Russian films are the new French, and the highly anticipated yearly dose of new and classic films is again on the horizon for all lovers of Ruski culture and fun, with the return of the 2010 Russian Resurrection Film Festival, presented in association with BHP Billiton and the Russkiy Mir Foundation.Get your fix of all-things-Russian at the 7th annual Russian Resurrection Film Festival, which hits Perth on Septmber 8.

Opening Night Film and Party!

Cinema Paradiso will again play host to the renowned Russian Resurrection Film Festival Opening Night Party, immersing guests in the delights of Russian hospitality. On the menu will be a delectable russain treats, entertainment and  legendary Russian Standard vodka that will keep you dancing all night long.

Perth will open with Andrei Kavun’s blockbuster Kandahar, based on the true story of the capture and escape of a freight-aircraft crew from the Taliban in 1995 after being held hostage in Afghanistan for 378 days.

Other highlights include:

Cranes are Flying - (1957 rest. in 1973)
Director:Mikhail Kalatozov
Based on the play by V. Morozova "Alive Forever". Boris and Veronika, two people in love drawn apart by the war. He volunteered for front, and her parents died during the bombardment, and she settled in Boris' family. The young man was missing. Being broken down under the burden of sorrow she marries Mark, Boris' brother. In evacuation she serves in a hospital headed by the father of Boris and Mark. The husband books in illegally, gives a bunny-toy, a Boris' gift, for a present to a pickup. Veronika, reprobating herself for the betrayal, leaves the husband. The war is over. Veronika still waiting for Boris meets the veterans at the railway station. Stepan, the hero's friend, tells her that he saw Boris dying. She gives the flowers intended for Boris to the soldiers returned.

Man At The Window - (2010)
Director:Dmitry Meskhiev

Finally, a masterful romantic comedy comes out of Russia to challenge the best of the French. It seems that Shura has not achieved anything in life that would make him happy. He did not make it as an actor, he did not make it as a husband and father: his son is far away and his wife is still living with him only out of habit. He did not even make it as a friend – the only person he is close to despises Shura and makes advances to his wife. One night on his way home from the theatre, a car accident changes all that. A fresh infatuation emerges alongside a new business opportunity where Shura is suddenly able to put words into the mouths of those he observes, wrap them round his little finger and change their destiny forever. Shura is now, the Man at the Window.

Peter On His Way To Heaven - (2009)
Director: Nikolay Dostal

Peter, who is a little slow, lives in the prison camp town of Kandalaksha, and works conscientiously, believing he is the town’s traffic officer. It is March 1953, and the inhabitants of this frozen backwater encourage Peter’s role as the town fool with great enthusiasm. This is not to say they are mean, indeed he is treated with great affection. Through Peter we meet the town’s locals: the Doctors who have affairs in broom cupboards, the anti-Semitic Colonel Bogoslavskii and the local hero, engineer Konovalov. They all seem to be living lives just as restricted as the convicts whose camp is only a stone’s throw away. Director Nikolay Dostal shows us a snapshot of life in Soviet Russia just before the death of Stalin, which contains elements of comedy, satire and deep social insight. This is a delicate Russian gem.

Parental Giudance - (2010)
Director: Andrei Kavun

The tale of how four young people – two boys and two girls reach maturity. Yesterday’s school kids, they are now entering a new life full of wonderful discoveries and brilliant opportunities. Novices in handling feelings and relationships, they throw themselves head first into experiencing how to love and lie, self sacrifice and betray, worship and destroy. The movie deals with such fundamentals as the human tendency toward bias and hurting the weak, and because the characters are caught somewhere between childhood and adulthood, it’s easy to get emotionally involved in hoping for their redemption. Being a modern love story, Parental Guidance garners memorable scenes, classic one-liners and a hip, groovy and timeless soundtrack. Sophisticated and brutally realistic!

Russia 88 - (2009)
Director: Pavel Bardin

Banned in Russia, this fusion of Romper Stomper, Romeo + Juliet and Man Bites Dog is an intense examination of skinhead culture, the growing xenophobic nationalism and the destructiveness of racism. Shot in a jolting, edgy handheld style by an often set-upon ‘half Jewish’ teen, Abraham, as though a promotional documentary about a gang of Russian skinheads and their charismatic leader, Blade. Abraham’s home-video footage follows the gang’s exploits, treats their ideological views seriously, captures their training and wild parties and is intended to be distributed online as nationalistic propaganda. But when Abraham films Blade’s sister romantically involved with a man from the Caucuses, all hell breaks loose. Inspired by the real xenophobia that has led to countless unsolved deaths of foreigners in Russia; this is raw, emotional and controversial filmmaking that makes a powerful political statement.

Filmink Audience Award
Everyone wants to be a film critic. Back by popular demand is the Filmink Audience Award for the Best Film where viewers get a chance to vote for their favourite film. Find out if the leading Australian film critics choice of film for the Terra Australis Award, for best new Russian film matches the publics?
Go online at www.filmink.com.au/vote to decide if an action-drama or rom-com is more of a crowd pleaser than an epic historical film! Prizes include a 12 month membership to the Palace Movie Club, Palace Movie Passes, a Filmink Subscription & Clubink Membership to see all the latest films, a selection of limited release DVD’s and Fox Creek Wine to complement your viewing pleasure.

Compelling new productions from Europe’s finest stages, screening in high definition with surround sound. Experience world-class Royal Opera & Royal Ballet productions from London’s Covent Garden; journey to Britain’s annual summer opera festival for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera; witness the famous King’s Choir perform at Cambridge; and visit the most famous playhouse of them all, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

ROYAL BALLET - ONDINE - Sep 3, 4, 5  

"Delightful! Enchanting!" The Guardian 

A hauntingly beautiful underwater world is brought to vivid life by The Royal Ballet in this 50th anniversary staging. Frederick Ashton's shimmering choreography, Lila de Nobili's impressionistic designs and Hans Werner Henze's specially commissioned, atmospheric score, memorably combine to evoke the many moods and colours of the sea.  

Music: Hans Werner Henze Choreography: Sir Frederick Ashton 

Conductor: Barry Wordsworth   Cast: Royal Ballet with Miyako Yoshida and Edward Watson 

Approx duration: 130 mins (plus intermission)  

GLOBE THEATRE - LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST - Sep 17, 18, 19   

"Dominic Dromgoole's zestful production succeeds in captivating the audience to a degree that I would not have thought possible... It's a treat" The Independent 

Shakespeare's celebration of the claims of young love is a festive parade of every weapon in the youthful playwright's comic arsenal – from excruciating cross-purposes to silly impersonations, drunkenness, bust-ups and pratfalls. It's also his most joyful banquet of language. Artistic director Dominic Dromgoole's production provides the occasion to re-weave the enchanting spell over new audiences around the world.  

By: William Shakespeare  Director: Dominic Dromgoole 

With: Michelle Terry, Trystan Gravelle, Phil Cumbus, Paul Ready 

Approx duration: 150 mins (plus intermission)   

SCREENING TIMES
FRIDAYS 11:30AM | SATURDAYS 11:30AM | SUNDAYS 1:00PM
For full schedule visit: www.palaceoperaandballet.com.au

THE END OF THE LINE

Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think and act.

The End of the Line is the first major feature documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans. In The End of the Line, we see firsthand the effects of our global love affair with fish as food. The film examines the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation.

Filmed over two years, The End of the Line follows the indefatigable investigative reporter Charles Clover as he confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, who exhibit little regard for the damage they are doing to the oceans. One of his allies is the former tuna farmer turned whistleblower Roberto Mielgo - on the trail of those destroying the world’s magnificent bluefin tuna population. Filmed across the world - from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market - featuring top scientists, indigenous fishermen and fisheries enforcement officials, The End of the Line is a wake-up call to the world.

The End Of The Line will screen at Luna on SX, Fremantle on Sunday September 19 at 6:30pm. The screening is presented by the Conservation Council with part proceeds of all ticket sales going towards their campaign. The evenings screening will be followed by a Q&A with Conservation Council Marine Coordinator, Tim Nichol.

Tickets are available now at the Luna on SX box office and online.

Adults $15.50 | Concession $11.00

Visit http://endoftheline.com/

Exclusive Limited Season September 16-29 at Luna Cinemas Leederville

Luna Palace and Madman  are very excited to announce that REEL ANIME 2010 is now ready to go ahead with the best line-up of films.  Showcasing 5 films that are as diverse as they are accomplished;   anime fans and film lovers will be running to Luna cinemas to see them!

REELANIME 2010 will feature two hotly anticipated titles, EVANGELION 2.0: YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE and SUMMER WARS.

Rounding out the Showcase are three exciting titles: EVANGELION 1.0: YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE, the first film in the Evangelion rebuild; KING OF THORN, a mysterious race against time for a group of infected survivors in a world ravaged by disease; and REDLINE, an adrenaline-fueled action ride set in the world of underground racing.
 
All films will be screened digitally and in their original Japanese with English subtitles.

Tickets $15.50 | $11.50 conc. Multi Pass (5 films ) now available online 

Take this link to REEL ANIME 2010 SCHEDULE.

Buy a multi pass and win a limited pretty cool collectable  number of Japanese SUMMER WARS posters (with classification, logo, url). Start buying now!

Win a Special DVD Anime Pack when you attend the Reel Anime 2010! By attending the Reel Anime Festival 2010 you have a chance to win The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Appleseed (Original) , Evangelion 1.11 , Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and Ninja Scroll

For more infor on ReelAnime go to http://www.madman.com.au/reelanime

A lyrical film about dealing with loss, set in stunning rural Queensland.

The fruit of a partnership between French filmmaker Julie Bertucelli (Since Otar Left) and Australian producers, The Tree closed the 2010 Cannes Film Festival to a standing ovation. 

Based on a book by Aussie author and former Circus Oz performer Judy Pascoe, The Tree takes a refreshingly positive approach to grieving after a young child – played with range and precision by newcomer Morgana Davies – becomes convinced her dead father is whispering to her through the leaves of a Morton Bay fig tree on the family property. Masterfully shot on the plains of rural Queensland, this is an international collaboration that stays true to its Australian roots.

Also features performances from Charlotte Gainsbourg (Antichrist) and Aden Young  

Special Talking Pictures  Q&A Screening Event with prominent WA Producer and filmmaker Sue Taylor on Thursday 23rd  September @ 6.30pm at the Luna Cinemas Leederville  following the screening. The evening will be hosted by co-ordinator of Pac Screen Workshops Annie Murtagh-Monks.

“This is a huge release for an independent Australian film in France, one of the largest ever,” said Perth producer Sue Taylor.

THE TREE was selected as Closing Night Film at the 2010 Cannes International Film Festival and received a rapturous seven minute standing ovation. 

Tickets $15.50 | $11.50 conc. Now on sale and online 

Website: http://www.thetreefilm.com.au/

WINTER HIGHLIGHTS The Metropolitan Opera in HD

Winter Highlights from the last record breaking season If you missed it first time around, here’s your chance to see some of the most stunning operas performed at The Met.

OPERA ON SUNDAYS - 6 OPERAS OVER 6 WEEKS STARTING JULY 25  - transmissions captured live in high definition and screening  at Luna Leederville & Luna SX Fremantle

 Welcome to the opera revolution - experience it on the big screen, experience it on the stage...just experience it!

Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier on Sunday  August 15 at 1.00pm
Strauss’ comic masterpiece of love and intrigue in 18th-century Vienna stars
Renée Fleming as the aristocratic Marschallin and Susan Graham in the
trouser role of her young lover. Music Director James Levine conducts a cast that
also includes Kristinn Sigmundsson and Thomas Allen.
Conductor: James Levine;
Production: Nathaniel Merrill; Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Christine
Schäfer, Eric Cutler, Thomas Allen, Kristinn Sigmundsson
Approximate running time 4 hours 41 minutes

Georges Bizet's Carmen on Sunday August 22 at 1.00pm
One of the most popular operas of all time, Carmen is about sex, violence, and racism - and its corollary: freedom,” says Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre (and director of films such as Notes on a Scandal) about his new production of Bizet’s drama. “It is one of the inalienably great works of art. It’s sexy, in every sense. And I think it should be shocking.” Elina Garanca plays the seductive gypsy of the title in her role debut, opposite Roberto Alagna as the obsessed Don José.
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin; Production: Richard Eyre;
Barbara Frittoli, Elina Garanca, Roberto Alagna, Mariusz Kwiecien
Approximate running time 3 hours 33 minutes

Giuseppe Verdi's Simon Boccanegra on Sunday August 29 at 1.00pm
Four decades into a legendary Met career, tenor Plácido Domingo makes history
singing the title role in Verdi’s gripping political thriller, which is written for a baritone. Adrianne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, and James Morris are his co-stars in this moving and tragic story of a father and his lost daughter. James Levine conducts.
Conductor: James Levine; Production: Giancarlo del Monaco; Plácido Domingo, Adrianne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, , James Morris
Approximate running time 3 hours 46 minutes

ALL OPERAS SCREEN AT LUNA LEEDERVILLE & LUNA SX FREMANTLE 

Each opera will screen on Sunday at 1.00pm at both Luna Leederville and Luna on SX Fremantle.     

TICKETS  ON SALE NOW - $20.00 |$18.00 (pensioners/seniors/students & privilege cards)/$16 for kids.
Available from the Box Office and online

Enter the draw to win tickets to a Musica Viva  Concert!

Simply fill in your details and place  the entry form in the box at the Luna Leederville foyer to win tickets to one of the best chamber muisc performances you are ever likely to experience. Winners will be drawn and notified two weeks prior to each tour. Last draw 17th october 2010

 Cinema Paradiso, Northbridge & Luna SX Fremantle October 14 to 28

Savour all the glamour, passion, drama and artistry of Italian cinema when the LAVAZZA ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2010 hits Perth this October. Now in its 11th year, the LAVAZZA ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL celebrates Italian art and culture in all its guises with something for serial Italophiles as well as for genuine movie buffs of any nationality.

This year’s program showcases more than twenty films handpicked from the Cannes, Berlin, Rome and Venice film festivals. Among the highlights are festival opener LA NOSTRA VITA, which won the Best Actor Award for Elio Germano at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, controversial political documentary DRAQUILA – ITALY TREMBLES, and rom-com SORRY IF I WANT TO MARRY YOU is a Special Event highlight.

More details to be announced soon!

Luna Palace Cinemas  welcomes back the New York Metropolitan Opera, captured live in high definition, for the forthcoming 2010/2011 season beginning this October.

The Met season for 2010/2011 promises to be the most spectacular yet with 12 breathtaking operas, including 5 new productions: Verdi’s DON CARLO, Rossini’s LE COMTE ORY, Wagner’s DAS RHEINGOLD & DIE WALKURE and Mussorgsky’s BORIS GODUNOV.

 Each opera screens on Saturday & Thursday at 11.30am and  Sunday at 1.00pm at both Luna Leederville and Luna on SX.

Das Rheingold (New Production)
Sat    Oct 23rd – 11.30; Sun    Oct 24th – 1.00pm; Thurs Oct 28th – 11.30am
The first of the four operas that together tell a story of Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). An evil Nibelung dwarf steals the precious Rhine gold and turns it into a magic ring,  which he uses to control his fellow dwarves and take over the world. Performance runtime: 3:35hrs
Composer: Richard Wagner; Libretto: Richard Wagner; Conductor: James Levine

Boris Godunov (New Production)
Sat  Nov 6th at 11.30; Sun  Nov 7th at 1.00pm; Thurs Nov 11th at 11.30am
Boris Godunov, the regent of the young Tsar Fyodor, arranges the assassination of the Tsar's half-brother and heir Dimitri?, in order to seize power. Performance runtime: 5:50
Composer: Modest Mussorgsky;Libretto: Modest Mussorgsky;Conductor: Valery Gergiev/Pavel Smelkov. Production: Peter Stein

Don Pasquale
Sat    Nov 27th at 11.30; Sun Nov 28th at 1.00pm; Thurs Dec 2nd at 11.30am
Wealthy bachelor Don Pasquale looks for a wife to provide himself with an heir, in order to punish his rebellious nephew Ernesto, and cut the young man off without a penny. Performance runtime: 4:20
Composer: Gaetano Donizetti;Libretto: Giovanni Ruffini;Conductor: James Levine/Joseph Colaneri. Production: Otto Schenk

Don Carlo (New Production)
Sat Jan 8th 2011– 11.30; Sun Jan 9th 2011– 1.00pm
Adapted from the dramatic play, Don Carlos, Infante of Spain, by Friedrich Schiller . The story is based on the life of Carlos, Prince of Asturias (1545-1568) whose betrothed Elisabeth of Valois was instead married to his father Philip II of Spain, as part of the peace treaty ending the Italian War of 1551-1559 between the Houses of Habsburg and Valois. Performance runtime: 5:20;
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi; Libretto: Camille du Locle and Joseph Méry; Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Production: Nicholas Hytner

La Fanciulla Del West
Sat Jan 29th– 11.30am; Sun Jan 30th – 1.00pm; 
Based on the play The Girl of the Golden West by David Belasco. A lyrical opera set among miners in the American West in the days of the California Gold Rush.
Performance runtime: 4:10
Composer: Giacomo Puccini;Libretto: Guelfo Civinni and Carlo Zangarini; Conductor: Nicola Luisotti. Production: Giancarlo del Monaco

Nixon in China
Sat  Feb 26th at 11.30; Sun  Feb 27th at 1.00pm; Thurs March 3 at 11.30am
In February 1972, Nixon traveled to China for talks with Chinese leaders Chairman Mao Tse-tung and Premier Chau En-lai. Nixon's trip was the first high-level contact between the United States and the People's Republic of China in more than twenty years, and it ushered in a new era of relations between Washington and Beijing.
Peter Sellars makes his Met debut with this groundbreaking work.  He has directed more than 100 other productions, specializing in 20th-century operas including Olivier Messiaen's Saint Francois d'Assise and Paul Hindemith's Mathis der Maler. John Adams is one of America’s most admired and respected composers with both operatic and symphonic works. Performance runtime: 4;00; Composer: John Adams;Libretto: Alice Goodman; Conductor: John Adams
Production: Peter Sellars  

 Iphigenie En Tauride
Sat    Mar 12th – 11.30am; Sun  March13th – 1.00pm; Thurs March 17th – 11.30am
When Agamemnon gathered the Greek armies before the Trojan War, the goddess Diana sent unfavorable winds to prevent them from sailing. Her oracle set a condition: to earn the right to sail forth, Agamemnon must sacrifice his daughter.
Performance runtime: 3:35
Composer: Christoph Willibald Gluck; Libretto: Nicolas-François Guillard; Conductor: Patrick Summers. Production: Stephen Wadsworth

Lucia Di Lammermoor
Sat  April 2nd – 11.30am; Sun April 3rd – 1.00pm; Thurs April 7th – 11.30am
In a feud between the Scottish families of Ravenswood and Lammermoor, Enrico (Lord Henry Ashton of Lammermoor) has gained the upper hand over Edgardo (Edgar of Ravenswood), killing his kinsmen and taking over his estates. Performance runtime: 4:40
Composer: Gaetano Donizetti; Libretto: Salvadore Cammarano; Conductor: Patrick Summers. Production: Mary Zimmerman

Le Comte Ory (New Production)
Sat  April 30th at 11.30am; Sun May 1st at 1.00pm;  Thurs May 5th at 11.30am
A comical opera. When the men of the Formontiers leave their castle on a crusade, the rakish Count Ory tries to win the affection of the Countess of Formontiers, Adèle. Performance runtime: 3:45                                         Composer: Gioachino Rossini; Libretto: Eugène Scribe and Charles-Gaspard Delestre-Poirson; Conductor: Maurizio Benini

Capriccio
Sat  May 14th – 11.30; Sun May 15th – 1.00pm; Thurs May 17th – 11.30am
A Countess is torn between two suitors: Olivier, a poet, and Flamand, a composer.
Performance runtime: 3:50
Composer: Richard Strauss; Libretto: Clemens Krauss and Richard Strauss; Conductor: Andrew Davis. Production: John Cox

Il Trovatore
Sat June 4th – 11.30am; Sun    June 5th – 1.00pm; Thurs June 9th – 11.30am
To avenge her mother's death, a gypsy steals the youngest son of the Count di Luna, intending to throw him into the fire, but she mistakenly burns her own child instead. As she raises the child as her own, the Count di Luna’s oldest son searches for his brother who he believes is still alive. Performance runtime: 3:50
Composer Giuseppe Verdi; Libretto Salvadore Cammarano; Conductor Marco Armiliato. Production David McVicar

Die Walkure (New Production)
Sat June 25th at 11.30; Sun June 26th at 1.00pm
 Continues on from Das Rheingold . The Chief of the Gods, Wotan , promises to give the goddess Freia (who provides the apples of eternal youth) to two Giants as payment for building the stronghold of Valhalla . However when the work is completed, he refuses to part with Freia, and war breaks out. Performance runtime: 5:55                                                                                                  Composer Richard Wagner; Libretto Richard Wagner; Conductor James Levine
Production Robert Lepage

Casting for the 2010-11 season is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. For updates and possible cast changes, go to: www.theMetInAustralia.info

The Met: Live in HD series is made possible by a generous grant from the Neubauer Family Foundation. Bloomberg is the global corporate sponsor of The Met: Live in HD The HD broadcasts are supported by Toll Brothers, America’s luxury home builder.®