The Croydon Film Society has certainly been well received at its new home in the Boronia Cinemas. Whilst losing only a handful of members with its move from Croydon the society has gained nearly forty new members for its screenings on alternative Monday evenings. The society can still take more members with only two of the four cinemas occupied.
In 2024 the society is offering eighteen screenings throughout the year with films from the UK, Australia, USA, France, Korea and Bhutan. The selection panel has watched nearly 100 films in order to assemble a program of unique and obscure films from Australia (four) and around the world. The aim has always been to present the best that cinema has to offer in order to stimulate and entertain members.
Some of the highlights of the coming season are Warwick Thornton’s The New Boy, which tells the story of an indigenous boy sent to a remote convent school and stars Cate Blanchett and Deborah Mailman.
Another film centred on a child left alone is Scrapper from the UK in which a 12 year old girl is left alone in a London flat until one day her estranged father turns up. The film explores this new relationship with humour and understanding.
From the USA/Korea is Past Lives where two childhood sweethearts meet again in a different country, resulting in a very touching and always subtle film. Bhutan is the unlikely source of the astonishing Lunana, A Yak In The Classroom, in which an aspiring singer dreams of getting a visa in order to move to Australia.
France, as usual, provides several of the highlights. One Fine Morning has Lea Sedoux as a single mother who also looks after her father and embarks on a love affair. Once again the treatment is gentle and subtle.
For the retrospective this year the society has the Australian classic Death In Brunswick which has Sam Neil attempting to get rid of a body in some very awkward situations. Also home grown is The Giants, which, using the magnificent Tasmanian trees under threat of logging, purports to highlight the life of Bob Brown, environmentalist and activist.
Winner of the best director award at Cannes in 2023 was Park Chan-wook for Decision To Leave. A wonderful film noir thriller. It tells a complex and intriguing story with photography which must be seen on a big screen. Another big plus for Korean cinema.
The final two films for the year are from France. Firstly Driving Madeleine which is a disarming film consisting of a taxi ride across Paris with the 92-year-old Madeleine persuading the taxi driver to take many diversions to places she recalls from her past. Finally end the year with the comedy Plancha/Happy 50. What else would we finish up with?
The Croydon Film Society does not only offer fine films. As a member you will also receive regular newsletters in the form of an E-News which will have a review of the upcoming films, other happenings concerning the Film Society and a full rundown of everything of importance to do with cinema in Melbourne and Victoria.
You will be able to discuss the film you have just seen with friends and new acquaintances in the foyer or join the group which habitually retires to a local café for coffee and further discussion. As you leave the cinema you are able to vote on the film you have just viewed and be sure that the committee takes notes of the voting pattern. The evening is always a pleasant experience.
The new season kicks off on Monday 12 February at the Boronia Cinemas on Dorset Road. Screenings commence at 7.10pm in Cinema 4 and 7.20pm in Cinema 3 on alternate Mondays except school and public holidays.
Annual membership is only $120 for the eighteen screenings or $100 concession and a membership can be shared between two people with one attending each screening. This equates to $6 or $5.50 per screening.
To join the Croydon Film Society for 2024 contact membership@croydonfilms.org.au or ring 0490 663 159.
