Finding it difficult to choose what to see at St.George Bank BIFF? Don't panic! St.George Bank BIFF has a range of special-event screenings that offer something for everyone, from fashionistas to revolutionaries and old-fashioned movie lovers. Here's what's in store, but remember to get in quick before tickets sell out.
Closing Night
Come and celebrate the end of BIFF with Balibo, a powerful and suspenseful thriller, which re-creates the events when Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and five young Australian newsmen lost their lives. Director and co-writer Robert Connolly (The Bank) creates a true political thriller that every Australian should see. Starring Anthony LaPaglia and Oscar Isaac (Body of Lies) this is a must-see film. Balibo screens on closing night on Sunday, 9 August at 8pm in Regent 3.
Galas
Still up for more partying after opening night? Make the most of the gala screenings BIFF has on offer. An after-party including food, drinks, and entertainment at the historic Hoyts Regent follows each screening. Gala screenings make a great night out for a special occasion or just to catch up with friends.
Coraline kicks off the programme. Voiced by Dakota Fanning, Coraline Jones is a young girl who has just moved with her parents (voiced by Terry Hatcher and John Hodgman) into an isolated country house. Bored with her new country life, Coraline begins to investigate her new home and discovers a secret door to an alternative reality. Based on the popular children's story by Neil Gaiman and directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas), this animated tale will be a hit with the young and old alike. Coraline screens on Monday, 3 August at 7pm in Regent 3.
Eden Is West is the second gala screening on offer. It tells the story of gentle Elias, an illegal immigrant who has survived a swim from a human-cargo carrier and wakes up on a nudist beach, which also happens to be a top-end Mediterranean resort. There's not much more to say about Eden Is West, except that this lighthearted film is a perfect way to wind down after a long week. It screens on Friday, 7 August at 7.30pm in Regent 3.
Showcase Films
Still not tempted? It will be hard to go past BIFF's diverse range of showcase features, which offer something for even the fussiest film fan.
The first film in the showcase series is Away We Go, Sam Mendes's offbeat independent film about a couple in their thirties who are going to have a baby. Hoping for parental support to assist with the baby duties, events turn against them, and they find themselves on a worldwide roadtrip that raises as many questions as answers. Away We Go screens on Saturday, 1 August at 7.15pm in Regent 3.
Admired Australian director David Caesar's much anticipated new feature, Prime Mover, is guaranteed to be a popular BIFF choice. Caesar brings together an A-list cast of William McInnes, Ben Mendelsohn, and Suburban Mayhem favourites Michael Dorman and Emily Barclay in what looks to be an instant Aussie classic. Prime Mover screens on Saturday, 8 August at 7.15pm in Regent 3.
OK, fashion lovers. Your film of the year has finally arrived. The September Issue, the much awaited documentary following Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour around the Paris and Rome fashion shows, is here. This real-life Devil Wears Prada is not to be missed, but tickets are already selling fast, so make sure you don't miss out. The September Issue screens on Tuesday, 4 August at 7.15pm in Regent 3.
Far removed from the glamour of the high-end fashion industry comes Unmade Beds, the final film in the BIFF showcase series. This quirky film follows two foreign nationals as they manoeuvre their way around the youth squatter culture London. Unmade Beds screens on Wednesday, 5 August at 7.30pm in Regent 3.
Silent Film
Never seen a silent film? Well, there is no excuse this year, with BIFF offering a free screening of the German classic The Last Laugh. This innovative black comedy tells the story of a leading hotel doorman whose world falls apart when he is demoted to lavatory attendant. Ron West will accompany this screening on the City Hall pipe organ with a specially composed score. The Last Laugh screens at the Brisbane City Hall on Sunday, 2 August at 2.30pm.
Che Parts One and Two
One of the most exciting screenings at this year's festival is Steven Soderbergh's Che. Starring Benicio Del Toro, this stunning two-part epic is based on Che Guevara's Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War and Bolivian Diary. Don't let the length put you off. It's not often an opportunity like this comes along. Turn off your mobile phone and immerse yourself in this cinematic feat. Che Part One screens on Friday, 7 August at 12pm in Regent 1, with Part Two directly following at 2.30pm.
By Liz Smith