THOSE who love to be immersed in a film; see films the way they were meant to be seen – lights down, big screen, big sound and in the company of other film-lovers – the Mecca Cinema in Warburton is the place to be on the second Tuesday of each month.
The Yarra Ranges Film Society screens classic, contemporary and international films in the recently renovated cinema providing an opportunity for members to catch up, enjoy a light supper and chat after the main movie.
Visitors are also welcome to attend the film nights.
The Italian-made drama Il Postino is coming up on Tuesday 10 May.
Made in 1994, the story of an Italian postman (Massimo Troissi) who learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet, Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret) is a gentle, simple tale which spins an affecting spell over its audience.
The films are chosen by the YRFS film-selection committee with input from members and the aim is to provide a program over the year that has appeal to a wide audience, but one which also introduces a new film experience.
The 2011 program is:
7 June – Ghost Writer (2010). Directed by Roman Polanski, his first film in years, and starring Ewan McGregor with Pierce Brosnan and Olivia Williams, it is a taut, gripping thriller which is filled with intrigue and tension.
12 July – The Concert (2009). This French/Russian collaboration is a mix of comedy, drama and music about a former conductor of the Bolshoi Orchestra who after being fired for using Jewish musicians brings the old players together to impersonate the real orchestra on a trip to Paris.
9 August – Blowup (1966). Set in the ‘swinging London’ of the ’60s, Michaelangelo Antonioni’s English language film is set around a trendy London photographer (David Hemmings) who believes he has accidentally photographed a murder. Also stars Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles and Jane Birken. One of the 1000 films to see in your lifetime.
13 September – Welcome (2009) A French drama about a Kurdish refugee (Firat Ayverdi) who has made his way to France, but longs to cross the English Channel to meet up with his girlfriend. He turns to a swimming instructor (Vincent Lindon) to help him make the journey. Directed by Philippe Lioret, it’s a strong story, told with documentary-like authenticity, which creates a great emotional impact.
11 October – Me and Orson Welles (2008). Starring Zac Efron as a teenager who lands a role in the Mercury Theatre’s stage production of Julius Caesar directed by a young Orson Welles, it is a wonderful coming-of-age story based on real events. Directed by Richard Linklater, it features a brilliant performance by Christian Mckay as Welles.
8 November – Chinatown (1974) Another Roman Polansky film and another on the ‘must see 1000’ list. Jack Nicholson stars as a private detective who while investigating a case of adultery uncovers a complex web of deceit, murder and corruption involving the city water supply. One of the key films of the ’70s, it also stars Faye Dunaway.
13 December – Boy (2010). An audience favourite at the Melbourne International Film Festival last year, the New Zealand-made comedy/drama is about an 11-year-old who lives on a farm in rural New Zealand in 1984. When his father turns up out of the blue after a long absence, he is nothing like the heroic figure of Boy’s imagination. A beautifully engaging film on which to end the year, Boy is full of humour and entertaining with an undercurrent of sensitivity that gives it weight.
Another set of dates to mark on the calendar is 17 to 19 June when the society presents the annual Warburton Film Festival, one of Australia’s longest running film festivals and a long weekend of film, food and fun.
Tuesday night films screen at 7.30pm and are subject to availability. Phone the Upper Yarra Arts Centre on 5966 4500, or email yarrarangesfilmsociety.org.au for details.
