It's Australia's longest and biggest international film festival, spanning 18 days and 358 titles, and it's quite the cinephile endurance test. Yes, we're talking about the annual Melbourne International Film Festival — the place where scampering rodents, a deadly game of picking family favourites, making fun of Jared Leto and giant faces pasted across historic French buildings all came together. David Lynch waxing lyrical about a tortoise, teenage terrorists roaming around a department store and not your usual type of superhero flick all made an appearance too. They're just some of the standout moments from this year's program, the ones that stuck with our film critics Sarah Ward and Tom Clift after they stepped out of the festival's cinemas (and, most likely, just before they stepped into another one). Thanks to bleak Russian dramas, mind-bending time loop trickery and harrowing real-life retellings, there's more where they came from — including our rundown of the best, strangest and most surprising movies of MIFF 2017. (And if you're wondering why Call Me By Your Name, Good Time, Ali's Wedding, A Fantastic Woman, Brigsby Bear and The Square didn't make our MIFF picks, that's because we saw and loved them at the Sydney Film Festival. These are ten newbies.) BEST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQFdGfwChtw THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER Greek weird wave pioneer Yorgos Lanthimos follows up his first English-language feature The Lobster with this equally bizarre offering — an uneasy, unpredictable, darkly funny moral thriller that will make viewers laugh and then feel awful for doing so. Colin Farrell stars as a cardiologist with skeletons in his closet, who is forced to make an impossible decision after his family finds itself plagued by a mysterious affliction. Make no mistake: the stilted line delivery, not just from Farrell but also Nicole Kidman as his wife, is very much by design. Lanthimos' films are designed to make you feel unsettled, and none have done it better than this one. — Tom Clift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9chFxUNB7o NOCTURAMA If consumerism and nihilism often sit side by side, then so do anarchy and apathy — in Nocturama's view of the world, at least. Indeed, if writer/director Bertrand Bonello achieves one thing with his mesmerising and provocative film, it's forcing the viewer to question, well, everything. With a simply stunning command of his visceral visuals and unnerving mood, he charts the actions of seemingly ordinary Parisian students who care about everything and nothing, who want to improve the world around them and see it all burn, and who are driven to act in a devastating way and then happily frolic through their department store hideaway. Here, painstaking tracking shots through the streets, the most unexpected use of 'Whip My Hair' you're ever likely to come across and a calculated kick of a final act all come together to make for a movie that won't be forgotten easily. — Sarah Ward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KLLkj84GAo LUCKY As well as being the best thing to reach screens this year, Twin Peaks has gifted viewers with the joys of plenty of Harry Dean Stanton and David Lynch. Don't worry, there's more where that came from, and it's just as wonderful. The veterans — one a 91-year-old actor with 199 credits on his resume, the other the inimitable filmmaker who has directed him five times — join forces again in Lucky, which thrusts the former to the fore as a small-town loner forced to face his mortality. The landscape of Stanton's face pairs perfectly with the arid dessert surroundings, while his specific brand of cantankerous charm finds its match in Lynch (who acts, rather than directs) as his monologue-spouting, tortoise-loving pal. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLegoO4NdD8 LOVELESS Dissecting a society infected by oppressive politics, Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev captures modern life in his homeland in bleak slices, whether exploring brothers reunited with their absent father in The Return, a woman forced to do whatever it takes for family in Elena, or a family taking on a corrupt mayor in Leviathan. Stark and stunning from start to finish, Loveless is no different. Here, a squabbling couple on the brink of divorce discover that their largely neglected 12-year-old son has gone missing — and there's no one like Zvyagintsev at taking an already tense and heartbreaking situation into formally composed, emotionally brutal, absolutely astonishing territory. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFVDyWBBiuA LET THE SUNSHINE IN Love and loneliness are two sides of the same coin in Claire Denis' light but insightful Let the Sunshine In, which finds empathetic comedy in the romantic escapades of Juliette Binoche's newly divorced 50-something artist. A sophisticated and seductive look at the ups and downs of dating and desire it may be, but as the film flits through a series of affairs, it's never afraid to reveal both the disarming delights and devastating lows of putting yourself out there. Laughs follow, and so does a smart, spirited and soulful exploration of affection and intimacy — as driven by Binoche's enigmatic candour — that cuts deep. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvWwnZeUHeI ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL You wouldn't have thought that a film set in the shadow of the global recession would make you root for a bank. And yet, that's exactly what viewers will find themselves doing during Abacus: Small Enough to Jail. The latest film from Hoop Dreams director Steve James, this compelling documentary follows the legal struggles of the only financial institution to be charged by the US Government in the wake of the GFC. But it wasn't a giant multinational. Rather, New York prosecutors went after, a small, family-owned bank with deep connections to the Chinese immigrant community. Abacus interrogates questions of responsibility, scapegoating and prejudice, while doubling as a thrilling courtroom drama. — TC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fybwL9tY9qY FACES PLACES If everyone in the world looked at strangers in the same manner as Belgian-born filmmaker and French New Wave icon Agnes Varda, we'd be living in a much, much happier and kinder society. The almost 90-year-old's empathy, enthusiasm and understanding drives Faces Places in two ways: in the photographs that she takes with street artist JR, and in the film that chronicles their snapping — which is then followed by printing out giant versions of their pics, and plastering them on the walls of rustic, historic buildings. In fact, her attitude towers over the film in the same way her artworks loom over villagers below, and the impact is just as enchanting. Accordingly, love, life, creativity, connection, accepting others and acknowledging that nothing is permanent are all a part of this charming documentary. Oh, and goats as well. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw1NwnFXaVk THAT'S NOT ME Some of the best comedies find their laughs from relatable drama. And, while we all haven't watched our twin sister live out our wildest dreams of becoming a successful actor (and date Jared Leto), we have seen hopes and wishes fall by the wayside, taken leaps of faith that haven't paid out, and had to redefine our idea of a happy ending. That's the tale of low-budget Aussie comedy That's Not Me, the first feature from writer/director Gregory Erdstein and writer/star Alice Foulcher, and an earnest, astute, insightful and thoroughly amusing exploration of making it, faking it and the fact that life usually exists somewhere in between. — SW THE WEIRDEST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-EMPii8TCQ RAT FILM There are few movies out there like Rat Film. Plenty of other animals have clucked, purred, barked, splashed and scurried their way through cute critter-focused documentaries, but not in this fashion. Trust us. Taking on the creatures humanity usually kills rather than celebrates, director Theo Anthony wanders from filming a rat trapped in his own rubbish bin, to exploring society's ways of dealing with rodents, to stepping from their prevalence on Baltimore's streets to a whole host of class, racial and economic divisions — and throwing more than a few existential musings in as well. It sometimes comes across as disjointed, but it's never less than fascinating and illuminating, complete with Werner Herzog-like observations as narration. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXB0DK3upGY THE ENDLESS On paper, The Endless might sound like the sum of its intriguing but far from unusual parts, with creepy cults, temporal trickery and sibling struggles all fairly common film fodder. On the screen, however, the latest film from director/actor duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead proves anything but standard. In fact, it's the kind of sci-fi/horror flick that will floor you with its ingenuity, make you want to watch it again immediately afterwards, and inspire you to check out the filmmaker's first effort, Resolution. Imaginative, enthralling, astute with its aesthetics and atmosphere, and insightful in contemplating both human and supernatural drama, this account of two brothers returning to the close-knit camp they used to call home is the whole weird and wonderful package. — SW THE MOST UNEXPECTED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc7m7lpSbkE DEATH IN THE TERMINAL On October 18, 2015, a gun-toting terrorist stepped inside a bus terminal in the Southern Israeli city of Beersheba. 18 minutes later, three people were dead as the authorities reacted, people on the ground turned into an angry mob and blood soon smeared white surfaces. Watching these events unfold through security video and mobile phone footage is as unsettling as it sounds, with to-camera chats from people who were there helping to fill in the gaps. Directors Tali Shemesh and Asaf Sudry immerse viewers in a situation that's both horrifying and harrowing — not to mention confrontingly revealing about human nature in times of extreme crisis, as well as in the current international political climate. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H8AK4FtLQ8 JUPITER'S MOON Religious allegory meets arthouse flick meets action movie meets cry for compassion in Jupiter's Moon, a strange, vaguely satirical, occasionally stunning film about a Syrian refugee who is shot by a twitchy border cop only to discover he can fly. Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó has crafted an incredible-looking piece of work, full of breathtaking long takes that recall Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men (as does some of the subject matter). Not everything about the movie is a success — it's fairly heavy-handed, and runs more than a smidge too long. But went it works, it soars. — TC By Sarah Ward and Tom Clift.
If gorgeous, achingly tasteful objet d'art and interior design is your weakness, prepare to be overwhelmed at Avalon store-cum-showroom Composition. The brainchild of interior architect Claire Perini, Composition offers a meticulously curated selection of modern antiques and contemporary brands assigned to one of three categories: Artefact (unique vintage), Object (new product) and Print (design literature both vintage and new, and lithographic works). The showroom itself is a lovely environment to simply be present in, with something beautiful to catch the eye at virtually every inch. A pair of Art Deco-period French cane and walnut armchairs might find themselves propping up a Matisse lithograph or an original artworks by Danish painter Egil Jacobsen, and could be sitting alongside candy-coloured decorative glassware by Helle Mardahl (of which Composition is the exclusive stockist for New South Wales). [caption id="attachment_944545" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Art Deco 1940s chairs on display[/caption] Brands featured in the store include established Australian lines by Maison Balzac, Corey Ashford, INBED, as well as exclusives like plates created by multidisciplinary fine artist George Raftopoulos. Initially, Perini's focus for Composition was almost entirely on Australian product and brands, but since setting up shop in the Avalon space in 2020, she has evolved the mix to include covetable international brands like French cutlery label Sabre Paris and Swedish jeweller Sara Robertsson. For those customers with a particular yen for Claire's design sensibility and aesthetic, she also offers services as an interior consultant so you can just hand over the keys and let her work the magic. You can stay up to date on new items and sales by following Composition on Instagram. Image credit: Sage Hammond.
We don't know if you've noticed this, but Australians seem to really enjoy their cooking shows. Whether we're having an anxiety attack over a stubborn souffle on MasterChef, or scoffing about menu use of Comic Sans on The Hotplate, we're a nation who likes their telly cooked to perfection, ideally served by a photogenic or crazy, crazy chef. Luckily for us, the cordon bleu team at SBS have taken note of our gluttonous viewing habits, and are gearing up to launch Australia's first ever free-to-air food channel. We're already drooling. "The channel will take one of our strongest and well-known genres to new heights," said SBS managing director Michael Ebeid. "We know how much audiences love to be taken on a journey of culinary and cultural discovery with our food shows every Thursday night. This new channel is an opportunity to extend that offering with a world of food programming available all day, every day, for free." The new channel will launch in November on SBS 3, and will become the network's fourth free-to-air channel behind SBS, SBS 2 and NITV. According to their website, the lineup will include a mix of "food, cooking and travel programs inspired by food handpicked from around the world, alongside some of the networks much-loved, locally made shows." Key to the new channel's success is a licensing deal SBS has inked with American company Scripps Networks Interactive, whose portfolio includes high profile media and lifestyle brands such as Food Network, Cooking Channel, Asian Food Channel, HGTV, DIY Network, Fine Living Network, Travel Channel and Great American Country. The current lineup of culinary programming on SBS includes Nigella Express, Luke Nguyen's France and Kriol Kitchen. More information about SBS's new food channel, including a name, launch date and programming schedule, is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Image: Luke Nguyen. UPDATE OCTOBER 22, 2015: SBS's new 24-hour food channel is called Food Network and will launch on November 17. Programming will include Destination Flavour, Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook, the Luke Nguyen series, several of celebrity chef Curtis Stone's shows like Kitchen Inferno and Surfing the Menu, Rachael Ray’s 30 Minute Meals, Giada at Home, Reza: Spice Prince of Vietnam, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Diners, Drive Ins & Dives, Chopped by Ted Allen and more. The channel will air 24 hours a day and also through SBS On Demand. For more info, head to SBS's website.
As if the fruits of the crowdsourcing revolution weren't clear already (hello Uber, hello Tinder) the new 'land-sharing' service, Hipcamp, is going even further and actually adding value to our environment — while finding you the perfect camping spot. Currently operating in the US (with eventual worldwide aspirations), Hipcamp is a service that connects campers with private land owners, meaning previously inaccessible, beautiful plots of land probably once flanked with "Trespassers will be shot, survivors will be shot again" signs are now available to camp on. You can camp on ranches, farms, vineyards and land preserves. Think of it as Airbnb for people who don't mind pissing in the woods. While campers are an important cog in the Hipcamp machine, it's actually the landowners who are the crux of the thing. Over 60 percent of America is privately owned and Hipcamp aims to make undeveloped land useful, even profitable, by facilitating back-to-nature style camping on private land. The site operates just like Airbnb, providing you with plenty of information on amenities and activities, photos, prices, reviews, availability and (most importantly) lots of S'mores recipes. As well as giving campers access to remote, previously private camp sites, Hipcamp lets you experience these locations with someone who's both got your back in an emergency and will make sure you leave the land as you found it — the environmentally-conscious land stewards. In order to sign up, Hipcampers have to read and engage with a Leave No Trace agreement, the main point of which is obviously to leave no trace of your trip at the camping spot (duh). So if you're planning a road trip around America and you don't want to spend your nights in a murder motel, this is the app for you. Images: Matt Lief Anderson. Via Lost at E Minor.
Curious about contemporary art from the Philippines? Then hightail it to AGNSW for Passion and Procession, a feast of installations, videos, sculptures and paintings that reflect the rich past and dynamic present of the country's artistic history. You'll see works exploring religion, ancestral traditions, the relationship between the individual and the community, and the ongoing artistic influence of India, China, Spain and Mexico. The show is part of the Bayanihan Philippine Art Project, a series of exhibitions and programs designed to celebrate the art and culture of the Philippines. It's an exhibition full of contrast, from Santiago Bose's oil and collage works exploring the intersection between faith and science, to Nona Garcia's striking light box installations, to Geraldine Javier's delicate silk organza and thread octopus-like creatures creeping out of wooden frames. And there's a definite Diego Rivera quality to the colourful acrylic-on-canvas visions created by Rodel Tapaya. While you're at AGNSW, mosey on over to the Mervyn Bishop exhibition too. Image: Rodel Tapaya, 'Do you have a rooster, Pedro?,' 2015-16.
Inventive Philadelphia-based company La Colombe Coffee Roasters has developed coffee on tap, pulling cold draught lattes from nitro kegs. They're claiming their new device as the world's first tap coffee, although it goes without saying this isn't your regular, purely extracted, traditional espresso. More "naturally sweet milkshake" than actual latte, La Colombe's draught is apparently like cold-press with frothed cold milk, according to Daily Coffee News. Company founder Todd Carmichael is pretty proud of the new taps, which took six months to invent with his rum distillery engineer buddy in his underground Philly coffee lab. Carmichael assures consumers that this is the first time tap coffee has made its way into your mouth. "The draught latte combines the simplest coffee beverage ingredients and creates a revolutionary drink," he said in a media announcement. "It’s the process we use to pull the drink from the keg that creates a textured milk that doesn’t exist anywhere else.” Wielding his iced invention, seems Carmichael has a pretty hardcore plan to destroy Starbucks, and he's not keeping it to tap coffee. The Philly coffee fiend also just announced the launch of La Colombe's low-calorie canned coffees — a product Starbucks has been doing pretty well with in American supermarkets for some horrific, god-forsaken reason. If you're keen to try draught coffee, you'll have to pop over to the US. La Colombe is planning to roll out the taps to its 12 venues in Philly, NYC, Chicago and Washington D.C. in July. Via Daily Coffee News.
Still coming to terms with the fact that the Newtown Social Club's gig-hosting days have come to an end? Us too. But — for better or for worse — when one door closes, another one opens. And come this Thursday, July 6, the same doors will swing into action — but this time they'll reveal a mini-golf bar. Yes, the old NSC bandroom is becoming an indoor 18-hole mini-golf course. The new venue is called Holey Moley Golf Club, and it comes to Sydney after opening in Brisbane last September and Melbourne earlier this year. Set to open at noon, the bar will pair putt putt and pints across the two-storey King Street space. Every stop on each of the two nine-hole courses is themed within an inch of its life, so you can putt in The Simpsons' living room, through a Mouse Trap-like contraption, into the iconic Luna Park mouth and underneath a donkey with a Donald Trump for an ass. It's as batshit crazy as it sounds. We hope Holey Moley isn't simply filling one of Sydney's many struggling live venues with a gimmick, and their parent company Funlab have advised that music will remain a feature with regular DJ sets. Drinks-wise, expect cocktails from The Caddyshack Bar and a bao station for bites between holes. Newtown isn't the only spot on Holey Moley's expansion trail either, with an Adelaide venture due to open in May. Holey Moley Golf Club will open at 387 King Street, Newtown at noon on Thursday, July 6. Keep an eye on their website for more information. Images: Tom Wilkinson.
Animal lovers take note: New York’s JFK Airport is getting a new state-of-the-art animal terminal named the ARK. But unlike Noah’s lame prototype which could only take two of every animal, JFK’s ARK can handle more than 70,000 animals per year – and handle them in style. Fully decked out with a lap pool, veterinary services, salon and spa services and flat screen TVs, your pet’s accommodation will likely be far superior to your own. Current import and export services available to pets aren’t particularly streamlined – and the resulting stress can increase the chance of injury or illness for our high-flying furry friends. The ARK has been designed to reduce animal stress during their mandatory quarantine period (that it makes us awwwww is simply an added bonus.) The US$40 million, 16,500 square metre facility includes stalls for cattle and horses, pens for goats, sheep and pigs, an aviary for birds and even a special space for penguins – complete with private mating area. Its the dogs and cats that get the best of the deal though. They’ll be housed in a hotel-like facility run by Paradise 4 Paws, a national pet boarding service that provides insane levels of pet care including hot oil or mud baths, pawdicure (with colour pawlish), peanut butter kongs, treadmill sessions, outdoor hikes, massages and personal snuggle times. For a cool US$100 a night, your pet can stay in a room with a full-sized human bed, chandelier lighting and doggie furnishings, flat screen and a nightly tuck-in service. And while your pet is crapping all over the $100-a-night suite, you can watch them resentfully over webcam. But in all seriousness, good work America. Air travel is traumatic enough for humans; imagine the stress a pet must go through. It’s fantastic to see an investment that will benefit our animal pals. Australia, please follow their example – and if possible, provide a viewing platform so we can watch the animals frolic and gambol. via The Guardian. Image via Paradise 4 Paws.
If you're a fan of Game of Thrones, The Handmaid's Tale or Big Little Lies, you've probably spent plenty of time in front of your TV screen over the past six months. If you're head-over-heels for Stranger Things, you likely have more couch time planned, too. But 2019's television and streaming viewing isn't just about the shows you already love. If you're eager to add some fresh favourites to your pile, the year so far has well and truly delivered. From existential comedies and anarchic sketch shows to gripping accounts of real-life tragedies and excellent anthology revivals, 2019's batch of new shows has proven a varied bunch — and an excellent one as well. It's enough to make you hole up in your living room and never want to leave. Or, to spend the year's colder months catching up. With the year at its halfway point, here's our picks of 2019's best TV and streaming series that you owe it to yourself to seek out now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHcKoAMGGvY RUSSIAN DOLL Netflix and smart existential laughs continued to go hand-in-hand with Russian Doll, with the streaming platform once again taking one its protagonists with wondering what this whole life business is all about. Here, however, New Yorker Nadia (Natasha Lyonne — who you'll most likely recognise from Orange Is the New Black) is forced to relive her 36th birthday shindig over and over again. And wWhile getting stuck at a celebration in your own honour will sound like a literal party to most folks, that's not Nadia's path. Co-created and co-written by Lyonne, Amy Poehler and filmmaker Leslye Headland (Bachelorette, Sleeping with Other People), this eight-episode show takes its acerbic, misanthropic lead character through all kinds of twists and turns, examining fate, logic, life's loops and wading through limbo in a clever and compelling way. This is a dark, heartfelt, hilarious and inventive series all at once, and, although the do-over premise has become a well-established trope on both the big and small screens, Russian Doll never feels like it's relying on a gimmick. Unsurprisingly, Netflix has renewed it for a second season. The entire first season of Russian Doll is available to stream on Netflix. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8 CHERNOBYL When it comes to sheer horror of the bone-chilling kind, not to mention the kind of soul-crushing dismay that can only stem from the bleakest of tales, nothing compares to Chernobyl. The five-part show explores the aftermath of the 1986 nuclear disaster, which saw the reactor inside the Ukrainian facility explode. The fallout, unsurprisingly, was catastrophic, with the incident considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history as well one of the worst man-made events ever. While the dramatisation begins with the fiery explosion, it's what happens next that earns the show's focus — the initial salvage attempts by workers condemned to suffer and die just for doing their jobs; the arrogant cover-ups, including by stubborn plant supervisors who refuse to believe what's happened; the clean-up and rescue missions, sacrificing more lives to the incident; and the inevitable investigation. Every aspect of the series is detailed, thorough, and even more relentless and unnerving than you'd expect given the real-life situation, with creator and writer Craig Mazin drawing upon meticulous research, interviews with nuclear scientists, chats with former Soviet residents and first-person accounts from those who were there. All five episodes of Chernobyl are available to stream on Foxtel Now. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLkEpO3k514 PEN15 Remember those years when you were too cool for childhood, but just finding your feet as a teenager? You've probably blocked it out of your memory. Most of us do — except comedians Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who've based the entirety of their series PEN15 on the time that most of us would rather forget. Across the show's ten-episode first season, the pair play themselves as 13-year-olds starting middle school, reliving the highlights, the horrors, the first sips of beer and the agony of trying to work out what life is all about at any moment. In a series executive produced by Andy Samberg and his fellow Lonely Island pals Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, Erskine and Konkle's on-screen alter-egos are surrounded by real 13-year-olds — and the results are poignant, scarily accurate and all-round hilarious. If you love it, it's been renewed for a second season, so there's more to come. The entire first season of PEN15 is available to stream now on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29_gA_GDGvE THE TWILIGHT ZONE The Twilight Zone is back, and it's in the best possible hands. After wowing horror movie lovers with Get Out and Us, Jordan Peele takes on the task of presenting, narrating and redeveloping the legendary sci-fi anthology show for the 21st century, and it's one he does well. Picking up where Rod Serling's original five-season 50s and 60s show left off (and short-lived revivals in 1985 and 2002, too), the eight-episode first series blends the old with the new — both remaking previous episodes and coming up with fresh, thrilling stories. It's as entertaining as you'd rightfully expect, with more set to come next year. This initial season also comes with a huge cast, including Adam Scott, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracy Morgan, Steven Yeun, Zazie Beetz, Taissa Farmiga, Greg Kinnear, John Cho, Rhea Seehorn, Jessica Williams, Jacob Tremblay, Allison Tolman, Betty Gabriel, Ginnifer Goodwin, Chris O'Dowd and Seth Rogan. Put simply, it's must-see viewing. The entire first season of The Twilight Zone is available to stream on 10 All Access — in both colour and retro black-and-white. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfBbSwX6kEk WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS A bunch of vampires. One share house. Ample undead hijinks. It worked swimmingly in 2005 short film What We Do In the Shadows. Next, it worked hilariously in 2014 mockumentary movie What We Do In the Shadows. And it works mighty fine in TV spinoff that's also called What We Do In the Shadows, too. Adapted for television by original creators and stars Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi (with the first episode written by the former and directed by the latter), this Staten Island-set version focuses on a new set of vamps and new supernatural problems, and the laughs keep coming. Unsurprisingly, Matt Berry's English bloodsucker Laszlo is a highlight, but this is a great ensemble effort, complete with ace turns from Kayvan Novak as Ottoman Empire-era soldier Nandor the Relentless, Natasia Demetriou as Romani vamp Nadja, Mark Proksch as 'energy vampire' Colin Robinson and Lady Bird's Beanie Feldstein as a live-action role-play fan who falls in with the undead crowd. Also keep an eye out for some absolutely killer high-profile cameos — and for more episodes next year. The entire first season of What We Do In the Shadows is available to stream on Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQaTa5eTxnk THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED It has been five years since much of the world first heard the name Adnan Syed, delving into his case in the first season of Serial. And just like the hugely popular true crime podcast, Syed's is a tale that just keeps fascinating audiences. Murder and the possible miscarriage of justice will do that, as will the grim circumstances surrounding the death of Baltimore high school student Hae Min Lee in 1999. Enter The Case Against Adnan Syed, the four-part documentary TV series that has been in production since 2015 and promises to answer — and pose — more questions. Yes, it delivers. As well as boasting a compelling subject, the series also has an impressive pedigree, with filmmaker Amy Berg adding another top effort to her resume after Oscar-nominated 2006 doco Deliver Us from Evil, 2012's West of Memphis and 2014's An Open Secret. The Case Against Adnan Syed is available to purchase on iTunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v75RmNuZgTs HANNA Joining the long list of films-turned-TV shows is Hanna — and the long list of spy, assassin and conspiracy -focused series as well. This small-screen adaptation follows the storyline established in the 2011 movie, just with a change of cast (sorry Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett fans). Here, the titular child (Esmé Creed-Miles) has spent her entire life learning survivalist skills under the tutelage of her mercenary father (Joel Kinnaman). Of course, the day comes when she has to put her talents to the test. The original flick plunged viewers into a complex, murky world that it'd be easy to spend more time within, and now this series delivers on that notion. The entire first season Hanna is available to stream on Amazon Prime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrZkGgoVSFk I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON You don't even need two hours to get through all six episodes of this new sketch comedy show but, once you're done, you'll wish that it went for at least twice as long. Social awkwardness is satirised with absurd precision in I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and the results are as offbeat and hilarious as a house completely filled with Garfield items and furniture (trust us). If he seems familiar, Robinson was the star of Detroiters and also spent a couple of seasons on Saturday Night Live. He has plenty of recognisable co-stars on his new show, which he also wrote and produced — talents such as Will Forte, Steven Yeun, Tim Heidecker and Vanessa Bayer. And, like fellow ace new 2019 comedy PEN15, the show boasts some big names off-screen too, with The Lonely Island (aka Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone) its executive producers. It's also another of this year's big debutants that's coming back for a second season. The entire first season I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson is available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCSyXUqPaZM FOSSE/VERDON The director and choreographer behind Cabaret and All That Jazz, Bob Fosse's achievements are many, including winning an Oscar, Emmy and Tony all in the same year. A prolific Broadway performer who earned just as much acclaim — and four Tony awards of her own — Gwen Verdon was his collaborator, muse and wife, although theirs was a tumultuous story. That's the showbiz drama unfurled in Fosse/Verdon, which boasts Sam Rockwell as Fosse, Michelle Williams as Verdon, and even Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda as Roy Scheider. Unsurprisingly, the performance-driven eight-episode series is full of razzle, dazzle, interpersonal drama and excellent portrayals. Also unsurprisingly, it'll add plenty of 70s musicals to your watch list afterwards. The first four episodes of Fosse/Verdon are available to stream on Foxtel Now, with new episodes added weekly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytB8xNQ18_c MIRACLE WORKERS Yes, existential comedy is having a moment — and add Miracle Workers to the already great pile that includes The Good Place and Russian Doll. Based on the novel What in God's Name and adapted for TV by the book's author Simon Rich, the series asks a very important question: what if God was a slacker played by Steve Buscemi? The amusing questions keep coming. What if heaven was a huge company charged with making Earth run smoothly? What if two employees were responsible for all of the world's miracles? What if said miracle workers made a bet with God, and he's planning to blow up the planet if they lose? It all makes for ace viewing, complete with a stellar cast, including Daniel Radcliffe and Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan (Emo the Musical, Blockers) as the duo trying to save humanity by performing one heavenly feat: making a shy couple fall in love. The entire first season of Miracle Workers is available to stream now on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwYBw1raC2o DEAD TO ME When the trailer for Dead to Me first released, we noted that this blend of drama and comedy gave off A Simple Favour vibes — and we stand by it. The Netflix series isn't as quirky or laugh-out-loud funny as that great flick; however, it similarly nails the complications of female friendship. The incredibly watchable show also delves into the many shades of grief smartly and satisfyingly as well. Story-wise, Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini play new pals who meet at a bereavement support group, bonding over their shared mourning for their respective spouses. But there's more to their tale, with the show adhering to one of the streaming platform's favourite techniques and throwing up cliffhangers at the end of every episode. Given the way that the first season comes to a close, you'll definitely be left waiting for the just-announced second series. The entire first season of Dead to Me is available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho1YcutJLb8 NOW APOCALYPSE He made his famous Teen Apocalypse Trilogy back in the 90s, courted controversy with the Joseph Gordon-Levitt-starring Mysterious Skin, gave the world a female-fronted stoner comedy with Happy Face and won the first ever Cannes Film Festival Queer Palm with Kaboom. Alas, it's been five years since filmmaker Gregg Araki last made a movie — and while Now Apocalypse is definitely a television show, it's 100 percent driven by the distinctive writer/director. Transferring his talents to the small screen (and his usual themes, standout visual style and love of taking viewers on a head trip), Araki's series is set in Los Angeles, and follows Ulysses (Avan Jogia) and his fellow twenty-something pals. They're are all just trying to chase their dreams, but in Uly's case, that could be a literal quest given that his monstrous nightmares seem to be coming true. The entire first season of Now Apocalypse is available to stream on Stan. Looking for more viewing highlights? Check out our list of film and TV streaming recommendations, which is updated monthly.
Having run The Newport since March 2016, Merivale decided it was about time to add something new to the sprawling northern beaches venue. And so, in early 2018, it opened Bert's, a brasserie and bar brimming with oysters and lobster. As we've come to expect from Merivale, Bert's hasn't done anything by halves. Getting its inspiration from the 1930s — when hotel dining rooms were grand destinations — the restaurant is an extravaganza of colour and elaborate furnishings, with an open kitchen as its centrepiece. The menu aims to transport you to a fancy European seaside resort. Look out for a dedicated raw bar crowded with oysters, mud crab and brioche fingers, and a larder loaded with charcuterie and salads. Among the decadent mains are lobster (straight from the tank, mind you), a few steaks and delicious king prawns in brown butter and smoked chilli. [caption id="attachment_890315" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Walking in, you won't be able to miss the cellar of several hundred wines. Its contents include a selection of European drops, an array of rose, plenty of Aussie classics and a bunch of left-field bottles from creative labels. Meanwhile, the cocktail team is hard at work mixing new versions of old classics using seasonal produce. Needless to say, Bert's comes with gob-smacking views, of both The Newport's expansive outdoor area and stunning sparkling Pittwater.
If you're keen to score good deals on flights and accommodation, then it's never too early to start planning next year's international adventure. Chances are, though, that between Christmas shopping and hitting the beach, you don't have a lot of spare time on your hands. So, we've done some research for you. Here are ten spots around the world that are definitely worth a visit in 2018. For spectacular scenery, head to the Azores Islands off Portugal; for incredible colonial architecture and watery sunsets, try Cartagena in Colombia or Valletta in Malta; for world-class cocktails and Gordon Ramsay-defeating laksa, make tracks to Singapore; and for a live music marathon, there's New Orleans, which is gearing up to celebrate its 300th anniversary. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA New Orleans turns 300 this year, so prepare for the shindig of all shindigs. Official tricentennial events include gigs, art exhibitions, parties, film screenings and more. There's a block party dedicated to Martin Luther King, a burlesque opera celebrating Tabasco sauce and a concert telling the story of jazz history, among loads of other happenings. 2018 will also mark 13 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, but rebuilding has been extensive and tourist numbers have recovered to pre-2005 numbers (about 10 million visitors annually). In between anniversary parties, head to Bourbon Street for a 24/7 music festival, St Claude Avenue for jazz bars and Royal Street for art galleries. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO With a population of more than 21 million, Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world. Once considered a place to avoid, on account of its high crime rate and even higher pollution levels, the metropolis has transformed over the past few years. Public spaces have opened up to emphasise majestic architecture; restaurants and cantinas are flourishing; art exhibitions, live gigs and museum are countless. Be sure to visit the Palacio Nacional, famous for the Diego Rivera murals which convey Mexico's history from the moment the Quetzalcóatl (a serpent god of the Aztecs) arrived to the 1910 Mexican Revolution. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Like Mexico City, Colombia was once struck off many travellers' lists for fear of kidnappings, guns and cocaine deals. However, it too, has gone through a bit of a renaissance. The country's most beautiful city is Cartagena, which you'll find on the northern coast, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Expect dreamy sunsets, stunning 16th century architecture, brightly-coloured flowers and old-fashioned horse and cart. A short boat ride away are the Rosario Islands, part of a national park that offers exceptional snorkelling and diving. Other spots for underwater aficionados include the Providencia and Santa Catalina islands: the gateway to the world's biggest coral reef system. [caption id="attachment_650530" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SDSU[/caption] AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL The extraordinarily beautiful Azores Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,360 kilometres west of Portugal. They form one of the nation's two autonomous regions, the other being Madeira. If you're looking for a nature-centric holiday, this is the place to go to. You'll be wandering along calderas covered in greenery and filled with sparkling lakes, lazing about on subtropical beaches watching out for whales and dolphins (year-round), diving among loggerhead turtles and blue sharks, and walking through intricate cave systems. Even though the Azores are becoming more popular with visitors, the natural environment continues to be well protected by the locals — only 5% has been developed. VALLETTA, MALTA Valletta is the capital of Malta, an island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 80 kilometres south of Italy and 284 kilometres east of Tunisia. Described by locals as "the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen", it was created in just 15 years from 1566 — entirely by hand. Not only the complex architecture — dotted with forts, churches, palaces, fountains, sculptures, hidden gardens and narrow alleyways — is spectacular, but the location, too. Valletta covers the rugged Mount Sceberras peninsula, which is flanked by two deep, steep harbours. [caption id="attachment_651184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robinson[/caption] SHEFFIELD, UK Sheffield? You're probably thinking gloomy weather, industrial cityscapes and, of course, steel. While all these things are or have been true of this Northern English city, there's a lot more to it. Firstly, Sheffield is the happiest city in the UK, according to a 2013 survey. Secondly, there's a happening arts scene, which has given rise to several big bands, including Arctic Monkeys, Pulp and Def Leppard. The theatre complex is also the largest outside of London. Thirdly, extensive redevelopment during past few years has added loads of greenery and, if you're keen to get deeper into nature, the Peak District National Park is just next door. [caption id="attachment_651175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Göran Höglund[/caption] LAYA, BHUTAN While we're on the topic of happiness, let's talk about Bhutan. This tiny Himalayan nation, which lies just east of Nepal, is famous for measuring progress in terms of Gross National Happiness (GNH), instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On top of meeting lots of friendly people, you'll find yourself surrounded by dramatic mountain scapes, ancient monasteries and prayer flags. If you can, venture to Laya, Bhutan's highest settlement — and one of the highest in the world — at 3,800 metres. It's home to just 3,000 indigenous Layap people and every October hosts the Royal Highlander Festival, a celebration of their unique culture. [caption id="attachment_651085" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jasmine Crittenden[/caption] SINGAPORE Have you always struck Singapore off your list because it's "boring" and "sterile"? Such things are often said of this island city found just south of Malaysia, but, get beneath the surface, and you'll discover some diverse, dynamic neighbourhoods — as well as the best laksa on the planet. A good way to start is with a ramble around Little India, which should include curry at Banana Leaf Apollo and chilli crab at Wing Seong Fatty's. After that, head to Katong, home to Singapore's Peranakan population, whose culture combines Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arabic and European influences. Finally, be sure to end a hot day with a stop at one of Singapore's many new cocktail bars, such as the Tippling Club, which came 31st in the 2017 World's Best Bars Awards. More tips are in our Less Obvious Guide To Singapore. [caption id="attachment_651178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arian Zwegers[/caption] GEORGIA Georgia is smack bang in the middle of the Caucasus, with the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north and Turkey to the south. So, on one side, there's beautiful coastline, and the other, rugged mountains. In between, you'll pass flower-dotted meadows, rushing rivers and enchanting villages, with tavernas full of welcoming, carousing locals. Yes, they'll probably expect you to sing. Although tourism is growing, Georgia still has a wild, undiscovered feeling to it. The best way to travel is with an openness to adventure and surprises, rather than a strict itinerary. [caption id="attachment_651191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vahid Yarmohammadi[/caption] IRAN Speaking of adventure and surprises — if you're a fan of them, then book a ticket to Tehran, the buzzing, colourful capital of Iran. For a shopping experience you're unlikely to forget, spend a morning getting lost among the mazes of The Grand Bazaar, poring over spices, gold jewellery and handwoven carpets. At the Golestan Palace, you'll get an insight into Iran's royal history; it was here that the Qajars, the country's second to last dynasty, had their seat of power. Think marble fountains, blinding mirror halls and magnificent furniture. The city also has a strong contemporary art scene. Check out Aaran Gallery for work by young artists and A.J for photography.
After almost two decades in the political wilderness (and also briefly prison), ultra-conservative politician Pauline Hanson has once again been elected to the Australian Federal Parliament. Thanks a bunch, Queensland. While we can't say we're looking forward to having Hanson back in the public arena, we think we may have at least found a bit of a silver lining to the whole shemozzle, in the form of a new Pauline Hanson-styled poutine at Belleville in the Melbourne CBD. Fittingly inspired by the flavours of her less-than favourite meal, the Halal Snack Pack, the 'Pauline Hanson' consists of beer battered chips topped with cheese, chilli sauce, mint yoghurt and rotisserie lamb. According to a post on Belleville's Facebook page, the dish will be available from this week until it finishes with a Royal Commission. So there you go. At least now you've got something delicious to eat as you watch the country collapse around your ears. Democracy, hurrah!
After last week dropping a couple of new tracks from his forthcoming album Starboy, The Weeknd again has fans hopping with excitement, announcing the locations for four new pop-up stores around the world. The Canadian musician took to Twitter to reveal the locations of four more Starboy merch pop-ups: Tokyo, Toronto, Berlin and our very own Melbourne. They follow a round of stores that popped up in Miami, LA, New York, and London earlier this month. SEE YOU IN TORONTO pic.twitter.com/kF42jdlQXn — The Weeknd (@theweeknd) November 21, 2016 The Australian outpost will pop up in Melbourne Central this weekend, from November 25-27. Of course, if this retail venture proves to be anywhere near as insanely popular as Kanye's Pablo pop-ups, you'd best start lining up now. Find The Weeknd's Australian pop-up shop from November 25-27 at shop 239, level 2, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne. It will be open from 10am - 8pm on Friday, 10am - 6pm on Saturday and noon - 6pm on Sunday.
What would Thor do if he built a bad-ass carvery and whiskey bar today? That's the exact question master barman Sven Almenning is asking himself as gets ready to go to work on his latest boozy business venture, Mjolnir. Owner and director of The Speakeasy Group — which operates Eau De Vie and The Roosevelt as well as Boilermaker House in Melbourne — Almenning is no stranger to fancy digs. Still, it's safe to say that Mjolnir is shaping up as his most audacious project yet. Set to open early next year in an old tobacco factory on Cleveland Street, Mjolnir takes its name from the thunder god's mighty hammer, with Almenning describing the venue as "contemporary Viking luxe". "Imagine that The Avengers are real," laughs Almenning. "One of the Avengers is Thor, the Norse God, and he's the protector of human kind. So he fights down on earth, but he misses home. So he builds this bar, to recreate the feasts and merriment of Valhalla. And that, my friend, is what we are doing." https://youtu.be/CIQ7kgJnQz4 As for the drinks list, think whisky — they'll have around 600. "My business partner and I have been wanting to do a heavily whiskey-focused bar in Sydney after we opened Boilermaker down in Melbourne last year," says Almenning. But as great as that much whiskey sounds, what we're really excited about is the food. "We're running with a carvery, which will kind of happen in your face in the restaurant," he says. "So you'll be able to sit there and we'll have the chefs out with big-ass knives cutting up big bits of meat. It's going to get bloody." "We'll see what happens by the time we open, but the plan at the moment is to have the menu change daily. The goal is to have one red meat, one white meat, one fish and one vegetarian dish as a main each day, at a set price. And we'll try and do the whole animal. So we'll have whole suckling pig, and then whole roasted lamb." Construction on Mjolnir is set to begin in October, with February eyed as a potential start-of-service date. The 300-square-metre venue, which is part of a site currently being developed, will be licensed for 120 people initially, although Almenning hopes that number will be increased before too long. The plan is that the bar will operate from around 4pm until midnight, six or seven days a week. "Closing at midnight unfortunately, because it's Sydney," says Almenning ruefully. "I'd love a 3am license." Mjolnir will open at 267 Cleveland Street, Redfern come February next year. For more updates, keep an eye on their Instagram. Image: Eau de Vie.
Stars, street dancing musicals and plenty of Spanish-language cinema treats: yes, it's that time again. 21 years since the Spanish Film Festival first showered Australian audiences with its filmic delights, it's celebrating the occasion in its usual vibrant style. That means 25 movies showcasing the best the country has to offer, from recent crowd-pleasers to beloved classics, side-splitting comedies to gothic fables, and beloved talents to new up-and-comers. The list goes on, spanning Oscar winners, international hits and fresh discoveries alike as this year's event tours Australia until May 13. Whether you want to see two of Spain's biggest stars share the screen at two different points in their careers, revisit one of the biggest animated movies of the past six months or delve into the works of acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Bigas Luna, it's on the bill — including these five must-sees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzRjIMt2Wl8 LOVING PABLO From its titular drug baron subject, to its acclaimed Spanish director, to its high-profile stars, Loving Pablo comes to the Spanish Film Festival stacked with highlights. Here, Javier Bardem stars as Pablo Escobar opposite Penélope Cruz as journalist Virginia Vallejo — and while there's no shortage of movies telling the Colombian kingpin's tale, this one explores their romance. Helmed by A Perfect Day's Fernando León de Aranoa and based on Vallejo's memoir, it's an account of charisma, crime and trying to come out the other side in a world where violence and death threats are commonplace. Both leads were nominated for Spanish Academy Awards for their efforts, which shouldn't come as a surprise given their talents. Plus, if you're keen on another dose of the duo at the fest, they also feature in retrospective title Jamón Jamón. THE TRIBE There just aren't enough movies about cleaners turned street dancers, let alone cleaners turned street dancers who shoot to fame while strutting their stuff with the son they once put up for adoption. That's the story at the centre of The Tribe, and it's a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction scenario. Sure, it all sounds like something out of a feel-good, crowd-pleasing flick — which is exactly what this lively song-and-dance effort aims to be — however the film is based on a real-life dance troupe. There's more twists and turns to the on-screen tale, which features Spanish stars Carmen Machi and Paco León, but it isn't a spoiler to say that the actual group became a Spain's Got Talent hit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaLeUkqNfnE JULIA IS It's a scenario that everyone can relate to: you arrive in a new city with huge hopes and plenty of enthusiasm, but your new surroundings just don't match your dreams. In Julia Is, that's how the Catalan architecture student's arrival in Berlin starts; however, as anyone who has faced the same situation knows, sometimes you just have to persevere. In the directorial debut of filmmaker and star Elena Martín, the feature tracks Julia's efforts to do just that as she finds her place in the German capital. The film won best feature and best director at last year's Málaga Film Festival, and it's certain to achieve something unusual at the Spanish Film Festival — instead of inspiring a trip to Spain, it'll make you want to go to Germany. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVLnw6PScuU ABRACADABRA The last time that director Pablo Berger teamed up with actress Maribel Verdú, the enchanting Blancanieves was the end result. For their second collaboration, they're not dabbling with a different take on Snow White, but with ghosts. Expect something just as out-of-the-ordinary as their initial team-up, however, courtesy of a comedy that's also filled with horror flourishes, insightful commentary and an all-round offbeat air. That's what happens when Verdú's housewife attends a wedding with her husband, who then get possessed by the spirit of a murderous waiter. Unsurprisingly, the experience drastically alters his behaviour — and inspires plenty of laughs as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFbJrR7XBQ8 GOLD No matter how many films chart treacherous treks through jungle landscapes, more keep coming. That's not a bad thing. As everything from Aguirre, the Wrath of God and Fitzcarraldo to The Lost City of Z and Jungle have demonstrated, there's something particularly alluring and fascinating about this sub-genre of movies, mirroring the obsession and passion of their protagonists. Gold is Spain's latest addition to the fold, not to be confused with the very average Matthew McConaughey flick of the same name from last year. Set in Central America in 1540, this adventure epic follows Spanish deserters trying avoid capture or death in their quest for freedom, with El Dorado their destination. The Spanish Film Festival tours Australia from April 17, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona and Palace Central from April 17 to May 6; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from April 19 to May 6; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace Centro from April 26 to May 13. For more information, visit the festival website.
Latin American cooking and a top shelf name? Paddington's newest restaurant, Tequila Mockingbird, already ticks multiple boxes for us. Opening this week on Heeley Street in Paddington, this cheeky bird is the brainchild of ex-Sake staffer Michael Fegent, who's thrown his lot in with Riley Street Garage chef Regan Portenous. Together, they've nicked all the best dishes from Mexico to Argentina — along with a healthy assortment of spirits to wash them all down. The menu at the 110-seat eatery is a seasonal affair, and is split into a number of distinctive sections. In the 'raw' section you'll find ceviche tacos and kangaroo tartare nachos, while the standout of the 'street' section looks to be the alpaca and mozzarella empanada. Just make sure you leave ample room for something from the chargrilled 'flame' section, be it barbecue lamb shoulder with red chimichurri, or dry aged rib eye with garlic jalapeno butter. Of course, with a name like Tequila Mockingbird, you know that booze will be a big part of the equation too. Their drinks list begins with a glossary of tequila terminology, in order to help newbies feel at home. In total they offer more than 40 different tequilas and mezcals, along with a dozen signature cocktails and a massive selection of wines. Find Tequila Mockingbird at 6 Heeley Street, Paddington. For more information visit www.tequila-mockingbird.com.au.
Working from home has its undeniable perks. Your day begins in your own space, minus long crowded commutes, cramped office cubicles and strained water-cooler conversation. And if you feel like wearing pyjamas the whole damn day, there's no-one to judge. But this no-rules workplace can quickly become all too comfortable. Pot plants and pets can only go so far to providing stimulating companionship. Plus freedom and procrastination virtually go hand-in-hand. That's where the 'coffice' comes in. Work-friendly coffee shops give artists, writers and freelancers a change of pace from their solitary spaces. These ten are our favourite places to head when that mid-morning creativity slump kicks in. All are mostly quiet, relaxed enough to accommodate long sittings and have free Wi-Fi thrown in. 107 PROJECTS CAFE, REDFERN Nestled in the artist-run 107 Projects, the 107 Cafe feels more like a good mate's laidback living room that just happens to have a coffee machine tucked in the corner. Frequented by resident artists and locals looking for an excuse to get out of the house, the space features roomy, sun-drenched tables; indoor and outdoor seating; and the kind of shambolic interior design to get those creative juices flowing. BERKELOUW BOOKS' 1812 CAFE, PADDINGTON Surround yourself with stacks of intellectual inspiration at this cosy cafe bookstore space. With plenty of bar and table seating around, you'll be ticking boxes and meeting deadlines in no time. This place is a coffice classic; you'll notice your fellow patrons either tapping away at laptops or talking through low-key meetings. And if energy levels drop and hunger strikes, fear not. Their menu of homemade baked goods and healthy lunch dishes will keep you fuelled and firing all day long. COPO CAFE AND DINER, DRUMMOYNE Serving up South American-inspired eats just minutes from The Bay Run of Iron Cove, Copo Cafe and Diner is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon working away in the sun. Head to the terrace for a view of the surrounds, or tuck yourself away inside the cafe's laidback lower level. With lush greenery at every turn and spacious seating (so you'll never feel in the way), this is just the place for those needing a change of scenery to get their to-do list done. THE HILL EATERY, BONDI The Hill Eatery gives Bondi-goers the perfect blend of relaxed cafe dining and stunning beachside views. Their wholesome menu of locally sourced ingredients, with everything from egg and bacon rolls and hearty beef burgers to gourmet salads (plus an assortment of freshly baked treats), will keep you truly well fed. Nab a spot on their uber-comfy cushioned benches, or grab a table under their iconic curved window. If you can avoid daydreaming about the water, it's a killer spot to spend a chilled working afternoon. FLEETWOOD MACCHIATO, ERSKINEVILLE Tucked away in the leafy streets of the inner-west, Fleetwood Macchiato answers all your coffice needs. Brimming with tasty snacks and a team ready to deliver every coffee call, it's the perfect weekday space for creative folk and freelancers to set up camp. Their small tables make solo visits perfectly acceptable, but be warned, this isn’t a place to head during the busy weekend rush. Get the timing right, and you'll be greeted with a cosy little gem serving some pretty incredible seasonal dishes. Image by Sacha Fernandez. CLEVELAND'S, REDFERN Decked out with some of the cutest interiors around, Cleveland's is a barber meets coffee shop with a difference. Pumping out brews courtesy of beans sourced from The Little Marionette and whipping up feeds featuring locally sourced produce courtesy of Brickfields, Farmer Jo and Sticky Chai, it's no wonder this place is a well-loved Redfern favourite. A little exposed brick and quaint wooden seating produce the perfect aesthetic to get you working (or at least, make for some great 'gram backdrops). PARLOUR LANE ROASTERS, CBD For those stuck for a spot to work among the crowded inner-city streets, Parlour Lane is the perfect solution. Sure, it may be situated on one of the busiest Sydney CBD streets around, but somehow this nook-style cafe is always an oasis of calm. The dim lighting mightn't suit those with drowsiness-inducing work to do and the mobile reception is apparently patchy (a pro or a con, depending on your procrastination tendencies), but otherwise this art deco spot is a good one. And since Parlour Lane is also a bar, you'll be perfectly places to kick off post-work drinks come 5pm. AMPERSAND CAFE AND BOOKSTORE, PADDINGTON Laneway seating and books sprawled out in abundance. No folks, you don't have to travel to Melbourne for this. Paddington's beloved Ampersand Cafe is a tranquil oasis surrounded by some of the sweetest boutiques, galleries and bookstores around. Sequester yourself away in one of the nooks or tables dotted across four rickety levels, and when all that thinking leaves you peckish, tuck into a freshly made sandwich or gluten-free brownie. THREE WILLIAMS, REDFERN An easy stroll along to the quieter end of Elizabeth Street gets you to this warehouse-style coffice. Though the sound can bounce around a lot in the cavernous space, the ample table space, clean lines and a menu of hearty cafe eats will put you back in the work/study zone. There's also an all-day breakfast menu, for those late risers hanging for a bacon-and-egg fix to ensure an afternoon of productivity. MCA CAFE, THE ROCKS Hello, Sydney! Working or studying up on MCA's Sculpture Terrace is one surefire way to get into an inspiring headspace. Head to the roof for uninterrupted views of all the iconic Harbour sights. Plus, a bit of sun never hurt anyone's energy levels. They don't disappoint with the menu, either, whether a light lunch of salad or a hefty po'boy is your style. And when you begin to run out of steam, you're only a mere flight of stairs up from some of Australia's best contemporary art. Let your mind wander over it and who knows what it'll come up with?
Still trying to get your head around artist Tracey Moffatt's bold, brave (and sometimes obscure) legacy? The good folks at the Art Gallery of New South Wales are giving you a helping hand this winter with a free exhibition titled Tracey Moffatt: Laudanum and other works, finishing up in a mere two weeks on September 4. As the holders of the largest collection of Tracey Moffatt pieces in Australia, the Gallery has handpicked some of the legendary Australian artist's key works for display. The selected artworks explore Moffatt's interest in melodrama and cinema through film and photography. Laudanum (1998) and Plantation (2009), two popular works that explore fear, desire and high drama linked through the motif of colonial architecture, are on show at the exhibition alongside others. These two notable works were created more than 11 years apart. In between working on them, Moffatt was furiously productive, notably joining forces with Gary Hillberg to come up with a significant collection of video montage masterpieces including Love (2003) and Other (2009), which also feature in the exhibition. The former follows the turbulent journey from romantic love to cruelty, while the second records powerful chemistry erupting between races, sexes and genders. You always get more out of an art exhibition if you know a little bit about the artist. So we've come up with a little cheat sheet for you to study before you go - you can be the one to explain the depth behind the exhibition to your confused friends. [caption id="attachment_580361" align="alignnone" width="1800"] Yasujiro Ozu, Tokyo Story[/caption] WHAT TO EXPECT? There's a surreal quality to Moffatt's work which comes from her interest in Japanese and international cinema, including German Expressionism. She uses unconventional framing and camera angles - both techniques that revel in artificiality as opposed to realism. These techniques shatter a sense of realism and dimensional depth – they unhinge our perception of the world. Both German Expressionist and Japanese film often use similar techniques to disorient the viewer. If you're an avant-garde cinema buff and and know what dislocating, rhythmic film narratives are, you'll most likely enjoy this exhibition. [caption id="attachment_580669" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tracey Moffatt, Laudanum 13 (1998) from the Laudanum series, Art Gallery of New South Wales. © Tracey Moffatt. Courtesy of Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.[/caption] SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN ACTING Moffatt studied visual communication in Brisbane in the '80s, and although she pursued film, her strength and interest remained in the actual composition and framing of shots. Her film work is often viewed a four-dimensional extension of her still work. When working on films she, essentially, worked as a director of photography in the director's seat. This priority, combined with the assertion that she doesn't believe in acting, informs the most idiosyncratic characteristic of her films — a limited script with very little dialogue. The Montage films, featured in the Laudanum exhibition, are made up of found footage from mainstream cinema which are tacked together to tell a story. In her 1999 still series Laudanum, the same economy is reflected. A series of eerie images in the exhibition tell a story about race, power and sex, relying on subtle compositional cues to convey the deep underlying themes and messages rather than explicitly laying out intent. Moffatt doesn't spoon-feed her audience. This exhibition will force you to analyse and investigate your personal response to viewing her work, potentially seeing yourself reflected in the meaning of the film. [caption id="attachment_580671" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tracey Moffatt, Plantation (Diptych no 2) (2009) from the Plantation series, Art Gallery of New South Wales. © Tracey Moffatt. Courtesy of Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.[/caption] SHE'S A VISUAL ARTIST, THEN A FILMMAKER Moffatt is, at her core, a visual artist with a passion for photography, this is essentially what a lot of her film work is based around. Her films are a series of slow-moving stills and her photographs are the reverse — energetic frames, frozen in time, that hint at a deeper narrative in play on either side of the moment that tie narrative together in non-traditional ways. As narrative falls into place behind form, Moffatt's work, both film and photographic, jumps all over the place, back and forth between the past, present and future. Visual art, after all, exists mostly outside of the fourth dimension. The choppy narrative and editing rhythm of Moffatt's feature films have been likened to other Aussie film greats, such as Picnic at Hanging Rock by Peter Weir and My Brilliant Career by Gillian Armstrong for their strong consideration of the visual elements. [caption id="attachment_580668" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tracey Moffatt, Love (2003), Art Gallery of New South Wales. © Tracey Moffatt. Courtesy of Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.[/caption] SHE'S FASCINATED BY B-GRADE MOVIES Over her career, Moffatt frequently references B-grade films as a huge influence on her work. It may be that, as previously pointed out, we regard realism in film as A-grade quality, but what makes a film B-grade — the trashiness, obvious emotion, garish sets, unsubtle expression — are all elements greatly enjoyed and valued by Moffatt and other non-traditional film makers. She grew up watching a broad range of cinema, from arthouse films to Hollywood blockbusters, and her broad, formative appreciation is echoed in the complex range of influence in her films. Her work hides powerful depths below superficially simple facades. [caption id="attachment_580672" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tracey Moffatt, Laudanum 16 (1998) from the Laudanum series,Art Gallery of New South Wales. © Tracey Moffatt. Courtesy of Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.[/caption] HER WORK IS SUBTLY POLITICAL Building on the show-not-tell theme, Moffatt addresses political issues with a subtle hand. Although her work deals with Indigenous identity and struggle, drawing on her own life experiences as an Indigenous woman and Indigenous histories, she approaches political commentary in a roundabout way. Laudanum is an opiate primarily prescribed to women in the 19th century for its relaxing, if hallucinatory, effects. The story in some photographs featured in the exhibition (a vague tale of a Caucasian master and an Asian servant) brushes upon themes of race, dominance, and sexuality but draws conclusions about none. That's the classic Moffatt style - you make up your own minds. Tracey Moffatt's Laudanum and other works is in its final weeks. See the exhibition until September 4 at the Art Gallery of NSW. Entry is free.
Warehouse parties are great. Secret Mexican holiday-inspired, neon-drenched, immersive warehouse experiences are even better. Curated by a group of Mexican visionaries and artists, Day of the Dead 3.1. promises to be one heck of a Burning Man-channeling spectacle you'll want to lock down tickets for — on sale this Saturday, August 15 at 12.30pm. And with the demand already high, this event is expected to sell out within hours, so your crew had better be ready. For hundreds of years, El Dia de los Muertos has been one of the biggest parties in Mexico honouring the dead. The 4000 year-old tradition's history can be traced back to Mexico's indigenous beliefs of the afterlife — that death is only the beginning. Now it's Australia's turn to delve into the underworld, as The Day of the Dead finds its way to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this spring, in secret locations within each city. Expect interactive art installations, light projections, extravagant costumes, murals created by renowned street artists and an exclusive lineup of local and international DJs and musicians — including one big ol' festival favourite headliner. The lineup will be released closer to the day, so stay tuned. Pop-ups by a handpicked bunch of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane's go-to local Mexican eateries, like Playa Takeria, have been selected to create Dia de los Muertos menus. Plus, there'll be Mexican cervezas and tequila/mezcal cocktails to provide you with enough sustenance to dance the night away. With instructions being sent to ticket holders just one week before the event, this is secret warehouse party business at it's best. Each city's locations are more closely guarded than an abuela's special mole sauce ingredient and will only be released one day before the party. Get ready to nab a ticket and start preparing your best Dia de los Muertos outfit. Day of the Dead will visit Sydney on October 24, then Melbourne on October 31 before ending in Brisbane on November 7. Tickets are $75 and go on sale here on Saturday 15 August at 12.30pm and are expected to sell out super fast. Don't stall on this one, it'll be the death of you.
Newtown's independent legends Repressed Records have handpicked a must-see array of Aussie bands you should already be following. Just for Vivid Sydney, the crew have curated one incredible night at the Sydney Opera House — headlined by the long-absent gods of Sydney garage, Royal Headache. Two years having passed since their last rabid hometown gig and with claims that this will kick off their final tour, their cult following of mad devotees will be out in force. An impressive, eclectic supporting lineup includes Brisbane's Blank Realm, Melbourne psych band Exhaustion paired with jazz veteran Kris Wanders, dream pop duo Superstar, Al Monfort (of Dick Diver) as Snake, and solo pianist Monica Brooks. To a punk fan baffled by the allocated seating of the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Repressed Records has responded, "You'll be right Tim. I'm excited by the prospect of sitting."
So you've been plotting a move to the lower north shore. You probably don't need any more reasons to decamp to this idyllic part of town, but we're going to give you some anyway. We've rounded up ten of the best outdoor adventures to be had in and around the lower north shore. While many of these are obviously best enjoyed in the warmer months, there's still plenty of outdoorsy fun to be had as the temperatures start to come up again. Kirribilli and Lavender Bay sit in the heart of the region, and they're surrounded on all sides by the stunning Sydney Harbour — which as you know, is beautiful all year round. [caption id="attachment_617819" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Martin7d2 via Flickr.[/caption] WENDY'S SECRET GARDEN, LAVENDER BAY This not-so-secret garden is, without a doubt, one of Sydney's most beautiful green spaces. Created by Wendy Whiteley, the widow of acclaimed Australian artist Brett Whiteley, the garden is a gorgeous testament to heartbreak and renewal. Channeling her grief into an artistic project, Wendy slowly transformed the abandoned railway dump in front of her home into what is now a public garden. With winding paths, benches, sculptures, and sweeping views over the harbour, this little slice of paradise offers a welcome respite from the chaos of the city. The garden's many quiet corners also make it the perfect place for a quiet picnic, or a little alone time. [caption id="attachment_617831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Annemarie51 via Flickr.[/caption] BALMORAL PARK, MOSMAN This leafy little park has a lot going for it — the sweeping views over Middle Harbour and North Head, the proximity to one of Sydney's most idyllic beaches and the solid set of facilities are just a few of them. Active types will love the skatepark, sports oval, and water sport facilities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Loungers, meanwhile, will be more than happy to relax on the grass with a book or some music. Balmoral Park is an excellent place for a picnic, but if you forget to pack a hamper, the Balmoral Beach Club, The Boathouse, and The Bathers' Pavilion are all just a stone's throw away. ROAR AND SNORE GLAMPING, MOSMAN This unique Sydney adventure lets you spend an evening up close and personal with the animals at Taronga Zoo. The Roar & Snore experience includes an evening 'safari' (if you've always wanted to touch a snake, now's your chance), two behind-the-scene tours of Taronga, and a fancy all-you-can-eat buffet dinner. When all the exploring is done, you'll get to rest your bones in gorgeous luxe tents with wooden floors, hotel beds, and power outlets. Spots are snapped up quickly so make sure to book as far in advance as possible. [caption id="attachment_618251" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Z Geek via Flickr.[/caption] SAWMILLER RESERVE, MCMAHONS POINT This quiet park is one of Sydney's true hidden gems — if you want gorgeous harbour views without the crowds, this is the place for you. Located on the site of a former sawmill, the space exudes a weighty sense of history: from the ruins at the centre of the park to the rusty remains of a hopper barge sitting in the water, there's heaps to explore. Spend some time meandering along the paths before settling down on the grassy expanse for a picnic. The reserve has no facilities to speak of, so make sure to bring along everything you need. [caption id="attachment_617699" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: oliviashead via Instagram.[/caption] WOOLWICH BATHS, WOOLWICH It's not hard to see why this small harbour beach is a firm favourite among the Woolwich locals. With a shark net, pontoons, and toilet facilities, it's a great option if you've got young ones in tow. The baths are surrounded by parklands, so you can also wander off for a little walk between dips in the water. This is a great choice for those lazy days when all you want to do is float in the water, read a book, or just watch the clouds float by. [caption id="attachment_617823" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Martin7d2 via Flickr.[/caption] MACCALLUM POOL, CREMORNE Few Sydney pools can compete with MacCallum's heritage charm and stunning views over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Tucked away on a quiet lane in Cremorne Point, this idyllic spot has been a local favourite since the 1920s. Although the narrow pool beckons you to do at least a few laps, you could just as easily lounge on the timber deck and soak up some rays. Note, though, that there are no toilet or shower facilities here. Still, it's free entry so you'll have more money to put towards that post-swim ice cream. LANE COVE NATIONAL PARK, LANE COVE This gorgeous expanse of bushland is a mere skip and a jump from the city centre but you'll feel far, far away from the chaos of metropolitan living. Escaping the hustle and bustle doesn't mean you have to forgo the creature comforts however: the park has a pool, wireless internet, fully-equipped kitchens and four amenities blocks. Spend the day bushwalking — we recommend the two-and-a-half hour Fairylands loop track — or on the Lane Cove River, with a kayak or rowboat rented from the Boat Shed. Keen to spend the night? Pack a tent or, if you're more of a glamper, book into Tandara Luxury Safari. [caption id="attachment_617757" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: adventurebe4dementia via Instagram.[/caption] BURNS BAY RESERVE, RIVERVIEW Sitting on the shores of the Lane Cover River, this quaint waterfront park is the perfect place for a tranquil afternoon picnic. If you're keen for a barbecue, remember to bring your own wood as the facilities here are of the old-school variety. After stuffing your face, burn off your meal with a game of soccer on the Burns Bay Oval or some basketball on the nearby court. There's also a cute little playground for the young ones. While there are a few picnic tables scattered around, there's also plenty of space to stretch out on a picnic blanket. [caption id="attachment_617775" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin7d2 via Flickr.[/caption] BLUES POINT RESERVE, MCMAHONS POINT This park is a firm favourite among both tourists and locals and it's not hard to see why. While Sydney has many parks with stunning views, Blues Point Reserve is undoubtedly one of the best vantage points for taking in the city skyline and the harbour. While the park is packed with crowds during the NYE fireworks, it tends to be rather quiet for the rest of the year. Kids (and kidults) will love the newly-revamped nautical-themed playground, and there's also a lovely path that meanders around the headland if you're in the mood for a stroll. We recommend packing a sunset picnic for a picture-perfect date night. [caption id="attachment_617772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Ernest McGray via Flickr.[/caption] OBELISK BEACH, MOSMAN Obelisk Beach has great views and not just because it's one of the only legal nude beaches in Sydney. While the walk down to this Mosman beach is not for the faint of heart — you'll have to scramble down a rocky track and down a long set of stairs — it's more than worth it for the stunning views over Sydney Harbour. Despite its cult status, Obelisk is usually rather tranquil, so it's a great spot to head for a quiet little skinny dip.
Since Tinder took the dating world by storm, its interface has been adopted for increasingly weird and wonderful reasons. If it's fluffy company you're after, Twindog lets you swipe right to find pups – and their owners – in your vicinity. If you're looking for a new job, jump on Switchapp and get chatting with hiring managers in seconds. Meanwhile, Tender has worked out that food is often a way more satisfactory remedy for loneliness than a date. Now the swipe right generation has an app for falling in love with art: wydr. With just a few quick motions and a little bit of disposable income, you can fill your house with paintings. Searches are available according to price categories and, so far, about four hundred artists have signed up. It's also a way for artists to receive community feedback on their work, with users able to submit likes, which are added up to produce a rating of between one and five hearts. The app is the creation of Swedish duo Matthias Dörner and Timo Hahn, and started as an assignment for their MBAs. But things got more serious after they won Startup Weekend in Zurich. "Why does it have to be so difficult to be original and to find affordable but still unique art for our homes?" asks the wydr site. "Most people are tired of generic posters from furniture stores and the intimidating way that you are treated in classic galleries with only little money in your pockets. At the same time artists have problems with getting exposure for their work. The question art lovers and artists are confronted with is why does it need to be so hard to find each other? The answer is wydr – the open art-trading platform, and your easy access to the art world." The app isn't aiming to compete with expensive galleries, but to get more affordable, original art to more people. After all, the average transaction at this point is a (relatively) scant US$430. "Wydr isn't for the art collector, but for the casual art lover," Dörner told artnet. "Art galleries are for the 1%, wydr for the 99%."
Only a few years ago, virtual reality seemed like a foggy, far distant dream that would probably, like most new technology, take a few decades to become readily accessible and genuinely user-friendly. We've come a long way since the halcyon days of computers the size of a room and, in no time at all, we have the first generation of virtual reality headsets at our fingertips, all vying for our attention. Today, Oculus has officially announced that Rift, arguably the VR headset with the most recognisable name, is available for purchase to anyone with a spare suitcase of cash schmackos lying around — it's retailing for AUD$792.88 plus shipping. It's not cheap as chips, but it's not tens of thousands either. The eager beavers who pre-purchased their headset from the Oculus kickstarter will receive their headsets soon, and the rest are back ordered until July. It's slightly more expensive than the Playstation VR which retails at AUD$549.95 (available in October) but much cheaper than the HTC Vive which will set you back AUD$1226.98 (available in April). As a few savvy bloggers have pointed out, the cost of the Rift itself is a little deceptive as the real VR magic happens in the power PC you'll have to have hooked up to the device to render the graphics. If you already have a high-powered gaming computer with a hefty, dedicated graphics card and a fair whack of RAM, great! You're good to go. If not, a basic make PC is going to set you back another $1000. But we wouldn't be too quick to jump in straight away. Buying first generation technology can be a gamble, as we learned from the great iPhone 6 Plus Bendgate of 2014 and they're definitely still working out the kinks of VR technology (nausea caused by motion sickness is still a biggie). We're still a while away from full immersion but at least it's progressing quickly. Images: Oculus.
Eleven years ago, Taika Waititi was a writer for hire, working on an adaptation of a beloved New Zealand book. Today, he's about to leap into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the director of the forthcoming Thor: Ragnarok. Progressing from the former to the latter hasn't been easy; however as Waititi's career has continually proven, he likes to stray off the beaten path. Indeed, before he embraces the superhero realm, he's bringing a dose of adventurous anarchy to cinema screens courtesy of his fourth feature, Hunt for the Wilderpeople. After exploring unconventional family dynamics with Eagle vs Shark, Boy and What We Do in the Shadows, Waititi ponders similar territory again. But this time, he's telling the tale of city kid Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison), his cranky foster uncle Hec (Sam Neill), and their attempts to escape an over-enthusiastic child services officer (Rachel House) by trampling through the New Zealand wilderness. And, he's actually returning to that project he started scripting more than a decade ago. Expect plenty of humour and heart, Terminator references, a dog named Tupac and Rhys Darby as an eccentric conspiracy theorist — all in a movie that has "synthesizers and a score from the '80s, and car chases and flipped police cars and all that stupid stuff," as Waititi puts it. There's a reason Hunt for the Wilderpeople has become New Zealand's biggest homegrown box office success of all time (knocking the filmmaker's own Boy off the top spot, actually). With the film's Australian release under way, we spoke with Waititi about great buddy comedies, getting annoyed at New Zealand's landscape and not being able to connect with bank robbers, and about the movie of the moment, of course. ON WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO THE WILDERPEOPLE "I think it was just that I loved the idea of this character being on the run, sort of like Thelma and Louise or The Fugitive or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. All those kind of buddy flicks that, even films like Up, have two mismatched characters who are thrown together and stuck together. It's always been a winning combination in cinema. Paper Moon, 48 Hours, the list goes on. So I love that style and I thought it'd be a cool thing to see." ON WORKING WITH NEW ZEALAND'S UNPREDICTABLE WILDERNESS "We were shooting on locations, and we didn't really have much of an idea where we were going to shoot things, and what the weather was going to be like. We ended up in a whole lot of really remote places in New Zealand. At one of them ... we had a huge dump of snow. We had to kind of regroup that morning as the snow was falling on us, and we were like an hour from the main road, we had just driven deep inland. It was too expensive and it would lose the whole day moving everyone out of there. So we just basically decided to shoot and to set a part of the film in the snow. And that's when we got that cool 780-degree shot that turns around and around — we shot that, and spent a few hours shooting that ... While we were doing that, I was trying to figure out what we were going to do for the rest of the day. Now the film has this whole breadth of seasonal change through it. And it makes it even more epic, the fact that it has snow and it spans months and months." ON CELEBRATING THE FILM'S NEW ZEALAND HERITAGE "I'm very proud of where I come from, and I think [New Zealand's] a very beautiful place. Sometimes we take it for granted, how beautiful the land is. I think we get pissed off with it. It's like 'god you can't look anywhere without seeing some beautiful landscape'. And you forget that no one in the world has seen stuff like that. I think that's it's not often nowadays that we make films that celebrate what New Zealand looks like or like, the culture, the people, and how crazy we are. I wanted to do that. I wanted to use so much of that in there. So many parts of the film are inspired by '80s New Zealand films and Australian films. We used to make so many car chase films with people trying to drive from one end of the country to the other, and we stopped doing all that stuff. I think we started taking ourselves too seriously, and I don't do that." ON MAKING FILMS ABOUT UNCONVENTIONAL FAMILIES "Well, my family is crazy. I'm from a very crazy family — but I actually think every family is crazy. I think every single person has some insane part to their family. Every family, there's a criminal somewhere in there, there's a crazy person, there's someone who has just found religion, there's someone who's just left religion, there's someone who's been divorced, there's someone who has just fallen in love. Families are just really messed up, and they're a macro representation of earth, really. All parts of humanity all crammed into a couple of households. And it is the one thing I've found that everyone relates to the most: family dynamics. I don't relate to bank robbers. I've seen a lot of those films, and I get really bored. I don't care about the stakes, and I don't care about what they're trying to do, and I don't care about bank robbery, so I lose interest. But if you set it around a bank robber who's trying to get together with his ex-wife, at least there's something to hold on to there." ON JUMPING FROM INDIE FILMS TO DIRECTING MARVEL'S FORTHCOMING THOR MOVIE "There's not a huge difference really, to be honest. There's just a little bit more time, and you get a few more opportunities to do things that, in the normal indie world, you'd have to find cheaper ways of doing or you'd just have to have a character talk about rather than actually showing something blow up. So parts of your imagination, you actually get to shoot — and that's quite cool. It also could be dangerous to give people that much freedom, creatively. But it is very similar to the indie world in terms of it is still a bunch of people wanting to make a really good story and to make a good film." Hunt for the Wilderpeople opens in Australian cinemas on May 26.
Kickstart your day, or enjoy a post-workout energy boost, with Bare Naked Bowls. Fresh and nourishing, the eponymous bowls are packed with açai, yoghurt, smoothies or rice (depending on the bowl you choose) and topped with colourful fruit and veg to fuel you for the day ahead. The superfood cafe empire was started in Manly by Josh and Ashley Porteous. The couple is passionate about nutrition and sustainability — all produce is sourced locally and the almond milk is made in-house. And they're equally passionate about charity work. So, you'll not only be eating well, but also doing good: one percent of each purchase goes to The International Brothers and Sisters House, a charity that supports orphaned children in developing nations. Favourite bowls amongst the locals include; the Manly Bowl with organic açai berries, bananas, strawberries and organic apple juice, topped with granola, goji berries and bush honey; the Mango Bomb with organic natural yoghurt, mango puree, coconut chia pudding and granola; and the California Bowl with leafy spinach, kale greens, sensed brown rice, feta, black beans, cherry tomatoes and a heap more. Appears in: Where to Find the Best breakfast in Sydney
The crispy, greasy food of the gods and the cornerstone of any self-respecting carnivorous diet, bacon nabbed itself an entire dedicated festival last year at Cuckoo Callay. Now, Sydney's bacon worship is taking over a bigger warehouse-sized venue, with Sydney's best culinary minds at the helm. Brace yourselves, Sydney's biggest ever bacon party is coming. Bacon, Brunch & Bubbles is the creation of Luke Mangan and his team at MOJO. After the success of their SENSASIAN event a few months ago, the team are taking things to the next level with Sydney's biggest bacon party to date. This one-off brunch extravaganza will bring together Sydney's foodie elite: cake queen Katherine Sabbath, pastry commander-in-chief Andy Bowden, the makers of Australia's most 'grammed cake Black Star Pastry, ice cream wizards N2 Gelato, tea artisans Tippity Tea and the guys from Cuckoo Callay, who brought you Sydney's original Bacon Festival. "It's amazing to bring together such a diverse yet talented group from all around Sydney," says Mangan. Prepare to descend (or ascend depending on how you look at it) into a euphoric haze of porky goodness. Feast on dishes like bacon and egg brioches with chorizo jam, bacon empanadas and bacon and egg cupcakes (really). The best part? A pig on a spit, rotating slowly enough for you to become mesmerised (and reason to strongly dissuade your vegetarian friends from even trying to come). Chase it all with smokey bacon Bloody Marys and bacon bellini mimosas. If cocktails aren't your thing, Tippity Tea will have a selection of sparkling teas for you to choose from. For all the bacon in Sydney, it's not technically a warehouse party without some tunes. Sydney DJ Duncan Bell will be perched on top MOJO's industrial fridge and providing the backbeat to your bacon dreams. Bacon, Brunch & Bubbles is happening on Saturday, August 29 at 8 Danks Street, Waterloo. Entry to the event is $5. Food is $10-15 and drinks are $10. Doors open 10.30am. Top images: Cuckoo Callay.
As if Melbourne's laneways weren't ace enough already, they're going green — well, four of them are anyway. Meyers Place, Katherine Place, Guildford Lane and Coromandel Place will be transformed into little sustainable metropolitan Gardens of Eden with new designs released by the City of Melbourne as part of their Green Your Laneway initiative last week. The City of Melbourne announced their plans to transform four laneway spots in the CBD back in October of last year, and opened up the nominations to Melburnians to help them choose which ones they would give the green treatment. With more than 200 laneways in the city centre, picking the spots was no easy feat. But after collating over 800 public nominations as well as advice from engineers, landscape architects and sustainability professionals, and taking environmental factors — such as the amount of sunlight the laneways receive and their exposure to wind — into account, the council has settled on the four laneways as the ones that would most benefit from the added greenery. The draft designs show the laneways filled with planter boxes, vertical gardens, climbing plants and trees. Among the proposed additions, there are plans to give Katherine Place a mini tree-lined boulevard and an ivy-covered archway, and Guilford Lane (which is largely residential) could score a community garden. All up, the City of Melbourne is investing $1.3 million in the project. "Melbourne's laneways are internationally renowned for their quirky and eclectic culture and feel," Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said. "We can add another layer to their attraction by enhancing the sustainability of our laneways and making them 'green' and therefore more efficient at cooling the city, intercepting and cleaning stormwater and improving air quality and ambience." If you'd like to check out the designs in more detail, they'll be on display in Meyers Place from November 3-14. There's also some pretty detailed info on their website. Plus, to further warm you to the idea, Meyers Place will also host gardening workshops and live music on Saturday, November 12 from 2pm. Green Your Laneway is on trial as one arm of the City's Love Your Laneway program. Meanwhile, the Urban Forest Strategy is striving to address climate change and reduce Melbourne's summer temperatures by four degrees Celsius. Green days ahead. By Lauren Vadnjal and Jasmine Crittenden.
Sydney is best known for its glorious sunny days and big blue skies, but with La Niña hitting hard here on the east coast, we've had to find things to do during the wettest of weeks. Our city is teeming with wet weather-friendly activities, so don't let a bit of drizzle keep you from making the most of Sydney. Here are some ideas to keep you entertained and sufficiently dry before you consider hiding under your doona forever — binge-watching Netflix not included. HOLE UP IN A COSY BAR At the first sign of threatening weather, gather your best group of drinking buddies and head straight for your local watering hole. Nab a cosy corner, order a few rounds and stay put until the skies clear. Quality booze, food and friends are really all you need, but to take your rainy day pub game up a notch, choose somewhere with board games or a fireplace. Our favourites include 1989 Arcade Bar, Charlie Parker's, The Old Fitz and hidden Darlinghurst saloon Shady Pines. Endless hours of rain-less fun are guaranteed. GET CULTURED IN A NICE DRY GALLERY A rainy day is the perfect opportunity to finally catch that exhibition you've been meaning to see. Escape the elements and step into a haven of vibrant and colourful artworks that will surely take your mind off the wild weather. Some of our go-to inner Sydney galleries include China Heights, White Rabbit, aMBUSH, Cooee Art Gallery and Abstract Thoughts above Cafe Freda's. In Sydney's west, you can't go wrong at Casula Powerhouse and Campbelltown Art Gallery. Or, if you want big show-stopping exhibitions, MCA, AGNSW and Australian Museum have you covered. Spend all day browsing the talent and leave with some newfound inspiration to pick up a paintbrush. SNUGGLE INTO A CINEMA SEAT Is there anything better on a rainy day than snuggling up to watch a movie, popcorn in one hand and a glass of wine in the other? The next time it starts to drizzle, swap Netflix for a new release or a retrospective screening of a classic film at one of Sydney's best boutique cinemas. The art deco stylings and warm atmosphere of Golden Age Cinema and Bar make it the perfect place to while away a rainy afternoon, beginning with a cocktail before enjoying an art-house film in the intimate screening room. Govinda's is another option for those wanting a unique movie-going experience, featuring a hearty vegetarian buffet and floor cushions to watch the film from. If the rain falls on a Monday, you'll be able to snag cheap movie tickets at Palace Cinemas; on Tuesdays, head to Dendy or Randwick Ritz. [caption id="attachment_736378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] CURL UP IN A CAFE One of the best places to be on a rainy day is in a window seat at a cosy cafe, where you can watch the rain from a safe, dry distance. Add a cup of steaming coffee (or a glass of wine), a hearty meal and a good book, and you're all set for a delightful day indoors. With Sydney's cafe scene constantly expanding, there's no shortage of options to choose from, so just start from the top of the list and work your way down. Key requirements include lots of natural lighting, a chilled-out soundtrack and friendly staff. If they're also serving all-day breakfast, you know you've found a winner. And if ramen is their bag, like Rising Sun Workshop, there's nothing better for a drizzly day. HAVE A SPA DAY Treating yourself every now and then is essential for your health, so use the next rainy day as an excuse to sneak off to the spa for a little dose of zen. Relax and rejuvenate with a facial and massage, or even rope your significant other in for a couple's treatment. Sydneysiders are spoilt for choice when it comes to spa experiences, so take your pick from the best. Nothing is more luxurious than spending the day wrapped up in a robe, with cucumbers on eyes to complete the experience, of course. BOOK YOURSELF INTO THE THEATRE There's a certain element of romance to the theatre, which always seems to heighten on a drizzly night. The next time it's forecast to rain, book tickets to a show and you'll see what we mean. Whether you prefer the classics or are a fan of more contemporary productions, there's bound to be a theatre in Sydney with shows suited to your tastes. Our favourites include Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company, Riverside Theatre, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Carriageworks, Performance Space and Griffin Theatre Company, and there's plenty more where that came from. Check out Concrete Playground's events guide for what's on this week. TAKE A CLASS If you've been meaning to pick up a new skill for a while, a dreary day is your chance to make it happen. Finally learn how to cook something other than two-minute noodles at one of Sydney's cooking schools, which include Cornersmith, The Sydney Chocolate School, Salt Meats Cheese and Cucina Italiana. Alternatively, Sydney is home to various art classes that will get your creative juices flowing. Try pottery at Clay Sydney, painting at Waverley Woollahra Art School or photography at The Aperture Club. To revamp your exercise routine, get warm and stretchy at One Hot Yoga or perfect your party dance moves at Sydney Pole. Your rainy day activity may even breed a lifelong hobby. Top image: Cooee Art Gallery, Cassandra Hannagan
People in New Zealand's South Island are generally an active bunch. There is so much adventuring to do that your visit to the Christchurch region will most likely be packed with hikes, fishing trips, seal swims and mountain biking trips. After all of that, you're going to want to wind down, soothe your nerves and relax a little. Luckily the Christchurch region has just as much to offer to those who want to take life a little slower, and enjoy the creature comforts. Whether you're soaking in the warmth of the region's natural hot springs, glamping in luxurious nature at Lavericks Bay or sampling a couple of cheeky vinos at Black Estate, it's easy to kick back and relax in Christchurch. We've shouldered the heavy burden and picked five of the region's most relaxing activities — so you can take it easy. RIDE THE SCENIC TRANZALPINE TRAIN If you're looking to relax and explore at the same time, board the TranzAlpine train at Christchurch and wind your way through towering beech forests, over the Southern Alps and across the sweeping Canterbury Plains. You'll feel at ease in the comfort of the on-board cafe and cabins which are fitted with wide wall and ceiling windows, through which you can enjoy the views of majestic snow-capped mountains. Take the day trip returning from picturesque Arthur's Pass to Christchurch, or ride the whole way and several hours later you'll arrive at unspoiled Greymouth on New Zealand's West Coast, the ideal base from which to explore the world-renowned Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, or perhaps hide away and relax somewhere beautiful and isolated. TASTE TEST LOCAL WINE AT BLACK ESTATE Black Estate has rustic, locally-sourced food, wine made on-site and good times guaranteed, all in a picturesque vineyard setting. Less than an hour drive from Christchurch's city centre, you'll know you've arrived when you see Black Estate's minimalist, black barn cellar door. It's set at the foot of a burnt orange hill covered in dry grass and bordered by acres of lush vines. All wine is made on-site by a fella named Nicholas, who believes in simple winemaking using organic locally sourced ingredients free of unnecessary additives. Nicholas's wife Penelope takes care of the business and restaurant, where they serve rustic country cuisine like Canter Valley duck and organic greens, or Akaroa salmon caught just down the road. Pop in, stay a while and indulge in the best cuisine, wine and hospitality that the Canterbury region has to offer. WARM UP AT THE HANMER SPRINGS THERMAL POOLS A quick 90-minute drive from Christchurch you'll find Hanmer, a small alpine town rich with character. This little region is like the setting of an adventure film, with old Victorian cottages set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and towering pine trees. The town's main attraction is Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa — the ultimate in slow paced, remote relaxation. Dip your tired body into naturally heated water and soothing rock pools, or perhaps treat yourself to a day of pampering at the premium on-site spa. SPEND THE NIGHT IN A PRIVATE GLASSHOUSE If you fancy spending a night stargazing and surrounded by nature in your own private glasshouse, then the completely isolated, sustainable PurePods that are scattered around New Zealand are perfect for you. Each PurePod has walls, a floor and ceiling made of heavy-duty glass, so you can see everything from the stars above you to the nature beneath your feet. The PurePod in Little River (just over an hour out of Christchurch) is a ten to 15 minute bush walk away from reception, so you're sure to get some peace and quiet for a night. Food packages can be ordered when you book, so you won't need to leave for a whole 24 hours — you'll only need to sit back and immerse yourself in the 360-degree views of the beautiful New Zealand landscape. CANOPY CAMP IN LAVERICKS BAY Under the clean white folds of a spacious tent, look out over the lush farmland and rolling waves of Lavericks Bay. This is glamping how it should be, with your own private black sand cove to relax in that's only an hour and 40 minute drive from Christchurch. Bathe and sunbathe at the same time in the outdoor bath on the campsite, or relax with a book on your own private deck. There are exposed rockpools at low tide and the appearance of Hector's dolphins and seals is not uncommon around your 'campsite'. Maybe you've been to New Zealand's North Island, but have you ever ventured down South? Christchurch, and New Zealand's surrounding Canterbury region, is the perfect place for a quick holiday. Use our planning guide to book your trip, then sort out your itinerary with our food, adventure and nature guides. Top image: Black Estate.
Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, but Taylor Swift just took a massive step up in our book after coming to the rescue of a Sydney theatre production, who were told they wouldn't be allowed to use one of the pop star's songs just days before their opening night. Opening today, Belvoir Theatre Company's Seventeen stars veteran Australian actors Peter Carroll, Maggie Dence, John Godden, Genevieve Lemon, Barry Otto and Anna Volska as a group of seventeen year olds on their last day of school. The play was meant to include a scene where the cast dance to Swift's 2014 hit 'Shake It Off,' but those plans were apparently scuppered on Friday after they were denied the right to use the song. In a last-ditch effort, director Anna-Louise Sarks took to twitter and petitioned Swift directly. Hey @taylorswift13 I'm a big fan and I'm facing an artistic emergency I hope you can help with 1/7 #greygrey4taytay — Anne-Louise Sarks (@annelouisesarks) August 3, 2015 .@taylorswift13 I'm a theatre director from Sydney, and we have a big show opening tomorrow night @belvoirst 2/7 #greygrey4taytay — Anne-Louise Sarks (@annelouisesarks) August 3, 2015 .@taylorswift13 It's about the last day of school - only the 17yrolds are all played by 70yrolds 3/7 #greygrey4taytay pic.twitter.com/t3i1JPdZn2 — Anne-Louise Sarks (@annelouisesarks) August 3, 2015 . @taylorswift13 (including Barry Otto from Strictly Ballroom which maybe you've seen) http://t.co/cBOHzj4vdp #greygrey4taytay — Anne-Louise Sarks (@annelouisesarks) August 3, 2015 .@taylorswift13 there's this great moment where they Shake It Off, and they know all the words and have amazing moves 5/7 #greygrey4taytay — Anne-Louise Sarks (@annelouisesarks) August 3, 2015 .@taylorswift13 But we've just at the last minute been told we can't have the rights to the song! 6/7 #greygrey4taytay — Anne-Louise Sarks (@annelouisesarks) August 3, 2015 .@taylorswift13 Is there anything at all you can do?!! Thanks for reading! 7/7 #greygrey4taytay pic.twitter.com/pdL1TW1Bv9 — Anne-Louise Sarks (@annelouisesarks) August 3, 2015 She also sent tweets to Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and former federal arts minister Tony Burke in the hopes that they could help her get in touch. A number of celebrities, including Tim Minchin and Orange Is the New Black star Yael Stone also got on board, and before long the hashtag #greygrey4taytay was trending around Australia. Then, yesterday afternoon, the pop star with over 61 million followers responded. Permission granted, @BelvoirSt. Good luck with your opening night :) — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 4, 2015 Yes! The reaction from the cast and crew was understandably ecstatic. BuzzFeed Australia was on hand when the news came through, and later tweeted the following Vine. "WE LOVE YOU TAYLOR!" We were on hand as @taylorswift13 granted @BelvoirSt its wish http://t.co/L0szMLegFV https://t.co/QuD1aS1Kiy — BuzzFeed Australia (@BuzzFeedOz) August 4, 2015 Anyone who has ever said a bad word about Taylor Swift and/or twitter should be eating a massive slice of humble pie right now. Now let the players play. Seventeen is at Belvoir Street Theatre from August 5 – September 13. For more information, visit their website. Via BuzzFeed Australia.
Vivid will score not one, but two, closing nights this year, with art-rock legends TV on the Radio smashing out two concerts in a row in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. Since forming in Brooklyn 14 years ago, the four-piece has created six albums. These shows will cover the entire songbook, from Staring at the Sun (2004) to Seeds (2014). Chronologically, theses releases cover a decade, but the music represents hundreds of years of history; drawing together gospel, post-punk and everything in between.
If you love sashimi, you really love sashimi. And if you love sashimi and live in Sydney, chances are you've had a piece or two from Zushi at some point. They've had restaurants in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst for a while now, and now the Zushi family has just unveiled a sleek new Japanese joint at Barangaroo's burgeoning dining precinct, The Streets of Barangaroo. The third venue for the group has gone full designer, with their new digs rock a striking fit-out courtesy of the acclaimed Koichi Takada Architects. The waterfront space boasts a semi-open kitchen, a dedicated sushi bar and a stunning, all-weather outdoor dining area with room for 106 people — it's bound to be red-hot property over the coming summer months. There's also a walk-up bar space, where Zushi's resident sake expert can hook you up with a few drops from the extensive range while you're waiting for that table. In true Zushi style, the modern Japanese fare here strikes a balance between innovation and authenticity, with this latest menu a mix of favourites, specials, and seasonal dishes unique to the Barangaroo restaurant. You'll find specialty sushi and sashimi, alongside an assortment of Izakaya-inspired share plates. The seared tuna steak coated in quinoa and sesame with wasabi mash is a must-order. Backing it up, there's that hefty range of sake, some clever sake cocktails, and a NSW-led wine list, which has plenty of love for biodynamic and organic labels. Zushi joins a slew of other eateries that have opened down at Barangaroo over the last few months, including Belles Hot Chicken, Lotus, Cirrus and The Rabbit Hole. Zushi Barangaroo is now open for lunch and dinner seven days a week at 10/33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo South. For more info, visit zushi.com.au. Images: Kurt George Photography.
Since opening way back in 2015, Willie the Boatman has become a household name in the Sydney craft beer scene. And the brewpub, located within St Peters' Precinct 75, has garnered extra attention since its Luchetti Krelle-designed makeover in the same year. It's a bright and airy space with hanging greenery and tasteful bric-a-brac adorning the walls, plus a mix of timber and steel finishes. The space offers booths and long communal table seating, along with a comfy leather couch for good measure. The beers, like the brewery, all have fun names and stories — from the easy-drinking Tempe Tim pale ale to the bolder Crazy Ivan IPA. The bar is also slinging its specialty Albo corn ale (on tap and in tinnies) — it's a farmhouse-style ale that's named for the current Prime Minister of Australia. This beer is in a league of its own and could easily keep you at the brewery all arvo. Willie the Boatman has your back for every season and every weekend. If you're new to the beers, grab a tasting pony and give them all a go. And when you realise how good this beer is, we'll see you at the takeaway fridge. Images: Esteban La Tessa Appears in: The Best Sydney Brewery Bars for 2023
This spring, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will host an extensive retrospective by renowned South African photographer David Goldblatt, as part of the Sydney International Series. Running from October 19 until March 2019, David Goldblatt: Photographs 1948–2018 will dive deep into the life and work of one of recent history's most legendary photographers, covering a career of more than sixty years. Goldblatt is best known for his portrayal of South Africa's tumultuous history, especially surrounding apartheid. As the photographer's first major retrospective in the southern hemisphere, the exhibition will feature Goldblatt's most famous photo series, along with early vintage prints, never-before-seen footage from his personal collection and a new feature-length documentary. As MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE explained, "visitors will discover an extraordinary artist whose documentary eye has not strayed from the complexities of his country of birth, but resonates with other global histories (including Australia's own) through narratives of race and racism, and industry and the land." The Sydney-exclusive exhibition is the first major retrospective of Goldblatt's work in the southern hemisphere. The exhibition was also the Goldblatt's final project before his death earlier this year. Images: David Goldblatt, A plot-holder, his wife and their eldest son at lunch, Wheatlands, Randfontein. September 1962 (3_4907), 1962. Image courtesy the artist and Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg © the artist; David Goldblatt, Shop assistant, Orlando West, 1972. Image courtesy Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg and Cape Town © The David Goldblatt Legacy Trust.
For the past 65 years, Sydney Film Festival has delivered two things: a heap of films for cinephiles to devour while sat in darkened rooms in the middle of winter, and plenty of conversation fodder afterwards. Attendees sit, watch, think, talk, drink, debate, rush between venues, try to avoid the chaos on George Street and start to wonder what a decent meal tastes like — and they ponder it all for the 12 months afterwards. In its usual fashion, this year's SFF delivered all of the above, including a feast of flicks that everyone will be chatting about for some time to come — and, if they're not, they should be. From empathetic dramas about life on the margins and single-setting thrillers to lurid dance party horrors and silent nature documentaries, our film critics Sarah Ward and Tom Clift saw it all. Emerging from their 12-day movie marathon, here's their picks for the best, weirdest and most unexpected movies of the fest. BEST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_07ktacEGo8 LEAVE NO TRACE The Heiresses might've won SFF's competition this year, but Leave No Trace won plenty of hearts with its tale of a father and daughter trying to live life on their own terms. Military veteran Will (Ben Foster) and teenager Tom (Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie) are comfortable in their cosy hidden camp in a public nature reserve — free of mod cons, expectations, boundaries and attitudes — but when they're forced to move, and to adjust to society's idea of normality, it upends their existence in more ways than one. That the movie that tells their tale is so thoughtful, quiet, assured and compelling shouldn't come as a surprise given that it's the long-awaited next effort from Winter's Bone writer-director Debra Granik, and nor should the striking observational cinematography that makes the film a visual treat as well. Indeed, eight years after the feature that catapulted Jennifer Lawrence to fame, Granik's latest is no less exceptional, and nor is its young female lead: New Zealand actress McKenzie, a certain talent to watch. — Sarah Ward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrB0Xbx1YCg&t=13s THE RIDER All Brady Blackburn wants to do is hop back onto a horse. As a rodeo cowboy and gifted trainer, it's what he's compelled to do. Watching him struggle with life without his only passion makes for one of the year's most empathetic, soulful and heart-wrenching efforts, as Brady wades through the aftermath of an in-ring incident that almost killed him. Shot with lyrical images that find tenderness in Brady's story, suffering and situation, The Rider is also a case of art imitating life, with actor Brady Jandreau going through the same scenario himself after meeting writer-director Chloé Zhao back in 2015. Also starring members of Jandreau's family, the result is a contemporary western with a heart as big as America's sweeping plains — told with devastating intimacy, and making certain stars out of both the quietly-spoken, captivating Jandreau and second-time feature filmmaker Zhao. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpxJIWz8MNQ&t=1s BLACKKKLANSMAN The latest joint from Spike Lee may be set in the 1970s, but it could hardly be more relevant today. And boy does the writer-director make damn sure that you know it. The story of an African–American police detective who spearheaded an operation to infiltrate the Colorado Springs chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, BlacKkKlansman is a fierce, funny, stylish film featuring standout performances from John David Washington, Adam Driver and Topher Grace, the latter of whom is positively repulsive as organisation head David Duke. Some viewers will take issue with Lee's less-than-subtle allusions to contemporary US politics — at times, you can practically feel his contempt radiating from the screen. But, honestly, can you blame him? — Tom Clift BlacKkKlansman will be released in Australian cinemas on August 16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw1ITWSjwSQ BURNING Burning couldn't have come to SFF with bigger expectations. Acclaimed South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong (Secret Sunshine, Poetry) makes his first film since 2010, a Haruki Murakami short story inspired the script and it was the critical hit of Cannes — even more so that Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters. And while this 148-minute film isn't going to be for everyone, if you're on its wavelength then it's a ruminative mystery, a fine-tuned character study and an intricately observed examination of human relationships. The narrative revolves around delivery man Jongsu (Yoo Ah-in), the former neighbour Haemi (Jong-seo Jun) he reconnects with and her wealthy new guy (The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun) on the scene. Lee doesn't hold back in exploring class, gender, community and modern Korean society, but he does so in such a meticulous and gradual way that this slow-burn film eventually catches fire (metaphorically, although expect a few literal flames on screen). — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztp6J4tLyN0 SHOPLIFTERS Hirokazu Kore-eda has long been fascinated by questions of family. From Our Little Sister to Like Father, Like Son, the Japanese writer-director has probed and prodded at the indelible connection between siblings, spouses, parents and grandparents, crafting exquisite, often heart-wrenching dramas in the process. His latest film, Shoplifters, concerns an unconventional Tokyo family who must resort of petty theft in order to survive. We won't reveal where the story goes from there, but suffice it to say there's a good reason this funny, moving, quietly provocative film won the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. — TC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t1WNVfgvKo SEARCHING It's a great year for films unravelling solely on computer screens, with Searching joining Profile among 2018's most interesting — and rousing, immersive and thought-provoking — features. They share a common element, along with Unfriended from 2014 (and forthcoming sequel Unfriended: Dark Web): Russian-Kazakh filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov. In producing mode here, with first-timer Aneesh Chaganty in the writing and directing chairs, Bekmambetov's latest screen-based flick first charts the Kim's family's usual ups and downs, then plunges into tragedy when now-teenager Margot (Michelle La) doesn't come home one evening. That leaves dad David (a never-better John Cho) to try to track down his daughter not only with the police's help, but using every online tool at his disposal. Chaganty throws in both foreseeable and unexpected twists and turns, but in accurately reflecting and smartly dissecting the impact of humanity's constantly online status within the confines of a missing person thriller, it's an absolute winner. — SW Searching will be released in Australian cinemas on September 13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXeeVRazqFM THE GUILTY You heard it here first: if The Guilty gets an English-language remake, which this tense Danish thriller likely will, then it should cast Tom Hardy. We've already seen — or rather heard — Hardy nail the single-setting, talk-based scenario in Locke, and The Guilty is a great companion piece, this time set in a police call centre. When Asger Holm (Jakob Cedergren) answers his next emergency call, he's ill prepared for the events that follow. Talking to a distressed woman who says she's been kidnapped, is worried about her young kids left at home and seems in danger of imminent violence, his cop instincts kick in, with the demoted officer doing whatever it takes to help his caller. An intense debut from writer-director Gustav Möller, this gripping effort commits to its concept from start to finish, particularly in its claustrophobic visuals and uneasy mood — as well as Cedergren's stellar performance. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URZ8WZMXP-0 COLD WAR When Cold War won the Best Director prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, it really didn't come as a surprise, even to those who hadn't seen it. Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski's last movie was the meticulously shot, Oscar-winning Ida, so expecting another piece of sumptuous black-and-white mastery was a fairly safe bet. And the writer/director hasn't just delivered on those expectations — he has blown them out of the water. Set over 15 years and taking inspiration from his own parents' relationship, this sweeping European romance proves an utterly devastating exploration of love, loyalty, politics and survival set against the backdrop of its titular period. While the feature looks astonishing in every perfectly-lit frame, it also boasts exceptional performances from stars Tomasz Kot and Joanna Kulig, with the latter radiant even in moments of deep sorrow. — SW WEIRDEST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNp0jlfbgqM CLIMAX How do you follow a divisive relationship drama full of gratuitous 3D sex scenes? If you're writer-director Gaspar Noe, with a mesmerising cocktail of carnage, music and sangria. A late addition to this year's Sydney Film Festival line-up, Climax takes place at a dance rehearsal after-party, where petty squabbles and personal baggage spin violently out of control when somebody spikes the punch. Those who are familiar with Noe's previous films such as Irreversible, Enter the Void and Love will recognise all of his trademarks: a pulsating soundtrack, floating camerawork and sequences of exhilarating beauty that make subsequent moments that much more disturbing. Love it or hate it, you certainly won't forget it in a hurry. — TC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye5sYJq_pX8 THE ANCIENT WOODS Whether you're a nature documentary fan with all of Sir David Attenborough's series bookmarked in your streaming queue, or someone who prefers to stare at the real thing rather than seeing it captured on screen, The Ancient Woods is a unique, atypical and utterly essential big-screen viewing experience. Biologist turned filmmaker Mindaugas Survila points his camera at various spots of old growth throughout a Lithuanian forest and simply records nature doing what it does — sans music, commentary or any human interference. Capturing everything from thickets of trees swaying to wolves stalking to owls flying as the seasons pass, Survila took nearly ten years to make the film, which might sound weirdly committed. But as this patient, contemplative and meditative effort washes over you, it's the effect that The Ancient Woods has on its audience that's truly something unusual and different. You could hear a pin drop in the cinema, such is the peaceful, attentive vibe. Cinematic bliss doesn't get any better than this. — SW MOST UNEXPECTED TYREL Seven features into his career, Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Silva has established one thing: he doesn't want audiences to be comfortable while watching his films. Polarising is the term usually applied to his work, which often takes on topical subjects while pushing boundaries — think Magic Magic's before-its-time depiction of a woman's unravelling and Nasty Baby's queer adoption drama. In Tyrel, race and masculinity are pushed to the fore in a incisive and unsettling fashion when a group of buddies head to a cabin for a boys' weekend. Tyler (an excellent Jason Mitchell) is the lone newcomer, and he's the only African-American among the crew. Silva takes a fly-on-the-wall approach to watching the group's behaviour and Tyler's increasing discomfort, in a film that's all-too-relatable in its exploration of being an outsider at a party, all-too-believable in its dissection of today's climate of toxic white masculinity, and will ensure you never hear REM's music the same way again. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUb_GE1trBE FILMWORKER Whether you're a film tragic or just a casual festival goer, everyone has heard of Stanley Kubrick, the visionary behind such masterpieces as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut. His righthand man for 30 years, Leon Vitali, doesn't enjoy the same recognition — a fate Filmworker aims to redress. The documentary's title gives an indication of the many roles its subject played in Kubrick's life, with Vitali inspired to work with the filmmaker after seeing A Clockwork Orange, then scoring a pivotal acting part in Barry Lyndon, and finally taking on any task he could to assist his mentor over the rest of Kubrick's career. The many behind-the-scenes clips on the likes of The Shining are a joy to behold, but it's Vitali's frank recollections of his time spent helping someone else's genius — and the corresponding ode to all the folks that toil away behind the scenes — that makes this movie such an astonishing film about filmmaking. — SW For more Sydney Film Festival highlights, check out our mid-festival round-up.
It's a sad day when you want to visit Japan (so, so bad — we know) but you can't find sale flights that match up with your annual leave dates. Or you can't find sale flights at all. Or even if you could find sale flights, it's just not gonna happen. Luckily, Sydney is one Australian city that's bursting with Japanese culture. You just have to know where to look to fill your life with Japanese-style ceramics, stationery, fabrics, furniture, kitchen sponges... Here are ten of the best spots to get you started. MUJI Let's start with the obvious. MUJI. The name comes from Mujirushi Ryōhin, translated as 'no brand quality goods'. Founded in Japan in 1980 as "an antithesis to the habits of consumer society at the time", MUJI first opened in Australia in 2015. And rejoice the people did. No longer do Australians have to travel overseas to marvel at their clever designs, sustainable ethos and beautiful solutions for small homes. On that — somehow being called the 'Japanese Ikea' doesn't quite do MUJI justice. Even if simply for the fact that it is a pleasure to enter, and linger, in the store. If you haven't got there yet, treat yourself. You'll likely be greeted by the scent of diffused bergamot, a minimal celtic violin soundtrack, and cascades of linen — and likely to leave with a beautiful object you never knew you wanted (ceramic ginger grater, we're looking at you). Level 1, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney CHEF'S ARMOURY Is the reason you don't have the cash for Japan flights right now that you've decided to enter the adult world of real cookware, and buy yourself an actually sharp knife? Congratulations. This is the place for you. Arm yourself with one of their beautiful knives and your tomato-squashing-not-slicing days are over. But what we really want is a konro — one of their portable, traditional Japanese charcoal barbecue. They sell an assortment of binchotan, or white charcoal, to fill the konro. Chefs say cooking over binchotan coals adds a uniquely delicious flavour to meats and vegetables. Binchotan afficionados say it also deodorises your cupboards and whitens your teeth, but that's another story. If there's something to upstage a Weber, it's gotta be one of these. 105-107 Percival Road, Stanmore [caption id="attachment_592264" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @kinokuniya_sydney[/caption] BOOKS KINOKUNIYA Up one flight of stairs from MUJI lies one of the best bookshops in Sydney, and not just because of its impressive range of Japanese titles. From the in-house Black Star Pastry cafe to the dazzling range of books across just about every topic, in English, Japanese and many other languages, this is an excellent place to spend an hour — or a whole afternoon. Tip: subscribe to their mailing list for regular giveaways, as well as discount offers on their books. Level 2, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney SEEHOSU Design lovers will know the name Naoto Fukasawa. A Japanese industrial design heavyweight, his creations and thinking have influenced creatives and companies alike, including Apple (take a look at his famous toaster. Now take a look at your Macbook charger. Just saying). You can find some of the products he's collaborated on in Sydney fine furniture store SeeHoSu. They're the distributor of Japanese furniture brand Maruni, which works with designers including Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, and other Japanese talents. Their range of beautiful, understated furniture is sure to inspire you — it's worth a visit just to look. Shop 1, 137-141 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills GINGKO LEAF Chrysanthemum porcelain plates. Cedar chopsticks. Japanese forest flower soap. The kind of wind chimes that fill you with light and zen clarity, rather than the desire to do something unkind to your neighbour whose balcony they hang from. Need we say more? This shop is for household items what SeeHoSu is for furniture. Their philosophy is that tools and equipment used daily should be minimal, practical and beautiful, referenced in the Japanese conceptual term yo-no-bi or "beauty through use". In case you or someone you love has the occasion to benefit from a gift registry, they offer this too. 22 Queen Street, Woollahra THE JAPAN FOUNDATION OK, so it's not really a shop. But have you visited The Japan Foundation's library? Settled into new digs in Sydney's Central Park, the Japanese government's cultural organisation in Sydney is no stuffy office building. Their public library has beautiful views, comfortable chairs and free wifi, not to mention the swathes of interesting Japanese books and reading material on offer (in English and Japanese). The Japan Foundation also organises the annual Japanese Film Festival, visiting this year Sydney from November 17-27, as well as art exhibitions and other cultural happenings throughout the year. If you're thirsty for more, check out their Japanese language courses on offer. Term Four starts on October 10. Level 4, Central Park, 28 Broadway, Chippendale DAISO Got time to kill in the CBD? Head along George Street and you'll be rewarded — more than 200,000 products at $2.80 each await. Not quite the same philosophy as MUJI, but for another equally authentic Japanese shopping experience (stationery, anyone?) you can't quite pass up a trip to Daiso. The shower curtains are really quite nice, too. Regent Place Lot 1, 501 George Street, Sydney MARUYU A favourite pit-stop on the way home for many Japan-lovers working in the CBD, step in the doorway of this unassuming grocery store and marvel at the choices before you! Whether it's basics like kewpie mayonnaise, or more specialist ingredients like shio-kōji (umami rice malt seasoning), Maruyu has the Japanese groceries you never knew you needed. Staff even offer to source that hard-or-impossible-to-find product you're searching for and order it in. Shoppers are even occasionally rewarded with a free green-tea ice cream or tote bag for spending over a certain, typically modest, amount. 537-539 Kent Street, Sydney CERAMIC STUDIO EN If you have visited Japan, you'll know their pottery and ceramics are something else. Sitting at a tiny bar in Shinjuku, order sake and you'll likely be offered a tray of uniquely beautiful ceramic cups. Choose the one that most appeals to you, say kampaii, refill and repeat. Back in Australia, there's no reason to let this little pleasure slide. Ceramic Studio En fires and sells handcrafted Japanese pottery right in Artarmon. You can even make something yourself. Whether it's your very own porcelain sake set, or a Sunday ceramics class, they've got you sorted. 28 Elizabeth Street, Artarmon EDO ARTS A warehouse full of Japanese treasures? Yes please. From delicate vintage kimono and textiles to heavyweight chests, painted lacquer folding screens, the soaring ceilings of this warehouse are (just) big enough to hold it all. Edo Arts caters for both indoor and outdoor spaces. And there's something for every budget — but be warned, if you're lucky enough to spy one of the Japanese step chests that sometimes come in, you might start wondering how much is justifiably spent on one piece of furniture. Ever ceramics fans, we also love the unique pottery pieces on display, whether it's a tiny, beautifully glazed vase, or an intricately painted sake bottle. Owner Paul spends three months each year hunting down the finest Japanese wares he can find — he even offers to keep an eye out for you on his travels if there's something special you're looking for. 321 Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills
Swipe right to find your perfect match – and no, we're not talking about the pit of despair and poor decision making that is Tinder (who are we kidding, we're on there too). This is Tender, which as you can tell from the cleverly substituted vowel is a totally different thing. Like its namesake, this newly launched app shows users a photograph and lets them swipe right or left to indicate whether they like what they see. But unlike Tinder, this isn't about looking for a casual hook-up. This is about serious, long-term relationships. With food. Developed by a group of college roommates now working in Boston, Tender is available in both the Apple App Store and on Google Play, and works on the same basic principals as Tinder – only with recipes instead of people. Users can tap on a food pic to get a list of ingredients and a link to the full recipe, which is then saved to the cookbook section of your app if you decide to swipe right. The recipes come from food blogs all over the internet, and you can filter them by different categories, such as vegetarian, vegan, seafood, dessert and so on. They're also planning on adding an allergy filter and an undo button for people who regret swiping left. You've got to hand it to them: in terms of capturing the zeitgeist, this feels pretty on the money. Basically they've combined food porn with snap judging things based purely on their appearance, which, as millennials, are basically our two favourite pastimes. Plus a lot of the recipes actually look really delicious – although if Tinder has taught us anything, it's that what you get in real life rarely lives up to the pics. It seems like Tender won't be entirely free of these kinds of issues either. Suuure you're a barbecue turkey meatloaf. Honestly, who is this pile of capsicums trying to fool? Looks like Tender still has a few bugs to sort out. Still, we're pretty excited to give it a try. At least here we won't have to worry about matching with an awesome looking spicy coconut risotto only for it to turn out to just be a bot spamming your account with links to a website featuring lots of 'sizzling hot Asian dishes'. And unlike real people, chocolate cake will never swipe you left. Top Image via Dollar Photo Club.
If seasonal change has left you in a dizzy headspin of brand new colours and fabrics and prints and jackets — or if, y'know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is coming back to Sydney for four days this March. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big — it takes over Paddington Town Hall. You'll find lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from cult Australian and international designers, both well-known and emerging, including Celine, Stella McCartney, Ellery, Alexander Wang, Karla Spetic, Balenciaga, Studio Elke, LANVIN, Christopher Kane, Benah, Marni and macgraw. With discounts of up to 80 percent off and items for as little as $20, this is one way of upping your street cred with designer threads that'll leave your bank balance sitting pretty too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every man and lady for themselves. The Big Fashion Sale opening hours: March 23 — 9am - 7pm March 24 — 9am - 7pm March 25 — 10am - 6pm March 26 — 10am - 3pm
Vivid Sydney is really cranking it up this year. Announcing a kaleidoscopic festival program of light, music and ideas this morning, Vivid's 2015 plans will have you squealing over social and locking in dates. Now staged in four new precincts (Chatswood, Central Park, Pyrmont and expansion in Sydney University), as well as the usual harbourside suspects, Vivid is back for another year of technicolour merriment and reignited appreciation of your city. So what's in store? LIGHT Alongside the predictably mindblowing projections on the Sydney Opera House sails (Universal Everything), the Museum of Contemporary Art (Danny Rose and Rebecca Baumann this time), and Cadman's Cottage (a 20 multiplayer game this year, just casually), Vivid has some pretty talkworthy surprises in store. Chatswood will be turned into an aquatic wonderland with giant 3D sea creature projections, you'll be able to 'paint' the skyscrapers in Circular Quay, and the ever-popular Light Walk will feature glow swings, an interactive game of duck, duck goose, musical 'beat dice', playable piano stairs, floating fibre optic dresses from Korean artist Taegon Kim and the obligatory selfie stage (with a 'You Are Here' arrow sign). At Central Park, artists Rekko Rennie and Beastman will project on to the Carlton and United Brewery Facade, and there'll be silent discos on the lawn every Friday and Saturday night. Martin Place will once again be a super pretty illuminated food precinct, and Pyrmont Park will let you let off 'digital fireworks' and project yourself on the casino singing karaoke. Plus, the BBC's Life Story projected on the Argyle Cut sounds just about as beautiful as a weeknight gets. MUSIC Music-wise, this year's Vivid program is equal parts supersuperstars in supersupervenues to loved and local party nights around the city. For Vivid LIVE, the big names came tumbling out of today's announcement. Joining the already announced king gloomsayer Morrissey, eclectic folk dreamboat Sufjan Stevens, immortal art rockers TV on the Radio, Aussie legends Hoodoo Gurus, gravelly folkster Bill Callahan, new album-touter Daniel Johns, longtime shredders The Drones, Sydney hypecards The Preatures, garage go-tos Royal Headache and electronic powerhouse Mad Racket. Red Bull Music Academy are throwing The Studio's opening night, where Future Classic are set to celebrate their tenth anniversary with Flight Facilities, Seekae, Hayden James, Touch Sensitive, George Maple and Flume's only Australian concert for the year; alongside all the Astral People, Elefant Traks label Studio parties we love. We're a little disappointed to see only super male headliners and about three female artists in the entire Vivid LIVE lineup (Preatures, Drones, George Maple), but here's hoping for a more balanced Music at the House summer lineup. Around the city, there's a whole bunch of luminous shindiggery to be had, with Vivid Music this year curated by Sydney radio host, DJ and all-round legend Stephen Ferris. Modular's hugely successful Modulations mini-festival is coming back to Carriageworks after a huge Pet Shop Boys year in 2014. This time around, the crew are bringing together Sydney club nights Kooky, Motorik and Pelvis and inviting headliner American jazz saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders to make good use of those Carriageworks acoustics. Freda's will see the return of Sydney's favourite twist-happy party Jingle Jangle and the special performance of Andras Fox under his New Age alter ego A.R.T. Wilson. Goodgod Small Club will see newcomer Oh Reach's debut concert alongside Terry Serio's Ministry of Truth and Spookyland, while Oxford Art Factory showcases brand new Sydney label Personal Best Records (including the Personal Best Orchestra, a ten-piece all live disco electro orchestra with vintage sythesisers). One of the biggest Sydney parties around, Heaps Gay will hold an epic bash at Marrickville's Factory Theatre with the likes of KIM from The Presets, Black Vanilla DJs, Catlips and The Magda Subanskis, and Soul of Sydney are set to hold a huge block party just for Vivid (more details to come). IDEAS Switching on your brain as well as the lights, Vivid Ideas has a chockers program of talks, seminars and conferences to get you right into the global creative conersation. 'The Game-Changers' series will see Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, Monocle and Wallpaper founder Tyler Brule and Rolling Stones/HBO designer Stefan Sagmeister chatting about their wildly overachieving existence. There's going to be a huge one-day conference at Carriageworks to examine the key factors needed to create a 'Southern Hemisphere Silicon Valley'. And the ever-popular Vivid Ideas Exchange is back, with Cool Hunting founders chatting about connecting creatively with consumers, Auxilio Venture Lab talking about the ethics of data usage for Australian business and government (timely), Junkee teaching you 'How to Survive Without a Real Job' and MTV asking if boredom fosters creativity. Phew. There's plenty more to Vivid Sydney's 2015 program than we can fit here, running May 22 - June 8. For the full schtick, head to the Vivid website.
When work, traffic and life get to be too much, there's only one answer: a good, old-fashioned beverage. But, if you want a genuine piece of peace with your drink, then you need to know where to go. Some bars are too rowdy. Some are too close to the road. Some play really bad music. To make your life easier, we've tracked down ten of Sydney's most oasis-like spots in partnership with the Hahn Brewers. In these hidden-away havens, you can retreat from the noise and the chaos, surrounded by lots and lots of greenery and maybe some beautiful harbour views. Ah, the serenity. THE FORRESTERS Step into The Forresters in Surry Hills and you'll feel like you've been transported to a western movie. Once you've unsaddled your horse, slip into the open beer garden, slide onto a stripey banquette and relax among lush ferns and hanging terracotta pots. A pitched glass roof, supported by exposed wooden beams, lets in bucket loads of light. At lunch on weekdays, you'll be tucking into $12 specials, including steaks and pizzas. LIGHT BRIGADE Atop Woollahra's dearly-loved 1920s Art Deco hotel, there's a rooftop bar that's 83 metres above sea level. Think cool Pacific breezes and pretty views of more rooftops, backdropped by Sydney Harbour. Oversized plant pots, yellow-and-white umbrellas and wooden decking add to the casual feel of the Light Brigade. Should you work up a hunger hole, order a wood-fired pizza. LONDON TAVERN Anytime you want a piece of London, but can't afford the flight, swing by the London Hotel Paddington. The tables are plastered with Union Jacks and you can chow down on great English pub classics, including fish 'n' chips and chicken in a basket. For something posher, pop upstairs to the East London restaurant (opened in June 2016) for Shanghai- and Sichuan-inspired dishes. The London's beer garden is a sweet escape on hot days, thanks to its retractable canopy, comfy banquettes and rambling vines. Dogs are welcome. SINCE I LEFT YOU Need a close-by spot to recover from your working day? Drape yourself over a bar stool in Since I Left You's courtyard. This magical space is a slice of Sydney's history: its borders are the walls of three heritage-listed storehouses dating back to the 19th century. This industrial past life is respected in the design, yet softened by splashes of green and The Torch Carrier, an 18-metre tall mural by Fintan Magee. Come evening, the fairy lights switch on and musicians move in. DARLO BAR The most densely populated location in Australia, Darlinghurst offers lots of fun and surprises. But, every now and again, a dose of quiet is of the essence. That's why drinkers have been taking five on the Darlo Bar's rooftop for years. If you're with mates, claim the central communal table; if you're travelling as a solo or duo, flop onto a lounge chair. The beautiful vertical garden brings the outside world in. HENRY DEANE If 360-degree views are important to your patch of peace, then make tracks to Henry Deane. This two-part cocktail lounge covers level fours and five of the Hotel Palisade. And, in case you're wondering, it's named after the architect and engineer who designed the building. Sink into a dusky pink couch or wicker chair — wherever you are, you'll be copping an eyeful of harbour and sunshine. THE BUTLER From the outside, you'd never guess what was waiting for you inside The Butler. The door opens to a welcoming foyer, which leads onto a wide, airy room, offering an epic perspective on the city skyline. On cold days, enjoy it while protected by glass doors; on nice days, they're pushed aside, creating an indoor-outdoor effect. Tall bamboo plants in green pots and fairy lights complete the picture. EL LOCO Ola, chicas and chicos, we're off to Mexico for one hot minute. This delightful, brightly coloured bar is tucked away in the Slip Inn. It's a Merivale adventure, so you can expect lashings of the unexpected. Canary yellow and fire truck red stools crowd around benches wrapped in patterned wallpaper. Trees tower over you, potted in 44-gallon drums. There are DJs occasionally. There is tequila and beer always. EAST VILLAGE HOTEL The adored, 100-year-old East Village Hotel opened its new rooftop bar in November 2016. Named The Terrace and designed by Alexander & Co., it gives you 100 square metres of purple stools (with, bless, backs, so you can hang around all night long pain-free), lounges, plants and hand-cut terrazzo slabs. There's also a dedicated rooftop kitchen and bar, serving casual, summery dishes, such as gazpacho soup with marinated blue swimmer crab and basil. SWEETHEARTS ROOFTOP Dotted with park benches, palm trees and cable reels-turned-tables, Sweethearts Rooftop is the most laid back oasis on this list. You'll find it atop Sugarmill, one of Kings Cross's best-known nightclubs. Do be warned: there's a five-flight stairwell standing between you and outdoor bliss. That said, sunsets, multi-coloured fairy lights and all-around good times make the climb worthwhile.
Now in its sixth year, Aussie Wine Month returns in May to showcase the diversity of the Australian wine scene and celebrate the world class producers that our 65 wine regions have to offer. Sydney and regional New South Wales will come alive with events — vineyards and cellar doors are opening their doors to guests, and regional chefs are making their way into the city so everyone can enjoy good food and even better wine. In partnership with Wine Australia, we're helping you narrow down your options — here are five of the best things to see.
After being hauled back from the financial brink last year, Tropfest is on the move. Prolific Australian Mad Max director and Tropfest board member George Miller took some time out from being critically acclaimed for his films today to announce that as of next year, the world's biggest short film festival will take place in Parramatta Park in Western Sydney. Tropfest founder John Polson said moving the festival into the geographical heart of Sydney — just a short train ride from Central station — was not just a matter of making the festival accessible to more people, but also an excellent opportunity for growth. "Tropfest needed a fresh base where it can be nurtured, expand and eventually become a multi-event festival." This is not the only change for the festival, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2017. Next year's Tropfest is scheduled for February 11 — the first time it has been held on a Saturday. While organisers are remaining tight-lipped, the shift suggests next year's festivities may carry on after the final credits roll. Tropfest submissions open in September.
While Sydney's got no shortage of classic Aussie pubs, the traditional British boozer proves a little harder to come by — a tad surprising, given the city's heritage. But now the CBD is about to get its own proper nod to ye olde English tavern, by way of a new venture from The Barber Shop's Mikey Enright and Julian Train, which you'll find tucked down the award-winning gin bar's side alleyway (the same one that houses The Baxter Inn). Named after the gent who would go on to become King William IV, The Duke of Clarence is out to deliver a quintessentially British experience, and the owners aren't doing things by halves. With acclaimed UK set designer Sara Mathews (Moulin Rouge, Ned Kelly) heading up the design, there's little doubt the pub's going to look the part. Original furniture and building materials have been handpicked from pubs, churches and warehouses during the team's extensive UK travels — from the stained glass and the panelling, through to the 1850s-era floorboards. A portrait of The Duke greets punters at the entrance, while inside lies a stunning 12-metre bar and a library nook complete with open fire. Meanwhile, both the food and the drinks offering will take their cues from the proper English pubs Enright grew up with back in Northern England. A broad-ranging booze selection will include around 500 spirits from the homeland, with cask-conditioned brews the stars of the beer list. The eats, too, will be unmistakably British, the menu designed by Liverpudlian and former Merivale Executive Chef of Events, David O'Brien. The Duke of Clarence is slated to open mid-November. You'll find it at 152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney. Stay tuned for more details and keep an eye on thedukeofclarence.com.
Celebrate Oktoberfest like any good German: with beer, pretzels and tiny little sausage dogs racing for glory and gold. That's right everyone: Hophaus Bier Bar are hosting their inaugural Oktoberfest Teckelrennen, also known as the most adorable dog race ever. Never mind the running of the bulls. This is the running of the wieners. Schnell! The high stakes (not really) dachshund race will be held in the Southbank Podium Courtyard on Saturday, September 19. Racer registration is already closed, with organisers reportedly overwhelmed by the number of entries. You can, however, still enter your pooch in the Best Costume Contest — how willingly they'll participate is another matter entirely. Spectator entry to the event is free, while all racer entry fees will be donated to Dachshund Rescue Australia. Those wanting to make a day of it can head back to Hophaus after the race for more Oktoberfest-themed activities, including live German music and a sausage eating competition. Although to be honest, the idea of eating sausages after watching a sausage dog race just doesn't sit right with us. We know they're not actually made of dachshund, but still. And now, as a reward for making it to the end of this story, enjoy these GIFs of dachshunds being awesome. As if they know any other way to be. For more information about the Hophaus Inaugural Dachshund Race, visit their website. Via Beat.
Uber's international developments are going gangbusters of late, after launching free breathalyzers in Canada, possibly slashing UberX prices in Western Australia, and launching its first ever cash-only service — a brand new auto-rickshaw option available in Delhi. Uber users in Delhi can book a rickshaw through the mobile app — you just don't have to punch in your destination — before paying in cash without extra commission charges. Drivers are apparently being trained not to refuse bookings. For regular Uber cabs, it's still electronic payment as usual. And as always, Uber users can rate their auto driver on the app, and vice versa. Sure, there's already an auto-rickshaw booking service called Ola in Delhi, and sure, it's a PR attempt to steer Uber Delhi's recently less-than-great reputation back into clear waters, but it's one that will hopefully boost job security and facilitate generally more organised and safe auto-rickshaw service in the capital for both drivers and passengers. Can't argue with that. There's just over 100,000 auto-rickshaws in Delhi (actually one of the lowest rickshaw populations in the country, something the Delhi government is trying to up), so this could really shake up the local transport industry for the Indian capital. Via Economic Times.
You've probably nibbled and tippled in the venues of one of Sydney's top hospitality groups — but you might not have known it was theirs. Started in 1976 in The Rocks with the Löwenbräu Keller, one of Sydney’s most profitable hospitality companies now serves up almost 40,000 meal a week across NSW, Victoria and Queensland. We're talking about UPG. Urban Purveyor Group has been one of Sydney's leading restaurant groups for over four decades. They've brought 20 venues to life across the country, from Sake to The Argyle, and they don't appear to be slowing down any time soon. We chatted with the group’s director of sales and events Julie van der Weegen to see just what makes this company stand out from the crowd, and what must-see events we need to add to our calendars this Christmas. SO WHAT BARS AND RESTAURANTS ARE ACTUALLY UPG? If the UPG name doesn’t ring familiar, you've probably been a patron in one of their venues without knowing it. From Sake to The Argyle, Urban Purveyor Group are the hardworking crew behind some of Sydney’s premier restaurants, bars and event spaces. "Sake offers a taste of Tokyo, Ananas Bar & Brasserie delivers a touch of Parisian chic, Lowenbrau Keller offers a neverending Oktoberfest celebration, along with the Bavarian Bier Cafe's across the country. The Cut Bar & Grill gives a taste of an underground New York-inspired steak house, and of course The Argyle is the place to go if you want to party into the night," van der Weegen explains. One of Sydney's most celebrated contemporary sushi restaurants, Sake, nabs all the big names, counting the likes of Richard Branson, Chris Hemsworth and Justin Bieber as guest. They also just announced a new Italian concept to be named Stella along with a convenient on-the-go Sake sibling, aptly named Sake Jnr — both opening mid-2016 in George Street's redevelopment of Grosvenor Place. NIGHTS YOU'D WANT TO REMEMBER Over the years, UPG has thrown some pretty spectacular shingdigs, from The Argyle's Star Wars-themed dance party during Vivid to Sake's beloved annual Cherry Blossom festival. But they've also done some private events they're pretty proud of. "I think our recent event with Moet Hennessy was most certainly a memorable highlight, launching Moet Hennessy Private Events, a partnership with our catering division, Urban Events Venues & Catering,” says van der Weegen. "Guests were chauffeured to an opulent private home in Gordons Bay to experience the paired food and beverage offer including The Moet Ice White Party, Moet & Chandon So Bubbly Bath featuring a gold claw leg bath filled with 50 magnums right through to a Belvedere Vodka 'Know your Martini Masterclass'." WHAT'S NEXT FOR UPG? With the silly season fast approaching, UPG will be hosting "everything from small office gatherings with tailored degustation and matched wines, to sushi masterclasses with a whiskey tasting, right through to a grand celebration for over 2000 guests here in The Rocks," according to van der Weegen. The insider tip: get along to Sake for their festive ‘Pink Blossom’ cocktail (complete with choya umeshu, fresh strawberries, passionfruit, cranberry and freshly squeezed lime juice) and keep an eye out for their upcoming sushi making classes (guaranteed to give you skills that’ll really impress your pals and co-workers). There's also a Christmas brunch coming up for Ananas, The Argyle is starting its own openair cinema in the historic courtyard (lounges and popcorn provided), alongside Femme Fatales fashion nights every Thursday. Suffice to say, UPG will be pretty busy over the festive season.
There aren't a whole bunch of things that can beat a day in the sun with a drink in your hand. Recognising the need to slake that thirst, Canadian Club is bringing their Racquet Club back for the summer, dosing out refreshing Canadian Club, dry and lime beverages by the water with a screen showing the tennis. The Racquet Club celebrates Australia's biggest annual summer sporting fixture, the Australian Open. After keeping punters hydrated in Melbourne last year, the pop-up will this year extend to Sydney and Brisbane as well. The club will set up at The Bucket List on Bondi Beach for a whole month, from December 29 to January 30, and overlooking Sydney Harbour at Cruise Bar from January 3 to January 30. The pop-up bar will carry Canadian Club on tap, as well as a whole slew of Canadian Club cocktails (the grapefruit Summer Spritz is our pick), and will be decked out in all the tennis memorabilia that they can find. Plus, when the Open starts on January 16, there'll be a big screen showing every game, loud and live. We're giving away 25 bar tabs worth $100 for the opening night of Racquet Club at The Bucket List and Cruise Bar. Tell us which location you'd like to head to and enter your details below for your chance to enjoy the summer vibes. [competition]602874[/competition]
