Sydney Film Festival 2018

Sydney Film Festival is in full swing and is definitely not disappointing the hoards of keen cinema-goers.

The variety and complexity of the films that have been and will be shown have been inspiring and truly entertaining, are making the thousands of avid fans very happy.

It is running for another week so we thought we’d point out some of the must-see movies leading up to the sad ending of another successful Festival.

Every genre is being covered and there are multiple venues so you have plenty of goods to choose from.

There is a great mix of options this week so here are our top picks (we promise no spoilers).

Beirut

What do you get when you mix Mad Men with Gone Girl? Beirut!

Beirut is not actually anything like either the show or the movie but it has the two stars, Jon Hamm and Rosamund Pike, simply starring again … and it’s just plain WOW.

In a nutshell, it’s a mix of spy drama with heart attack-worthy thrills.

The Seagull

Based on a play by the infamous Chekhov, The Seagull certainly has a sense of allure. Throw in the killer cast of Annette Benning, Elisabeth Moss and Saoirse Ronan, amongst others, as they collaborate in a tale commenting on the extremes that wealth and notoriety brings, and you’ll be hooked. It’s dark but worth a look, if not just for how beautifully it is shot with the challenge of depicting early 1900s Russia.

Kusama – Infinity

Here’s a fantastic documentary for you. Renowned Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, is the subject and it speaks of her very colourful, dark and ultimately highly successful past and present. This doco by Heather Lenz took 10 years to make so it gives an amazing insight into the creative being that is Kusama.

View the full program here.

words by emily carstairs