Quiet Determination: The Films of Kelly Reichardt

Overview

When most filmmakers look back at American frontier life, they spin tales of conflict. The inimitable Kelly Reichardt does just that, too, but her sublime new film First Cow tells a story you definitely won't see in any other movie. Here, the talented director explores the fallout when a chef and his resourceful pal decide to steal milk from the new, only and first-ever cow in town — and then use the pilfered dairy product to make oily cakes that become a must-eat item in their community.

One of the year's absolute best movies, First Cow is now showing at Golden Age Cinema. To mark the occasion, the Surry Hills venue is also diving deeper into Reichardt's cinematic catalogue. As part of Quiet Determination: The Films of Kelly Reichardt, four of her other features will grace the big screen — so you can check out her first two films, as well as two of her collaborations with Michelle Williams.

The pictures aren't showing in any particular order, but seeing them all is highly recommended. With an all-star cast that includes Williams, Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart and Lily Gladstone, 2016's Certain Women kicks off the retrospective at 5.30pm on Sunday, May 16. At the same time on Sunday, May 23, 2006's Old Joy will follow two longterm friends reuniting on a camping trip — and at 3.30pm on Sunday, May 30, Reichardt's vivid 1994 debut River of Grass will screen. Wrapping things up is Wendy and Lucy, the tender and heartwrenching 2008 drama about a woman driving to Alaska with her dog, which plays at 5.30pm on Sunday, June 6.