Maleficent has a perception problem. Traditionally blamed for Sleeping Beauty's snoozing state, the evil fairy gained an on-screen backstory in 2014, which softened out her edges (but not her razor-sharp cheekbones, naturally). That leaves inevitable sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in a tricky predicament. The movie's title dials up the character's supposedly unsociable ways; however, if Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) is now happily playing godmother to Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning), how nefarious can she really be? And if she's facing off against a seemingly kindly queen (Michelle Pfeiffer) who actually wants to start a genocidal war against all magical folk, well, she's hardly the most wicked creature in this film. You could say that Disney just chose the wrong name for this follow-up, but the movie's moniker is symptomatic of its generally muddled state of affairs. It's easy to see why this sequel exists — the first film made a quarter-billion dollars at the box office, and Jolie's casting as Maleficent is a dark fairytale dream — yet that doesn't explain why such little thought appears to have gone into it otherwise. Perhaps the powers-that-be assumed that audiences just want Maleficent to be somewhat evil, so they'll overlook the fact that the last flick (and the beginning of this one) establishes otherwise. Or, perhaps it was a case of trying to use the same formula by giving it the slightest of twists. Where Maleficent proved that its eponymous antiheroine wasn't really bad because she has a soft spot for Aurora, Mistress of Evil does the same by saying "hey, someone else is worse!" That someone, Pfeiffer's Queen Ingrith, comes into Maleficent's life when Aurora accepts Prince Phillip's (Harris Dickinson) marriage proposal. While Maleficent is wary at first, she's heatedly flapping her wings with disapproval after an awkward meet-the-in-laws dinner, where she's accused of working her wicked magic on King John (Robert Lindsay). Although Aurora is left distraught and confused, original screenwriter Linda Woolverton and newcomers Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue (TV's Transparent) ensure that viewers don't feel the same, spelling out exactly who's responsible for the sinister turn of events. After a run-in with a colony of fellow dark fairies (led by a wasted Chiwetel Ejiofor), the scene is set for Maleficent to do her worst against Ingrith — for the absolute best possible reasons. With its feuding royals, controversial nuptials and ill-motivated blonde queen, Mistress of Evil takes a leaf or several out of Game of Thrones' book — all while tasking its antagonist with trying to wipe out an entire race. Throwing homicidal xenophobia into the mix is designed to reflect today's times, rebuke toxic political structures and promote a message of harmony, but it's both bluntly and clumsily handled. This is a family-friendly flick, after all, so Disney doesn't seem to want to delve too deeply into such tricky terrain. It's still happy to use holocaust parallels to up the dramatic stakes, though. Under the direction of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' co-helmer Joachim Rønning, the movie's visuals also prove dull and lumbering, unless you like overblown CGI onslaughts. Of course, Mistress of Evil isn't the first big fantasy blockbuster that's forgone subtlety and ramped up its battle scenes, but it never escapes attention that the film didn't need to turn out this way. Jolie is once again a commanding delight as Maleficent, a role she relishes even if it barely stretches her Oscar-winning acting skills. Pfeiffer is equally as mesmerising as her increasingly deranged adversary — and, as she did the first time around, Fanning wears innocence well. After fleshing out its titular figure's tragic past in the initial movie, this sequel could've just let its three main talents go head-to-head. Indeed, Mistress of Evil is at its strongest when Jolie and Pfeiffer are trading withering barbs and glares, or when Jolie and Fanning are exploring their characters' complex mother-daughter dynamic. Cast-wise, it helps that they're in fine company, with Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton and Juno Temple returning as pithy pixies devoted to Aurora, and Sam Riley popping up again as Maleficent's shape-shifting offsider; however the film's three main ladies steal the show when they're just talking to each other. But, then the screensaver-like special effects start screaming for attention. The movie's swooping cinematography keeps repetitively flying over forests and castles, too. And, especially from its mid-point, Rønning repeatedly hits audiences over the head with the film's clunky themes. Instead of enchanting, it all just makes for average-at-best fairytale drama. Mistress of Evil is hardly cursed, but it won't send anyone leaping from their slumber. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU9zRfcTI-k
Back in 1940, when Alfred Hitchcock brought gothic mystery novel Rebecca to the screen, he nabbed an Oscar for Best Picture for his troubles. While the story has popped up in both film and TV form over the eight decades since, it's now returning with another exciting British filmmaker at the helm: Ben Wheatley, the director behind High-Rise and Free Fire. Wheatley's work is always cause for excitement, and has been since his 2009 debut Down Terrace. Also on his resume: 2011's particularly sinister Kill List, 2012 dark comedy Sightseers, 2013's trippy A Field in England and 2018's Happy New Year, Colin Burstead. But, starring Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas — and looking rather luxe, as the just-released first trailer shows — Rebecca might just be his biggest project yet. In his version of Daphne du Maurier's 1938 tale, Wheatley steps into a new marriage between widower Maxim de Winter (Hammer) and his fresh-faced bride (James). Once they've tied the knot, the couple endeavour to settle into the de Winter family's coastal estate, Manderley; however, the resident housekeeper Mrs Danvers (Scott Thomas) is hardly welcoming, and the memory of Maxim's first wife Rebecca lingers noticeably. When Rebecca hits Netflix on October 21, viewers can expect a gothic mystery filled with psychological thrills, as well as plenty of gorgeous sets, costumes and imagery in general — befitting the classic tale. Case-wise, Rebecca also features The Handmaid's Tale's Ann Dowd, and reunites Wheatley with High-Rise's Keeley Hawes and Free Fire and Happy New Year, Colin Burstead's Sam Riley. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFVhB54UqvQ Rebecca hits Netflix on Wednesday, October 21. Top image: Kerry Brown/Netflix.
The Sydney Opera House's contemporary music program is all about breaking down barriers. Once upon a time the Concert Hall was pretty much exclusively dedicated to the classical genre, but these days the likes of Paul Kelly, Sharon Jones and Nick Cave can be found gracing the stage. Later this month, Sarah Blasko will make her Opera House debut when she and the Sydney International Orchestra perform her boundary-obliterating fourth album, I Awake. Blasko has never been one to rest on her creative laurels and her new LP is no exception. Last year, she travelled to Sweden and Bulgaria, where she hooked up with the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra to record twelve tracks. Featuring rich string arrangements and a vocal performance that producer/musician Robert Cranny has described as her recorded "best", I Awake has been inspiring four and five star reviews from the critics. If you're under twenty or hold a Healthcare card, you can book a standing room ticket for just $20 (Note: these tickets are only available in person at the Sydney Opera House Box Office – you can't buy them online). https://youtube.com/watch?v=LD137cd7Cw0
If you're on the hunt for an elevated dining experience but the cost of living crisis has you counting your pennies, venues like ŌRA Omakase restaurant in Waterloo are delivering delicious eats without the usual price tag. Crafted by executive chef Nobuyuki Ura, ŌRA is serving its limited-edition tasting menu inspired by Haku Vodka, a craft spirit from the House of Suntory, during the month of August for only $110. Where's This Special Offer Available? The special menu is being served at ŌRA, an expansive omakase restaurant in a refurbished warehouse in the suburb of Waterloo. The usual omakase experience is $250, but this special Haku Vodka-inspired menu will get you in the door for less than half of that and it includes a bespoke Haku martini. ŌRA's culinary offerings are spearheaded by executive chef Nobuyuki Ura. Omakase, which means "leave it up to you," is one part theatre, one part culinary masterpiece and all parts delicious. At ŌRA, Chef Ura serves up his epicurean performance at the 10-seater marble Chef's Counter. We previously sat down with Chef Ura to discuss his processes and philosophies. "The most important thing is to execute each dish without compromise," says Ura. "I make each item with all my heart. I avoid talking too much unless the customer asks me a question so I can focus. I believe in allowing them to be immersed in the food but I have spent many years cooking for different types of people across all walks of life so I am comfortable entertaining when necessary. Some are nervous at first but, by the time they leave, everyone is smiling." What's on the Special Menu? The special set menu includes five courses. Starting off strong with the zensai (appetiser) course, which includes charcoal-grilled koji ocean trout, spanner crab chawanmushi (a Japanese egg custard) with ginko nuts, mitsuba, ikura (salmon roe) and truffle and a fresh oyster topped with shiso granita. The second course features a pan-fried WA lobster with luscious Haku Vodka-infused kombu butter served with a micro mixed leaf salad for a touch of freshness. Following this is the sushi course with the chef's selection of nigiri and sushi rolls. The main dish is wagyu steak, sweet truffle sauce and bok choy, then the meal finishes strong with a palate-refreshing zesty yuzu cheesecake and sakura mochi ice cream — equal parts sweet and floral but always in balance. What's the Special Martini? It wouldn't be a Haku Vodka-inspired menu without an elevated cocktail. The signature serve for Haku Vodka is a martini. As part of this brand collaboration, ŌRA's bar manager, Basile Jourdan, has crafted a bespoke martini that complements the special tasting menu and celebrates the Japanese spirit. It is a delicate blend of Haku Vodka, White Lillet, clarified citrus and Tantakatan soshu-infused Italicus. It brings together elements from Jourdan's French sensibilities and Japanese ingredients, such as the shiso herb from the Hokkaido prefecture. The resulting martini has a floral and citrus aroma and clean, crisp flavour with a touch of sweetness thanks to the white wine-infused fruits and herbs in the White Lillet. It cuts through the richness of the Haku Vodka-infused kombu butter and wagyu steak dishes without overpowering the more delicate Zensai and sushi courses. What's Haku Vodka? Haku Vodka is a Japanese craft spirit made entirely from Japanese white rice. It boasts a soft, rounded and subtly sweet flavour profile. Named 'Haku', which translates to white' and brilliant' in Japanese, this vodka exemplifies the artistry involved in creating a clear, clean-tasting spirit. Filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku Vodka serves as the ideal foundation for ŌRA's team to explore a symphony of flavours, textures, and aromas. How to Nab a Spot? In order to sample this delectable menu at ŌRA, you must make a reservation on the website. The menu is only available until the end of August. Each reservation includes the five dishes plus a complimentary martini and will set you back $110. The ŌRA x Haku Vodka set menu is available until the end of August. Make your reservation on the website. Haku Vodka's signature serve is the Haku martini — a drink that showcases the craftsmanship, nuanced flavour and exceptional quality of the premium Japanese liquid. To learn more, head to the House of Suntory website. Image Credit: Brooke Zotti
When Twin Peaks wrapped up its original two-season run back in 1991, it left audiences with a damn huge cliffhanger. David Lynch revisited the series' distinctive world on the big screen the following year; however Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me was a prequel rather than a sequel, so the show's mysteries remained just that for more than a quarter-century. Then, in 2017, came Twin Peaks: The Return. The long-awaited 18-episode third season of the show continued the tale of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and murdered Twin Peaks homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) — but, with Lynch directing every episode and co-writing the whole thing with fellow series creator Mark Frost, it did so in a very Lynchian way. In the words of Coop himself, it took you to a place both wonderful and strange, exceeding what even the most feverish Peaks fans expected. Eighteen hours of Lynch and Frost's unfiltered weirdness will do that. Indeed, Twin Peaks: The Return felt like stepping straight into Lynch's brain. That said, the next Twin Peaks project just might have that beat. While it's unlikely to deliver anything as mind-blowing as the third season's acclaimed eighth episode, Twin Peaks VR will let you wander around the show's famous settings — and solve puzzles while you're there. Created by Collider Games and Showtime, and available now — via Steam and Oculus for Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift-S, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos, with versions for Oculus Quest and PlayStationVR coming at a yet-to-be-revealed date — Twin Peaks VR takes players on a first-person journey through everywhere from the Red Room and Glastonbury Grove to the Sheriff's Department and the Glass Box Observation. Yes, that means that you can virtually walk past the iconic crimson curtains and along the zigzagging floors, rifle through Sheriff Truman's desk and watch out for Bob. Based on the trailer, you can also see the kettle-like machine that David Bowie's Fire Walk With Me character became in The Return as well. While escape room-type puzzles keep the game moving forward, it's really an excuse to hang out in the Twin Peaks realm in the most immersive way yet. And, if you've watched and rewatched the show's 48 episodes (and the movie) more times than you can count — and read the various books related to it, too — it's your next chance to scratch your Twin Peaks itch. Best grab yourself some coffee, cherry pie and doughnuts to enjoy while you're playing, obviously. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHRXHvPRrJY Twin Peaks VR is now available via Steam and Oculus. For further information, visit the game's website.
Across the past nine years, Sydney's All About Women festival has featured sessions on everything from hip hop and toxic masculinity to the post-#MeToo era — and, for its tenth iteration in 2021, it's once again presenting an exciting and eclectic program. When the event returns across two days on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, it'll feature talks, panels, workshops and films about the future of women in Afghanistan, sexual entitlement, and pushing beyond the gender binary — as well as design, art and love. Once again, the fest will take place around International Women's Day. While last year's festival of ideas focused on power structures that limit the female experience, 2022's edition pulls together an all-star cast to discuss a wide and far-reaching collection of topics surrounding gender, justice and equality. Leading the lineup of speakers is advocate and former political staffer Brittany Higgins who will be joining British slam poet Joelle Taylor and beloved presenter Julia Zemiro for the Opening Night Gala. Debbie Millman — designer consultant for the likes of Maria Abramovic, Ai Weiwei and David Byrne, and host of the Design Matters podcast — will be discussing the importance of design in our lives and the merits of living creatively with Yumi Stynes. Elsewhere on the lineup, Clementine Ford will be delivering a sermon on love; Laura Tingle and Anne Summers are deconstructing our always outlandish political landscape; a host of LGBTQIA+ storytellers will be taking to the stage for Queerstories; and Debra Keenahan, Elly-May Barnes and Eliza Hull will lead a discussion on parenting with a disability. As for workshops, head in person and you'll have the chance to vent and seek council from Wiradjuri women Aunty Glendra Stubbs, Aunty Norma Ingram, Aunty Millie Ingram, and Aunty Bronwyn Penrith about problems in your life; learn to dye fabrics or seek advice on being successful from Flex Mami. Returning this year is the option to livestream the talks and panels online if you can make it in person. Head to the Sydney Opera House's website to see what's on offer both in-person and online. [caption id="attachment_844646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] Top image: Prudence Upton
"Fan art" comes in a bizarre array of forms. Couch-dwelling admirers of films and television series have brought us such timeless works of art as Elvis murals made from burnt toast, life-size stormtrooper costumes and the burgeoning industry of "fan fiction". While this sort of fandom, at times bordering on obsession, tends to be fairly laughable, Spanish artist Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde has transformed her TV fixation into something truly fascinating, creating hand-drawn, blueprints of some of television's most beloved apartments. With these intricate aerial views fans can now take a virtual tour through the apartments of Sex and the City, The Big Bang Theory and Friends, while forever wondering how a bunch of characters that seem to divide their time fairly evenly between coffee houses and trendy bars manage to afford these fab pads. Friends - Chandler & Joey and Monica & Rachel's Apartments The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon & Leonard and Penny's Apartments Frasier - Frasier Crane's Apartment Sex and the City - Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment Original Batman TV series - Wayne Manor
If you thought Sydney's Tramsheds had squeezed in all the foodie goodness it could possibly fit, then you'd better think again. The folks behind the huge new Harold Park development have big plans for Artisan Lane, a new flexi-space at the heart of the recently-opened foodie precinct, that's playing host to a mix of markets, workshops, master classes, and innovative food pop-ups — including a new European-inspired market. Boasting two fully functional kitchens, and room for 76 people, Artisan Lane will be serving up knowledge feasts, as well as the edible kind, with a lineup of classes set to cover everything from butchery and fish filleting, to brewing beer. But if you're more of the market-minded foodie type, Artisan Lane is also the setting for a new European-inspired Sunday market, showcasing seven local traders each weekend. Discerning foodies will be able to get their hot little hands on a grand array of nosh, like Pepe Saya's handmade butter, Sri Lankan dishes from Hopper Sadé, and stunning floral works by Thorny Roses Florists. Tramsheds' weekly food market runs every Sunday at 1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge. Find out what else you can feast upon with our handy guide to Tramsheds' culinary offerings. Image: Steven Woodburn.
Sydney sneakerheads, get ready to geek out over some of the rarest sneakers, streetwear pieces and apparel on the market — because Australia's largest sneaker convention, Sneakerland, is coming to town. On Saturday, December 2, Carriageworks will host a huge space for all collectors, resellers, content creators and anyone who just loves sneakers, to get together with likeminded kicks freaks to buy, sell, trade and just breathe in the heady fragrance of all that leather, Nubuck and canvas. A horde of hardcore sneaker lovers will be at Sneakerland Sydney and, if you count yourself among them, come ready to fight over ultra exclusive shoes and apparel. But this event isn't only for cashed-up collectors. First off, there are stacks of more affordable sneakers available from both local and international sellers. And, the sneaker museum will be a huge drawcard no matter your budget. Sneakerland will also feature a heap of entertainment, setting the vibe as you peruse — and maybe purchase — all that footwear. As well as live sneaker auctions, a sneaker verification station and sneaker cleaning services, attendees will be able to get around basketball comps, try to win their share in $35,000 worth of prizes, hit up the tattoo station, nab a free haircut, fuel up at the food trucks, go head-to-head at the gaming station, and listen to DJs and a live podcast recording. While general tickets cost $30, if you nab a VIP ticket for $100 you're in for some extra swag. You'll score early access to the event, food and drinks, and a private lounge to relax in. There'll also be special live auctions featuring the most sought-after items — so if you're looking to beat all others on the trading floor, this is for you.
The place: earth in the near future. The situation: a frozen planet chilling at a frosty -119 degrees celsius, as caused by humanity's attempts to combat climate change. The only solution: a constantly hurtling 1001-car train that plays host to the world's only remaining people. But, instead of banding together on the speeding locomotive, the residents of Snowpiercer have transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Snowpiercer — on both the big screen and on TV. First came Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and 2019's Cannes Palme d'Or-winning and Oscar-winning Parasite. Then, unsurprisingly, came a US-made television series, which was first announced back in 2016, and then finally started speeding across screens — including Down Under, where it's available via Netflix — from May 2020. In both forms, Snowpiercer boasts a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacks its underlying idea in a thrilling and involving manner. While the TV version isn't as stellar as Bong's film (because, honestly, how could it be?), it takes the same dystopian concept, heightens the suspense and drama, and serves up both a class warfare-fuelled survivalist thriller and a murder-mystery. Think constant twists, reveals and reversals, cliffhangers at the end of almost every scene, and a 'Murder on the Snowpiercer Express' kind of vibe. Indeed, it's very addictive — and, ahead of its season two premiere on Tuesday, January 26 on Netflix, the streaming platform has dropped the full trailer for the show's next batch of episodes Once again, Hamilton's Tony Award-winning Daveed Diggs leads the charge, playing an ex-detective who has spent seven years in the tail end of the train and is dedicated to overthrowing the status quo to achieve equality for all. Also aboard is Jennifer Connelly as the engine's all-seeing, ever-present head of hospitality, with the likes of Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright all part of Snowpiercer's new world order as well. And, as first teased last year, Snowpiercer's existing cast are all facing a significant change in the second season. They're about to meet a new adversary, as played by none other than Game of Thrones' Sean Bean. Just how long he'll survive in his latest role is something you can start pondering right now. Watch the full Snowpiercer season two trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yZatBxIqVk Snowpiercer's second season will hit Netflix Down Under from Tuesday, January 26 — dropping new episodes weekly. Top image: David Bukach.
Anyone who has spent time in London will know of Brick Lane. Located in east London, the cobblestone stretch of road is home to vintage stores, street art and the best subcontinental food you'll find in the city. So when Kiran Bains and Alistair French were developing their new Sydney venue, which would offer a contemporary twist on traditional Indian flavours, they knew where to look for inspiration. The finished product is their Darlinghurst eatery, which emulates the trendy London area in both name and vibe. The decor shies away from the stuffy curry houses of yore; exposed brick runs the length of the narrow venue and splashes of graffiti and pendant lighting give the space a trendy feel to match the modern menu. The kitchen presents traditional Indian flavours in unconventional ways and takes cues from culinary neighbours. Take, for example, tandoori chicken burger spring-rolls, bhaji baos and the naan-mi — Brick Lane's take on a banh-mi featuring pork belly and spiced pate wrapped in roti. Chai and chocolate mousse with fried roti and watermelon granita are among your sweeter choices. And just like its London cousin, you're able to snag a good food-and-drink deal here, too. We've sung the praises of the epic $55 banquet in the past. By parting with a pineapple (and a little), you will enjoy an eight-course feed with bottomless wine and beer. The deal proved so popular that the restaurant has decided to launch an even cheaper Friday and Saturday lunch version. For $20, you get two loaded roti tacos plus a glass of wine or beer. What a way to welcome the weekend.
Need another excuse to round up the crew for a boozy brunch? Kick-starting the brunch party this year and bringing the good times in spades is Mrs Sippy with a month-long brunch series. Every Saturday and Sunday in February, the Double Bay spot is hosting a feast. Just book a table between 12–3pm and you and your friends will be treated to a Mediterranean-inspired meal and two hours of unlimited drinks for $89. Food-wise, you'll be tucking into the likes of oysters, dips, pita, falafels, pulled lamb and salads. Better yet, Mrs Sippy has teamed up with French vodka distiller Grey Goose — so expect plenty of summery cocktails, too. You'll score a vodka, watermelon, cucumber and mint cocktail on arrival for no extra cost. Then, as you settle in for an indulgent spread, you'll get cocktail pitchers of Grey Goose vodka, strawberries, mint, orange, pomegranate, bitters and ginger beer. Want to take things up a notch? Get a cocktail of your choice for an additional $15 — think espresso martinis and watermelon spritzes — with all profits being donated to WIRES. Alternatively, if you're just after the food, you can opt for a booze-free brunch for $55 a pop. Plus, as you kick back with your crew, DJs will be spinning some tunes. To book your spot, head here. UPDATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2020 — Mrs Sippy is now offering a 15 percent discount on all Sunday bookings for this brunch series.
UPDATE, December 23, 2021: Last Christmas is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. At the end of each year, when 'Last Christmas' gets stuck in your head for months, you probably don't spend too long thinking about it. George Michael's soft tones echo through your brain, his romantic lyrics roll off your tongue and the song's gentle beat becomes the rhythm of your life — but we're guessing you've never added a backstory to the classic 80s festive track, pondered its words in-depth or taken it literally. Clearly, you're not Emma Thompson. Asked to turn the tune into a screenplay, the Oscar-winning actor and writer has expended her brain cells on this task — and the film that results clearly states that it's "inspired by the song 'Last Christmas'". Given that movies based on games, toys and amusement park rides are now commonplace, a Wham! track is as good a starting point as any. Plus, with Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters and A Simple Favour director Paul Feig at the helm, Last Christmas comes with a solid comedy pedigree. It's highly contrived, as plenty of end-of-year movies are. It's also schmaltzy, as is the song. But, splashed across the screen with a sea of red, green and tinsel, the Christmas flick boasts enough warm-hearted charm to light up this sweetly engaging seasonal affair. Feig, Thompson and co-writer Bryony Kimmings (the performance artist behind I'm a Phoenix, Bitch) have another trick up their sleeves, with Last Christmas taking its entire soundtrack from George Michael's back catalogue. On paper, a Christmas rom-com based on a beloved pop song, featuring a jukebox worth of tracks by the same artist and unfurling its Yuletide hijinks in London sounds like the work of an algorithm in overdrive. If the world's December playlists joined forces with everyone's Love Actually-heavy festive streaming queues, this premise would be the end result. The film's casting, letting a post-Game of Thrones Emilia Clarke channel her inner Fleabag and deploying a post-Crazy Rich Asians Henry Golding as a tender dreamboat, seems like it has sprung straight from social media posts, too. In short, Last Christmas feels engineered to incite as cosy a feel-good glow as it can — and, in-between evoking a few eye rolls, it manages that feat. On the subject of eye rolls, the plot details might as well spring from a rom-com handbook. Kate (Clarke) is a down-on-her-luck aspiring singer who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas store, Tom (Golding) is an unrelentingly optimistic bicycle courier who doesn't have a phone and devotes his spare time to helping the homeless, and, despite ostensibly having nothing in common, they're drawn to each other. One of their early run-ins involves a bird shitting on Kate, lest viewers forget that her boozy life moving between various friends' couches and spare rooms is a mess. Befitting this incident, Tom's wisdom-laced catchphrase — because, yes, he has one — is "look up". As Last Christmas' chalk-and-cheese duo get closer, with Tom's kindness rubbing off on the cynical Kate as she tries to figure out her life, nothing unexpected happens. That's especially true if you do actually spend a few seconds thinking about the song behind the movie's moniker, but Thompson and Kimmings' script has such a heartfelt tone — and an awareness of the tropes it's gleefully adopting — that the film mostly works. It's the cinematic equivalent of drinking eggnog; it might not be your beverage of choice, but, when it's in front of you, you'll genuinely enjoy it all the same. Two weightier aspects of Last Christmas' narrative also help it go down smoothly, the first involving Kate's recovery from a major health scare and the impact it has had on her life, and the second stemming from her family heritage. With the picture set in 2017, and with Kate and her relatives (including Thompson as her broad-accented mother) immigrating from the former Yugoslavia two decades earlier, this is very much a Brexit-era festive romantic comedy. The film's other key elements — Feig, Clarke and Golding — all hit their marks. Feig's penchant for odd-couple comedy, Clarke's bubbliness behind her usual Mother of Dragons on-screen persona and Golding's innate charisma each sparkle, particularly when the movie begins to lean on its formula (and when the predictable twist, which viewers have been guessing since the trailer first dropped, pops up). Elsewhere, the latter's Crazy Rich Asians mother, Michelle Yeoh, steals her scenes as Kate's boss Santa (yep, that's her name). Naturally, Thompson does the same in the picture's most overtly comic role. Consider them the extra ingredients in this Christmas pudding of a picture — a film that's designed to complement the full meal that 'tis the season, and proves sweetly satisfying enough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co5jWMYsr34
There are many works of fiction set in a future metropolis, but what about a school-scape specifically? Keeping with the fascination for dystopian futures, Out Of Line proposes a hellish schoolyard setting where rules are enforced rigorously and self-expression is unheard of. Imagine a world where sameness is not just common, but normal. Young people, both with and without disability, from the Shopfront Bodylines Ensemble, Autism Spectrum Australia and Kogarah High School will come to together to present this full-length live performance work at the Australian Theatre for Young People. Directed by Flinders University Drama Centre alum Margot Politis, the work promises to be a provoking exploration of the overriding themes of rules, bullying and resilience through movement.
For a long time, it's felt like the city's nightlife has been in limbo. After stricter liquor and lockout laws were implemented by the State Government back in 2014, forcing a 1.30am lockout on venues in the CBD and its surrounds, many have felt the pumping soundtrack of the city dwindle — or at least heard it move out of areas like Kings Cross and the CBD and subsequently relegated to a few concentrated areas, like King Street in Newtown. But a new push to end the lockouts from the Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party last month has reignited some hope that maybe the city won't be stuck in this limbo forever. And now, the City of Sydney has released an extensive new plan for Sydney's nightlife that will update and somewhat loosen the council's planning controls for the first time in ten years. Many of the proposed new changes would allow businesses in the CBD and surrounding villages — that includes bars, restaurants, shops, galleries and cultural institutions — to extend their opening hours through a process of application and proven good behaviour. These would be in line with how the city has grown and changed both geographically and culturally over the last decade. The plan is a result of feedback submitted by over 10,000 Sydneysiders the recommendations of the Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel, a 16-member panel that was put together by the city last year. Here are a few things Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City of Sydney are proposing. Businesses in the CBD would be able to operate 24 hours a day (currently most can trade until 5am). This would ideally spread out the number of 24-hour businesses as, at the moment, they're all crowded around George Street and The Rocks. Outside of the CBD, small 'low impact' business along main drags — like Glebe Point Road, Crown Street and Redfern Street — would have their opening hours extended from midnight till 2am. Some live music venues and theatres would score an extra hour of trading on the nights they have a gig or performance on. Even non-licensed venues like shops and hairdressers would be encouraged to stay open later to create a more diverse late-night economy. Note that these proposals wouldn't change the venue's liquor licensing restrictions — bars that fall under the lockout laws will still have to abide by the State Government's licensing and lockout laws. In addition to this, the City is also hoping to establish a brand new 24-hour cultural precinct in the industrial part of Alexandria on the corner of McEvoy and Wyndham streets. This would house creatives and host exhibitions, parties and gigs, and service the growing population around Alexandria and Green Square. Of course, the City of Sydney can't change the lockout laws — that's the job of the NSW Government — but these proposed control changes will allow businesses to gain at least a few more freedoms within the state's restrictions. The city hopes that, with these proposals, it can safeguard Sydney's nightlife culture for the future, whether the lockout laws stay in place or not, but it's hard to see real change coming about without the State Government willing to step down on the lockouts or introduce other late-night infrastructure, like 24-hour transport on weekends. The proposals will go to council on Monday, November 19. If they're approved, they'll then go on public display until February where you can submit your thoughts and concerns. We'll let you know what happens next.
If you didn't dedicate an autumn 2022 day to binging Heartstopper, then you probably weren't anywhere near your streaming queue or social media. As charming as romantic comedies, LGBTQIA+-championing tales, British series and coming-of-age stories can get, this webcomic-to-page-to-screen delight dropped all eight of its first-season episodes at once, became an instant Netflix hit and started many an obsession — regardless of whether you currently are or ever have been a queer teen trying to be true to yourself, navigating high school and riding the emotional rollercoaster that is falling in love. The great news: if you haven't seen it already, season one is obviously still there and waiting. The even better news: Netflix renewed the series for two more seasons last year because the first proved such a hit. And, the best news: the second season will arrive on Thursday, August 3. This winter, Heartstopper will be making tickers miss a beat again, and twice, with the graphic novel's author and illustrator Alice Oseman also back as the show's writer (and creator, obviously). It's easy to see why more Heartstopper is on its way — and not just because its narrative has continued past where season one stopped on both the web and in print. The first season hit the Netflix top-ten list in 54 countries, wowed audiences and earned the online attention to prove it, and made stars out of its delightful cast. Story-wise, Heartstopper heads to Truham Grammar School, where Charlie Spring (first-timer Joe Locke) was in year ten in season one. He found himself seated in his form class next to year 11 rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, Little Joe) at the start of a new term, with sparks flying swiftly and overwhelmingly — at least on Charlie's part — and a crush and then a life-changing love story blossoming. Season two will see the pair in the thick of their new relationship, and coping with exams, the prom and a trip to Paris. Also, Charlie's high-drama best friend Tao (fellow debutant William Gao) and recently out trans pal Elle (Yasmin Finney) will work through their bond, while her school friends Tara (Corinna Brown, Daphne) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) have their own challenges. There's currently four volumes, spanning five chapters, of Heartstopper on the page — and a fifth volume set to arrive in November 2023 — so fingers crossed there'll be even more seasons of the Netflix series in the future. Heartstopper season two doesn't have a trailer yet, but you can check out the date announcement video below: Heartstopper season two will stream via Netflix from Thursday, August 3. Read our review of season one. Images: Netflix.
For better or worse, you always know what you're getting at McDonald's. Whether you're stopping off on a road trip for something quick and easy or hitting the dodgy end of a long night with nothing but tequila in your belly, Maccas delivers the same mysteriously flat, delicious mess. But now, Aussie McDonald's stores are stepping it up a notch. With the introduction of table service and customisable burgers with new, quality ingredients, Maccas is getting a little bit gourmet. Sydney's Castle Hill store is the first in Australia to trial the idea, with this new service starting this week. Customers can order their burgers via digital kiosk and choose from 19 ingredients including fancy brioche buns, grilled mushrooms, tortilla chips and nine different sauces. The burgers are then served directly to your table on fashionable wooden boards and newspaper with the hallmark shoestring fries in a wire basket. Without that familiar red and yellow packaging, the meals look a whole lot like what you might find at popular burger joints like Grill'd — a move which is anything but accidental. As strange as it may seem, burgers are all the rage now. No longer relegated to shameful hungover binges, big brioche buns and quality meats are front and centre on Australia's foodie scene, and McDonald's are getting in on the action. "All of our innovations have been led by Australians," said McDonald's CEO Andrew Gregory. "What we're really doing here is just what our customers have asked us to do." But it's a move which doesn't come cheap. It's reported that this remodelling strategy will set the fast food titan back a whopping $1 billion. Though Castle Hill is currently the only Australian store offering the new menu and service, McDonald's plan to introduce it elsewhere soon. If all goes to plan, it will be in place nationwide within 12 months. As The Courier Mail so tactfully put it, look out: "Maccas is going hipster". Via news.com.au and Daily Mail.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay which you can book right now via Concrete Playground Trips. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? An underrated gem of the Pacific, Fiji offers visitors pristine water, flavour-packed local produce and unmatched positive energy from the locals. All of this comes together at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, a five-star stay spread across a sandy peninsular just outside of the city of Nadi. The dreamy waterfront resort boasts lagoon views from every room, multiple top-notch restaurants, endless swim spots and a rejuvenating spa. THE ROOMS There are several ways you can approach a stay at Momi Bay. For an unadulterated dose of luxury, the standout accommodation option is the adults-only over-water bungalows. These truly next-level rooms sit on top of the resort's lagoon, providing direct access to the water from your balcony, as well as all of the premium amenities you could ask for — including an in-room espresso machine so that you can enjoy a morning coffee over the water. Elsewhere in the resort, you'll find 250 spacious rooms ranging from deluxe beachfront duplexes right on the sand to more classic hotel-style suites. No matter what level of luxury you opt for, each room provides views of the glistening blue water and the expected amenities like 24-hour room service, high-speed internet and climate-control air con for those humid Fiji days. FOOD AND DRINK Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay offers not one, not two, but five different drinking and dining areas. Goji Kitchen and Bar is a one-stop shop all-day diner with nightly themed dinners and a swim-up bar connected to one of the resort's pools, and the lagoon bar and lounge is the perfect spot to grab a moreish snack and a cocktail between larger meals. ' The real standout, however, is Fish Bar. Located next to the hotel's adults-only infinity pool, this lavish waterfront restaurant specialises in dishes that spotlight locally sourced Fijian seafood. You can expect catch-of-the-day fish and rock lobster alongside the cream of scallop soup, herb and nut-encrusted lamb rack and refreshing cocktails. Australia's own Matt Moran recently hosted a one-off dinner at Fish Bar, with a limited-time dish from the dinner — the kingfish ceviche — available at the restaurant until the end of August. THE LOCAL AREA Located about an hour's drive from the international airport in Nadi, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay is hidden among the lush hilly southwest coastline of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It's a holidaymaker's dream where you can take in views of the surrounding mountains from the white-sand beach of the resort. Momi Bay is somewhat of a singular stopover for tourists looking to stay at the resort, however, it is located just a couple hours' drive from plenty of the Viti Levu highlights including both the Koroyanitu and Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Parks. THE EXTRAS Momi Bay's biggest drawcard is the variety of swim spots you'll stumble across throughout the accommodation. There are two pools, a family-friendly main pool with a swim-up bar, and an adults-only infinity pool. Life doesn't get much better than nabbing a spot on the edge of the infinity pool as the sun sets over the ocean. And, on top of all of this, there's also the lagoon where you'll find the overwater accommodation, boasting white sand and crystal blue water. Outside of your swim time, you can visit Quan Spa, the resort's luxurious day spa that offers relaxing massages and rejuvenating beauty treatments. Plus, there's a 24-fitness centre accessible to all guests and an outdoor tennis court with equipment hire available if you ever get tired of relaxing (unlikely) and need to stretch your legs. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Don't say that you don't have anything to watch between Friday, March 1–Monday, March 11, or that you've only got the usual couch-viewing options. Queer Screen's Mardi Gras Film Festival is back for 2024, which isn't just wonderful news for Sydney's cinephiles. Thanks to the event's returning online component, it's also ace for folks located outside of the Harbour City. A feast of queer cinema coming to your chosen small screen. As always, the lineup of movies that Sydneysiders can catch at MGFF's in-person sessions is far larger than its online program — but you can still join in from home no matter where in Australia you're located. For cinephiles watching on from the couch, choices include All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White, the Berlinale Teddy Award-winning love story about two men dealing with Nigeria's anti-gay laws; Mexico's All the Silence, centring on a CODA (child of deaf adults) and her girlfriend who is deaf; F.L.Y., which sees two exes living under the same roof during the pandemic; and Mutt, which won Lio Mehiel a Special Jury Award-winner at Sundance for their performance. Or, opt for drama Old Narcissus about getting older in Japan, with a 74-year-old children's author finding connection with a sex worker. You'll also be able to stream several shorts packages online, including sessions dedicated to Asia Pacific, comedy, gay, non-binary and gender diverse, queer horror, queer documentaries, transgender and sapphic films. The My Queer Career short film fest will hop online as well, featuring seven films competing for $16,000-plus in prizes.
Already known for its opulently designed venues and next-level cocktails, the Speakeasy Group — responsible for bringing us Eau de Vie, Mjølner and Nick and Nora's — is looking to turn up the glam and frivolity at its newest venture: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Tucked away on Bridge Lane, and set to open this Wednesday, February 19, the bar is oozing glamour, with colourful velvet furnishings, gold trimmings, glittering chandeliers, mirrors and the odd hanging vine. It's a space where you can have an intimate conversation over a bottle of champagne in a booth, or get up and dance as the night ticks away. [caption id="attachment_761748" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Speakeasy Group Co-Owner Sven Almenning says the new venue is inspired by his memories of Sydney's old-school nightlife — how it was back before the lockout laws when he was running Peppermint Lounge in King Cross "nearly twenty years ago". Hoping to help bring back a sense of celebration and fun into the city's bars, Almenning says KKBB will have "delicious and theatrical cocktails, tons of champagne and some awesome live performers paired with DJs to keep the party going until 2am". Helping to keep the good times rolling is the drinks list, which was designed by former Mjølner Bar Manager Alissa Gabriel, who is now KKBB's assistant venue manager. Champagne and cocktails are the stars of the show, with the menu promising flirtatious twists on beloved classics. Almenning's favourites are the Kiss & Tell (tequila, coconut, jasmine and grapefruit), the Peppermint Slap (bourbon, Fernet Branca, Butter-Menthol, chocolate and mint) and the Mindfuck Mimosa (with clarified orange juice and your choice of bubbles). [caption id="attachment_761645" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find shareable drinks (one served in an absinthe fountain) and three half-size cocktails designed to be enjoyed with three snacks. For $65, you'll get a mini cosmopolitan, reworked as a cranberry and lime sorbet topped with your choice of bubbles, paired with a beetroot and cheese-topped lavosh; a Kiss & Tell served with oxheart tomatoes and goat's cheese; and the Bangerang — a boozy mix of vodka, elderflower, plum wine and dry vermouth — accompanied by witlof cups of lobster and garlic butter. As for the bar's name, it comes from a throwaway comment made by James Bond author Ian Fleming, describing his books as "straight pillow fantasies of the bang-bang, kiss-kiss variety". With the physical bar resembling the barrel of a gun and the rest of the space fitted out with luxurious trimmings suitable for the most suave spy, we think it's only fitting. Find Kiss Kiss Bang Bang on Bridge Lane, Sydney, from Wednesday, February 19. The bar is open 12pm–2am Tuesday–Saturday and 5pm–2am Sunday–Monday. Images: Kitti Gould.
On a weeknight at the beginning of July back in 2019, Bush very quietly opened its doors. The George Street hole-in-the-wall quickly became a hit. The brains behind the concept, Head Chef Grant Lawn saw the restaurant as an opportunity to bring the Australian bush back to the forefront of Sydney's dining landscape — by opening Bush right in the middle of Redfern. "I wanted to make a positive difference in the community," says Lawn. "Start a place that could bring people together and start conversations, while eating food inspired by the Australian outback." The menu is small (very), but there isn't an item that doesn't look appealing. Cheeseburgers, chips, fairy bread and butter pudding — it's as if the menu from your sixth birthday party got a revamp. The American-style cheeseburger at Bush is very good. It's certainly not Australian, but Lawn said they had to put it on the menu because "that's what Aussies want". For the meat-free folk, there's also a mean mushroom burger. Born and raised in Sydney, Lawn briefly studied landscape architecture before turning his focus to cooking. While he was playing around with the idea of opening his own restaurant, he realised he could combine the two by landscaping a restaurant to resemble the Australian bush he grew up in. Which is exactly what he did. The space is filled with roughly cut stools and long wooden tables, native Australian plants adorn the tables and you'll spot stuffed toy versions of native Australian fauna hidden around, too. Bush started as a pop-up in popular Sydney establishments like Young Henrys, before Lawn found the perfect spot in Redfern to set up shop permanently. And we're very glad he did. [caption id="attachment_735541" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Images: Kitti Gould.
Whether it's after a hard day at the office, a hard morning of exercise or a hard evening of heavy drinking, there are few sweeter reliefs than an ice cold beer. And thanks to Pat's Backcountry Beverages, you can brew your own beer whenever and wherever you so desire with these tasty, transportable sachets. Simply pour the packet of beer concentrate in a special carbonation bottle, add water and shake, and you have yourself the world's most convenient six-pack. Perfect for campers and hikers, the Alaskan company assures its customers that they haven't sacrificed transportability for taste, claiming that the sachets will give you the "same great taste you're used to in a premium micro beer". To find out more have a look at this demonstration video and get brewing.
Update Wednesday, August 23: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia has added a third nightly sound and light show so that more people can experience Wintjiri Wiru. You can learn about Wintjiri Wiru Twighlight via the Voyages website. A luminous three-dimensional cultural storytelling experience featuring one of the world's largest daily drone shows has been unveiled at Uluru. Across two shows each night, with Uluru setting a showstopping backdrop, Wintjiri Wiru tells the local Aṉangu community's Mala story through the use of verbal storytelling (both in English and the Aṉangu people's local Pitjantjatjara language), light displays, lasers, sound and a massive fleet of more than 1000 drones. Folks heading to the Northern Territory for Wintjiri Wiru's sunset dinner will kick off the experience with canapes curated by Mark Olive showcasing native Australian ingredients. Also on the agenda: taking in the immense beauty of Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the new sustainable viewing deck as the sun disappears below the horizon, and sampling creamy crocodile pies, pepper beef and truffle burgers, and cocktails made with Beachtree Organic Koala Gin. From there, attendees are taken on an immersive journey through a story that's been passed down for thousands of years. Voyages Indigenous Tourism worked directly with a group of ten senior community members from the Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and Uluru Aṉangu groups to create a show that tells the Mala ancestral story accurately and respectfully. "We are Aṉangu and we have one of the oldest continuing cultures on earth. This chapter of the Mala story has been passed to us from generation to generation. Our ancestors walked this Country, carried this story and shared this story through inma, our songs and our ceremonies," says Rene Kulitja, on behalf of the Aṉangu Consultation Group. "We have held hands with Voyages to create Wintjiri Wiru together. From the beginning, Voyages has been working together with the Aṉangu Working Group — talking together, listening together and creating together." The impact upon the environment and the local communities were also closely considered. No concrete was laid in the creation of the viewing platform, allowing it to be removed one day if needed; the movements of local wildlife were carefully monitored, including special consideration given to a local group of endangered desert skinks; everyone involved in the project undertook extensive cultural training lead by Aṉangu; and Indigenous-owned and -run law firm Terri Janke and Company was enlisted to oversee the project. When asked about Voyages' goals, Resort General Manager David Harper responded: "creating opportunities for Indigenous Australians through cultural tourism." Wintjiri Wiru now forms somewhat of a trio of experiences available to visitors surrounding Uluru — joining Bruce Munro's immersive Field of Light and starlight-lit fine dining experience Tali Wiru. The launch also coincides with the debut of Bruce Munro's latest installation Light Towers at Kings Canyon, forming a Red Centre light trail with the aforementioned attractions, as well as the yearly luminous Alice Springs festival Parrtjima — A Festival in Light. Tickets for the Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner are available for $385, while you can nab a spot at Wintjiri Wiru after dark for $190, or $95 for children. For more information on Wintjiri Wiru, head to the Ayers Rock Resort website. Images: Getty Images for Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Aṉangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS. 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.
Humans have made a pastime of staring up at the night sky for as long as history can tell us. Unfortunately, the amount of excess light that our big cities leak into the sky makes for pretty poor stargazing conditions on an average night in the inner city. With that in mind, we've scoped out the spots all around Australia where it's still possible to use one's telescope for its intended purpose. Stargazing, that is — not trying to peek at what your neighbours keep behind their curtains. So, find the closest stargazing spot (or book a flight ASAP) and take part in this time-honoured tradition. Sydney Observatory, NSW In terms of physical proximity to the night sky, Sydney Observatory is a pretty good starting point. One of the highest accessible points overlooking Sydney Harbour, its building houses three telescopes — including the oldest working telescope in Australia, which was acquired for the 1874 transit of Venus. The other two are a 42-centimetre computer-controlled lens and, for those of you who prefer gazing at the star closest to us, a telescope that lets you look at the sun. You can get a glimpse through the onsite telescopes on a ticketed guided tour. Otherwise, the Observatory is free to visit and open Wednesday–Saturday from 12–6pm. This is definitely the first step for every would-be Galileo. [caption id="attachment_730726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marc Aragnou via ASNSW[/caption] Wiruna, Blue Mountains, NSW Wiruna is the Astronomical Society of NSW's best-kept secret — if you go to its website, you'll see what we mean. Located on the outskirts of Wollemi National Park in the Blue Mountains, Wiruna is basically 107 acres of astronomy Christmas. Starry season's greetings, sky-lovers. The ASNSW holds a number of stargazing sessions on weekends throughout the year, and encourages amateurs and old hands alike to come and use the incredible array of equipment they've got stashed up there. The easiest way to get involved is to become a member of the ASNSW — it's a process that requires payments and applications — but allows you to visit this site and others with the group or on your own once you're accredited. [caption id="attachment_730730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] Warrumbungle National Park, Coonabarabran, NSW Warrumbungle National Park is a proper hike (read: a five or six hour drive from Sydney), but it's also a proper dark sky site. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has dedicated funds to limiting light pollution in and around the park and, with these measures in place, Warrumbungle joins the likes of Death Valley National Park in the US and Galloway Forest Park in Scotland as an official dark sky park — that is, one of the top places on the planet to revel in galactic goings-on. Warrumbungle does have its own observatory, but scientists and astronomers have the run of the place after sundown. Amateur astronomy in Warrumbungle is best performed the old-fashioned way, with the humble eyeball (and optional pince-nez). [caption id="attachment_730745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Graham Hosking via the City of Greater Bendigo[/caption] Leon Mow Dark Sky Site, Heathcote, VIC Located just 1.5 hours drive north of Melbourne, the town of Heathcote boasts some incredibly beautiful skies — and heaps of bush walks, reserves and national parks from which to see it at night. If you take your astronomy very seriously, you can head to Heathcote's Leon Mow Dark Sky Site. The country estate is available for use by Astronomical Society of Victoria members at any time, and they're even welcomed to camp out overnight. Membership will set you back $80 a year or, for non-members, the site is open to the public for free during annual events and meet-ups (just check the website for details). You can BYO telescope or binoculars, or just gaze up — there's plenty of beauty to be seen by the naked eye. [caption id="attachment_730556" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, VIC The breathtaking views to be had on any trip along the Great Ocean Road are hard to beat. But we bet you haven't considered taking this trip after dark. Turns out that the routes along these many rock formations offer a stunning view at night, too. This is especially true at the road's all-star site, the Twelve Apostles. On a clear night, the stargazing is truly awe-inspiring. It won't be the view of these golden cliffs and crumbling pillars that you're used to seeing in photos, but it offers something else altogether — and that a lot of people haven't seen. Look up, listen to the lapping waves and enjoy the rare peace and quiet here. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Mt Coot-Tha, QLD Named after the soldier and astronomer who gave Brisbane its name, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium has been a favourite school tour spot since 1978. If you're a Queenslander, you've definitely been — and it's definitely worth another visit, even if you're well out of class. But unlike school, staring into space here is not only acceptable, it's mandatory. The Cosmic Skydome is the main attraction, under which you'll lean back and send your eyes skywards as informative films tell of black holes, the dark universe, moons and cosmic collisions. Once you've toured the stars, return to earth with a walk through the surrounding Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. [caption id="attachment_730557" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] The Jump-Up Dark Sky Sanctuary, Winton, Queensland The sleepy town of Winton in northwest Queensland is perhaps the number-one stargazing destination in all of Australia — as of April 2019, the town received Australia's first of seven international certifications for a Dark Sky Sanctuary. There are only 22 certified sites worldwide, so it's a particularly impressive win for Aussie shores. The sanctuary is set within the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum at its Jump-Up facility, which is free and open all year round. Here, you can view the spirals of the Milky Way and Orion Arm, as well as the collapse of nebulae and the birth of new stars. Bring along a telescope, binoculars and a picnic — you'll want to stick around for a while. [caption id="attachment_730555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Charleville Cosmos Centre, Charleville, QLD The tiny town of Charleville — situated a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Brisbane — is home to one of the few observatories where you can stargaze both day and night. When the sun is up, you can attend a range of astronomy tours at the Cosmos Centre, including the sun viewing, which uses a special telescope to let you gaze directly at the surface of our planet's closest star. At night, experiences range from $45 for an Aboriginal night sky story session, up to $130 for personal astronomy tours. Check out clusters, planets, nebulae and, on a good night, the Milky Way. Inside the centre, there are heaps of tours and events going on each day, plus some seriously impressive equipment to boot.
Whether you're a big nature nerd or err on the indifferent side to the science of it all, chances are you've seen at least some of Sir David Attenborough's Planet Earth. The BBC nature documentary series — narrated by the man himself and accompanied by an epic score from Hans Zimmer — first aired back in 2006, and its follow-up second season, Planet Earth II, was released just two years ago. But the bits you've seen on TV or YouTube are sure to be belittled when the BBC brings the live show to Australia this April. Like the performances of Harry Potter and Star Wars we've seen in recent months, Planet Earth II Live in Concert will see the documentary screened in all its glory accompanied by a live orchestra. And it's a big sore. The music for Planet Earth II was composed by none other than Hans Zimmer (responsible for epics like The Lion King, Gladiator, The Dark Knight Rises and Inception) alongside Jacob Shea and Jasha Klebe. In Australia, the score will be performed by four of the country's leading orchestras with conductor Vanessa Scammell and, in lieu of Attenborough, Eric Bana will be narrating in real time. The show will travel around Australia from April 27 until May 4, visiting Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney for just four shows all up. Tickets go on sale next week. In the meantime, you can watch ehe first season of Planet Earth on Netflix. PLANET EARTH II LIVE IN CONCERT TOUR DATES April 27 — Perth Arena (with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra) April 29 — Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (with the Melbourne Pops Orchestra) May 1 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre (with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra) May 4 — International Convention Centre, Sydney (with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) Planet Earth II Live in Concert will tour Australia from April 27 – May 4, 2018. Presale tickets will go on sale at 10am tomorrow, Friday, February 16. The rest will go on sale at 3pm on Tuesday, February 20. For more info, visit ticketek.com.au.
To say that Secret Garden Festival is improving with age is a deadset understatement. Next month marks the flamboyant forest party's tenth turn around the sun and it's celebrating with a music program and lineup of fun as good as any it's dished up before. Taking over its usual lush green home of NSW's Brownlow Hill Farm on February 23 and 24, the grassroots festival promises a weekend of dress-ups, dance floor antics and forest adventures to remember. Those lucky enough to snaffle one of this year's tickets (which are sold out, sorry) will find themselves in utter aural heaven, the bill sprinkled with exciting acts like Queensland dance-punk duo DZ Deathrays, powerhouse Melbourne artist Ecca Vandal, acclaimed indie rockers Holy Holy and soul-pop four-piece The Harpoons. Even more music goodness will be served up by hard-hitting hip hop artist Miss Blanks, Sydney singer-songwriter Alex The Astronaut, and Triple J's Unearthed Artist of The Year, Stella Donnelly. Of course, the live tunes and the 14 dance floors are just one part of this jam-packed weekend. Also helping Secret Garden ring in its first decade will be the Annual Feast, hosted by The Great Fatsby, appearances aplenty from the Camp Queen drag queens, the debut of the Shout Something Nice Bar, a kissing booth and a seated theatre flowing with a whole lotta Champagne. Last year a couple got married among the madness, so who knows what will happen this time round. As always, a festival-wide fancy dress theme will help kick everything off in style on opening night. This year, in homage to Secret Garden's tenth birthday, it's a throwback to your year ten formal — don your wildest old-school party duds and relive those teenage wonder years, with a little help from 11-piece Blink 182 cover band, Bris 182.
Over the past year or so, we've heard a lot about self-driving cars being tested overseas — Uber's doing it in the US, as is ride-sharing service Lyft, there's driverless bus in Washington D.C. and a driverless delivery service in Japan. But save for a very adorable bus launched in Perth back in September, Australia is yet to foray into the sort of terrifying world of self-driving vehicles. Until now, that is, because the Victorian Government has just announced it will start to trial driverless cars on Melbourne roads from next year. The Andrews Labor Government yesterday announced they will partner with toll road management company Transurban to test driverless cars currently on the market to see how they interact with Melbourne's road infrastructure — that is lane signals, electronic speed signs, line markings and that pesky Montague Street Bridge. They'll be letting the cars loose on CityLink, including the Monash and Tullamarine Freeways, albeit with a real-life human driver in the car to take back control if needed. The news that the Victorian Government is committing to a trial of self-driving cars makes their insertion into our daily lives much more plausible for the near future. Indeed, it could mean great things for people who may not otherwise be able to drive, and has the potential to reduce the amount of accidents that occur from human error. "We want to work with the automotive and technology industries so Victoria can be at the forefront of automated vehicle technology and create jobs here in Victoria," said Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan in a statement. "Keeping people safe on our roads is our number one priority and that's why we're running these innovative trials in the safest possible way for all road users. By removing human error from the equation, autonomous vehicles will play a critical role in reducing deaths and serious injuries on Victorian roads." The trial is set to start early next year, so if you're in Melbourne, keep an eye out for any of this.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots because Groovin the Moo is back after a pandemic-enforced break. Things will look a little different for GTM in 2022, however, with the large-scale touring music festival only heading to three of its regular six stops. But for folks in Maitland, Canberra and Bendigo, get excited — in general, and about the just-dropped lineup. GTM won't be making the trip to Western Australia, South Australia or Queensland this year, sadly — but it is bringing a heap of new and established talent to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. On the bill: everyone from Peking Duk, Montaigne, Masked Wolf and Middle Kids through to Hilltop Hoods and Spiderbait, and that's just from the local contingent. Also doing the rounds: New Zealanders Broods and Chai, Germany's Milky Chance, and Wolf Alice, Thomas Headon, Riton and Snakehips from the UK. For folks in WA, SA and Queensland, when Groovin the Moo announced in late 2021 that it wouldn't be coming your way this year, it advised that "the whole tour will be back when we can confidently deliver our full quality show". So, cross your fingers for 2023. Enough talk — here's the full 2022 GTM lineup: [caption id="attachment_760714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mackenzie Sweetnam[/caption] GROOVIN THE MOO 2022 LINEUP: Alice Ivy Broods (NZ) Chaii (NZ) Hilltop Hoods Hockey Dad Hope D HP Boyz Jesswar JK-47 Mashd N Kutcher Masked Wolf Middle Kids Milky Chance (Ger) Montaigne Peking Duk Polaris RedHook Riton (UK) Shouse Snakehips (UK) Spiderbait Sycco Thomas Headon (UK) Wolf Alice (UK) with hosts Dijok and Jawbreakers GROOVIN THE MOO 2022 DATES & VENUES: Saturday, April 23 — Maitland Showground, Maitland, NSW Sunday, April 24 – Exhibition Park, Canberra, ACT Saturday, April 30 — Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo, VIC Tickets for Groovin the Moo will go on sale at 8am AEDT on Thursday, March 3. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Top image: Jack Toohey.
City Recital Hall, in the heart of Sydney's CBD, is known for its impressive design and sound quality. And, on Saturday, August 25, it's putting these to good use with a mini-festival showcasing some of the best genre-defying Australian and international talent. Your understanding of music production and performance will be turned upside down as Extended Play presents 20 groundbreaking artists ignoring all the rules. Headlining the main stage is influential New York-based modern classical ensemble Bang on a Can All-Stars. Best known for its multi-hour dynamic performances, the group shifts seamlessly through jazz, rock, classical and experimental music. Also appearing on the main stage is Sydney's own Ensemble Offspring — a collection of virtuosic instrumentalists who've set themselves the weighty goal of exploring and 'shaping the music of our time'. For Extended Play, the ensemble will perform rarely heard works by one of America's greatest living composers, Steve Reich. Meanwhile, a host of acts will be scattered around the venue exploring almost every conceivable soundscape with makeshift arrangements, genreless compositions and electronic bombardments. Happening over the course of 12 hours, from 12pm to midnight, Extended Play will be an aural treat for even the most discerning lovers of music.
A memoir in one's 20s — not an unprecedented move. But with a majority of Australians participating in the mass autobiography project known as social media, one that also might be written off as millennial brattiness. It's not that Natalie Yang doesn't have a good story to tell, it's just not the one rural Victoria was expecting…or particularly wants to hear. Natalie's book Banana Girl is kind of about her migrant experience. But it's mainly concerned with her many and varied sexual experiences. It's also not selling particularly well. After hearing her read an excerpt, the residents of the small town of Nagambie are scandalised, bemoaning her omission of the clichés of more famous migrant stories. Stricken with the myopia of the critically scorned, Natalie sets out to consolidate her position with a new book entitled 100 Cocks in 100 Nights. The process is unforgiving, the way marked by dissipating friendships and noses pushed out of joint. Originally conceived as a culturally diverse riff on Sex and the City, Going Down is also writer Michele Lee's attempt to deepen our understanding of what it's like to leave one country for another. "There is more to my story than what happened to my parents," she says. But the show is foremost a comedy in the vein of Girls or Broad City. If you're keen to see how conservative Victorians respond to being read a detailed description of a penis, Wharf 2 is the place to be this April.
It's times like these that you can add a big summer gig to your diary, with Foo Fighters announcing their next trip Down Under for a two-country, eight-city stadium tour. Kicking off in Perth in late November to see out spring, then doing the rest of the Australian rounds in December before hitting New Zealand in January, the Dave Grohl-fronted rockers will embark on their first headline tour of Australia and NZ since 2018. It's also their first visit Down Under since drummer Taylor Hawkins passed away in March 2022. Foo Fighters were last in Australia that same month and year, playing a huge Geelong show to help launch Victoria's post-COVID-19 lockdowns live music program. The band unsurprisingly took a break from touring after Hawkins' death, only returning to live gigs just last month. Alongside Perth, they'll play Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in Aotearoa. [caption id="attachment_903618" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Picking up the sticks: ex-The Vandals, Devo, Guns N' Roses and A Perfect Circle drummer Josh Freese, taking on the likely-daunting task of being the touring drummer in a band led by Nirvana drummer Grohl. Freese's stint with the band was announced in May, ahead of their first tour dates. When they hit our shores, the new-look Foo Fighters will weave in tunes from their new record But Here We Are, which released on Friday, June 2. Of course, all the hits from across their career will get a whirl, with their current setlist including everything from 'This Is a Call', 'Big Me' and 'Monkey Wrench' through to 'Learn to Fly', 'The Pretender' and 'Best of You'. And, yes, 'Everlong', because it wouldn't be a Foo Fighters show without it. [caption id="attachment_903619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mr Rossi vi Wikimedia Commons[/caption] 'I'll Stick Around', which is also on the list, isn't just a song title from the group's first album. Given that their new tour comes 28 years after that debut release in 1995, it perfectly sums up Foo Fighters' longevity. Over the years, they've made it Down Under a heap of times, released 11 studio albums including the just-dropped But Here We Are, and made 2022 horror movie Studio 666. When they take to the stage again in Australia, they'll do so with Queensland punk act The Chats in support on a stack of dates, Manchester's Hot Milk also playing with them on the east coast, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers doing Melbourne and Body Type in Adelaide. In NZ, Dick Move are doing the honours, plus yet-to-be-announced special guests. FOO FIGHTERS AUSTRALIAN 2023 AND NEW ZEALAND 2024 TOUR DATES: Wednesday, November 29 — HBF Park, Perth, with The Chats and Teenage Jones Saturday, December 2 — Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, with The Chats and Body Type Monday, December 4 — AAMI Park, Melbourne, with Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and Hot Milk Saturday, December 9 — Accor Stadium, Sydney, with The Chats and Hot Milk Tuesday, December 12 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, with The Chats and Hot Milk Saturday, January, 20 — GO Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland, with special guests and Dick Move Wednesday, January 24 — Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, with special guests and Dick Move Saturday, January 27 — Sky Stadium, Wellington, with special guests and Dick Move Foo Fighters are touring Australia in November and December 2023, and New Zealand in January 2024. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, June 15, with times varying per city — and an Amex pres-sale from Friday, June 9, then a Frontier pre-sale from Tuesday, June 13 from staggered times. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Scarlet Page.
Sparkadia talk like they're falling down stairs, stand firm in the fickle indie-rock world, and are playing two all-ages shows at the Metro to celebrate the release of The Great Impression by Ivy League Records. Having toured Britain with Irish indie band The Thrills, been lauded as the "first alternative-pop heavyweights of the new century" by Aussie music mag Mess + Noise, said auf wiedersehen to Australia to find a richer and deeper sound in Berlin only to split four ways and jam out a sophomore opus in London, this is Sparkadia's biggest Australian tour to date. Come acquaint yourself with Alexander Burnett and co., as this album easily surpasses anything Burnett has achieved in the past, with Sparkadia sounding no less sweeping or expansive for being a one-man effort than when they were a four-piece band. The sound of The Great Impression is epic, crashing and emotive; a clutch of instruments coalesce with the clamorous use of random objects to create sexy, heartrending melodies. The lyrics are poignant, tender reminiscences written by Burnett in the back of cabs, during transit through clouds, and in seedy hotel rooms thousands of miles from anywhere called home. The Great Impression is a joyous contribution to the overloaded indie-rock music scene and effortlessly evokes seminal bands like The Police and Doves. It offers a sense of respite in a strange world and reverberates warmly into that thoracic space under the clavicle where the heart hums. Set out for a sublime sundown flight this weekend and see Sparkadia light up the Metro, supported by extremely special guests Operator Please and fellow Ivy League luminaries, Melbourne's Alpine.
Today, Public Transport Victoria released its twice-yearly fare compliance figures, stating that 95 percent of travellers on metropolitan services have been touching on and off. But what about the other five percent — namely, those that have no choice but to fare evade to get to where they need to go? In an attempt to help out on this front, the Victorian Government has today launched a trial 'emergency relief' ticket system for those that need it. This will allow homeless and disadvantaged Victorians to access free weekly and monthly travel passes so that they can get to appointments and access basic services. Approved schools and community organisations (like the Red Cross and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, for example) will purchase the passes at a "heavily discounted" rate, and then pass the onto the people they support for no cost. The passes are valid in zones one and two, and on regional buses . The decision comes after a review found that those that can't afford to buy a ticket are often forced to fare evade — and, in turn, get fined and stuck in the legal system — to get access the services and care they need. This trial will attempt to avoid this. Previously, disadvantaged Victorians could access free day passes, but these longer passes will allow for more flexibility and changing circumstances. "This is the next step in our ongoing work to make our public transport ticketing system simpler and fairer for passengers across Victoria," said Minister for Housing Martin Foley today in a statement. The trial will run for 12 months — if it's deemed successful, it's likely that it will continue indefinitely. And, hopefully, be introduced in other states.
Take a trip down memory lane with Richard and Stephanie nova Milne (aka Ms&Mr) and you find the lane soon becomes a labyrinth where parallel worlds collide, time is non-linear and anything is possible. Case in point: their new exhibition There There Anxious Future, where the past, the present and the time ahead are all smooshied up in the prettiest smoothie you've ever seen at. Continuing the duo's ongoing exploration of 'retroactive collaboration', Ms&Mr have used elements of their personal archives to give their former selves entirely new contexts and experiences. The highlight is Frame Drag where we see Richard as an 11-year-old stroking a grown-up Stephanie with tender knowingness, as if the past is consoling the future. As always, the effect of layering the poor quality home movie footage with new animation and HD technology is one of disorientation; it appears as neither vintage nor modern but of a different dimension entirely. There is nostalgia here, but it is also an optimistic liberation of memories from the past into living narratives. Acknowledging that time is ongoing and providing a wormhole into the future, another video work, 2024, Preparation for space-time dilation and Her, presents a 'preparation' for the arrival of Stephanie who will join Richard on the screen in 2024. Thankfully in the meantime we will be seeing a lot more from Ms&Mr, as they are about to feature in a group show at MOP Gallery as well as make appearances later in the year at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and The Physics Room in NZ, not to mention presenting a new work for the Campbelltown Arts Centre Illume series in January. Living simultaneously in multiple time zones mean you can be so prolific.
From almond croissants and lamingtons to flaky escargot, there's no shortage of irresistible baked goods that satisfy a sweet tooth. Yet the latest creations from Maxibon only add to the options, with the launch of a bakery-inspired range pairing ice cream with the familiar treats you'll find in bakeries around the country. First up is the Maxibon Vanilla Slice, featuring a custard slab sandwiched between two golden Maxibon biccies on one end and dipped in icing with flaky wafers on the other. Then, the nostalgic Maxibon Hedgehog Slice sees a decadent chocolate slab with salty cookie crumbs dipped and sandwiched to perfection. To celebrate such an occasion, Maxibon is going above and beyond with the launch of the world's first freezer bakery. Giving away 10,000 of these frozen delights for free, the Maxi-Bakery is open for three days only at June's Shoppe in the CBD. Available at select times, get down from Monday, February 24 to Wednesday, February 26 while stocks last.
Edgar Wright must own a killer record collection. Weaving the perfect playlists into his films has ranked high among the British writer/director's trademarks ever since he made such a horror-comedy splash with Shaun of the Dead, and his own love of music is frequently mirrored by his protagonists, too. This is the filmmaker who set a zombie-killing scene to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now', and had characters wield vinyl as weapons. He made zoning out the world via iPod — and teeing up exactly the right track for the right moment — a key trait of Baby Driver's eponymous getaway driver. Earlier in 2021, Wright also turned his avid fandom for Sparks into his delightful first documentary The Sparks Brothers, because wearing his love for his favourite songs on his sleeves infiltrates everything he makes. So, the fact that his second film of this year is about a giddy devotee of 60s tunes really doesn't come as the slightest surprise. Last Night in Soho takes its name from an era-appropriate song that gets a spin in the film, naturally. It boasts a cleverly compiled soundtrack teeming with hits from the period, and has one of its central figures — called Sandie, like singer Sandie Shaw, who croons '(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me' on that very soundtrack — seek chanteuse stardom. As Wright is known to do, his latest movie also sports sequences that could double as music videos, and possesses a supple sense of rhythm that makes his picture virtually dance across the screen. It's a feature shaped by music, made better by music, and that recognises that music can make anyone feel like they can do anything. A partly swinging 60s-set thriller that adores the giallo films of the time with equal passion, it also flits between a cinematic banger on par with the glorious tracks it peppers throughout and the movie equivalent of a routine needle drop. Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield: these are the kind of talents that Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie, The Power of the Dog) can't get enough of, even though she's a Gen Z aspiring fashion designer; they're also the type of stars that aforementioned blonde bombshell Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen's Gambit) wants to follow onto London's stages. Last Night in Soho starts with its wannabe fashionista, who's first seen donning her own 60s-inspired designs in her Cornwall bedroom that's plastered with posters and pictures from the period, and also dancing to 'Peter & Gordon's 1964 track 'A World Without Love'. Soon, Eloise is off to college in the big and, hopefully, working towards the fashion world. Then she meets Sandie, but only in her dreams. Actually, as she slumbers, she becomes Sandie — and navigates her chiffon-adorned quest for stardom, her breathy 'Downtown' covers and her thorny relationship with slippery bar manager Jack (Matt Smith, Official Secrets). Some of Last Night in Soho's most dazzling scenes play with these doppelgänger characters, and with the time-travelling dreamscape where they both exist, as if Wright is helming a musical. The choreography — both by McKenzie and Taylor-Joy, playing chalk-and-cheese roles, and by the film's lithe and glossy cinematography — is stunning. The effect is mesmerising, as well as whip-smart in tapping into the feature's ongoing musing on identity. This is also a horror movie and a mystery, however, so exploring what's behind these nocturnal visions is the primary focus. As a mousy girl bullied by her roommate (Synnøve Karlsen, Medici) to the point of leaping into the too-good-to-be-true Soho attic studio leased by the cranky but obliging Ms Collins (Diana Rigg, Game of Thrones), it's easy to see why Eloise flees into her dreams. But the who, what, why and how of it all — when and were clearly being answered already — isn't as simple as pure retro escapism. Eloise and Wright must share another trait, other than being musicophiles: nostalgia for a time neither was alive to see. In charting Eloise's journey from growing up with her gran (Rita Tushingham, The Pale Horse) to being haunted by evening reveries that begin to infect her days, Wright packs Last Night in Soho with Quentin Tarantino-level references to pop culture of the era. The detail, cast, songs, fashion and borrowings from Italian horror cinema's giallo genre — including vivid colours, plenty of blood and a love of yellow hues, because that's what giallo translates as — all nod backwards cannily. Visually, the film is a lavish wonder, in fact; Chung Chung-hoon, who regularly lenses Park Chan-wook's work (see: Oldboy, Lady Vengeance, Thirst, Stoker and The Handmaiden) luxuriates in sights, spaces, textures, mirrors angles, spins and swoops. Wright doesn't shy away from the 60s' sleaze, either, or from nightmarish men, objectified women and the lack of sexual agency for the latter. Scripting with 1917 Oscar nominee Krysty Wilson-Cairns, he confronts the seedier side of the period he otherwise places on a pedestal — but his first film about female protagonists is plodding rather than bold in trying to spin a feminist story. Last Night in Soho's lurid, adrenaline-fuelled shimmy with psychological thrills is still engaging, and gorgeous. Its eagerness to takes cues from Mulholland Drive is ambitious, although trying to emulate David Lynch rarely suits anyone. Still, there's more than a whiff of "is that it?" — and of cliche — to how it all culminates. Even with its sensational sense of style, that underwhelming feeling might've invaded more of Last Night in Soho if Wright hadn't cast his leads so well. The 60s icons he's enlisted, including Rigg in her last role, Tushingham and Terence Stamp (Murder Mystery), all play their parts in the plot, but this is McKenzie and Taylor-Joy's show. Again, the scenes that pose the pair as reflections of each other in 60s nightclubs are spectacular. The performances they provide to match share other echoes, too; one initially innocent and wide-eyed, the other confident and determined at first, they find common ground in their characters' vulnerabilities. Life is definitely making Eloise and Sandie lonely, but as the women behind them linger where the neon signs are pretty, things can be great — for viewers, at least. Their efforts won't make audiences forget Last Night in Soho's troubles, but the film is so much brighter with them in it.
On the outskirts of Paris, an epic electronic legend is working harder, better, faster and allegedly on a solo album. One half of Daft Punk, Guy-Manuel Homem-Christo, has been reported by French magazine Tsugi as working on his own solo release — and apparently Charlotte Gainsbourg's on board. Dates are in the dark at present, with the album actually yet to be announced. Tsugi have reported the presence of guests on the album, taking the liberty to confirm the appearance of fellow French legend Charlotte Gainsbourg. Yep. Formidable. The absence of Daft Punk co-captain Thomas Bangalter is a pretty Big Deal, but the pair have their own solo ventures from time to time — Guy-Man produced Kavinsky and Sébastien Tellier's albums and Waves compilations out on his own Crydamoure label. The first new material since last year's Grammy-blitzing album Random Access Memories, the album whisperings come with crossed fingers of an Australian return. We're all too aware this is absolute blue sky, but we'll keep shining up our helmets anywho. Via Tsugi and Your EDM.
Blood Moon Theatre, a new space for independent theatre within Kings Cross’s World Bar, isn’t wasting any time on a cautious start. On September 30, the theatre will launch itself onto Sydney with a production of Nick Enright’s disturbing Property of the Clan. Inspired by the brutal sexual assault and murder of Leigh Leigh in Stockton in 1989, the play was adapted into 1997 film Blackrock. The action centres on a group of fictional teenagers whose life is changed by a similar crime. There’s Jared, who bore witness, his girlfriend, Rachel, and his best friend, Ricko, as well as the victim’s best friend, Jade. In exploring their reactions, Enright takes a no-holds-barred look at the power of peer pressure, the nature of justice and the dangerous potential of sexism. “In a culture of rising violence against women, A Property of the Clan deftly examines the psychology of victim blaming and rests responsibility firmly on the boys and men of the world,” says director Phillip Rouse. Co-producers Don't Look Away and Don't Look Away are promising a striking interpretation, which sees the performers build and destroy the set during the course of the show. The cast includes George Banders, Megan Drury, Jack Starkey-Gill and Sam Young.
Western Sydney's Parramasala Festival is back for another year, and it's set to be the biggest one yet. The free annual event, which celebrates and showcases Western Sydney's many cultures, will take place in Parramatta across three action-packed days. Expect a colourful combination of music, dance, food, film and theatre, all spread throughout Prince Alfred Park, the Parramatta riverbank and the Riverside Theatres. Highlights of the program include a performance by Western Sydney based hip-hop artist L-FRESH the LION at the vibrant opening night parade, cooking demonstrations by some of Sydney's top chefs and a video installation by artist Liam Benson and Parramatta Artists' Studios. The huge variety of food options from across the globe is another major drawcard and gives you an excuse to stuff yourself with curry, dumplings and gozleme for the full cultural experience. With more than 30,000 expected to attend this year's Parramasala, festival director Di Henry acknowledges its evolution over the years. "Parramasala is still an Asian arts festival at its heart, but we're also a broad church which welcomes and explores many cultures, all of which make Sydney and western Sydney in particular a rich mix of diversity to be celebrated." Image: Ali Mousawi.
Jean-Paul Bourdier is an award-winning photographer, author, film production designer and professor. Bourdier's long list of talents and prizes aside, his ephemeral photographs of body art and landscapes - or 'bodyscapes' as he affectionately calls them - truly speak for themselves. His breathtaking shots seamlessly integrate painted naked bodies into the background of wondrous natural topography. Provocative, mesmerising and refreshingly unique, Bourdier's images will have you transfixed, so make sure you set aside a good amount of time to marvel at the many works of art in this collection. Here are 15 stunning photographs from his book, Bodyscapes, to give you a taste of his inspired style. [Via Design You Trust]
"Oh no, I like hip hop, I just hate Aussie hip hop." It's an all too common refrain heard at parties all over the country — well, inner city Sydney at least — as bearded Das Racist fans explain just why the world will never see another J-Dilla again. And I get it, Aussie hip hop, in its most common (read: popular (read: commercial)) incarnation, as personified by the likes of Hilltop Hoods and Bliss n Eso, is an acquired taste to say the least. But fear not intrepid reader, for if you're sick of the overblown ocker-isms, zealous xenophobia — so prevalent that The Hoods felt compelled to write a whole song about it — and sunburnt Southern Cross tattoos that have become emblematic of Aussie hip hop, then we've got five emerging local hip-hop artists to restore your faith. 1. Remi Holy shit, this guy is b-b-b-b-b-blowing UP! Probably the most well known of our hip hop offerings, this Melbourne MC was last year's triple j Unearthed Artist of the Year. The 23-year-old rapper has embarked on a national tour of his second album Raw x Infinity, which dropped just a few weeks ago. Taking cues from the faded finesse of early West Coast hip hop and the raw 'realness' of The Roots combined with a healthy dose of braggadocio, Remi likes to rap about hitting the blunt but isn't afraid to get political either; calling out passé Aussie hip hop tropes and conservative close-mindedness. Unlike generic 'skip hop' whose biggest message seems to be: 'How good are barbeques with your mates?' Remi is an artist with something to say — and he's not afraid to say it. Catch Remi at Oxford Art Factory this Saturday, June 28. Tickets available here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oHmuZ7wDl4E 2. Coin Banks With tracks from Ta-ku and lyrics sent from the heavens, Coin Banks is already a force to be reckoned with. Having popped into our collective musical consciousness thanks to triple j's fairly regular rotation of his groundbreaking single 'Think of You', the Perth rapper hasn't looked back. The eloquent lyricism of his debut EP Heads made waves Australia-wide in the lead up to his debut national tour, pulling shapes at Sydney's Beresford, Melbourne's Espy and Laundry and Brisbane's Alhambra Lounge over the last few weeks. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WaAWTXNaqJU 3. Citizen Kay You may not have heard of this Canberra-based MC yet but he's already supported the likes of Public Enemy, Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown, Run the Jewels and Wiz Khalifa, all in the last year alone. And he's earned those support slots — Citizen Kay's cheeky wordplay flows effortlessly over some of the catchiest hooks outside of the fish market. He's by far the most interesting thing to have come out of our nation's capital since… Well, look, Canberra's pretty boring. Catch Citizen Kay on his national Vision tour: Saturday 13 July at Sydney's FBi Social, Friday 19 July at Melbourne's Revolver, and Friday 2 August at Brisbane's Alhambra Lounge. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qfMLYVi0uv0 4. Tkay Maidza As if hanging out with DJ Lance Rock while supporting super-weird-but-amazing US kids show Yo Gabba Gabba! wasn't cool enough, this young Radelaidean femcee is set to explode into the Australian music consciousness when she brings her self-described 'Dinojams' — code for epic dancefloor rap — to this year's Splendour in the Grass. One of the most promising female rappers to have emerged from the sausage fest that is Aussie hip hop, Tkay Maidza may only have one official single under her belt but if it's anything to go by she's going to be massive. If you're not already stomping your feet like a Brontosaurus, get ready to make some serious noise. Catch Tkay Maidza at many an Aussie festival coming up — Splendour in the Grass on June 25, BIGSOUND on September 10 or Listen Out nationwide from September 27 - Oct 5. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vV9lX9fQubY 5. N'fa Whilst technically not a newcomer, the artist formerly known as N'fa Jones has rebranded himself as just N'fa so we're counting it. You may know him better as the frontman for 1200 Techniques, the guys behind the early 2000s surprise hit 'Karma'. (WARNING: viewing this clip and its Punch & Judy-style rendering of the band may induce severe nostalgia for waking up early on a Saturday to watch Rage before your parents got up.) N'fa has kept the soulful, genre-melding sound that typified 1200 Techniques but has added a more introspective, personal feel to his latest solo offering Black & White Noise. It's not what you expect from Aussie hip hop and in this instance, that's a very good thing. If you want to hear him on the solo tip, check out the banger below — with none other than British hip-hop legend Roots Manuva. Catch N'fa at Melbourne's Howler for Hip Hip Sundays on June 29, along with M-Phazes, Flagrant and Peril (and it's free).
Rising Brisbane band The John Steel Singers are teaming up with Modular song-smith Jonathon Boulet to take on a stack of shows across Australia this month as part of the ‘Here’s Johnny’ tour. The joint venture comes as no surprise considering both acts enjoyed a stellar 2010 and are set for a promising year ahead of them. After their debut album Tangalooma received rave reviews last year, The John Steel Singers managed to nab the number 52 spot on the triple j Hottest 100 chart for their lead single ‘Overpass.’ For young gun Jonathon Boulet, 2010 was a jam packed year spent touring with Parades, as well as producing and remixing local bands, all the while working on his second album. With a release date set for the middle of the year, the first single off the album ‘Youre A Animal’ gives a tantalizing taste of what is to come. The production may have graduated from his bedroom, but Boulet’s raw energy and exploding melodies is still going strong, making him a dream act to see live. Both acts are promising surprises including two free and exclusive tracks available on the tour. Guests at the Brisbane show will also be treated to two support performances by local rising acts Young Men Dead and Inland Sea.
Sydney’s only maker of small scale, non-bombastic opera, Sydney Chamber Opera, is kicking off its Carriageworks residency with a compact adaptation of David Malouf’s 1999 novella Fly Away Peter, with music by Elliott Gyger and libretto by the company’s artistic associate, Pierce Wilcox. Imara Savage directs the action on Elizabeth Gadsby’s impressive set of four white tiers, which transforms the large space at Carriageworks into the two worlds of Australian bush and the World War I battlefields of Europe. Fly Away Peter follows the story of Jim Saddler, a young man from country Queensland with a deep affinity for the bush and a love of birds. He finds a kindred spirit in fellow bird-watcher Imogen, an older photographer who lives nearby. As the world ‘tilts towards Europe’, Jim is swept along in the naive enthusiasm for war. Mitchell Riley’s performance as Jim is compelling and really takes off when he steps out of reality and into a hellish phantasmagoria predicting an endless continuation of industrialised war, consuming not only young men but eventually also the old and women and children. He is well supported by Brenton Spiteri playing Jim’s friend Ashley Crowther and fellow soldiers, and Jessica Aszodi as Imogen. A central motif in Malouf’s novella is that of digging in earth; a farmer plants seed during wartime, graves are dug, and an endless field of fallen soldiers digs into the earth in the afterlife. Gadsby meets this design challenge by using white clay in numerous navy blue buckets, which the cast of three dig into and cover themselves with. It’s an effective device. Verity Hampson’s lighting design seems to get lost in the large space, and while she makes some interesting demarcations on the stark white set, they don’t seem to signify much in particular. The opera is impressively concise, but the transitions from pre-war Australian idyll to the horrors of the Western Front and back to Imogen in Australia are not given the time they warrant and at times Savage’s direction seems rushed. In particular, Imogen’s moment of reflection watching a surfer in the waves is the novella’s final moment of hope that life will continue despite war, and yet this scene in the opera arrives unheralded musically or theatrically. It appears as a small comment following the previous scene. Despite this, the opera is original and captivating. Opera can be a real pain — dramatic, lengthy and loud — but thankfully the Australian Chamber Opera continues to produce snappy, sophisticated works. Read our feature on Sydney Chamber Opera and find out why they're into writing all-new operas in 2015.
George Calombaris' Melbourne-born souva institution is again stepping out in Sydney, opening the doors to a new restaurant in Bondi Junction next week. Heftier than its CBD sibling, which opened a year ago, this newcomer will showcase Jimmy's signature Greek-inspired street food, alongside frozen yoghurt treats from stablemate Yo-Chi. On the menu, expect the same well-crafted souvlaki Melbourne has been enjoying for years, featuring pillowy soft pitas stuffed with the likes of slow-cooked lamb and tender beef short rib. Jimmy Grants' latest additions have also got a call up, including the Ms Gazi, with soft shell crab, kewpie mayo and Hellenic slaw, and The 2am, featuring either rotisserie chicken or eight-hour slow-cooked lamb, teamed with garlic sauce, pickled onions, lettuce and tomato. It's far from your average post-cab kebab. And there'll be sides, too, including a grain salad and serves of Jimmy's hot chips covered in just the right amount of chicken salt. If that sounds like the sort of food you can definitely get around, swing by the new store next Thursday, September 20 — they'll be handing out free souvas to the masses from 11am until 2pm. Yo-Chi's signature fresh fro-yo flavours are sure to prove a pretty good match for those summer days to come — and a great treat post-Bondi Beach swim, perhaps. In the starting lineup, you'll find a swag of gluten-free, plant-based and classic dairy varieties, from chocolate to butterscotch and a cracking vegan honeycomb number. These guys are also famed for their huge selection of toppings, so prepare to go nuts with sauces, fruit, chocolates, lollies and more. Find the new Jimmy Grants + Yo-Chi store at Shop 3025, Westfield Bondi Junction from Monday, September 17.
By this stage, most of us have come to terms with the fact that jetting off to USA or Europe is a seriously long slog, made worse by unavoidable (sometimes long, always painful) stopovers. But that European or American trip looks set to become a whole lot more bearable, with Qantas on track with its plans to launch direct flights between the east coast and both London and New York, by 2022. Last year, the airline announced that it was exploring non-stop routes from Sydney — routes that would eclipse the company's direct flights between Perth and London, which launched in March this year. Now CEO Alan Joyce has told Bloomberg that the plan, called Project Sunrise, looks set to become a reality. The key factor is the most obvious one: planes that can handle the trip. The extra distance involved with flights from the east coast capitals to London and New York is something that none of today's planes can manage, so the airline put out a call to Airbus and Boeing, the world's biggest aircraft manufacturers, to make an aircraft that can go the distance. Joyce now says "we're now comfortable that we think we have vehicles that could do it". In numbers, the planes will need to be able to handle a 20-hour and 20-minute stint between Sydney and London (16,983 kilometres), and an 18-hour and seven-minute journey from Sydney to New York. The airline has done its homework, analysing a decade's worth of wind and weather data to confirm the routes are actually possible — but it needs the planes to fly it. Those planes could come equipped with extra facilities — such as bunks and workout spaces — to help combat the lengthy time travellers will spend in the air in one stint. And, if and when the new routes are up and running, Qantas will look at direct connections between Australia and other places around the globe, with spots in the Americas, Europe and Africa on the company's list. Right now, the world's longest direct flight clocks in at around 18 hours and 14,529 kilometres, running between Doha and Auckland on a Boeing 777-200LR. That'll change in October, when Singapore Airlines launch its Singapore-to-New York route, which spans 15,322-kilometre and takes over 19 hours. Via Bloomberg.
Now in its 65th year, the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival features over a million tulips planted across 25 acres of farmland. This huge collection of tulips is the perfect excuse to wander through endless fields of flowers to celebrate the start of spring. There's heaps of stuff happening at the tulip farm throughout the month, which sits on the cusp of the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley (east of Melbourne). For the food fans, we would highly recommend pencilling the Food, Wine & Jazz Weekend (September 27–29) into your eating plans. Boasting locally brewed beer, wine and a tasty snacks from the area — including warm, buttery fire-baked scones, mini dutch pancakes and loaded baked potatoes among the tulips. If you're still not convinced, entry includes complimentary wine and beer tasting. Similarly, the Dutch Weekend (September 20–22) will showcase the best that the Netherlands have to offer – other than tulips — with music, markets, unique crafts (wooden tulip-making, anyone?) and Dutch food available inside the festival. Or, head by on the Irish Weekend (October 11–13), where Irish pipers and dancing will perform (and plenty of Guinness and Kilkenny-drinking will take place) around the site's floral rainbow The Tesselaar Tulip Festival runs from Saturday, September 14 through to Sunday, October 13. Tickets are available at the farm, but you can buy them online in advance to skip the queue.
The Inner West Council's 2019 EDGE program, which is aimed at celebrating local communities and talent, is kicking off this month, with a one-day festival of art, culture and nature. On Saturday, March 30, locals are encouraged to explore this intersection between urban spaces, known as the GreenWay, through an afternoon of interactive installations, performances and tours. The immersive arts experience includes seven sensory 'eco-zones' based around the Lilyfield Road Pedestrian Bridge, all focused on the environment. Expect outdoor sculptures, art installations, local makers, live music and artist performances. The festivities will kick off with a plane-themed party in a vintage aeroplane. Meanwhile, Aboriginal elders and environmentalists will give tours on everything from sustainable design to microalgae species, a sunset lantern parade will usher in Earth Hour and there'll be an anti-gravity finale performance by physical theatre company Legs on the Wall. Apart from the arts program, you'll find food trucks and a pop-up bar, with complimentary botanical mocktails getting passed around. BYO picnics are also encouraged, so you'll have plenty of ways to stay fueled throughout the night. EDGE GreenWay will take place between 3–9pm on Saturday, March 30. For more information on the EDGE Greenway program and to check out the full list of upcoming festivals, visit the website.
The Sydney satellite of the world's biggest comedy festival, Just for Laughs, based out of Montreal, returns in October to the Opera House. Gear up for pick-and-mix galas, compelling solo shows, and dirtier, more daring club nights calling on some of the coolest names from the international and local circuit. Drew Carey makes his live Australian debut, hosting the All-Star Comedy Gala, while Adam Hills hosts the curated collaboration of his favourite local and international comics, the International Gala. And no-one but Rhys Darby could host the Kiwi Gala. Otherwise known as Murray Hewitt from Flight of the Conchords, Darby will take to the stage to introduce the comic stars from the land "with rivers and gullies and hobbits and toothbrush fences". One of the most anticipated guests in the fest is the always outrageously dressed Noel Fielding, co-creator of The Mighty Boosh, star of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and sexy deadpan conductor of characters and strange voices. Gracing the Australian stage for the first time in nearly 10 years, he'll be playing host to his own titular gala. It'll be an easy battle between logic and imagination on an acid trip. Joining these all-time faves is Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation), Gabriel Iglesias, Bill Burr, Ed Byrne, Dave Gorman, and Sam Simmons. Other highlights of the festival include The Nasty Show hosted by Jeff Ross, where crass and offensive comics fill out a club show set in the SOH Studio. With roasts, verbal assaults, and cringeworthy laughs, it's not a set for the fainthearted. On a lighter note, the Studio also plays home to Amp'd, the "music comedy show" for live music, improv, and skits.
It's the ultimate in work-life balance, an antidote to non-stop after-hours emails and Slack messages, and a guaranteed way to ensure what happens at work stays at work. In Apple TV+'s mind-bending new thriller series Severance — which plays like Black Mirror meets the Charlie Kaufman-penned Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, with Wes Anderson's aesthetic if he designed soulless office complexes, plus sprinklings of everything from George Orwell to also-excellent 2020 TV effort Devs — switching off when clocking off at Lumon Industries is easy. There's a brain implant for exactly that, and it's a condition of employment on "severed" floors. Accordingly, when quittin' time comes for Macrodata Refinement division employee Mark (Adam Scott, Big Little Lies), he physically steps into a tiny, shiny elevator to descend back into his after-hours life — but the version of him that works for Lumon won't recall anything beyond the company's walls. The instant that the one-person lift plummets at the end of the day, it goes back up for Mark's "innie", as his office-bound consciousness is dubbed. Voila, it's clocking-on time once more. For Mark's "outie", as the rest of his brain is labelled, the reverse occurs. Each day, he enters an elevator, hops out immediately, then drives to the suburban estate he calls home and repeats the process the next morning. Mourning the death of his wife, he's consciously chosen to separate his work and home selves in the most drastic of ways, giving him an eight-hour-a-day reprieve from his grief. But while it may sound like a dream escape — from Mark's pain, and for any employee eager to reclaim mental real estate from their job — this dark, twisty and instantly gripping series is firmly dystopian. Severance's attention-grabbing premise springs from creator Dan Erickson, a TV first-timer, and understands how most folks feel about office life. The show is knowing in its lead casting, too, given that Scott is best recognised for two workplace comedies: the joyous hug that is Parks and Recreation, as well as the acerbic, astute and soon-to-return Party Down. But as savvily and evocatively directed by Ben Stiller in its first three season-one episodes (and again in its last three, with Kissing Candice filmmaker Aoife McArdle helming three in the middle), Scott's new series dwells in 'be careful what you wish for' territory. For the part of Mark's brain that blanks out work, Severance initially seems like heaven. For the half that only knows the office, it's hell. The series begins with Mark two years into his time at Lumon, and newly installed as a division head after Petey (Yul Vazquez, The Outsider), his workplace BFF, leaves suddenly. One of his first tasks: onboarding Helly (Britt Lower, Future Man), who awakes in innie form for the first time sprawled atop a conference table. The camera gazes down, the eerie tone resembles leaping out of a nightmare but being unable to pick if you're still dreaming, and she hears Mark asking questions. Helly has queries herself, including: "am I livestock?". The severance process is jarring for newcomers, but they're expected to adjust swiftly. Innie Helly hasn't gotten that memo, however — and no, Party Down fans, neither her nor Mark are having fun yet. He grapples with his new role and the sudden loss of Petey, with his cold, unsevered boss Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette, The Act) and her omnipresent, also-unsevered assistant Mr Milchick (Tramell Tillman, Hunters) scrutinising every move, and his fellow severed MDR employees Irving (John Turturro, The Plot Against America) and Dylan (Zach Cherry, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) handling Lumon life by being controlling and competitive, respectively. As for Helly's innie, she starts waging war on the new world order she definitely didn't sign up for, including writing briskly denied resignation requests to her outie. From The Truman Show and The Matrix to The Office and Office Space, Severance's list of influences is lengthy. It's Kafkaesque and Lynchian, too, and wandering its labyrinthine hallways — corridors designed like a maze to keep Lumon departments apart — is like being trapped in a surreal workplace version of Twin Peaks' red room. Indeed, every production design and cinematography choice enhances the feeling of being trapped in an off-kilter and deeply unnerving corporate purgatory. It's there in the 70s- and 80s-style technology, the green-and-white colour scheme, and the camera placement that flits between claustrophobic and cooly expansive. Lumon's innies don't have the choice, but Severance is also a series to willingly get lost in. Apple TV+ is dropping episodes week to week, following a two-instalment premiere, but the compulsion to lap up more of its unsettling mysteries springs quickly. Just like other standout shows of the past few months, such as Yellowjackets and Station Eleven, the desperation to piece together Severance's puzzles echoes strongly while watching — but this meticulously made head-trip is in no rush to unveil its answers. Given the wealth of wonders to be found within its frames — and the allure of its slow-drip secrets, including exactly what MDR is doing as its workers sort through screens of "happy" and "scary" numbers — it's hardly surprising that Severance isn't in a rush. It also boasts Christopher Walken (Percy vs Goliath) putting his distinctive on-screen presence to great use as another of Lumon's severed wager-earners, and is home to stellar performances across the board, including Scott's latest everyman turn, Turturro playing the office pedant with aplomb, a compellingly icy Arquette and the mesmerising Tillman. And, crucially, equally calling out, questioning and satirising today's ideas about work is always on the show's agenda. With a wry sense of humour, Severance sees the nine-to-five grind as the hellscape it can be, probes the control we've relinquished for paycheques and pokes fun at everything that's become normalised about the modern workplace. The hold our jobs have over our lives, the cult-like worship that large companies demand from underlings, the awkward office exceptions and social conventions, and these always clocked-on times in general: none of them escape this perceptive and addictive series' attention. Not so fond of the corporate treadmill? As it immerses, engages and intrigues, Severance truly understands. Check out the trailer for Severance below: The first three episodes of Severance's first season are available to stream via Apple TV+, with new episodes dropping weekly.
Get excited, cinephiles. One of the biggest film festivals in the world just wrapped up for another year, after unveiling a wealth of new movies from around the globe over a jam-packed 11-day period. And even if you weren't at this year's 69th Berlin International Film Festival — enjoying the brisk but not unbearably frosty German winter, and sneaking in a few schnapps and schnitzels while rushing between cinemas — this huge, high-profile annual fest always brings good news. Between February 7–17, the highlights were many, especially for anyone looking to add a whole heap of flicks to their must-see list. Among the official competition titles sat everything from blistering dramas to topical real-life tales, as judged by the likes of Juliette Binoche, Toni Erdmann actor Sandra Hüller and A Fantastic Woman filmmaker Sebastián Lelio. Elsewhere, the stars and stories kept flowing, including Jonah Hill's first stint as a feature film director, Tilda Swinton sharing the screen with — and getting outshone by — her daughter, and an essential music documentary finally seeing the light of day. And it wouldn't be a Berlinale without a few controversies, including the last-minute withdrawal of Zhang Yimou's Cultural Revolution drama One Second and the grim reception received by Fatih Akin's serial killer flick The Golden Glove, which earned a hefty amount of walkouts. After emerging from Berlin's many, many picture palaces, that's just the short version. Here's the long round-up — aka the ten movies that'll hopefully be headed to Australian screens. These are the films that stuck in our head beyond the hustle and bustle. Fingers crossed that they'll be hitting a local cinema sometime soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Al2nC0vzY THE SOUVENIR With The Souvenir, another Swinton becomes an acting powerhouse. Honor Swinton Byrne stars in this 80s drama about aspiring filmmaker Julie and her older boyfriend Anthony (Tom Burke) — and while Tilda Swinton also features as her kindly mother, this is the younger Swinton's show. Struggling to pursue her passion and falling hopelessly for someone who's not quite who he seems, Julie's tale might seem familiar. And yet, with writer/director Joanna Hogg turning her own life into this stunning fictional effort, and unafraid to take aim at love, life, ambition and middle-class privilege, the film becomes a deeply moving adult coming-of-age story. Elegantly and insightfully scripted, lensed and performed, The Souvenir also acts as its own memento, leaving an imprint that lingers long after its frames have stopped rolling. [caption id="attachment_710369" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] © Guy Ferrandis / SBS Films[/caption] SYNONYMS A highly worthy winner of Berlinale's Golden Bear, the festival's top prize, Synonyms refuses easy categorisation. It's a fish-out-of-water affair, following young Israeli Yoav (Tom Mercier) upon his arrival in Paris, but it's also a savvy take on today's fragmented world, a blistering character study about a man who refuses to be pinned down, and a ruminative reflection upon the difficulties of starting life anew, even by choice. Yoav is eager to put his Tel Aviv days behind him as quickly as possible, renouncing his homeland, refusing to speak another word of Hebrew and doing whatever it takes to become French; however, his transition is far from straightforward. Mercier is electrifying in his first acting role, while filmmaker Nadav Lapid draws upon his own experiences to cement his spot as a rising directorial star. [caption id="attachment_710361" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] © BBP LOML[/caption] LIGHT OF MY LIFE The world mightn't necessarily need a Casey Affleck-written and directed survivalist movie about a father, his pre-teen daughter and a post-apocalyptic world otherwise absent of women. It mightn't seem to need a mash-up of Leave No Trace, Children of Men and The Handmaid's Tale either. But that's exactly what the Manchester By the Sea Oscar-winner delivers in his first fictional helming effort (although mockumentary I'm Still Here almost counts), and Light of My Life lives up to its concept and the obvious comparisons it inspires. Thoughtful and heartfelt from start to finish, Affleck's feature uses its dystopian premise to ponder the struggles of parenting a child who'll eventually need to make their own way in life. On screen, the actor-turned-filmmaker is at his nuanced best playing a man trying to protect his curious offspring (Anna Pniowsky) from the harsh reality of her existence, while his young co-star brightens up the movie in a manner wholly befitting its title. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JywE77VYpWc BY THE GRACE OF GOD Exploring sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, By the Grace of God was always going to prove both topical and sorrowful, regardless of its timing. Based on a real-life French case, the film's ripped-from-the-headlines storyline has recently seen two figures portrayed within its frames take legal action, in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to block its release. In Australia, the movie arrives hot on the heels of high-profile local legal proceedings; however, the anger, dismay and empathy the Silver Bear recipient inspires is all its own. Focusing on three men (Melvil Poupaud, Denis Ménochet and Swann Arlaud) who were inappropriately taken advantage of by the same priest (Bernard Verley) as children, this is a measured, moving, sensitive and sobering picture from filmmaker François Ozon, who ventures worlds away from previous efforts such as Swimming Pool and Young & Beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO6avRMFGSQ MID90s Thanks to all-girl flick Skate Kitchen and Oscar-nominated documentary Minding the Gap, the past year has ushered in a new golden age for teen-focused skateboarding films. Mid90s falls happily in the middle of both — exploring the exploits of a group of kick-flipping guys in a way that's both dreamily nostalgic and tenderly clear-eyed — and firmly belongs on the list. Marking Jonah Hill's first full-length solo effort as a writer and director, it follows 13-year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic). The shy kid wants nothing more than to ollie his way around LA with his new older pals Ray (Na-Kel Smith), Fuckshit (Olan Prenatt), Fourth Grade (Ryder McLaughlin) and Ruben (Gio Galicia), despite the wishes of his worried single mum (Katherine Waterston). As well as getting devastatingly naturalistic performances out of his cast, Hill directs this blast from the past exactly as it demands, with every inch feeling like the product of someone who's been there and seen it, even if he hasn't strictly lived through it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylJrxh-4MG8 VARDA BY AGNES Two years after gifting the world Faces Places, her delightful and insightful documentary about placing oversized portraits of villagers around the French countryside, Agnès Varda returns with another factual effort that's just as wonderful. While the cinema legend co-directed her last movie with much-younger artist JR, this time around she's back on her own, as the 90-year-old has been for much of her 65-year filmmaking career. Indeed, her lengthy life behind the lens is the subject of Varda by Agnes, with the inimitable figure taking viewers through her career as only she can. Spanning from her French New Wave beginnings to her adoption of digital technology, this is a self-portrait, a celebration and a masterclass — and, as always, it's an absolute pleasure spending time in Varda's company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPdqXdN-Xtg AMAZING GRACE Told on screen via text, the story behind concert documentary Amazing Grace is worth its own movie. Over two nights in January 1972, Aretha Franklin recorded her best-selling gospel album of the same name at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, with the Southern California Community Choir as backing singers, and with filmmaker Sydney Pollack on hand to capture the whole thing. But, due to both technical and legal issues — including Franklin suing to stop the movie's belated release before her death — the end result hasn't made it to the big screen until now. 47 years is a long time to wait; however, this doco is worth it. Amazing Grace is joyous for many reasons, from witnessing the Queen of Soul's talent, to paying tribute in an intimate fashion, to seeing the effect of faith and artistry on the on-screen audience. And when Franklin sings the title track for 11 minutes, its a moment no one will forget in a hurry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTWLFlWJEWs GHOST TOWN ANTHOLOGY There's an alluring mood to this French-Canadian film, which isn't quite a horror flick but certainly isn't a standard drama either. An atmospheric kindred spirit to the Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara-starring A Ghost Story from 2017, of sorts, Ghost Town Anthology enters the remote Quebec village of Irénée-les-Neiges, population 215. Suddenly, after an accident, that number drops to 214, and the townsfolk don't know how to cope. Grief is an immensely difficult feeling to convey on screen, but Denis Côté's haunting movie does a stellar job of capturing the deep-seated yearning to reunite with lost loved ones — and the unnerving impact when mysterious figures start popping up around the tiny locale. The grainy effect of shooting on 16mm certainly enhances Ghost Town Anthology's ethereal tone, as does its willingness to let images and actions speak louder than words. SKIN It has been 19 years since Jamie Bell danced his way into audience's hearts in Billy Elliot, with his character escaping a harsh home life and a narrow view of masculinity through ballet. In Skin, the British actor is covered in tattoos and sports a shaved head as real-life figure Bryon Widner — and while the American white supremacist doesn't take to dance, he's similarly trapped in a restrictive environment and subconsciously yearning to break free. Widner's path changes when he meets a single mother (Danielle Macdonald), turns away from the right-wing scene and tries to say goodbye to his hate-spewing pseudo parents (Vera Farmiga and Bill Camp). Directed by Oscar-winning short filmmaker Guy Nattiv, Skin might be blunt as it charts Widner's journey; however, thanks to a potent performance from Bell and his co-stars, it's always effective. [caption id="attachment_710366" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] © Rafael Winer[/caption] BUOYANCY In recent years, Australian filmmakers have explored the plight of refugees and immigrants in a variety of compelling ways — in hard-hitting documentary Chasing Asylum, in the more meditative Island of the Hungry Ghosts, and now in Buoyancy. Shot in Cambodia and Thailand, and spoken in Khmer, Thai and Burmese, this Aussie drama examines human trafficking, with 14-year-old Chakra (Sarm Heng) leaving life on the rice fields in search of something more, but finding himself tricked into slave labour on a fishing trawler. Informed by real-life experiences, Rodd Rathjen's feature debut doesn't pull its punches, as Chakra's time at sea proves bleak and brutal to say the least. Indeed, every moment and frame is designed to immerse viewers in the boy's despairing, a feat that the film achieves.
