Here at The Reel Bits, we’re proud to support Australian film. So it’s always a great month when we can highlight a variety of new releases hitting local cinemas and streaming networks.
This May is filled with fireworks, surfing, politics, music, zombies and noir. So pretty much your typical Saturday night in the suburbs. There’s even an entire festival worth of films, giving you over a dozen chances to catch locally produced content this month.
If you know of any films we’ve missed, or are an indie filmmaker in Australia who has an upcoming feature, please let us know!
Friends, Foes & Fireworks – 1 May (Streaming)
An intimate New Year’s Eve reunion of five female friends in the independent acting scene becomes a test of relationships when old tensions spark, truths are told, and rivalries are reignited. Shot in a single night, and relying on improvisation, the film is an ambitious Australian Mumblecore/drama feature film exploring relationships, love, friendship and the truths we try and fail to keep to ourselves. It is available from 1 May 2018 on Amazon Instant Video and Prime, with a rollout worldwide across OzFlix and Vimeo on Demand as well.
Breath – 3 May
Based on the novel of the same name by Tim Winton, Simon Baker directs a cast that includes himself, Richard Roxburgh, Elizabeth Debicki, and Rachael Blake. Set in 1970s coastal Western Australia, it follows two boys whose relationship with an older man pushes their boundaries. It premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.
Human Rights Arts & Film Festival – 3 May – 5 June
The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival (HRAFF) is a not-for-profit arts organisation that explores diverse and inspiring human stories through the mediums of film, art, music and forums. It takes place across Melbourne, Launceston, and Canberra all throughout May. Australian content includes documentary AFTER THE APOLOGY, a redemptive story about four grandmothers; FOOD FIGHTER, in which OzHarvest CEO Ronni Kahn crusade to save perfectly edible food; the very time BORDER POLITICS; and docudrama GUILTY, about the execution of Myuran Sukumaran and the Bali 9. Then YOU SEE MONSTERS examines artists in the Australian-Muslim community; HER SOUND HER STORY explores women in the Australian music industry; and the critically acclaimed THE SONG KEEPERS. Tickets and times at the official festival site.
Midnight Oil 1984 – 10 May
Taking us back to a time when the threat of nuclear war was ever present, and democracies seemed more like fascist states, w…wait. That sounds familiar. This behind-the-scenes takes us back in time to the sweaty tour of 1984, and the path that would lead Garrett to his political career away from the musical stage. Tickets are now on sale to see this limited release documentary feature. To purchase tickets you should visit midnightoil1984.com.au
Cargo – 17 May
Adapting their own Tropfest short of the same name, the feature film introduces us to Andy (Martin Freeman) and Kay (Susie Porter) and their daughter Rosie, surviving on a houseboat in the wake of a pandemic. When tragedy strikes, Andy has less than 48 hours to find a suitable caretaker for Rosie before he too succumbs to the virus. We reviewed the film in October last year at the Adelaide Film Festival, throwing a 4-star review at it: “A terrific spin on the ‘zombie’ movie, weaving traditional Aboriginal narratives into an unforgiving landscape for an experience that’s truly unique.”
Trench – 17 May (Melbourne Only)
Paul Anthony Nelson’s modern comedy noir had its sold-out debut at the Setting Sun Film Festival in April. Now the indie filmmaker and his star/co-writer Perri Cummings will bring a special Q&A screening to Lido Cinemas in Melbourne. In the film, reclusive writer Becky Holt (Cummings) is being stalked in her home. Struggling comedian Sam Slade (Samantha E. Hill) is being evicted from hers. Sam decides to play detective for cash, these two oddballs are thrown together to crack the case…if they don’t get themselves killed first.
Next month…
June is going to be a big one. In addition to the already confirmed release of UPGRADE and the Jacobson Brothers’ crime thriller BROTHERS’ NEST, we’ll be looking at the Australia cinema releases that form part of the Sydney Film Festival program.
