The best films to catch at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival, according to an actor
IMAGE VIA MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
Cinema magic from Australia and beyond.
As a self-professed lover of objectively terrible movies, the prospect of attending a film festival is a little daunting. I enjoy the cheesy factor of a circa-2001 cheerleader movie; I love the simplicity of an Adam Sandler comedy. But after years – two, to be specific – of numbing my peabrain with some of the world’s worst cinema, I’m ready to take it up a notch (or seven).
Melbourne Film Festival (MIFF) is back for its first live season in three years, offering a fresh schedule of local and international films showing in the city and beyond. It’s a stocked program with something for everyone, including premiere showcases, award-winning features, industry talks and special anniversary features.
Looking for more thought-provoking reads? Try our Life section.
And who better to go to for recommendations than an actor? Thom Green is featured this year in Of An Age, a queer coming-of-age story directed by Goran Stoleveski. In celebration of this month’s MIFF festivities, Thom breaks down his top picks from the schedule below.
Flux Gourmet, directed by Peter Strickland
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This has been at the top of my list for this year’s MIFF. I watched In Fabric about six months ago and sat quietly for 30 mins afterwards because I wasn’t sure what just happened. [It’s] just batshit crazy filmmaking (in a good way). I’m currently working my way through Peter’s previous films, with Duke of Burgundy on my schedule tonight – so Flux Gourmet is a no-brainer.
Vortex, directed by Gaspar Noé
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I actually only saw this was playing two days ago, so I bought my ticket immediately. I’m yet to see all of his films (I won’t name those I haven’t seen so as not to offend any film buffs reading this) but Climax gave me a good dose of anxiety and I really enjoyed Love.
You Won’t Be Alone, directed by Goran Stolevski
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Yes, I am biased. I know. But I need to see this because Goran, Matthew Chuang, Bethany Ryan, Kristina Ceyton and Sam Jennings from Causeway Films are freaks…
Rodeo, directed by Lola Quivoron
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This was one of the first MIFF posters I saw on the program and I immediately watched the trailer and loved what I saw. I could be way off here, as I’m yet to see it – but it felt like a mix of American Honey and Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet. Very keen to catch this one.
Pure Shit, directed by Bert Deling
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I’ve most likely been living under a rock because I hadn’t heard of Pure Shit until I flicked through the MIFF program… it just looks insane so I’d be stupid if I didn’t catch it.
Blaze, directed by Del Kathryn Barton
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Look, again, I know what you’re thinking: biased as hell because it’s another Causeway film but I really do need to see it. This film just looks incredibly original, especially when it comes to dealing with themes like trauma and childhood. Plus the reviews I’ve read have been glowing.
Decision to Leave, directed by Park Chan-Wook
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I loved The Handmaiden and Oldboy, so this should be interesting!
El Gran Movimiento directed by Kiro Russo
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I only came across this trailer today and it’s going on my list. I’m not exactly sure what to expect… it kind of reminds me of Memoria but even trippier.
Explore the MIFF program in full here.
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