Cinema
Upcoming films, cinema and screenings
First Wave
Marking the return of surf films to the Sydney Opera House, First Wave shines a light on this legacy with a selection of recently restored psychedelic surf classics including the world premiere of the new restoration of Crystal Voyager, while also considering the current tide of Australian surf films with a selection of contemporary documentaries.
WINHANGANHA
WINHANGANHA is a lyrical journey of archival footage and sound, poetry and original composition, told through the lens of acclaimed Wiradjuri artist, Jazz Money.
Birdeater + Director Introduction
A bride-to-be is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. Uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare.
International Gujarati Film Festival
‘Chhello Show’ was India’s official entry to the Oscars 2023 offering a steeped-in-nostalgia story of a young boy in rural Gujarat who’s enraptured by the power of cinema.
Ten Canoes
Direct from its Sydney Film Festival premiere, Rolf de Heer and Peter Djiggir’s cautionary tale of forbidden love is screening in a stunning new 4K restoration. The first Australian feature filmed entirely in Indigenous languages tells the story of an older man, Minygululu, who realises his younger brother, Dayindi, may try to steal away his third and youngest wife.
The Fall Guy
Sydney, and the Opera House itself, provides the show-stopping backdrop to this action-packed blockbuster, starring Oscar nominees Ryan Gosling (Barbie, La La Land, Drive) and Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer, A Quiet Place films, Sicario). Directed by former stuntman David Leitch (Bullet Train).
The Man from Hong Kong
Brian Trenchard-Smith’s The Man from Hong Kong finds Inspector Fang Sing Leng (Jimmy Wang Yu) flown into Sydney to assist the local authorities in busting an international criminal racket.
My Neighbor Totoro
Rightfully considered one of the greatest animations of all time, My Neighbor Totoro follows the story of two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, who discover that they share this home with some rather unusual creatures.
Babe
This quintessential Australian classic follows the story of a piglet Babe who narrowly escapes his fate as Christmas dinner. After befriending motherly border collie Fly (Miriam Margolyes), he discovers that he too can herd sheep.
The Empty Beach
This powerful ‘beach noir’ film based on the novel by Peter Corris is screening in the World Premiere of it's 4K restoration. Set in Sydney in the 80s, this film tells the story of private investigator Cliff Hardy (Brown) who follows the trail of a missing husband and soon becomes entangled in murder, drug addiction, gangsters, fraud and a shootout on Bondi Beach.
The Last Days of Chez Nous + Director Q&A
Gillian Armstrong’s (My Brilliant Career) acclaimed Australian drama explores love, trust and betrayal. Modern matriarch Beth (Harrow) is doing her best to raise daughter Annie (Otto) whilst enjoy the best of an easy-going marriage to Frenchman JP (Ganz).
Two Hands
A beloved Sydney-set 90s crime classic, Two Hands is notable for its breakout performances from stars Heath Ledger and Rose Byrne.
Chungking Express - 30th Anniversary
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Chungking Express is one of the defining works of nineties cinema and the film that made Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai an instant icon.
2024 Blacktown Shorts Film Festival
Blacktown Shorts Film Festival is back and heading to one of Australia’s most iconic venues. Now in its third year, the 2024 Blacktown Shorts Film Festival will premiere five newly-commissioned short films from some of western Sydney’s most exciting filmmakers.
Mogwai - If The Stars Had A Sound
Over 25 years and 10 studio albums Mogwai have defined their own musical genre and built a loyal following by staying true to their sound and true to their roots. Following its world premiere at SXSW, If The Stars Had A Sound takes us on a journey from their very beginnings in the mid 1990s, to the band writing their tenth studio album during lockdown.
Crystal Voyager + Director Q&A with special guests
Over 50 years since it first premiered at Sydney Opera House, legendary surf film Crystal Voyager returns to our shores for the debut of a new 4K restoration.
The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun + Q&A with Chris Brock
Celebrating the World Premiere of its new 4K restoration, The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun is the cult 1970 directorial debut of George Greenough that captures the freedom of ocean living and the first stages of the shortboard revolution.
You Should Have Been Here Yesterday + Director Q&A
A poetic homage to Australia’s early surf-culture with unearthed footage set to an original soundtrack. You Should Have Been Here Yesterday combines hundreds of hours of lovingly restored 16mm footage with a salt-infused soundscape by Headland.
Morning of the Earth + Director Introduction
Beautifully remastered in 4K, Albert Falzon and David Elfick’s 1972 classic Morning of the Earth is renowned as one of the greatest surf films of all time.
The Blind Sea + Q&A with Matt Formston and Director Daniel Fenech
The Blind Sea is an inspirational and breathtaking documentary about Australian World Champion blind surfer, Matt Formston. With only 3% vision, Formston attempts his most dangerous challenge, surfing the monster waves of Nazaré, Portugal.
Girls Can’t Surf + Q&A with Pauline Menczer
The untold story of how a band of renegade surfer girls in the 1980s fought for equality, changing surf culture forever. Featuring champion surfers Layne Beachley, Pauline Menczer, Pam Burridge and more.
BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS
BLACKPINK’s BORN PINK tour that captivated the world comes to the big screen, celebrating the group’s 8th anniversary since their debut.
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In the Mood: A Love Letter to Wong Kar-wai & Hong Kong
Celebrating the landmark film’s 20th anniversary, 'In the Mood – A Love Letter to Wong Kar-wai & Hong Kong' is a fever dream live streamed performance featuring a theatrical set, ‘60s style costumes, and sax-drenched renditions of the film’s romantic soundtrack; alongside new music sung by Chinese-Australian artists Rainbow Chan and Marcus Whale with narration by Eugene Choi.
5 Sydney Opera House near misses (in the movies)
From killer sea creatures to crashing UFOs, the Sydney Opera House has been threatened in the most imaginative and unexpected ways. Here are just a few of our close calls.
Love List: Ryuichi Sakamoto by Groovescooter
Ahead of the Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus encore screening this May, Paris Pompor and Georgie Zuzak from co-presenters Groovescooter have put together a Love List dedicated to Ryuichi Sakamoto.