(Australia) 114 mins Rated M

Wednesday 25th November

Considered an Australian Classic, Wake in Fright tells the story of a young English teacher, John Grant (Gary Bond) who arrives at an outback mining town planning to stay over night en route to Sydney, however fate intervenes.

Meeting the local policeman Jock Crawford (Chips Raffety), John is taken on a pub crawl and joins forces with "Doc" (Donald Pleasance) which leads to five debauched days of hell - gambling, drinking and roo shooting.  
Based on Kenneth Cook's 1961 novel, the movie was produced in 1971 directed by Ted Kotcheff. Although nominated for the Golden Palm award, the film had lukewarm reception here as it was considered too raw and confronting. However, it is thought by many in the film industry to be the start of the renaissance of Australian movies.

In 1996 its producer, the veteran entertainer, Bobby Limb, wondered what had become of the film. A 10 year search by the screen editor, Tony Buckley, found the negative in a CBS vault in Pittsburgh. He collaborated with the National Film and Sound Archive to restore the film, returning it to its original version.

(France) 121 mins Rated PG

Wednesday 18th November

Set in the village of Senlis, not far from Paris, in 1914, Serephine tells the true story of a middle aged housekeeper who scrubs and washes during the day but at night, with divine assistance, she paints. Mixing her own paints from moss, candle wax and animal blood, the subject of her paintings is the beauty she sees around her.

Her talent is discovered by her employer, Wilhem Uhde (Ulrich Tukur) a German art dealer who encourages her but World War I and the Depression intervene and 13 years go by before they meet again. Uhde becomes her patron, selling her increasingly eccentric paintings, which now have become masterpieces of modern primitivism.

Director and Co-screenwriter Martin Provost collected seven César Awards including Best Film, Best Costume Design and Best Actress. Yolande Moreau (Amelie/Paris Je T'aime) gives a brilliant performance as Serephine, who walks a tightrope between ecstasy and mental illness.

Laurent Brunet's cinematography adds a marvellous dimension to the film, bringing to life the French countryside of that era.

(Italy) 105 mins Rated M
Wednesday 4th November

In Quiet Chaos, Pietro (Nanni Moretti) saves two women from drowning and then arrives home to find his wife has suddenly died. Left to care for Claudia, his 10 year old daughter, his life changes radically. No longer is he interested in his executive position at a film company but deals with his bereavement by sitting in the park and waiting for Claudia to finish school.

His relatives and friends visit him there and their own dramas seem to melt away. Gradually Pietro looks at the world through different eyes.

This charming film was adapted from Sandro Veronesi's prize winning novel by Moretti (Dear Diary/ The Son's Room). Nominated in every classification, it has won three awards at the Italian Donatello awards including Best Actor and Best Soundtrack which
compliments the film beautifully.

(Australia) 94 mins Rated M
Wednesday 21st October

Three young Naval Officers are on their last night's leave in Sydney. Three Blind Mice tells the story of these young men and what they do in the 12 hours before embarking for Iraq. It is obvious what Harry (Matthew Newton), a ladies' man, wants to do but Dean (Toby Schmitz) and Sam (Ewen Lesnie) have other ideas.

This comedy drama has been written and directed by Matthew Newton who has used a veritable who's who of Australian actors in cameo roles - Barrie Otto, Jackie Weaver, Pia Miranda and Charles ‘Bud' Tingwell in one of his last roles, all have complimented Newton's fine ensemble script.

Although the film has had limited distribution, it has won well deserved recognition in the international festival circuit and was highly recommended at the Sydney Film Festival.

(France/Greece/Italy) 110 mins Rated M
Wednesday 16th September

Set somewhere in the Aegean Sea, Eden is West starts with an illegal immigrant, Elias (Riccardo Scamarcio) jumping ship, swimming to the lights on shore.

Unbeknown to him, it is a nudist beach of an exotic resort, and so hisadventure begins. Elias's goal is to start a new life in Paris and we travel with him on his quest, experiencing his endeavors and meeting people of many backgrounds – some with evil intent and others with the milk of human kindness.

Veteran Greek director Costa-Gavras (Z/Missing) has given this film a fairy tale quality likening Elias to a modern day Ulysses with beautiful scenery from France and Greece.