Closing Night Film
It’s funny, it’s strange, it’s got vampires. What else would you expect from Flight Of The Conchords’ Jemaine Clement and Kiwi compatriot actor/director Taika Waititi? They helm 2014’s closing night film, a mockumentary about a house of vampires living in suburban Wellington. When the trio of bloodsucking housemates welcomes a new recruit into their gang, they struggle through showing him the ins and outs of domestic life on the trail of claret. This one’s sure to be a bloody riot.
State Theatre, Sunday June 15
Wish I Was Here(pictured)
Special Presentation
“You gotta hear this one song; it’ll change your life, I swear.” Ten years after Garden State captured melancholy young hearts everywhere, Zach Braff returns to star and direct in a new film about family and growing up. And yes, The Shins are on the soundtrack again. Joining Braff (who plays struggling actor Aidan) is Kate Hudson as his wife Sarah, plus Homeland’s Mandy Patinkin and Josh Gadd. Can Aidan bring together his family against the challenges of illness and low income? Either way, expect lots of meaningful looks and great music.
State Theatre, Saturday June 14 / Event Cinemas, Sunday June 15
International Documentary
The Socceroos still talk about their world record victory, 31-0 against American Samoa in 2001. Archie Thompson got on the scoresheet 13 times alone. But whatever happened to the losers? This documentary by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison follows the fate of a small Pacific island’s football team as it aims to pick itself up from the ashes of its most notorious match and work towards the next World Cup qualifiers. One goal at a time is the only way forward for sport’s classic underdogs.
Event Cinemas, Saturday June 7 / Dendy Opera Quays, Wednesday June 11
Sounds On Screen
You wanna live like common people? You wanna do whatever common people do? There’ll be no more charismatic guide than Jarvis Cocker, lead singer of Sheffield’s Britpop flag-bearers, Pulp. Subtitled A Film About Life, Death And Supermarkets, this is the story of Pulp’s final concert on their 2012 reunion tour. It’s a homecoming for the prodigal son of pop, and downright the most articulate and witty Brit of his era – the masterful Cocker.
Event Cinemas, Saturday June 7 / Dendy Opera Quays, Monday June 9
Special Presentation
Two of the modern era’s most beautiful minds are together in conversation for 90 minutes. French cinematic visionary Michel Gondry sits down with philosopher, linguist and activist Noam Chomsky in this film, which doesn’t simply take a face-to-face talking head approach, but is illustrated in bright colour. Each of Chomsky’s thoughts is drawn out in animation – and if you’ve ever tried to follow his arguments on their own, you’re sure to be astounded here.
State Theatre, Sunday June 8 / Event Cinemas, Thursday June 12
The Sydney Film Festival is running from Wednesday June 4 – Sunday June 15. The full program and tickets are available online.
