Films in the House
Image: WAITRESS: THE MUSICAL film still
By DOUGAL TSAKOLOS-STEWART
Film screenings return to the Sydney Opera House, with a range of genres and mix of new and retrospective on the program.
Nine great films will be shown in the Playhouse from May 2 -5, with presentations continuing until the end of the year.
It’s been decades since the Sydney Opera House hosted a regular program of film screenings and the return of the pop-up cinema is highly anticipated. The Playhouse is a comfortable, spacious venue, with the rear seats not a alienating distance away, and the front seats not neck-achingly close.
The selection of award winning and critically acclaimed recent releases includes: Winhanganha (2023), The Zone Of Interest (2023) and Waitress: The Musical (2023)
Winhanganha (2023) is a film that explores the effect of First Nations archives and history of Aboriginal people and of Australia as a whole. It is directed through a First Nations lens by Jazz Money a Wiradjuri artist. Jazz Money stated the importance of creating the film in context of the colonial gaze.
“Winhanganha is centred upon the belief that it is our own bodies that are the truest archive of our experience.”
The Zone Of Interest (2023) is set in Nazi Germany. The family of a high-ranking Nazi officer working in Auschwitz lives literally next door to the camp. They have an idyllic life, completely oblivious (or indifferent) to the horrors taking place on the other side of a high brick wall.
Waitress: The Musical (2023) is a cliche “small town girl, big dreams” tale done well. It follows the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker who feels she is trapped in her job and marriage. Written by Diane Paulis and based on the 2007 movie, this film gives hope to anyone who feels trapped in a situation.
The Sydney Opera House has a rich history of film and cinema dating back 50 years. Their diverse range of film genres will be shown in this year’s programs as it was last year during their 50/50 event which showcased one film each year for every year they were open.
