Reels@Wehl

New blog

2010-09-01T23:26:00.000+09:30

Please go to our new site for the latest info

http://reelsatwehl-filmsociety.blogspot.com/

2010-08-17T21:28:00.008+09:30

Thursday 9th September 2010

6.30pm doors open for pre-screening drinks and nibbles

7pm film screens

Our next screening is ‘Brick Lane’ based on a book by Monica Ali. The book was controversial to some Bangladeshis living in London and then the making of the film added fuel to the fire with a group of local Bangladeshis threatening to disrupt the filming and burn the book. The filming then took place elsewhere but not before Germaine Greer weighed in and then Salman Rushdie retaliated to Germaine’s comments.

Read more about this on the Sydney Morning Herald’s archives http://www.smh.com.au/news/film-reviews/brick-lane/2008/03/20/1205602528332.html

Synopsis

At the tender age of seventeen, Nazneen's life is turned upside down. After an arranged marriage to an older man, she exchanges her Bangladeshi village home for a block of flats in London's East End. In this new world, pining for her home and her sister, she struggles to make sense of her existence - and to do her duty to her husband. A man of inflated ideas (and stomach), he sorely tests her compliance.

Told from birth that she must not fight her fate, Nazneen submits, devoting her life to raising her family and slapping down her demons of discontent. Until the day that Karim, a hot-headed local man, bursts into her life.

Against a background of escalating racial tension, they embark on an affair that finally forces Nazneen to take control of her life. Set in multicultural Britain, Brick Lane is a truly contemporary story of love, cultural difference, and ultimately, the strength of the human spirit.

**** "I thought I knew how this would end, but I was wrong."
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
***1/2 "... beautiful... an accomplished feature"
Margaret Pomeranz, AT THE MOVIES

Rated M 101 minutes UK English language

Trailers
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2178332.htm

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?method=view&webChannelId=8&releaseId=9822

Heckle & Jeckle's squawk on 'Bliss'

2010-08-17T21:17:00.005+09:30

"Bliss" was not quite blissful, perhaps if it had finished 30 minutes earlier it may have been. That, however, is one opinion, which may not reflect the Reels members, as Bliss received 4 stars in the starbox rating a little bird told me.

What was interesting was the reaction to many of our members after the screening, ‘what was so confronting?’ When it was first released in the 1980s Bliss had people walking out of cinemas, received an R rating and major distributors refused to screen the film. It then became an art-house classic.

We viewers in 2010 didn’t find Bliss confronting at all – well I can’t speak for all the audience – only about a dozen with whom I managed to have a chat. So much in the film was intimated, as opposed to being shown in great detail and today seems rather tame. One of our members thought that Harry was at heart a decent man, who was sucked into the vortex of vacuous human endeavours but then manged to escape the confines of concrete jungles and office cells.

What hasn’t changed over the years are the elements of the story about the human condition – greed, relationships, love, hate, seeking for true meaning of life, destruction of our environment, redemption.

Seeing the movie again after all those years has, however, made me want to go out and re-read the novel.

That's the squawk for now. Original squawkers will be back soon with their entertaining reviews.

Next screening "Bliss - the Director's Cut" & our AGM

2010-07-16T14:45:00.004+09:30

'Bliss - the Director's Cut' will be the film for our next Reels event, Thursday 29th July.

Annual General Meeting- prior to the screening we will hold our AGM. All roles on the committee will be vacated and the current committee is welcoming new members. We especially need help with the promotions,
setup, setdown.

AGM 5.30pm Thursday 29th July 2010 at Wehl Street Theatre.

'Bliss - the Director's Cut'
Thursday 29th July 2010

6.30pm pre-screening wine
7.00pm film commences

"Bliss" has been re-released with the Director's Cut. This coincides with Bliss the opera, that has been playing in Australia and has now ventured overseas.

Synopsis

Bliss is the acclaimed movie based on Peter Carey's award-winning novel, Bliss, and the debut film of celebrated director Ray Lawrence (Lantana, Jindabyne)

Following a four-minute death from a heart attack, Harry Joy (Barry Otto) returns to life finding the certainties of his former existence have entirely vanished. The world he previously knew, which saw him drifting amiably through life as a successful advertising executive, has become a literal living Hell. His wife Bettina (Lynette Curran) is in a sordid affair with Harry's business partner (Jeff Truman) and his teenage son (Miles Buchanan) engages in an incestuous relationship with his sister (Gia Carides) - exchanging drugs for sex with her... All around him people are dying of cancer and Harry's advertising agency has taken to promoting carcinogenic products.

Harry is convinced he actually is living in Hell and befriends an angel in the form of ex-prostitute Honey Barbara (Helen Jones) to return him to happiness.

History

To say it was ahead of its time is an understatement – the boldness of its metaphors and the sharpness of its satire were too much for many people in 1985. Indeed, the film was almost stillborn after 400 people walked out during its first screening at the Cannes Film Festival (another 1,600 stayed). No Australian distributor would touch it, especially once it received an ‘R’ classification, because of the depiction of incest between Harry’s children, David and Lucy (Gia Carides). The classification was overturned on appeal and the film eventually opened in the smallest cinema in Sydney, a former newsreel theatre with 130 seats. A couple of glowing reviews helped it to find an audience that kept growing. When the film won the AFI Awards for Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Adapted Screenplay for 1985, Bliss had become an art-house hit. It played for six months in Sydney and around the country.
(source http://aso.gov.au/titles/features/bliss/notes/)

Trailers & further information

The film http://aso.gov.au/titles/features/bliss/

The opera http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2009/s2781757.htm

Heckle & Jeckle's squawk on 'Cold Souls'

2010-07-16T12:58:00.007+09:30

HELLO FROM HECKLE AND JECKLE
Well, we really liked last night's weird film. 4 stars from both of us.
It took us a while to work out what was going on - was it of the old genre of the cold war, spies and espionage or was it about people smuggling? However, as it rolled on the penny dropped and we found ourselves very engrossed in the adventures of Paul (no snores from Jeckle this time) and his abandoned soul. What an imaginative and strange story.

To us, Paul was a very likeable character and his facial expressions were marvellous. In fact we liked all the characters except for the Russian "boss" (can't remember his name).

We decided that the moral of the story is to be comfortable with and accept yourself, no matter what your short comings.

Good choice committee. Thank you.
SQUWARK !!

POST SCRIPT
It was great that people hung around afterwards. The film had a lot of people nattering in the foyer, so Heckle hopped around surreptitiously and did some eavesdropping. The most interesting comment overheard was that this film about souls did not mention religion once. Excellent observation.

Heckle also reports that the latest Nova film seen is, I Am Love. In a word - Divine ! The great news is that the committee is negotiating for us to see it, so I will say no more at this stage.

Over and Out for sure this time.
SQUAWK !!

Next screening "Cold Souls" [USA/Russia]

2010-06-20T18:54:00.007+09:30

"Cold Souls" screens Thursday 8th July 2010
6.30pmpre-screening drinks and nibbles
7pmfilm screens

**** Margaret ***.5 David from ABC's At the Movies

"Much of cinema is so predictable these days. COLD SOULS isn’t." Margaret Pomeranz

Paul is an actor who feels bogged down by his participation in a production of Chekov's play, Vanya.

A soul searching comedy, from the hustle and bustle of New York City to the snow-bound streets of Moscow, Cold Souls is a surreal comedy in the vein of Being John Malkovich. Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Giamatti, an actor agonizing over his interpretation of the famously difficult role of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya in a new Broadway production.

Paralyzed by anxiety, he stumbles upon a solution via an article in the New Yorker about a high-tech company that promises to alleviate suffering by extracting the soul. Giamatti engages their services, but finds to his horror that his soul has the size and shape of a chickpea… But when he finds his life without a soul, well, soulless, Giamatti decides he wants his soul back—only to discover that it has been stolen by a mysterious soul-trafficking mule for re-introduction into an aspiring Russian soap starlet.

Giamatti is joined by David Strathairn ( Good Night and Good Luck ), Emily Watson ( Punch Drunk Love ) and Six Feet Under ’s Lauren Ambrose in this mind-bending response to bigger, better, shinier American consumerism—a dazzlingly inventive comedy which walks a tightrope between humour and gravity, reality and fantasy. {Synopsis courtesy Madman}

Classification M
Genre Comedy Drama
101 minute

Director: Sophie Barthes
Lead actor: Paul Giamatti
Cast: David Strathairn, Dina Korzun, Emily Watson, Katheryn Winnick, Lauren Ambrose

Trailer
http://www.madman.com.au/actions/video.do?method=view&videoId=1688

Margaret & David’s review
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2738624.htm

A squawk from Heckle & Jeckle re My Tehran for Sale

2010-06-20T18:18:00.004+09:30

A SQUAWK FROM HECKLE AND JECKLE
We have been very remiss lately with handing in our reviews. We have a good excuse though. We went on a 5 week holiday, then poor old Heckle got the flu, along with half the population of Mount Gambier. Anyway we are back on track now. It is so good to see that the audience numbers are pretty consistent despite the chilly weather.

My Tehran for sale was deserving of 3 1/2 stars in my estimation (Heckle's opinion only). Being one of those "dreadful, bleeding heart" refugee sympathisers, I found the familiar storyline heartbreaking and depressing, but the characters were endearing, especially Marzieh, the young woman seeking asylum. She was wonderfully stoic and dogged in her determination to escape to a life free of the danger of the vengeful men in her family. At times there were some rather long drawn out parts of the story, which seemed unneccessary, but I thought it was well done. Congratulations team on a good choice.

A short footnote here. Once again during a recent jaunt to Adelaide to see our brilliant children, we made it to another film at the Nova to see The White Ribbon. This was as excellent as Margaret and David have reported. A very grim story with sinister undertones of malevolence in the children and adults of a small German village. Filmed in black and white, the story was set during the period just before the first world war.

This is nothing to do with films, but we also went to see Big Mother, the newly acquired exhibit at the Art Gallery. It is absolutely amazing in that it is so incredibly lifelike. We loved it. It stirred all sorts of emmotions though - a degree of horror, affection and empathy but also for me a very deep sadness for some reason. Anyway go and see it.

My Tehran for Sale

2010-04-28T18:04:00.006+09:30

“A brave and absorbing film ... unique. I want to see it again” Evan Williams, The Australian

4 stars, “…an ode to a city under cultural siege” Margaret Pomeranz, At the Movies

Marzieh is a young female actress living in Tehran. The authorities ban her theatre work and, like all young people in Iran, she is forced to lead a secret life in order to express herself artistically.

At an underground rave, she meets Iranian born Saman, now an Australian citizen, who offers her a way out of her country and the possibility of living without fear.

Shot entirely on location in Tehran, MY TEHRAN FOR SALE tells the story of modern day Iranian youth struggling for cultural freedom. It brings to the screen never before seen images of modern urban Iran, and reveals how young Iranian people live behind closed doors.

MY TEHRAN FOR SALE is the first Iranian/Australian feature film collaboration and is the directorial debut of contemporary poet Granaz Moussavi.

Writer-director Granaz Moussavi is an established Iranian poet with several volumes of published verse. Migrating to Australia in 1997 with her family at the age of 22, she went on to graduate in filmmaking and editing. With this debut feature she returns to her native Tehran, employing former friends as lead actors and imbuing her fact-based tale with an angry personal intensity.

Strikingly attractive, if unrelentingly mournful, Marzieh Vafamehr dominates the screen as a dedicated fringe actress (also named Marzieh) who sees a rare opportunity to escape the state’s persecution of her art when she meets Saman (Chegini) at an illegal after-hours disco. He’s a tall, dark Iranian who, through his family’s emigration, now has Australian citizenship.The disco is raided by an outraged militia: “Do you think this is Europe?” one cries, lashing out. Marzieh and Saman start a relationship, become engaged and she begins the lengthy and often corrupt process of applying for a visa to enter the Australian ‘paradise’ that Saman talks about.

97 mins

Rated M

Iranian with English subtitles

Trailers

http://www.cyanfilms.com.au/projects_my_tehran_for_sale.html

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2738623.htm

Next screening 'Brides' from Greece, Thursday 14th April

2010-03-16T22:00:00.007+10:30

'BRIDES'

Thursday 15th April

6.30pm pre-screening complimentary glass of wine
7.00pm screening of 'Brides'

Greek with English subtitles

Executive producer Martin Scorsese

**** Margaret Pomeranz ***1/2 David Stratton

SYNOPSIS

"……A FASCINATING STORY OF DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES AND UNREQUITED LOVE." Jaimie Leonarder, THE MOVIE SHOW

American photojournalist Norman Harris (Damian Lewis) is about to return home to his wife in Detroit, disillusioned with work and life after having his images of the Greece-Turkey war rejected for being "too artistic".

Meanwhile in Samothrace, Greece, a young seamstress called Niki Douka (Victoria Haralabidou) is preparing her bags for Chicago where she is to marry a tailor she's never met. Norman and Niki find themselves on the same ship bound for America.

Norman is travelling first class. Niki is in third class, sharing the cramped space with seven hundred mail order brides from every corner of Greece, Turkey, Russia and Armenia. In heir suitcases each bride carries a photo of her prospective groom and a wedding gown. Sleazy bridal "agent" Karaboulat (Steven Berkoff) is official chaperone or the Russian brides, but he has a secret and sinister agenda for some of his charges...

While the other first class passengers drink and dance the night away, Norman worries about the plight of the brides. But it's the spirited Niki who really catches his eye, his feelings for her are deeper than anything he's ever felt before.

Trailer and review
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1469467.htm

Rated PG

Star Box results for Piccolo Italian Film Festival

2010-03-16T00:06:00.008+10:30

Lessons on Chocolate - awarded 3 stars by the majority of members and their guests

** 28%
*** 46%
*** 12%
***** 14%

Caravaggio - nearly half the audience awarded 4 stars

* 2%

** 20%
*** 27%
**** 49%
***** 2%

Next Screening "Piccolo Italian Film Festival" 4 March 2010

2010-02-16T19:55:00.017+10:30

We will start a bit earlier so we don't run too late screening these 2 feature films in our little Italian film festival.

Come along to either one or both of the films.

6pm "Lessons in Chocolate" (Lezioni di Cioccolato)

7.45pm Intermission – Italian flavoured supper (gold coin donation for the supper in place of the pre-screening nibbles would be greatly appreciated thanks)

8.15pm "Caravaggio"

end 10.30pm

6pm Lessons In Chocolate (90 mins)
Lezioni di Cioccolato

Director: Claudio Cupellini

Cast: Luca Argentero, Violante Placido, Neri Marcorè, Hassan Shapi, Josefia Forlì, Monica Scattini, Francesco Pannofino, Ivano Marescotti

Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uPYH95GUaM

Winner of Best Comedy and Best Actress (Violante Placido) at the 2007 Monte Carlo Comedy Film Festival, "Lessons in Chocolate" is a fresh and delightful comedy where humour and pathos are mixed in the right proportions.

Mattia (Luca Argentero), a building contractor in Perugia on a promising career path, is about to close the biggest deal of his professional life, when his illegally-hired worker Kamal (Hassani Shapi) is badly injured when he falls off some scaffolding. Kamal threatens to sue him unless... Mattia takes his place in an advanced chocolate making course! Kamal had came to Italy from his native Egypt to realize his dream of opening his own pastry shop, needing a diploma to do so, and now Mattia has no choice but to take Kamal’s place in the school and pretend to be him. But there, Mattia meets the model student Cecilia (Placido), who for her part, is anything but indifferent to his charm…

Among laughs, misunderstandings and mouth-watering recipes, Mattia will discover a way to bring his and Kamal's disparate cultures together while finding love and life at the same time.

2007 98' Digital 18+

8.15pm Caravaggio (130mins)

Director: Angelo Longoni

Cast: Alessio Boni, Paolo Briguglia, Elena Sofia Ricci, Jordi Mollà, Claire Kleim, Benjamin Sadler, Paolo Giovannucci

Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faNrm0oFxmk

The 17th century Italian artist Michelangelo Caravaggio (Nigel Terry) lies dying in poverty; he remembers his vibrant life, first as a youth, ...

CARAVAGGIO is a mesmerizing and beguiling biopic about the master Renaissance painter that captures the man as well as his work.

Alessio Boni plays Michelangelo “Michele” Merisi, born into a humble family in the town of Caravaggio (from which the future artist would derive his professional moniker). Cursed with a violent temper, Michele becomes as well known for his brawling as for his art, frequenting the seamier side of Rome and using its prostitutes and thieves as models, even for his religious paintings. Eventually, his art creates a fervent group of admirers, while his personal life establishes an equally dedicated battery of enemies…

Director Angelo Longoni (Have No Fear, IFF2005) sets up a complex and revealing interplay between the artist and his era, ably assisted by three–time Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now), Boni gives a great, full-bodied performance as the street fighter and father of one of the most remarkable bodies of work in the entire artistic canon.

2006 130' 35mm 18+

Star Box rating for "How much do you love me?

2010-02-16T19:44:00.003+10:30

Reels members and guests voted with our new Star Box to rate "How much do you love me?", which screened on Sunday 14th February 2010.

Results

* = 2 ** = 5 *** = 38 **** = 24 ***** = 5

"How much do you love me?

2010-01-31T21:49:00.005+10:30

Love is a big subject and on Valentine's Day Reels @ Wehl brings you a film about love but not love in a conventional sense. If you are in-love, out of love, single, happily married, happily divorced or you just love going to the movies, this is the film for you.

"How much do you love me?" is a French/Italian movie Combien tu gagnes? (France) Per sesso o per amore? (Italy) starring Monica Belluci and Gerard Depardieu and directed by Bertrand Blier

**** stars Margaret ***.5 David
Rated MA, duration 95 minutes, genre comedy
Sunday 14th February

2.45pm for a glass of champagne.

Film commencing 3.15pm

SYNOPSIS
Controversial French writer and director, Bertrand Biler brings us the highly provocative How Much Do You Love Me? an intensely seductive story about beauty, sex and love.

Balding, elfin-eared Francois (Bernard Campan) enters a hooker-in-the-window joint in Paris' Pigalle district to meet the woman who has become his sexual obsession the voluptuous, fur coat wearing Daniela (Monica Bellucci). Her services can be had for 150 euros and an overpriced bottle of champagne. Francois doesn't balk at the cost. Instead, he reveals that he has just won a fortune in France's lotto and will give her 100,000 euros a month to live with him until the money runs out. Daniela accepts and appears to cheerfully transform herself into the domestic housewife of every man's dreams. But Francois has a heart condition and Daniela's unnerving gangster boyfriend Charly (Gerard Depardieu) isn't about to let her go. The fact that Daniela is a sex worker implies that any man with the necessary cash can have her. But even though Francois can pay to touch her, can he get under her skin?

Trailer and review http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1608292.htm

Subtitled in English

2010-01-08T14:28:00.004+10:30

Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis
Welcome to the Sticks (literally, Welcome to the Land of the Ch’tis)

Thursday 21st January 2010
6.30pm pre-screening drink and nibbles
7.00pm film screens

With 20.2 million viewers, it is the most successful French film in in the history of French cinema and surpassing the previous record set by Hollywood blockbuster “Titanic”

Synopsis
Post office manager Philippe Abrams (Kad Merad) and his wife Julie (Zoé Félix) love the sunny South of France. But when Philippe gets caught trying to cheat his way into a transfer to a Riviera resort, the punishment could not be worse. Philippe must pay for his sins by spending three years at a post office in the dreaded Nord Pas de Calais, France's northernmost region, reputed for its heavy industry and cool climate. Leaving Julie and their son Raphael behind and braving the chilly North alone, Philippe soon finds himself having quite a good time with the friendly, fun-loving Northerners. He comes to appreciate the local cuisine and even learns to get by in ch'ti, their incomprehensible patois. But should he let on to the unbelieving Julie? Depressive by nature, she's never been happier than in her new role as the supportive wife of a man battling with adversity, it's a tricky call...
Source: Dendy Cinemas http://www.dendy.com.au/moviedetail.asp?Mov_ID=M1583

The inhabitants of this lost region are termed the Ch'tis in recognition of two key features of the Picarde patois. French 's' sounds become 'ch', and personal pronouns such as 'toi' and 'moi' become 'ti' and 'mi'. The blizzard of misunderstandings in which these and other dialectical oddities entrap Philippe constitute one of the most elaborate, protracted and relentlessly side-splitting linguistic adventures ever attempted on-screen.
Source: Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/jul/21/french.cinema

Politics of the film

In May 2008, the film became the object of controversial remarks by Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the Front National political party. Le Pen, who claimed to have disliked the film, argued that the people of Nord-Pas-de-Calais do not look like the two main characters of the movie. He then added that "this is normal, since both of them are Arabs."

The film was also criticized for its filming location. The movie was filmed in Bergues where the locals speak both patois Ch'timi (a derivative of Picard) and French Flemish (a dialect of Dutch). This angered some advocates[who?] of the Dutch dialect who are struggling to keep the language alive.

While trying to promote the Northern dialect of French and fighting clichés, the film also shocked Occitans as Midi French people are not only portrayed as narrow-minded and prejudiced but worse still, none of the actors (mostly Parisians) have the typical Southern accent apart from a gendarme and a senile madman.[citation needed]

Line Renaud's 'Ch'ti' accent was also criticized by some Northerners as not being authentic. Line Renaud was born in Pont-de-Nieppe near Armentières.
Source Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bienvenue_chez_les_Ch

Trailers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErkEkhYvZ38

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2361573.htm

Next screening "Wake in Fright" Thursday 10th December 2009

2009-12-01T21:51:00.017+10:30

6.30pm pre-screening drink
7.00pm film screens commences
Rated M

****1/2 David Stratton **** Margaret Pomeranz 7.9/10 IMDB

"The best and most terrifying film about Australia in existence" - Nick Cave

We are very pleased to announce the Australian classic and now Cannes' classic, "Wake in Fright" will be screened.

This year Wake in Fright was inaugurated into the Cannes' Film Festival Classics after originally being nominated for the 1971 Cannes 'Grand Prix du Festival International du Film' (now know as Palme d'Or/Golden Palm). The film disappeared and it was the then editor of the film who traced the negatives to a vault in America. He found them a couple of days before they were due to be destroyed. There's a story in itself ....

Brutal, uncompromising and stunning WAKE IN FRIGHT tells is the story of a young
teacher, John Grant, who arrives in a rough outback mining town planning to stay
overnight before catching the plane to Sydney. But, on this one hot night in
Bundanyabba, Grant decides to go into a smoky, crowded pub...

However, one night stretches to five, in which he discovers gambling, ruins himself
financially and plunges headlong toward his own destruction.

When the alcohol-induced mist lifts, the educated John Grant is no more. Instead there is a self-loathing man in a desolate wasteland, dirty, red-eyed, sitting against a
tree and looking at a rifle with one bullet left...

There is no Australian film quite like WAKE IN FRIGHT. Nominated for the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971 and still as raw and fresh today as it was then, rediscover this lost cinematic masterpiece as it screens for the first time in
nearly 40 years. (courtesy http://www.wakeinfright.com/ and refer this website for history and more information)

Wake in Fright was shot in Broken Hill and Sydney at Ajax Studios, Bondi. The film is produced by George Willoughby, Bill Harmon and Howard G. Barnes, directed by Ted Kotcheff and starring British actors Donald Pleasence, Gary Bond and Sylvia Kay, and Australian star Chips Rafferty (in his last feature film). Other cast members include a young Jack Thompson in his first feature film role, Al Thomas, Peter Whittle and John Meillon. More info on our blog site, including the history of finding the film.

LINKS

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2590361.htm

Wake in Fright interview with Director Ted Kotcheff http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2598365.htm

Rated M

Next Screening "There will be Blood" Thursday 19th November 2009

2009-11-04T19:19:00.017+10:30

6.30pm pre-screening drink
7.00pm film screens commences

***** David Stratton ****1/2 Margaret Pomeranz 8.2/10 IMDB 113,655 voters

A sprawling epic of family, faith, power and oil. There will be Blood is set on the incindenary frontier of California's turn-of-the century petroleum boom.The story chronicles the life of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), who transforms himself from a down-and-out silver miner raising a son on his own to a self-made tycoon.

Reviews and trailers

http://www.therewillbeblood.com/

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2143983.htm

Awards
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469494/awards

RATED M

Next screening "Milk" Thursday 17 Sept 2009

2009-08-10T23:19:00.007+09:30

6.30pm pre-screening drink
7.00pm film commences

***** David ****1/2 Margaret ABC’s ‘At the Movies’

Academy Award Winner Sean Penn – Best Actor

"Milk" - Never Blend In
The story of California’s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978.

In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans.

Academy Award winner Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk under the direction of Academy Award nominee Gus Van Sant filmed on location in San Francisco from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black and produced by Academy Award winners Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen.

The film charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk’s life.

Above synposis courtesy Film in Focus - to continue reading more go to their website
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/synopsis

Trailer and review http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2425401.htm

More info on Film in Focus
http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/?flashsection=videos

Rated M

Heckle 'n Jeckle review of "Band's Visit"

2009-07-11T17:15:00.001+09:30

Hello Film Buffs

Poor Jeckle was ill so it's down to Heckle to go it alone with thoughts about The Band's Visit. It took a little while for me to "get into" this film but once there I was hooked. It was a simple story about a situation which occurs all the time - two disparate groups of people accidentally thrown together. The relationship between some of the band members and their hosts, during their short time together brought some of their life choices to the fore with varying degrees of regret. However their self discovery left me feeling that all would be well for them. The film was both poignant and funny. The band members were rediculous, but dignified - very likeable. I loved the bleak, but beautiful landscape, contrasting with the blue uniforms. It was a 3 1/2 star rating for me.

Goodbye Lenin - seen by Heckle and Jeckle at the Nova - but we'll be there with bells on to see it again. Don't miss it!! Once again a sad but funny film. It's about a loving family protecting their dying mother from the truth about the fact that Lenin is no longer.

Next screening "Good Bye Lenin!" Thursday 23 July 2009

2009-07-06T23:41:00.004+09:30

"This Award-winning and audience-pleasing film - it stunned the box office in Germany - has impressive performances and a lovely premise."Margaret Pomeranz, The Movie Show

**** David Stratton, The Movie Show

"one of the most original and brilliant films this year." The Observer/BBC

"A heart-warming German blockbuster, Good Bye, Lenin!, dominated the European Film Awards, taking six top prizes at the 16th annual competition" Sydney Morning Herald

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJb4efZcFUM

Synopsis (courtesy Madman films)
The German Democratic Republic lives on -- in 79 square meters!

The year is 1989 and East and West Germany are still divided. Alex (Daniel Bruhl) and his sister Ariane (Maria Simon) live in East Germany with their single mother, Christiane (Katrin Sass) who is a staunch Socialist. When Alex's mother witnesses his arrest on a protest march, she suffers a heart attack and falls into a coma for eight months, just enough time for the Berlin wall to come tumbling down along with all of East Germany's ideals.When Chrisiane wakes up - things have changed. The doctors warn Alex that any shock could bring on a fatal heart attack, so Alex devises a plan to convince his mother that her beloved Communism has not been overthrown but is in fact triumphing over Capitalism. Alex sets out to recreate every detail of the old East inside the four walls of their tiny council flat. What begins as a little white lie, soon turns into a major deception with hilarious consequences.

Rated M
In German with English subtitles

Director: Wolfgang Becker
Cast: Daniel Brühl, Katrin Sas, Chulpan Khamatova, Chulpan Khamatova, Chulpan Khamatova

Trivia from IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0301357/trivia

Reminder - our AGM is just before the film at 5.30pm

Next screening “Bikur Ha-Tizmoret (The Band’s Visit)” from Israel

2009-05-20T22:30:00.002+09:30

Thursday 25th June 2009

6.30pm pre-screening drink
7.00pm film commences

*****1/2 David **** Margaret

"I'm giving it four and a half. I love this film" David Stratton

A Egyptian police band arrives in Israel to perform at the Arab Arts Cultural Centre, only to find themselves in the wrong town...

The eight members of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Band, led by Toofik, (SASSON GABAI), arrive at an airport in Israel and find no-one is there to meet them.They are here to play at the Arab Culture Centre in a provincial town, but the town they arrive at, by bus, is the wrong one – a dot in the desert where culture of any kind is non-existent. However there IS Dina, (RONIT ELKABETZ), who runs a local café.Dina invites Toofik and Khaled, (SALEH BAKRI), who is a bit of a ladies’ man, to stay at her place; the others find friendly locals who accommodate them. (courtesy ABC 'At the Movie's review)

Rated M
Written (in Arabic, English and Hebrew, with English subtitles) and directed by Eran Kolirin;

Filmed at Yeruham, Negev Desert, Israel

Trailer and ABC's At The Movies review http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2265615.htm

Director’s interview
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2265627.htm

“Sukkar Banat (Caramel)” Thursday 14th May 2009

2009-03-23T20:53:00.001+10:30

**** David ***1/2 Margaret

Thursday 14th May
6.30pm pre-screening drink
7.00pm film commences

“Caramel” has an optimism born not of dreamy romanticism but of resilience and a degree of hard-headedness. Life for these women is not easy or especially fair, and each of them faces moments of humiliation, loneliness and potential heartbreak. But in the best melodramatic tradition, their toughness, good humor and loyalty see them through. Those qualities, and Ms. Labaki’s evident affection for the battered panache of her native city, make “Caramel” hard to resist. A O Scott, New York Times

Synopsis
A Beirut beauty salon is the setting for the ups and downs of romantic life for a group of Lebanese women in CARAMEL. Layale is the owner of the salon who is unsatisfactorily involved with a married man. Her salon colleagues Nisrine and Rima are sympathetic and supportive, while local policeman Youssef is secretly besotted by her.Nisrine has problems of her own, she’s about to get married and is worried that her husband will find out she’s not a v_rg_n and Rima is ambivalent about her own s__uality. Meanwhile salon clients Jamale and Rose are concerned about aging and lost opportunities.

Trailer
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2350018.htm

Next screening "Lucky Miles" Thursday 19th March 2009

2009-03-02T21:44:00.005+10:30

**** Margaret ***1/2 David

Rated MA

Thursday 19th March, 6pm pre-screening drink, 6.30pm film commences

Our first Australian movie the film society has screened. "Lucky Miles" opened the previous Adelaide Film Festival and was the winner of the Audience Award at the Sydney Film Festival. A bitter-sweet comedy was a daring approach by first time feature director, Michael James Rowland, to a phenomenon that many Australians take very seriously

SYNOPSIS:It's 1990 and an Indonesian fishing boat abandons a dozen Iraqi and Cambodian refugees on a remote Western Australian beach, promising them that a bus over the sandhills will soon come and take them to Perth. When the fishing boat sinks on its way home, the two people smugglers also end up in the empty outback. Most of the men are quickly caught, except for two of the asylum seekers and one of the fishermen. The three, Arun (Kenneth Moraleda), Youssif (Rodney Afif) and the fisherman Ramelan (Srisacd Sacdpraseuth), with nothing in common but their misfortune and determination, escape arrest and begin an epic journey through the deserted landscape. Laconically pursued by an army reservist unit, they bicker amongst themselves as they try to find a big town - like Broome or Perth - without the slightest idea of the distances involved.

Trailers
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1963611.htm

http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=13304&s=Reviews

Member review “Heckle and Jeckle”

We’ll be holidaying for the next film, LUCKY MILES, but don’t miss this little gem of an Aussie film. We saw it at the Nova in Adelaide and loved it. Full of poignancy and black humour, it is based on the true story of a small group of naive asylum seekers who are left on a remote West Australian shore by some unscrupulous people smugglers, who have promised them that civilisation is “just over the hill”. Their long and arduous journey to civilisation is funny and heart wrenching. We loved the characters for their tenacity, courage and optimism. The acting is fantastic, the scenery is magnificent as only the Australian wilderness can be and the 10 second final scene is an absolute corker
!

Nom de plume review

2009-02-28T18:45:00.005+10:30

Two of our members - with a non-de plume of Heckle and Jeckle - are kindly reviewing our films screened.

FOREVER VESPA wasn’t the most riveting of documentaries, but learning about the history of this Italian icon was great. Judging by the general age of our fellow viewers, we suspect there was quite a bit of nostalgia wafting through the theatre. It was a real wander down memory lane for us. In the 60s, several of our fellow student nurses rode Vespa Scooters. During the interval we well recalled the night that 12 of us, having consumed a considerable amount of Barossa Pearl, crammed into and onto our friend Heather’s little red Fiat Bambino and drove around the block at the Sir Lyell McEwin hospital. Very irresponsible!!

Next Screening 'Piccolo Italian Film Festival'

2009-01-22T10:35:00.007+10:30

Thursday 19th February - film screens 6.30pm sharp - doors close 6.35pm

Our members will be treated to two films for their February film! Our "Piccolo Italian Film Festival" will screen two films from the International Italian Film Festival that toured worldwide, including all Australian capital cities and is now screening in New Zealand. The first film to be screened is "Forever Vespa "and one TBA.

Screening night will be a little different - screening "Forever Vespa" at 6.30pm sharp, then intermission with complimentary glass of wine, nibbles and second screening. NB: Doors close 6.35pm.

Forever Vespa
The Vespa: an Italian symbol of a fresh start at the end of World War II; a picture of optimism and of growing wealth; an emblem of the family; and the witness of many love stories. Exactly 62 years after its arrival on the scene, the Vespa is still a cult object worldwide for young and old, a vehicle capable of changing its look while keeping its own familiar design. The Vespa, a mere scooter, has remained in vogue for no less than six decades. Its story runs parallel with the history of Italy and Europe from the end of the war until present day, step by step with the social and cultural changes that have taken place in the last 60 years.

The story is narrated with the help of firsthand testimonials, exclusive interviews with those who first launched the Vespa on the market, designers of various models over the years, those who have analysed the Vespa phenomenon, as well as charming interviews with collectors and fans of Vespas worldwide. (Synopsis courtesy New Zealand Italian Film Festival 2008)

Voting now open for The Secret of the Grain

2009-01-09T00:18:00.003+10:30

Well, that one made for some lively discussion over dinner and a few reds. What did you think? One of our member's went home to couscous tonight!

Go to the right of this page and have a vote and let us know what you thought.

Next movie 19th February - more details shortly. See you all then!

Next Screening '‘la graine et le mulet (The Secret of the Grain)’

2008-12-04T21:06:00.013+10:30

Our next screening is "‘la graine et le mulet (The Secret of the Grain)" Thursday 8th January 2009, 6pm for 6.30pm start.

Rated M. French with English subtitles. Director: Abdellatif Kechiche.

This will be a good film to go out afterwards for a drink, something to eat and a chat, as the reviews are disparate and the conclusion ambiguous – which will only add to the liveliness of our discussions! See you next year ...

**** Margaret Pomeranz ABC's 'At the Movies'. David Stratton didn't agree ...

7.5/10 International Movie Database - 1,075 votes

**** Phillipa Hawker, The Age

Watch the Trailer and view Awards and watch Margaret Pomeranz talk with director, Abdellatif Kechiche

“This rewarding yet heartbreaking film explores a story of family and
individuality.”

“The conclusion … is ambiguous, but its emotional impact
is direct and painful.”

Winner Venice Film Festival 2007 Special Jury Award
Winner 2007 Cesar Awards (French Academy) Best Picture

"French director Adbellatif Kechiche’s film about the lives
of a North African Arab family in France is distinguished by Habib Boufares’s /deeply affecting performance as a retrenched dock worker seeking a new life in business. " *** by Evan Williams, The Weekend Australian

"At the port of Sète Mr. Slimani, a tired sixty year old, drags himself towards a shipyard job which has become more and more difficult to
cope with as the years go by. He is a divorced father who forces himself to stay close to his family despite the scissions and tensions which are easily sparked off and which financial difficulties make even more intense. He is going through a delicate period in his life and recently, everything seems to make him feel useless; a failure. He wants to escape from it all and set up his own restaurant. However it appears to be an unreachable dream given his meagre, irregular salary which is not anywhere near enough to supply what he needs to realise his ambition. But he can still dream and talk about it with his family in particular. A family which gradually recompacts around this project which comes to symbolise the means to a better life. Thanks to their ingeniousness and hard work this dream soon becomes a reality... Or almost...: Written by Venice Film Festival

Next Screening 'Lust Caution'

2008-10-22T22:41:00.006+10:30

Our next screening is "Lust, Caution" Thursday 27th November, 6pm
Director: Ang Lee
Main Cast: Tony Leung Chiu Wai Wei Tang Joan Chen
Rated R for high level sex scenes and some violence.

**** from Margaret Pomeranz and ****1/2 stars from David Stratton (ABC's At the Movies)

Provocative, thrilling and passionate, Lust, Caution is the daring new film from acclaimed Academy Award®-winning director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).

Set against the backdrop of a transforming country, a young woman finds herself swept up in a radical plot to assassinate a ruthless and secretive intelligence agent. As she immerses herself in her role as a cosmopolitan seductress, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game that will ultimately determine her fate.

Excerpt from Margaret Pomeranz's review '.....LUST, CAUTION is set during the Japanese occupation of China during World War II when a young student, TANG WEI, becomes embroiled in patriotic politics.Her mission is to seduce a prominent collaborator Mr Yee, (TONY LEUNG CHIU-WAI) to set him up for ssassination.This languorous, beautiful film defies Asian convention with its explicit sex scenes. But they are the point of the film, an ode to passion and sensuality.'

Awards for Lust, Caution
*** Winner best film Golden Lion Venice 2007
*** Nominee best foreign film Golden Globe 2008
*** London film estival 2007
*** Toronto Film Festival 2007
*** BAFTA 2008

More quotes from Margaret Pomeranz, ABC's 'At The Movies'

"The performances are astounding"
"Every frame of this film is a work of art"
"This is a most sensual, satisfying, moving film"

Visit ABC's At The Movies for trailer and review
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2099620.htm

Village Roadshow site:
http://www.villagecinemas.com.au/Movies/Lust-Caution.htm

Official website:
http://www.bvi.com.tw/movies/lust_caution/main.html

Annie Leibovitz - Life Through A Lens

2008-09-23T20:01:00.008+09:30

Screens Thursday 16th October 2008, doors open 6pm at Wehl Street Theatre, Mount Gambier.

Barbara Leibovitz's star-studded documentary illuminates the personal and professional life of renowned photographer, Annie Leibovitz.
Tracing her career trajectory from Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and beyond, Life Through a Lens delves into the loss of her partner, Susan Sontag, the joys of parenting and her battle with drug addiction. But throughout it is Leibovitz's artistic practice that truly takes centre stage.

“An insightful look into how an artist ultimately confronts life and loss through a lens.”
Phil Gallo, Variety

"You don't have to sort of enhance reality. There is nothing stranger than truth."
Annie Leibovitz

“The most engaging aspects of this film are those that deliver the subject herself, holding forth at length about her life and work, which she does with affecting eloquence.”
Wall St Journal

She laughs off her over-the-top set-ups--like painting the Blues Brothers blue. But there's something else about her images that captures the imagination, and this gift was there back in her earliest photos, snapped when she was an army brat in the Philippines during the Vietnam War, through her hedonistic touring days with the Rolling Stones (of course followed by a stint in rehab) to her shots of today's political leaders. This is an open, thoughtful and frank documentary, and besides its revealing sketch of Leibovitz it also says something important about pop culture and the commercialisation of art. Especially as the photographer is now almost as famous as the people she photographs.

This stunning documentary features Mikhail Baryshnikov, Tina Brown, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Mick Jagger, Bette Midler, Demi Moore, Yoko Ono, Keith Richards, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patti Smith, Gloria Steinem, Jann Wenner and Anna Wintour.

Quote from the Chairman, Federation Victorian Film Societies

2008-08-25T22:03:00.003+09:30

We are very proud to have received this comment

"Contrary to current cinema practice, this dynamic new Film Society understands the importance of a well-presented, quality movie, shown in the welcoming company of like-minded, intelligent lovers of film.”

Bryan Putt,
Chairman of Board
FVFS, August 2008

A member of FVFS

2008-08-24T20:56:00.004+09:30

We have been accepted as a member of the Federation of Victorian Film Societies (FVFS) http://www.fvfs.org.au/

Film societies are not-for-profits operating around the world. FVFS is a member of the Australian Council of Film Societies http://www.acofs.org.au/ which is a member of the International Federation of Film Societies http://www.filmklubb.no/IFFS.php - a world wide umbrella group to support film societies.

Worldwide, film societies thrive on members - so tell those in our world of Reel @ Wehl film society to grow our membership base and continue bringing quality films to our community.

above article published in The Border Watch 19/8/2008

The Edge of Heaven (Yasamin Kiyisinda)

2008-08-03T21:28:00.003+09:30

****½Margaret ****½ David, from ABC’s ‘At the Movies’

‘… truly is a major achievement…’ Margaret Pomeranz

‘….It's terrific…’ David Stratton

Thursday 4th September

6pm pre-screening drinks and nibbles 6.30pm screening

Wehl Street Theatre, Mount Gambier

Winner of The Ecumenical Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, The Edge of Heaven is Fatih Akin's fifth feature. Recently nominated as the German entry for Best Foreign Film Academy Awards 2008.This film sure to engage and enthrall audiences

.
"Anyone who enjoyed Babel will... enjoy The Edge of Heaven." Cinematical, Cannes

"...gorgeously shot, and full of rich performances." Cinematical, Cannes

Nejat seems disapproving about his widower father Ali's choice of prostitute Yeter for a live-in girlfriend. But he grows fond of her when he discovers she sends money home to Turkey for her daughter's university studies. Yeter's sudden death distances father and son. Nejat travels to Istanbul to search for Yeter's daughter Ayten. Political activist Ayten has fled the Turkish police and is already in Germany. She is befriended by a young woman, Lotte, who invites rebellious Ayten to stay in her home, a gesture not particularly pleasing to her conservative mother Susanne. When Ayten is arrested and her asylum plea is denied, she is deported and imprisoned in Turkey. Lotte travels to Turkey, where she gets caught up in the seemingly hopeless situation of freeing Ayten. (Synposis courtesy Sharmill Films)

View Trailer: http://www.sharmillfilms.com.au/previews/edgetrail.htm

We are now an official Film Society

2008-07-27T19:11:00.008+09:30

Reels@Wehl has become an official Film Society. We will be affiliating with the Victorian Federation of Film Societies (FVFS) who have David Stratton from ABC’s 'At the Movies' as their Patron. See below for membership fees, films we will be screening and the objectives and rules of a the Film Society.

We will continue screening every 6 weeks at Wehl Street Theatre on Thursdays (day dependent upon availability of theatre)

2008-2009 Full Membership
10 films $70
5 films $40
3 films $27
Concession
10 films $50
5 films $30
3 films $21

Member Benefits
* Quality films
* 2 free guest passes per year
* One free glass of wine pre-screening
* Email newsletter
* Friendly atmosphere to discuss film
* Part of a world-wide organisation of film societies
* Knowledge that you help keep independent cinema alive

For membership form please email reelsatwehl@gmail.com or come to our next screening and sign up (sorry, no single ticket sales, as this is a film society for members under copyright legislation).

Films we aim to screen
We aim to screen a variety of film genres, those not normally availabe at commercial cinema, including Australian arthouse, foreign films, classics, documentaries, animation.

The films we are able to access will be dependent upon availability from distributors. If you have suggestions please let us know and we will endeavour to source the film but cannot make guarantees.

The films we have screend include:
The Edge of Heaven (Yasamin Kiyisinda - Auf der anderen Seite) - Rated M
Turkey/German 2007 Directed and written by Fatih Akin 4.5 stars Margaret and David, ABC’s ‘At the Movies’
Winner of the Best Screenplay award at Cannes Festival 2007, Fatih Akin’s THE EDGE OF HEAVEN is a beautifully structured, emotionally draining drama which moves back and forth from Germany to Turkey in a seamless story of interlocking lives. (Review courtesy ‘At the Movies’)

Life Through a Lens: Annie Leibowitz – rated M
USA 2006, Director Barbara Leibovitz
This film traces the artistic self-realization of Annie Leibovitz, from childhood through the death of her beloved friend, Susan Sontag, and includes snippets of Leibovitz's last visual memories of Sontag. The film traces the arc of her photographic life, her aspirations to artistry, and the trajectory of her career through phases that included the tumultuous sixties in Berkeley, CA., touring with the Rolling Stones, a mentorship by Hunter S. Thompson, and, later, capturing the last candid moments of John Lennon's life with Yoko Ono. The archival material presented here is invaluable for framing an understanding of this immeasurably influential visual artist. (courtesy IMBD)

Objectives and Rules
Objectives: Reels at Wehl Film Society’s objectives for the community of the Limestone Coast, South Australia are:
1 To encourage interest in the film as an art and as a medium of information and education by means of the exhibition of films of all kinds.
2 To promote the study and appreciation of film by means of lectures, discussions, exhibitions and publications.

Rules
1. Membership
1.1 Reels at Wehl is a membership based film society. You can join as a member prior to the screening. Membership fees are contained on the promotional flyer and the membership form.
1.2 Reels at Wehl is structured as a membership based film society because we are a not-for-profit organisation relying on the assistance of the Australian Film Commission to be able to screen films on the understanding that we do not run a commercial operation. It also enables access to films that are restricted to film societies and educational institutions only. We need your generous support to continue operating to be able to screen films that would not generally be screened in a commercial venue.
Can I purchase a single ticket?
Sorry, no, as this is a film society the purchase of a single ticket is deemed a commercial screening and therefore is not allowed due to the copyright licencing laws.
2 Membership forms
2.1 As a film society we need to keep a record of your details as part of your membership registration. We abide by Australia’s privacy legislation and do not sell your details to third parties. It is a requirement of being a film society that we have a record of members to prove we are operating as a bona fide film society.
2.2 Being a not-for-profit means we do not have excess funds for advertising. With your details we can be in touch quickly with the latest screenings and news and special member offers.
2.3 We also require that you date and sign your membership application form to indicate that you abide by the conditions of membership. If you don’t complete the application in full, we cannot admit you as a member.
2.4 Membership passes are limited to one person.
2.5 Occasionally we will have screenings where we may invite members to bring along a guest for free.
3.1 All Reels at Wehl memberships are only valid for the number of consecutive films for which they are purchased (ie, if you purchase 10 films in September 2008 that entitles you to 10 consecutive films and cannot be used over ensuing years).
4 Selection of films to screen
4.1 A committee of volunteers selects the films to screen. We want to hear from you on suggestions of films to screen and depending on expense and availability from distributors we will try our hardest to obtain the films but we can make no guarantees.

Next screening 'The Italian' 5 stars from Margaret 4 from David, ABC's At the Movies

2008-06-25T22:18:00.008+09:30

A film that states that the heart speaks louder than the intellect, the story of The Italian revolves around six year old Vanya. Living comfortably as an adopted child with an Italian family, Vanya's quest for more leads him on a journey to find his real mother. (Sharmill Films Australia)

It’s a pretty tall order to ask a six-year-old to suddenly take on responsibility for his own life. The questions facing Vanya are really tough: does he want to live a comfortable life as an adopted child of a loving family in Italy? After all, for an abandoned Russian child like Vanya it really doesn’t sound like a bad option.

The orphan has recently become a figure with a powerful resonance in post-Soviet filmmaking. This film is set in a privatised institution run by a profit-oriented proprietor and effectively administered by a gang of juvenile inmates. Things are looking up for six-year-old Vanya, though. He is about to be adopted (or purchased might be a better way of putting it) by a benevolent Italian couple. However, Vanya is a child as dogged and resourceful as he is inconvenient when his imagination is fired by the prospect of finding his mother. Andrei Kravchuk’s film is a delight for the ears with its densely layered soundtrack conjuring up an off-centre world in which you can never feel truly at ease or at home. (Adelaide Film Festival 2007).

Director : Andrei Kravchuk, Russia, 2006

Full review by Maraget and Dave, ABC's At the Movies

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1900161.htm

Trailer http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/theitalian/trailer/

Official Russian Entry-2006 Academy Awards, Best Foreign Language Film

Recipe from our last event

2008-06-25T22:09:00.004+09:30

Herbed Cream Cheese
The secret is fresh herbs and I added about a third more than the recipe. This can be served on cucumber rounds or pumpernickel bread.

125 g packet cream cheese
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 green shallots, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 long green cucumber
fresh oregano sprigs, extra
few bits red pepper for garnish

Blend everything together (except for oregano sprigs). Slice cucumber, top with mixture then extra oregano and pieces of red pepper. Cover, refrigerate 2 hours.

Recipe for Glögg - new DVD projector

2008-04-21T23:05:00.006+09:30

Wehl Street Theatre now has a new DVD projector and the quality is excellent!

Glögg is traditional Swedish mulled wine and is very delicious for autumn and the ensuing winter months.

Glögg, Mulled Wine
5 whole white cardamom pods, cracked
2 whole cloves
1 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon dried orange peel
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup Madiera wine or 1 cup good-quality red wine such as (we've deleted their recommendation to add a good drop from our esteemed regions here in the South East)

Put all of the ingredients in a stainless steel pan and slowly heat but do not boil. Strain and drink immediately or forݠ tronger flavor, let spices steep for several hours or overnight;strain and gently reheat.

Copyright © 1997 Judith Pierce Rosenberg All Rights Reserved. http://www.swedishkitchen.com/glogg.html