The Fencer (Miekkailija)
Director: Klaus Härö
2015 / Estonia/Finland/Germany / 95 mins / PG
Estonian, Russian & Armenian with English subtitles
We are delighted to bring you this truly engaging film as our festival opener. Inspired by true events, this elegantly crafted, superbly acted drama tells the story of Endel Nelis, a fencing instructor in post-war, Soviet-occupied Estonia who is forced to take a job as a physical education teacher in a remote village to avoid being sent to a Soviet labour camp because of his earlier conscription to the German army during World War ll. Under a cloud of suspicion and paranoia and working with limited resources, he discovers his niche by bringing his love of and skill in fencing to the children, mostly war orphans, and coaching them towards a national competition. A refreshing insight into a little-known element of Baltic history, this alluring and touching film is filled with strong performances and topped with a gripping finale. A pleasure for all ages.
NOMINEE Best Foreign Language Film at the 2016 Oscars.
NOMINEE Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globe 2016
WINNER Best Picture / Best Cinematography at the Finnish Jussi Awards 2016
“Suffused with gorgeous cinematography, the sharp-sweet drama …is a pleasure to watch”. Kate Muir, The Times (UK)
Director: Klaus Härö
2015 / Estonia/Finland/Germany / 95 mins / PG
Estonian, Russian & Armenian with English subtitles
We are delighted to bring you this truly engaging film as our festival opener. Inspired by true events, this elegantly crafted, superbly acted drama tells the story of Endel Nelis, a fencing instructor in post-war, Soviet-occupied Estonia who is forced to take a job as a physical education teacher in a remote village to avoid being sent to a Soviet labour camp because of his earlier conscription to the German army during World War ll. Under a cloud of suspicion and paranoia and working with limited resources, he discovers his niche by bringing his love of and skill in fencing to the children, mostly war orphans, and coaching them towards a national competition. A refreshing insight into a little-known element of Baltic history, this alluring and touching film is filled with strong performances and topped with a gripping finale. A pleasure for all ages.
NOMINEE Best Foreign Language Film at the 2016 Oscars.
NOMINEE Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globe 2016
WINNER Best Picture / Best Cinematography at the Finnish Jussi Awards 2016
“Suffused with gorgeous cinematography, the sharp-sweet drama …is a pleasure to watch”. Kate Muir, The Times (UK)
The Eagle Huntress
Director: Otto Bell
2016 / UK |Mongolia|USA/ 87 mins / G
(Kazakh) English narration
This sumptuous documentary tells the story of 13- year-old Aisholpan and her bid to train to become the first female in twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle huntress. Stunning scenery and daring drone-mounted camera work make this an inspiring film which gives us a breathtaking window into the world of the Mongolian Steppes. Unjudging and unassuming the film shows us the day-to-day practices of this nomadic culture and the determination of a plucky and bright young girl to break into the traditionally male domain of eagle training.
NOMINEE Best Documentary at the BAFTAs 2017.
WINNER People’s Choice Award for a Documentary Film at the Denver International Film Festival 2016
2nd Place Most Popular Documentary at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2016
“..a warm, inviting and highly atmospheric documentary that can be shared by the whole family.”. Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun
Director: Otto Bell
2016 / UK |Mongolia|USA/ 87 mins / G
(Kazakh) English narration
This sumptuous documentary tells the story of 13- year-old Aisholpan and her bid to train to become the first female in twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle huntress. Stunning scenery and daring drone-mounted camera work make this an inspiring film which gives us a breathtaking window into the world of the Mongolian Steppes. Unjudging and unassuming the film shows us the day-to-day practices of this nomadic culture and the determination of a plucky and bright young girl to break into the traditionally male domain of eagle training.
NOMINEE Best Documentary at the BAFTAs 2017.
WINNER People’s Choice Award for a Documentary Film at the Denver International Film Festival 2016
2nd Place Most Popular Documentary at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2016
“..a warm, inviting and highly atmospheric documentary that can be shared by the whole family.”. Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun
Perfect Strangers (Perfetti sconosciuti)
Director: Paolo Genovese
2016 / Italy / 97m/ M
Italian with English subtitles
Seven friends come together for a regular dinner during which one challenges the others to a truth game in which they must share whatever communications come through on their phones during the evening. What emerges from the phones is funny to start with, but quickly becomes difficult to explain as it becomes clear that each of their lives is filled with unshared truths.This witty, award-winning comedy bristles with emotion and highlights the wonders and complications of modern technology. With a superb, rapid-fire dialogue and terrific cast, it is understandable that it was a box office hit in Italy.
WINNER – 2016 ITALIAN ACADEMY AWARDS – BEST FILM, BEST SCREENPLAY
WINNER – 2016 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL – BEST SCREENPLAY
OFFICIAL OPENING NIGHT SELECTION – 2016 LAVAZZA ITALIAN FILM FESTIVALThe multi award-winning new comedy of manners from Paolo Genovese is a fiendishly clever take on decorum in the age of modern technology, and poses the question: how well do we really know those close to us?
Director: Paolo Genovese
2016 / Italy / 97m/ M
Italian with English subtitles
Seven friends come together for a regular dinner during which one challenges the others to a truth game in which they must share whatever communications come through on their phones during the evening. What emerges from the phones is funny to start with, but quickly becomes difficult to explain as it becomes clear that each of their lives is filled with unshared truths.This witty, award-winning comedy bristles with emotion and highlights the wonders and complications of modern technology. With a superb, rapid-fire dialogue and terrific cast, it is understandable that it was a box office hit in Italy.
WINNER – 2016 ITALIAN ACADEMY AWARDS – BEST FILM, BEST SCREENPLAY
WINNER – 2016 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL – BEST SCREENPLAY
OFFICIAL OPENING NIGHT SELECTION – 2016 LAVAZZA ITALIAN FILM FESTIVALThe multi award-winning new comedy of manners from Paolo Genovese is a fiendishly clever take on decorum in the age of modern technology, and poses the question: how well do we really know those close to us?
Neruda
Director: Pablo Larraín
2016 / Chile | Argentina |France | Spain / 108m/ MA 15+ (strong sex scenes and nudity)
Spanish & French with English subtitles
Mixing fact and fantasy, this ingenious film is an audacious rewrite of the Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet’s pursuit into political exile following his impeachment by the ruling party. The obsessive Police prefect - played superbly by Motorcycle Diaries star Gael García Bernal - is appointed to arrest him. In the cat and mouse adventure that follows, Neruda discovers a new-found fame in his attempt to flee and, inspired by the dramatic events of his new life as a fugitive, he uses this struggle as an opportunity to reinvent his work and life, leaving clues for his bumbling pursuer. Gripping, funny and inventive, blended with outstanding performances, make this a film not to be missed.
NOMINEE – 2017 GOLDEN GLOBES – BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
OFFICIAL SELECTION (CHILE) – 2017 ACADEMY AWARDS – BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2016 CANNES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – DIRECTORS FORTNIGHT
“The best film I have seen this year.” Pedro Almodovar
Director: Pablo Larraín
2016 / Chile | Argentina |France | Spain / 108m/ MA 15+ (strong sex scenes and nudity)
Spanish & French with English subtitles
Mixing fact and fantasy, this ingenious film is an audacious rewrite of the Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet’s pursuit into political exile following his impeachment by the ruling party. The obsessive Police prefect - played superbly by Motorcycle Diaries star Gael García Bernal - is appointed to arrest him. In the cat and mouse adventure that follows, Neruda discovers a new-found fame in his attempt to flee and, inspired by the dramatic events of his new life as a fugitive, he uses this struggle as an opportunity to reinvent his work and life, leaving clues for his bumbling pursuer. Gripping, funny and inventive, blended with outstanding performances, make this a film not to be missed.
NOMINEE – 2017 GOLDEN GLOBES – BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
OFFICIAL SELECTION (CHILE) – 2017 ACADEMY AWARDS – BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2016 CANNES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – DIRECTORS FORTNIGHT
“The best film I have seen this year.” Pedro Almodovar
April and the Extraordinary World (Avril et le monde truqué)
Director: Christian Desmares / Franck Ekinci
2014 / France|Belgium|Canada / 106m/ PG
English (dubbed from French)
In 1941, the world is radically different from the one we know from history books. For decades, scientists have been disappearing, including April’s parents. But when April gets word that her parents are still alive, she goes off to find them with Darwin, her talented, talking cat, Pops her grandfather, and Julius, a shady guy whom April wants to trust but probably shouldn’t.
Beautifully animated, APRIL AND THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD is colourful and funny, with a hint of melancholy. A sociopolitical commentary weaves through the tale the idea that it is our intelligence that will save us and the result is an action-adventure with more twists and turns than most Hollywood blockbusters. It is a visually fascinating film and alternates between incredible, painter-like detail and refreshingly simple hand-drawn lines.
Proudly supported by WILMAR, come and join April on her amazing adventure.
Winner 2015 Annecy International Animated Film Festival Best Feature Film
Nominee 2016 César Awards Best Animated Feature Film
Winner 2016 San Diego Film Critics Society Best Animated Film
“A delightfully deranged steampunk adventure”. Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Director: Christian Desmares / Franck Ekinci
2014 / France|Belgium|Canada / 106m/ PG
English (dubbed from French)
In 1941, the world is radically different from the one we know from history books. For decades, scientists have been disappearing, including April’s parents. But when April gets word that her parents are still alive, she goes off to find them with Darwin, her talented, talking cat, Pops her grandfather, and Julius, a shady guy whom April wants to trust but probably shouldn’t.
Beautifully animated, APRIL AND THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD is colourful and funny, with a hint of melancholy. A sociopolitical commentary weaves through the tale the idea that it is our intelligence that will save us and the result is an action-adventure with more twists and turns than most Hollywood blockbusters. It is a visually fascinating film and alternates between incredible, painter-like detail and refreshingly simple hand-drawn lines.
Proudly supported by WILMAR, come and join April on her amazing adventure.
Winner 2015 Annecy International Animated Film Festival Best Feature Film
Nominee 2016 César Awards Best Animated Feature Film
Winner 2016 San Diego Film Critics Society Best Animated Film
“A delightfully deranged steampunk adventure”. Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Toni Erdmann
Director: Maren Ade
2016 / Germany / 162m/ M
German with English subtitles
For our closing film we are pleased to bring you the international cinematic masterpiece from Germany, TONI ERDMANN. Considered the indisputable smash at last year's Cannes, this film portrays a dysfunctional relationship between a father and daughter that is equal parts screwball comedy, and a sublime meditation on the nature of family. Middle-aged Winfried has a penchant for elaborately staged practical jokes, which makes him a nightmare for his straight-laced daughter, Ines. Hoping to reconnect and repair his estranged relationship with her, Winfried reappears in Ines’ life as his bizarre alter-ego ‘Toni Erdmann’, complete with a bad wig and hideous fake teeth. What follows almost defies simple description, as father/daughter animosity reaches absurd, ridiculous and hilarious heights. Led by surreal and courageous performances, TONI ERDMANN is one of the most eccentric films of the year – and, simply, one of the best.
Nominee 2017 Oscar Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Nominee 2017 Golden Globe Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language
Nominee 2017 BAFTA Awards 2017 BAFTA Film Award Best Film not in the English Language
“Raw, painful and excruciatingly funny, Toni Erdmann might just be one of a kind.” Vicky Roach, The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Director: Maren Ade
2016 / Germany / 162m/ M
German with English subtitles
For our closing film we are pleased to bring you the international cinematic masterpiece from Germany, TONI ERDMANN. Considered the indisputable smash at last year's Cannes, this film portrays a dysfunctional relationship between a father and daughter that is equal parts screwball comedy, and a sublime meditation on the nature of family. Middle-aged Winfried has a penchant for elaborately staged practical jokes, which makes him a nightmare for his straight-laced daughter, Ines. Hoping to reconnect and repair his estranged relationship with her, Winfried reappears in Ines’ life as his bizarre alter-ego ‘Toni Erdmann’, complete with a bad wig and hideous fake teeth. What follows almost defies simple description, as father/daughter animosity reaches absurd, ridiculous and hilarious heights. Led by surreal and courageous performances, TONI ERDMANN is one of the most eccentric films of the year – and, simply, one of the best.
Nominee 2017 Oscar Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Nominee 2017 Golden Globe Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language
Nominee 2017 BAFTA Awards 2017 BAFTA Film Award Best Film not in the English Language
“Raw, painful and excruciatingly funny, Toni Erdmann might just be one of a kind.” Vicky Roach, The Daily Telegraph (Australia)