale Ales, have enjoyed a huge surge in popularity over the past couple of years. Lately, however, a new sub-style has spawned and enjoyed immense popularity — enter, the New England IPA. Named after a style that originated from the six northeastern USA states of New England, NEIPAs have a cloudy appearance and low carbonation, and feature jammy, juicy flavours of apricot, peach and pineapple alongside the heavy citrusy notes that IPA fans crave. More delicate flavours of hops are embraced here, too, rather than the piney, resiny bitterness favoured by their clear-bodied cousins. The beers characteristically pour a murky, mango colour reminiscent of cloudy fruit juice, and feature similar flavours in a beer context. Here follows this beer snob's top picks of the trending NEIPAs, that'll get your head into the clouds as the last warmth of autumn begins to fade. Jedi Juice is Hop Nation's brilliantly titled take on a beer it brewed for GABS (the Great Australian Beer Spectapular). It was originally a specialty brew, but enjoyed such popularity it was reignited as part of the Footscray brewery's core range. Jedi Juice features a gentle citrus aroma and the palate reveals juicy notes of passionfruit, pineapple, nectarine and grapefruit, with a smooth carbonation and a tangy kiss of bitter hops that punch through at the end. At 7.1 percent ABV, and with a white can packaging featuring a tattoo-sportin', blaster-totin' Princess Leia, the force is certainly strong with this one. Best consumed as fresh as possible. SHOPPING LIST Hop Nation Jedi Juice, 375ml can, $7.50 each (available from various stockists across the country) Sauce Brewing Co Bubble and Squeak, 500ml can, $10 each or $35 for four This beer is typically hazy, smooth and creamy with big citrus and tropical fruit notes (think mango and passionfruit) and a low bitterness. Rounding out at 6.5 percent ABV, it's a supremely well-balanced beer that offers new dynamics with each sip. Feral Brewing Co Biggie Juice, 330ml bottle, $7 each or $23 for four (available from various stockists across the country) This beer represents the popularity of NEIPAs in the mainstream beer scene. Under Amatil ownership, Feral is still brewing its Biggie Juice East Coast IPA. Sitting at six percent ABV, Biggie offers a rich bouquet of floral and tropical fruit aromas that follow through with a juicy punch onto the palate. The finish is smooth, with just a hint of bitterness, and a smooth carbonation that makes for an incredibly moreish drop. Hop Topics is our new bi-weekly beer column keeping you up-to-date with the latest beer trends happening around the country. Dominic Gruenewald is a Sydney based actor, writer and self-proclaimed beer snob. Between gigs, he has pulled pints at all the right venues and currently hosts Sydney's longest running beer appreciation society Alestars at the Taphouse, Darlinghurst.
As you read this, Kiwi charity Live More Awesome are getting their hands dirty, literally, constructing the world's biggest waterslide. This 650m long monster is the length of two Sky Towers and is located just 30 minutes from Auckland, New Zealand. The aim of the event is to raise funds and increase awareness for depression, as the not-for-profit charity is all about combatting mental illness through life changes, not just drugs. D-day is set for the 23rd and 24th of February and will feature three waterslides (the others will be a more standard 60m and 80m), food, and a shady area to hang out, complete with Kiwi entertainment (courtesy of George FM). Co-founder Jim Hunt says, "The World's Biggest Waterslide is all about pushing boundaries and creating the ultimate summer event. We have some epic entertainment planned for the day and we can't wait to see the reaction on people's faces as they come down the slides, it will be a truly unique experience". According to MentalHealth.org.nz, depression in New Zealand has affected as many as 1 in 5 people within the past year alone. "We're a couple of Kiwi guys who like so many others have really suffered at hands of depression," co-founder Dan Drupsteen says. "It was really tough, but having come out the other side we decided the best way for us to keep depression at bay was to 'Live More Awesome'. We hope this amazing project will encourage others to do the same and we want people to know it's ok to ask for help." Ticket prices start at $46 and are limited to 2000 people. You can contribute to the building of the waterslide through Indiegogo. Check out their progress so far in the video below.
"This is not about getting back at dad. But, if it hurts him, it doesn't bother me." So announces Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook, Pieces of a Woman) in the just-dropped new teaser trailer for Succession season four, although it could've been any one of the Roy family's adult children uttering such words. If there's one thing that viewers of this award-winning HBO drama know, it's that this brood is big on insults and scheming against their father, and each other — and on grudges and feuding over who'll run the family company as well. Expect this soon-to-drop fourth season to be no do different, clearly; the more things change for the Roys, which also includes patriarch and business titan Logan Roy (Brian Cox, Remember Me), plus Shiv's siblings Kendall (Jeremy Strong, Armageddon Time), Connor (Alan Ruck, The Dropout) and Roman (Kieran Culkin, No Sudden Move), the more that volatile underlying dynamic stays the same. And, expect to start seeing the results this autumn Down Under. That timeframe had already been announced, but HBO has now revealed an exact release date — Monday, March 27 in Australia and New Zealand — along with another sneak peek at the upcoming episodes. This is the third glimpse at what's in store in Succession season four, following on from an initial sneak peek in a broader HBO trailer in mid-October last year, plus another in late 2022 when that autumn timing was confirmed. In the entire trio of teasers, Shiv, Kendall, Roman and Connor have banded together to form a rebel alliance against their dad. In the new trailer, they're asked to call him to try to start mending their rift. No, that isn't a simple request. All of the current the chaos stems from the season-three move to sell the Roy's company Waystar Royco to a tech visionary played by Alexander Skarsgård (The Northman), who also returns in season four. Unsurprisingly, not everyone is thrilled. When an entire series is about who'll take over the lucrative and powerful family business, removing that option for everyone is going to cause some hefty fallout. Also included in this sneak peek: Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen, Operation Mincemeat) trying to stay on Logan's good side following his own actions at the end of season three, and his betrayal of his Shiv. And, also Tom inappropriately comparing the Roys' battle to world politics — talking to cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun, Zola), naturally. It was back in 2021 when HBO announced that Succession would return for a fourth run, after its Emmy-winning third season proved that exceptional — and popular. Viewers are clearly in for more power struggles and more savaging of the one percent, aka more of what Succession has always done best. Indeed, if you're a fan of twisty TV shows about wealth, privilege, influence, the vast chasm between the rich and everyday folks, and the societal problems that fester due to such rampant inequality, there have been plenty of ace examples of late, including The White Lotus and Squid Game. No series slings insults as savagely as this tremendous series, however. No show channels feuding and backstabbing into such an insightful and gripping satire, either. Check out the latest teaser for Succession season four below: Succession season four will start streaming from Monday, March 27 Down Under, including via Foxtel, Binge and Foxtel On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Check out our review of season three. Images: Claudette Barius/Macall B Polay, HBO.
If you're of an age to 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 festival — So Freshtival. After rocking the '00s twice already, So Freshtival is returning on May 5 at the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood for an autumn edition. A slick line up of millennial DJs will be playing bangers strictly of the 2000-2009 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.' DJs include Cookie vs Small Fry, Dianas B2B DJ BOT, Jade Zoe, mixed messages, Shelley B2B Aperol Skitz, Slick Slazenger, Tranter and Yeo. Tickets will set you back 15 dollarydoos 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.
Once you've self-proclaimed your next album as the "album of the life" (see tweet), the next logical step is to create an epic, worldwide premiere party for its release. Well, it is if you're Kanye West (and, really, Kanye is the only person who could pull this off). So for the release of his upcoming album Waves — which was, up until a few hours ago named Swish — he'll be debuting it with a show at Madison Square Garden in NYC on February 11. And he'll be broadcasting the performance live in cinemas around the world. Yep, Kanye is literally going cinematic — and if you're in Melbourne or Sydney, you can get in on the action. Sydney's Hoyts Broadway and Hoyts Melbourne Central have both added listings for Kanye West / Season 3 / Waves which, according Hoyts' synopsis, will feature the "world premiere of the album Waves in its entirety, live from Madison Square Garden". He's also expected to present his new fashion line, Yeezy Season 3 at the show. Both screenings will take place at 8am on Friday, February 12. On Monday, Kanye tweeted a handwritten page detailing the tracklist for the then-Swish, now-Waves album. It's set to be broken into three acts and include collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Sia, Ty Dolla $ign, Vic Mensa and Post Malone. Amazingly, there are still a few tickets left to the screenings, so head over to the Hoyts website to snap some up. This is the greatest album of your whole life, after all.
When Australia's international borders reopen to the world in November — and when Aussies are permitted to fly overseas for holidays again from Monday, November 1 — that'll only fix one problem when it comes to travelling the globe. Obviously, being allowed to leave the country for a getaway is a big step, especially after more than 18 months of doing exactly that being banned. But being permitted to enter whichever destination you're heading to is obviously just as important. Different countries have different rules about who can visit — and, crucially, the requirements also vary regarding vaccination status. Also, once you've made it into your destination, the conditions might also vary regarding showing you're vaxxed to step inside venues and attend events. Accordingly, proving that you've been double-jabbed isn't something you'll only need to do at home — in New South Wales and Victoria under their reopening roadmaps, for example. So, the Australian Government is launching an international travel certificate that shows if you've been double-vaccinated. It'll become available for use from Tuesday, October 19. As announced on Sunday, October 17, the 'International COVID-19 proof of vaccination' certificate will be provided to Aussies and Aussie visa holders — as long as you have a valid passport, and also your COVID-19 vaccination has been recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). You will still need to request one, though, which you can do either by accessing your Medicare account through My Gov or using the Medicare Express app. If you're wondering how it'll work when you're travelling, the new certificate includes a secure QR code that border authorities around the world can access, letting them confirm your COVID-19 vax status. It'll also be marked with a visible digital seal for security purposes, and has been designed to meet the new global standard for these types of passes — as specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization and conforms with World Health Organization guidance. For more information about showing your vaccination status for international travel, visit the Services Australia website.
After the first cases were announced on Monday, May 24, Melbourne's latest COVID-19 outbreak has been moving rapidly. On Tuesday, the Victorian Government implemented gathering restrictions and an indoor mask mandate and, today, Thursday, May 27, it's taking the thoroughly expected next step. From 11.59pm tonight, the state will go into a snap seven-day circuit-breaker lockdown, which will see all of Victoria revert back to stage four restrictions from tonight until 11.59pm on Thursday, June 3. Victorians will be familiar with the rules and restrictions from previous lockdowns — including the last one back in February — but this time you'll be able to leave you home for those five reasons, not just four. The first four are familiar: shopping for what you need, when you need it; caregiving and compassionate reasons; essential work or permitted eduction that can't be done from home; and exercise. As for the last one, you can also now leave to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Exercise must be limited to two hours a day with your household members, your intimate partner or one other person who is not from your household or your partner. Once again, though, Victorians must stay within five kilometres of their homes, unless you're leaving for permitted work or you're shopping for essentials if there are no shops in your radius. Masks are also mandatory everywhere outside of your home — and private gatherings are banned, as are public gatherings. But, while you can't have any visitors enter your home, there will be single bubbles. So, if you live alone, you can form a bubble with another person. https://twitter.com/JamesMerlinoMP/status/1397728720291463169 Weddings are not permitted, unless on compassionate grounds, while funerals are limited to ten. Hairdressing and beauty services, indoor physical recreation and sport venues, swimming pools, community facilities including libraries, entertainment venues and non-essential retail venues will all close during the seven-day period — and hospitality venues will once again revert back to takeaway-only. Supermarkets, bottle shops and pharmacies will remain open — and professional sports can proceed, but without crowds. And, regarding vaccinations, the state is also rolling out the vaccine to everyone over the age of 40 from Friday, May 28. Victorians aged between 40–49 years will be able to access to the Pfizer vaccine via the state's vaccination sites. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1397686292297793543 The announcement comes as Victoria now has 34 active COVID-19 cases, including 12 new cases identified in the 24 hours to midnight last night. Genomic sequencing indicates that current outbreak is linked to a positive case out of hotel quarantine in South Australia from earlier in May. At the time of writing, since the first new cases in this cluster were reported on Monday, 79 locations are currently listed as exposure sites by Victoria's Department of Health — a list that has been growing quickly. When Melbourne reentered stay-at-home orders in February, the lockdown came to an end after the allocated five-day period. Last August, though, the same restrictions remained in place for six weeks, before slowly easing from mid-September. That said, during the August lockdown, Victoria was recording in the realm of 671 new COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour period. Acting Premier James Merlino advised the current situation has been complicated by the fact that the state is "dealing with a highly infectious strain of the virus, a variant of concern, which is running faster than we have ever recorded". He continued: "from first thing this morning, we have identified in excess of 10,000 primary and secondary contacts who will need to either quarantine, or test and isolate, and that number will continue to grow and change. Our public health experts' primary concern is how fast this variant is moving. We've seen overseas how difficult that movement can be to control." All of Victoria will revert back to stage four restrictions from 11.59pm on Thursday, May 27 until the same time on Thursday, June 3. For more information about the rules, head to the Victorian Department of Health website.
One of the beautiful, beautiful things about living in a pluralistic society is that you can turn pretty much any cause, interest or activity into your raison-d’etre. Gather a few like-minded mavericks around you, and call it a club. Create a website and you’re an international force to be reckoned with. That’s right, you need never feel alone again (no matter how odd you are). Because on some far-flung corner of the earth, there’ll be a club for you. For example, are you ridiculously smart? I’m not talking about matching up to those sub-standard wannabe intellectuals over at Mensa. I’m talking about meeting entrance standards for The Giga Society. Only one in a billion people qualify. But if you’re more, let’s say, run-of-the-mill, how about sharing your passion for poodles? Or your penchant for swapping coffee cream lids? Or your need to dress up like Santa Claus, even in February? Or your fancying of pigeons? Or your love of, simply, getting naked? Photographers Ursula Sprecher and Andi Cortellini have made it their mission to capture some of the world’s most fun, eccentric and cutest clubs; collating them in a coffee table book titled Hobby Buddies. In every staged portrait, club members are shown holding the object most important to them, wearing the costume (or lack of costume) that gives them common ground or taking part in their favourite activity. According to Sprecher and Cortellini, the series is inspired by the "joy of pursuing a common cause or shared idea". Camping and Caravanning Club Swiss Garrison Dintefisch Diving Club Tram Club Tupperware Party Santa Claus Group Warriors Cheerleaders Coffee Cream Lids Swap Meet BDSM Regular's Table Orchid Club Association of Scientific Preparators Board Games Club Merriment Pipe-Smokers Club Via Beautiful Decay. Images by Ursula Sprecher and Andi Cortellini.
Returning to the Great Ocean Road for another bout of end-of-year scullduggery, Falls is back with the likes of Foals and Disclosure at the top of the bill (both with shiny new albums to boot). Expect those beloved Brits Bloc Party on the bill as well, alongside a killer collection of international gems — we're talking Gary Clark Jr, Mac DeMarco, Kurt Vile and The Violaters, Toro Y Moi, Django Django, Young Fathers and The Maccabees to start with. Even Weird Al' Yankovic will headline the opening Boogie Nights party. Random. Australia's contingent deserves two thumbs way up, from international goakicker Courtney Barnett to dancefloor dominators RUFUS and the likes of the legendary Paul Kelly (with his Merri Soul Sessions), Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac, Gang of Youths, Hiatus Kaiyote, Little May, Alpine, Birds of Tokyo, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Seth Sentry, Halsey, BØRNS and more. Enough chatskies, here's that lineup you're after: FALLS FESTIVAL 2015 LINEUP: Alpine The Avener Birds of Tokyo Bloc Party BØRNS Courtney Barnett Disclosure Django Django Foals Gang of Youths Gary Clark Jr Halsey Hiatus Kaiyote Hilltop Hoods King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Kurt Vile & The Violators Little May The Maccabees Mac DeMarco Meg Mac Oh Wonder Paul Kelly & Merri Soul Sessions feat. Clairy Browne, Dan Sultan, Kira Puru, Vika & Linda Bull RÜFÜS Seth Sentry Toro Y Moi Young Fathers and more BOOGIE NIGHTS LINEUP Art vs Science El Vez Fleetmac Wood 'Weird Al' Yankovic and more UPDATE: Falls Festival Lorne has been relocated due to bushfires in the area. The festival will now be held at Mount Duneed Estate, just outside of Geelong. They've also just announced a one-day NYE ticket, with proceeds going to the Surf Coast Shire communities directly affected by the fires. You can find more information here. Image: Falls Festival.
It's the season of must-see TV we've known was coming since way back in 2020, and it finally has a release date. That'd be The Handmaid's Tale's fifth batch of episodes, which'll return this spring. The words you're looking for: praise be. With this hit series, blessed be the dystopian dramas, which is exactly what The Handmaid's Tale has been serving up since 2017 now. Of course, on the page, this bleak look at a potential oppressive existence has been drawing in fans since the 1985, when Margaret Atwood's book first hit shelves. A film followed in 1990, and opera in 2000 — plus a sequel novel in 2019, too. Yes, there have been many ways to dive into The Handmaid's Tale over the years, but only one keeps winning small-screen awards and stars a phenomenal Elisabeth Moss (Shining Girls). Thankfully, the wait between the show's fourth and fifth seasons is shorter than the gap between its third and fourth — a year rather than two. The date to mark in your diary: September 15, given that the show will return in the US on September 14. Down Under, episodes usually air weekly on SBS in Australia, and stream via SBS On Demand — and hit Neon in New Zealand — at the same time as in America. There's no trailer just yet, but The Handmaid's Tale's fifth season will arrive with two episodes to start with, then drop new instalments weekly afterwards. And, story-wise, it'll step back into June's (Moss) life after season four's climactic events. Accordingly, that also means watching Serena (Yvonne Strahovski, Stateless) try to raise her profile in Toronto, with season five seeing Gilead's influence creeps into Canada. Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford, Tick, Tick... Boom!) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd, Rebecca) endeavour to reform Gilead, too. And June, Luke (O-T Fagbenle, Black Widow) and Moira (Samira Wiley, Breaking News in Yuba County) will keep fighting the totalitarian regime. Also returning among the cast: Max Minghella (Spiral: From the Book of Saw), Madeline Brewer (Hustlers), Amanda Brugel (Snowpiercer) and Sam Jaeger (The Eyes of Tammy Faye). The fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit start airing in Australia and New Zealand in September — on SBS TV, and to stream via SBS On Demand and Neon, with new episodes arriving weekly.
There hasn't been much to look forward to in 2021, but we're all eagerly anticipating one big thing. That'd be the moment that 11.59pm on Friday, December 31 passes by, ticking over to 12.00am on Saturday, January 1, 2022. And, because it's actually almost that time of year, plenty of events have started announcing their New Year's Eve plans so you can work out how to spend that long-awaited moment. Here's another one: Annus Finis, MONA's first-ever NYE shindig. Taking place from 6.30pm on Friday, December 31 (obviously), this New Year's Eve party will take over MONA's lawns and main stage with live tunes, food and drinks, and the general kind of end-of-year shenanigans that every NYE get-together needs. Here, that also means an all-Tasmanian lineup, with Indigenous singer-songwriter Denni, hip hop artist Greely and audio visual artist and DJ Dameza helping do the honours. Also on the bill: Medhanit, Too Many Jasons, Scraps, Silver Fleet Ships, and what's being described as "an absurdist, anarchist ensemble boasting some of Tasmania's most talented performers" who'll pair up punk and Japanese influences. So, if a trip to Tassie is now on your NYE agenda — with the state reopening to double-vaccinated arrivals in mid-December, handily — you now know how can say goodbye to 2021. As for what you'll be eating and sipping, MONA's burger bar Dubsy's will be dishing up its diner-inspired fare, and the Moorilla Wine Bar will be doing both food and drinks. "Here at MONA, we love to throw a party, and I think we're pretty good at it," said MONA CEO Patrick Kelly, announcing Annus Finis. "We're excited to see our lawn full of punters again, and hopefully we can cast some MONA magic over New Year's Eve after what has been another challenging year for tourism and events, saying goodbye to arguably the worst year since 2020." MONA has also already announced that it's bringing back Mona Foma in January — so if you can't spend NYE in Tassie, you still have options for a 2022 trip to the Apple Isle. Annus Finis will take place at MONA from 6.30pm on Friday, December 31. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the MONA website. Images: Mona/Jesse Hunniford.
A time-capsule within touching distance of Melbourne CBD, Como House is an elegant example of the aristocratic lifestyle of the 1850s. Immaculately preserved following the National Trust of Australia's acquisition of the property in 1959, nowadays Como House and its stunning gardens is one of the best places to enjoy a relaxing Sunday picnic in the sun. Located high above the Yarra River in the backstreets of South Yarra, don't forget to take a break in the shade and explore the opulent interior of the house. The Armytage family owned the property for 95 years and much of their personal furniture remains on display around the house. Taking a stroll through Como House and around the extensive gardens provides a rare insight into the lives of the wealthy elite throughout the 19th century – a stylish backdrop to any bone-idle Sunday layabout. Image: Letícia Almeida.
A new specialty Japanese tea shop has opened up in Collingwood and is equipped for all your tea-related needs. Leading Japanese tea retailer Harvest Index has partnered with Melbourne-based brand designers, Benjamin Wright and Lachlan Sinclair to bring its teas — and tea drinking ways — to Melbourne for the first time. With tea ceremonies and expert pouring tastings, this 40-square-metre store is more of a laboratory than your traditional tea shop. The interiors, with hints of stainless steel, hardwood and the significant stone bar, are intentionally minimalist — like something you'd find in Tokyo, or around the corner at Cibi. The muted whites and huge forest-green velvet curtain (hiding 150 kilograms of rare Japanese tea) work together to achieve the Japanese concept of yuttarri — that is, to feel relaxed. Harvest Index's first collection offers six certified organic varieties of Japanese tea from the Uji region in Kyoto: matcha, hojicha, sencha, genmaicha, mizudashicha and wakocha. You can sample all of them from the shop's large tasting bar or take some home from dispensers lining the opposing wall. The studio is keen to educate the public on the importance of tea and even flew in Harvest Index's tea ceremony specialist, Rie Ohnuki, to co-manage the studio, demonstrate brewing techniques and bring the spiritual pastime of tea ceremonies to Melbourne. The shop also sells hand-crafted ceramic tea cups, bamboo teaspoons and speciality brewing equipment from Hario Japan — basically, everything you need to get started. If you're a tea aficionado or new to the whole thing be sure and go for a tasting experience at Harvest Index to find the perfect tea for you. It's free, you just have to book here.
Once you've tried a Turkish-style ice cream sandwich, you may never go back to a "regular" one. Using stretchy Maras ice cream (the stuff can be eaten with a knife and fork) Northcote cafe Cuppa Turca serves the icy treat between two slices of crispy hand-rolled baklava. It's then topped with hot pink Persian fairy floss. For those who are after something a little less extra, there's a more tame version served between two thin wafers. Or you can just have a scoop on its own. Whatever you pick, order it with a cup of coffee made on hot sand.
There's a reason the suburbs are such great fodder for writers. The suburban street is a meeting point of public and private. It's a place where we recognise faces, but don't remember names; a place where new picket fences, flaking weatherboards, and unkept gardens work to keep our stories separate but end up uniting us in small and incidental ways. Neighbourhood Watch is grounded in these dual ideas — a story of lives once lived parallel colliding in small, incidental, and often meaningful ways. Understandably, Neighbourhood Watch is first and foremost a character study. Once the barricades of suburban isolation are broken with a few awkward trips to the curb for bin night, we're let into the private lives of two purposefully opposing protagonists. There's Catherine (Megan Holloway), a struggling young actress and altogether flimsy stereotype of the troubled millennial. Then Ana (Robyn Nevin), a headstrong Hungarian migrant who lives alone with her ravenous German Shepherd, Bella, after surviving a World War and outliving two husbands. No prizes for guessing who steals the show. Ana, based on a real acquaintance of the playwright Lally Katz, is a spectacularly loveable character. Always giving advice and sharing stories, her broken English and obtrusive confidence give dark humour to a character with a sad and familiar story. Ana is the neighbour we have all had at one time. The old lady across the street that wants to have "just one" coffee with you. As Catherine deals with her own personal trauma she forms an unlikely friendship with Ana, becoming the child (or grandchild) she never had. Tales of Ana's past are then told expertly through the aid of minimal sets or props and a revolving stage which is utilised for dynamic shifts between scenes and great tension in one particular moment of conflict. More so, the lighting design by Damien Cooper is superb, creating both intimate moments of focus, and surreal looming shadows that linger above the figures as reminders of Ana's past oppressors. In comparison to such grandeur, Catherine's back story seems underdeveloped and, due to no real fault of Holloway, the young character gets lost alongside the magnificent presence cast by both Nevin and her feisty alter-ego. Nonetheless, the relationship between the women feels both genuine and unique and the story is rich with the injection of Ana's stories. The remainder of the cast, too, add various forms of comic relief and authenticity through their varied portrayal of characters past and present. The main problem, if you are going to have one, is with the obvious trajectory Katz shoots for here. The unlikely friendship of the main characters and the obvious focus on lesson learning will be heartwarming to some, and overwhelmingly twee for others. Though, even if you leave unsatisfied with the story, the masterful creation of character will make up for it. Nevin's bittersweet and fierce portrayal of Ana is undeniable — a show unto itself.
For 69 years, the Sydney Film Festival has screened and celebrated the latest and greatest in international cinema in the Harbour City. Since 2009, it has also handed out a prestigious award to the absolute best of the best. The list of flicks that've won the fest's Sydney Film Prize for "audacious, cutting-edge and courageous" movies is impressive, including everything from Nicolas Winding Refn's Bronson and Only God Forgives through to Bong Joon-ho's Parasite. Now, at the 2022 festival, Lukas Dhont's Close has joined them. Fresh from nabbing the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Dhont's sophomore feature has picked up this year's SFF $60,000 gong from a lineup of 12 contenders. Close dives into a teenage friendship between two 13-year-olds that's tested when they're teased and taunted about their closeness by their classmates — and also marks the filmmaker's second movie to screen at the Sydney fest, after Girl in 2018. "I want to express my incredible gratitude for the recognition that our film Close receives at this year's Sydney Film Festival. Thank you to the festival for expressing its love for the film, the jury for choosing it among all these outstanding pieces, and its first Australian audience for opening hearts and spirits to a film that comes from deep within," said Dhont. "We wanted to make a film about friendship and connection after a moment in time where we all understood its necessity and power. I decided to use cinema as my way to connect to the world. And tonight I feel incredibly close and connected to all of you." This year's Sydney Film Prize was decided by a jury comprised of Australian actor David Wenham (The Furnace), the SFF Official Competition Jury President, plus Jennifer Peedom (director of River and Sherpa), Mostofa Sarwar Farooki (the Bangladeshi filmmaker behind No Man's Land, which screened at SFF 2022), Semih Kaplanoğlu (the Turkish director-producer of Commitment Hasan, also screening at this year's SFF) and Yuka Sakano (Executive Director of Tokyo's Kawakita Memorial Film Institute). In winning the Sydney Film Prize, Close follows in the footsteps of the aforementioned Parasite, the 2019 recipient, as well as fellow past winners There Is No Evil (2021), The Heiresses (2018), On Body and Soul (2017), Aquarius (2016), Arabian Nights (2015), Two Days, One Night (2014), Only God Forgives (2013), Alps (2012), A Separation (2011), Heartbeats (2010), Bronson (2009) and Hunger (2008). Announced as the Sydney Film Prize-winner at SFF's 2022 closing ceremony, Close is just one of this year's award recipients. The street dancing-focused Keep Stepping won the $10,000 Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Australian Documentary, while Filipino doco Delikado nabbed the fest's second-ever $10,000 Sustainable Future Award. Also, the $20,000 Deutsche Bank Fellowship for First Nations Film Creatives went to filmmaker and performer Kylie Bracknell (Fist of Fury Noongar Daa), and film composer Caitlin Yeo (Wakefield, Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks) received the $10,000 Sydney-UNESCO City of Film Award. And, in the Dendy Short Film Awards, Donkey won the Yoram Gross Animation Award and the AFTRS Craft Award, while The Moths Will Eat Them Up scored the Dendy Live Action Short Award and the Rouben Mamoulian Award for Best Director. Four shorts were highly commended, too: 2166 in the Yoram Gross Animation Award field, Ghosted in the Dendy Live Action Short Award category, and Stonefish and Yao Yao Goes to Little Bay for the Best Director prize. The 2022 Sydney Film Festival ran from Wednesday, June 8–Sunday, June 19, with the festival screening four days of encores until Thursday, June 23.
Summer may be well and truly done and dusted, but spritz season is kicking on strong at Richmond's Baby Pizza. In fact, the venue is serving up a fresh series of daily aperitivo specials to see you happily sipping through autumn. From 4–6pm each day, Baby is slinging serves of Aperol and sbagliato rosa for $9.50 a pop. Otherwise, part with $6.50 for a Peroni Rossa or $14 for a glass of Castelli Mt Barker pinot grigio instead. If you're also feeling peckish, you'll find plenty to love about the aperitivo food menu: house-made focaccia with mortadella, buffalo mozzarella and green olive; fritto di polenta (parmesan-crusted polenta with aioli); gnudi di ricotta with roasted red pepper and sage; and pizzette with anchovy, San Marzano tomato and basil. Walk-ins are welcome, though you can make a booking online if you want to be sure of nabbing a table.
White Night's hustle and bustle is back again — and, because one evening isn't enough, it's tripling its duration. Called White Night Reimagined, the revamped festival will take over the city with installations, music, performances and other one-off cultural happenings, including a subterranean bar underneath Federation Square. Fancy joining in the fun, but avoiding the huge crowds? From Thursday, August 22 to Saturday, August 24, you can climb down to Fed Square's depths, all as part of its second Sensory Underground pop-up. The first one, an immersive restaurant scheduled for the end of July, has proven such a hit that it'll return as a bar. Think futuristic lights, sensory installations and plenty of drinks, all beneath street level. With its feast of sights, sounds, scents, textures and tastes, the White Night Reimagined Asahi After Dark Bar also forms part of Fed Square's Anything But Square Festival, so you won't be lacking in things to do over the jam-packed three days. To find the space, you'll need to enter through Platform 13 at Flinders Street Station. Then, once inside, you'll sip brews surrounded by light installations by artist Kit Webster, listen to music by English electro musician Rival Consoles, watch performances by Paul Findlay and immersive yourself in a virtual reality wellness spa by local tech studio Phoria. Tickets cost $20 per person for a two-hour visit, with the White Night Reimagined Asahi After Dark Bar running three sessions each evening: from 7–9pm, 9–11pm, and 11–late. Images: courtesy Kit Webster.
