Canberra International Film Festival: Top Picks

By Ben Stephens

There is something about the magic of the big screen. It has been somewhat like a teacher for generations. Showing us what, where and who is cool. There are those films where you go into and are able to switch off from the world. Others leave you annoyed at the world and feel the crusade to better yourself begins now. Then there are others that leave in a state of disbelief and you sit there, the lights come back on and the cinema begins to empty out. Only then are you able to gather your jaw up and leave, while still in a daze.

A big dark room, a half full cinema and post popped corn kernels add something to the whole experience, sure. But it’s the story being told that really makes it a memory. As the city sets the stage for the 20th Canberra Film Festival, we came up with a number of highlights from this years program. You know, for a little direction.

But it’s the story being told that really makes it a memory. As the city sets the stage for the 20th Canberra Film Festival, we want to share with you a number of highlights from this years program. You know, for a little direction.

@hercanberra is giving away 2 Patron Passes! A pass gives you access to every screening and event at #ciff20 – head to their instagram to find out how to enter!

A post shared by Canberra Int Film Festival (@cbriff) on Sep 27, 2016 at 6:18pm PDT

Zoology
Russia
Director, Ivan Tverdovskiy, tells the tail (what for it) of a lady named Natasha who lives in a small coastal town in Russia. Stuck in a life that seems to be lacking any excitement, Tverdovskiy paints a bleak existence. That is until Natasha grows a tail (boom). Hiding from gossip and ridicule, a reality of small town life, Natasha aims for a better life. As peculiar as the storyline might be, Zoology will be having its world premiere in Canberra on opening night, and we peg it as a festival highlight.

Hotel Coolgardie
Australia
Coolgardie, located some 558kms from Western Australia’s capital, somewhere between nowhere and not too sure where that is. This documentary follows two Finnish 20 somethings as they decide to take up a job in an outback town, for an authentic experience. The pair are forced to conform to outdated gender roles to survive the town drunks and their new boss. A little confronting and shocking, however wonderfully told.

Kills on Wheels
Hungary
A somewhat dark comedy from Hungarian director Till Attila, Kills on Wheels tells a story about a gang of wheelchair bound hit men. Hired by the Mafia, they begin to come to terms with being assassins while dealing with their disabilities. Attila was moved to make the movie after working with a local disabled group. Kills on Wheels cast primary non-able bodied actors to break the industry mould of casting only able-bodied.

Cinema Travellers
India
Toronto, Sydney and Cannes loved it for a reason. This film was shot over five years, documenting the lives of projectionists in India, whose job it is to bring new films to off piste towns and communities. As these projectionists face decaying equipment and a change in technology, the show must go on for the outlying villages. Cinema Travellers will close out CIFF, ironically, by the means of a digital projection.

As we are big fans of the CIFF, as they are of us, we teamed up to produce a package for QT guests. Including accommodation, breakfast, tickets to CIFF and a little after show treat.

Canberra International Film Festival runs from October 27 to November 6.