Current Films
Tickets are $14.00 across the board, not bad eh!
Where Hands Touch
Award-winning filmmaker Amma Asante (Belle) directs this story of a bi-racial teen struggling for survival in Nazi Germany.
"Rudesheim, the Rhineland, 1944. Lenya (Stenberg) has come of age during the chaos of war. Her mother (Abbie Cornish) has done her best to protect Lenya, but the racist credo of National Socialism has rendered her a pariah for the colour of her skin. Yet youthful ardour can bloom in the most unlikely places: Lenya is in love with Lutz (George MacKay), a young Nazi. Lutz toes the party line when it comes to antisemitism yet remains drawn to Lenya despite Nazi revulsion at the thought of a Black German. When that revulsion escalates to direct threat to her survival, Lenya and Lutz must face the seemingly inevitable outcome of their impossibly fraught romance."
"Rudesheim, the Rhineland, 1944. Lenya (Stenberg) has come of age during the chaos of war. Her mother (Abbie Cornish) has done her best to protect Lenya, but the racist credo of National Socialism has rendered her a pariah for the colour of her skin. Yet youthful ardour can bloom in the most unlikely places: Lenya is in love with Lutz (George MacKay), a young Nazi. Lutz toes the party line when it comes to antisemitism yet remains drawn to Lenya despite Nazi revulsion at the thought of a Black German. When that revulsion escalates to direct threat to her survival, Lenya and Lutz must face the seemingly inevitable outcome of their impossibly fraught romance."
One Last Deal
STARTS MAY 30
An elderly art dealer has one last shot at pulling in some proper pension money in this drama from veteran Finnish director, Klaus Härö.
"An aging art dealer — left behind by the corporatisation of his industry and estranged from his family — hopes an undervalued icon will turn his fortunes around ... Few of Härö’s creations are as divided as Olavi (Heikki Nousiainen), a work-obsessed dealer left behind by an industry favouring larger corporate conglomerates. Getting the icon will require a lot of research and a little help, which he unexpectedly receives from his grandson, Otto. As Olavi schools the kid in how to navigate a cutthroat industry and research things you just can’t find via Google, he reconnects with his daughter, Lea, and rediscovers the family he’s missed. The big question, however, is whether he’ll sacrifice everything for that one last score." (Toronto International Film Festival)
An elderly art dealer has one last shot at pulling in some proper pension money in this drama from veteran Finnish director, Klaus Härö.
"An aging art dealer — left behind by the corporatisation of his industry and estranged from his family — hopes an undervalued icon will turn his fortunes around ... Few of Härö’s creations are as divided as Olavi (Heikki Nousiainen), a work-obsessed dealer left behind by an industry favouring larger corporate conglomerates. Getting the icon will require a lot of research and a little help, which he unexpectedly receives from his grandson, Otto. As Olavi schools the kid in how to navigate a cutthroat industry and research things you just can’t find via Google, he reconnects with his daughter, Lea, and rediscovers the family he’s missed. The big question, however, is whether he’ll sacrifice everything for that one last score." (Toronto International Film Festival)
The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillips
STARTS 2nd MAY
Documentarians Julia Parnell (New Zealand) and Robb Curry (UK) tell the cautionary story of musician Martin Phillipps and his legendary band, The Chills.
"Martin Phillipps came tantalisingly close to conquering the international musical world with his band The Chills, but instead fell into decades of debt and addiction in his hometown of Dunedin, New Zealand. At 54, he’s been given a dire medical prognosis, forcing him to face his demons and realise his musical ambitions before it’s too late. This intimate portrait follows the eccentric Martin as he reconciles a lifetime’s worth of curious collections, looks back on a catalogue of heavenly pop hits and relives his place in the iconic Flying Nun and Dunedin sound. With a startling sense of humour even in the blackest moments, we bare witness to one man’s universal battle with the fear of failure and the jarring reality of his own mortality." (SXSW Film Festival
Documentarians Julia Parnell (New Zealand) and Robb Curry (UK) tell the cautionary story of musician Martin Phillipps and his legendary band, The Chills.
"Martin Phillipps came tantalisingly close to conquering the international musical world with his band The Chills, but instead fell into decades of debt and addiction in his hometown of Dunedin, New Zealand. At 54, he’s been given a dire medical prognosis, forcing him to face his demons and realise his musical ambitions before it’s too late. This intimate portrait follows the eccentric Martin as he reconciles a lifetime’s worth of curious collections, looks back on a catalogue of heavenly pop hits and relives his place in the iconic Flying Nun and Dunedin sound. With a startling sense of humour even in the blackest moments, we bare witness to one man’s universal battle with the fear of failure and the jarring reality of his own mortality." (SXSW Film Festival
Mountain Film
SCREENING May 2, 5, and 10
Mountainfilm travels year-round and worldwide with a selection of current and best-loved short films from the annual Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. One word sets Mountainfilm apart - HEART. These films feature a mix of adventure, environment and celebration of the human spirit.
Mountainfilm toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 2017 to rave reviews. People come together from all walks to life to enjoy a night of adventure, excitement and adrenaline. We are excited to bring MountainFilm to the Dome for the first time this year.
Mountainfilm on Tour is proudly presented by TOUR PARTNER, Osprey who are donating incredible spot prizes for each night.
Mountainfilm on Tour is proud to be partnering with G Adventures – one of the world’s greatest adventure travel companies. G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering the planet's most awe-inspiring selection of affordable small-group tours, safaris and expeditions.
One lucky person will get a chance to pick any of the award-winning trips up to the value of $8000. So that means you can pick a tour anywhere between Cuba or China; Machu Pichu or Morocco. What about flights you ask? Of course, it is covered! International return flights up to the value of $2000 from your nearest Australia international airport.
So how do you win this amazing award-winning trips that embrace authentic accommodation, exotic cuisine and local transport which puts you on a first-name basis with the planet’s people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife? Simple. Attend any of the Mountainfilm on Tour shows and enter at the screening for your chance to win.
Mountainfilm travels year-round and worldwide with a selection of current and best-loved short films from the annual Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. One word sets Mountainfilm apart - HEART. These films feature a mix of adventure, environment and celebration of the human spirit.
Mountainfilm toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 2017 to rave reviews. People come together from all walks to life to enjoy a night of adventure, excitement and adrenaline. We are excited to bring MountainFilm to the Dome for the first time this year.
Mountainfilm on Tour is proudly presented by TOUR PARTNER, Osprey who are donating incredible spot prizes for each night.
Mountainfilm on Tour is proud to be partnering with G Adventures – one of the world’s greatest adventure travel companies. G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering the planet's most awe-inspiring selection of affordable small-group tours, safaris and expeditions.
One lucky person will get a chance to pick any of the award-winning trips up to the value of $8000. So that means you can pick a tour anywhere between Cuba or China; Machu Pichu or Morocco. What about flights you ask? Of course, it is covered! International return flights up to the value of $2000 from your nearest Australia international airport.
So how do you win this amazing award-winning trips that embrace authentic accommodation, exotic cuisine and local transport which puts you on a first-name basis with the planet’s people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife? Simple. Attend any of the Mountainfilm on Tour shows and enter at the screening for your chance to win.
Soldiers Without Guns
STARTS APRIL 17
This film shines a light on the untold story, of unsung heroes and their, “mission impossible.” The riveting journey of kiwi soldiers as they land unarmed into the heat of a 10 year civil war using only the weapons of Music, Maori Culture and Love to create peace. This is a story all New Zealanders can be proud to call their own.
This film shines a light on the untold story, of unsung heroes and their, “mission impossible.” The riveting journey of kiwi soldiers as they land unarmed into the heat of a 10 year civil war using only the weapons of Music, Maori Culture and Love to create peace. This is a story all New Zealanders can be proud to call their own.
Woman at War
Halla is a fifty-year-old independent Icelandic woman. But behind the scenes of a quiet routine, she leads a double life as a passionate environmental activist. Known to others only by her alias “The Woman of the Mountain,” Halla secretly wages a one-woman-war on the local aluminium industry. As Halla’s actions grow bolder, from petty vandalism to outright industrial sabotage, she succeeds in pausing the negotiations between the Icelandic government and the corporation building a new aluminium smelter. But right as she begins planning her biggest and boldest operation yet, she receives an unexpected letter that changes everything. Her application to adopt a child has finally been accepted and there is a little girl waiting for her in Ukraine. As Halla prepares to abandon her role as saboteur and saviour of the Highlands to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother, she decides to plot one final attack to deal the aluminium industry a crippling blow.
"Delightful... near-perfect" - Variety
"Delightfully odd... Frequently hilarious... Never loses sight of what is at stake" - NZ Herald
"A social justice warrior-style Joan of Arc" - British Film Institute
"Delightful... near-perfect" - Variety
"Delightfully odd... Frequently hilarious... Never loses sight of what is at stake" - NZ Herald
"A social justice warrior-style Joan of Arc" - British Film Institute
The Heart Dances
When celebrated Czech choreographer Jiří Bubeníček and his production designer brother Otto arrive in New Zealand to prepare their work The Piano: the ballet with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the stage is set for a voyage into uncharted territory for everyone involved.
For Moss Patterson, engaged by the RNZB as Māori advisor, the work epitomises cultural appropriation. He challenges the concept of freedom of expression so important to the Bubeníčeks while raising important questions about representation with the ballet company. The dancers face challenges of a different kind as they come to terms with the famous characters of Ada, Stewart and Baines and the love triangle they are caught up in.
As the whole company works to bring this memorable story to the stage, aspects of the film that inspired the ballet continue to be played out – old world versus new, new relationships, new challenges – while Jiří and Otto discover the responsibilities of storytelling in dance are more complex than they ever imagined.
For Moss Patterson, engaged by the RNZB as Māori advisor, the work epitomises cultural appropriation. He challenges the concept of freedom of expression so important to the Bubeníčeks while raising important questions about representation with the ballet company. The dancers face challenges of a different kind as they come to terms with the famous characters of Ada, Stewart and Baines and the love triangle they are caught up in.
As the whole company works to bring this memorable story to the stage, aspects of the film that inspired the ballet continue to be played out – old world versus new, new relationships, new challenges – while Jiří and Otto discover the responsibilities of storytelling in dance are more complex than they ever imagined.
Thunder Road
STARTS 26 APRIL
A police officer raises his daughter as a love letter to his late mother in this SXSW-winner written and directed by and starring Jim Cummings.
"Officer Jim Arnaud’s eulogy at his mother’s funeral does not go as planned. Struggling to stay focused as his emotions take over, the tongue-tied 30-something launches into a free-wheeling diatribe of confessional digressions, not helped by the fact that he cannot seem to get his mother’s favourite Bruce Springsteen song to play on his daughter’s pink stereo. Consumed by sadness, Jim searches for some semblance of control in an otherwise crumbling existence. Propelled by an extraordinarily unhinged central performance from writer-director-star Jim Cummings (expanding from his award-winning 2016 short film of the same name), Thunder Road is a painful, often blackly funny exploration of grief, mental illness and the fragile male ego."
A police officer raises his daughter as a love letter to his late mother in this SXSW-winner written and directed by and starring Jim Cummings.
"Officer Jim Arnaud’s eulogy at his mother’s funeral does not go as planned. Struggling to stay focused as his emotions take over, the tongue-tied 30-something launches into a free-wheeling diatribe of confessional digressions, not helped by the fact that he cannot seem to get his mother’s favourite Bruce Springsteen song to play on his daughter’s pink stereo. Consumed by sadness, Jim searches for some semblance of control in an otherwise crumbling existence. Propelled by an extraordinarily unhinged central performance from writer-director-star Jim Cummings (expanding from his award-winning 2016 short film of the same name), Thunder Road is a painful, often blackly funny exploration of grief, mental illness and the fragile male ego."
The Blues Accordin' to Lightin' Hopkins
FAR OUT FILM NIGHT - Tuesday 28th May - 7pm
Dylan Haley
Tue. 28th of May - 7:00 pm
The great Texas bluesman Lightnin’ Hopkins is captured brilliantly in this deeply moving film. Blank reveals Lightnin’s inspiration, and features a generous helping of classic blues. The film includes performances at an outdoor barbeque and a black rodeo, and a visit to his boyhood town of Centerville, Texas. This powerful portrait is among Blank’s special masterworks.
Dylan Haley
Tue. 28th of May - 7:00 pm
The great Texas bluesman Lightnin’ Hopkins is captured brilliantly in this deeply moving film. Blank reveals Lightnin’s inspiration, and features a generous helping of classic blues. The film includes performances at an outdoor barbeque and a black rodeo, and a visit to his boyhood town of Centerville, Texas. This powerful portrait is among Blank’s special masterworks.
World at Arms Length
STARTS JUNE 6
We are introduced to an unusual pilgrim, Sven. While most of the pilgrims who take on Camino de Santiago are able-bodied and devoid of any noticeable disabilities, Sven lacks both sight and hearing. He has been dreaming about the journey for a lifetime, and it gets to a point where he simply has to go for it. Unable to do it alone, he turns to those around him for support, and the unerring nature of human kindness shows itself when he is afforded the company of handy assistants.
We are introduced to an unusual pilgrim, Sven. While most of the pilgrims who take on Camino de Santiago are able-bodied and devoid of any noticeable disabilities, Sven lacks both sight and hearing. He has been dreaming about the journey for a lifetime, and it gets to a point where he simply has to go for it. Unable to do it alone, he turns to those around him for support, and the unerring nature of human kindness shows itself when he is afforded the company of handy assistants.