Event Categories: Film

When friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. This stellar debut from directors Danny and Michael Philippou features an outstanding ensemble cast of rising stars, superb visual and sound design and brilliant practical effects that deliver genuine scares. A lean, terrifically compelling high-concept horror film.

Featuring Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen

Dir Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou| 2022 | Australia | 94 mins | 15 | English

A regional hair-styling competition is cancelled when the favourite to win is found murdered – and scalped. A community already riven with competitive rivalry quickly succumbs to suspicion. As the investigation into the murder begins, rumours quickly spread, while some competitors continue to work on their artistic creations to prove themselves despite the event’s cancellation. A fun, quick-witted whodunit, skilfully told in a one-shot format, sees extravagance and excess collide in this feature debut from writer/director Thomas Hardiman.

Featuring Clare Perkins, Kayla Meikle, Luke Pasqualino

Dir Thomas Hardiman | 2022 | UK | 101 mins | 15 | English

On Pine Ridge Reservation, Bill is determined to hustle his way to the American Dream, whether it’s by siphoning gas, delivering parcels or breeding Poodles. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Matho can’t wait to become a man. Desperate for approval from his young father, a series of impulsive decisions turns Matho’s life upside down and he finds himself unequipped to deal with the harsh realities of the adult world. A measured and expressive story of Indigenous America powerfully depicted by a non-professional cast.

Featuring Jojo Bapteise Whiting, LaDainian Crazy Thunder

Dir Gina Gammell, Riley Keough | 2022 | USA, UK | 115 mins | 15 | English, Sioux with English subtitles

During the last desperate days of WWII, a solitary prospector crosses paths with Nazis on a scorched-earth retreat in northern Finland. When the Nazis steal his gold, they quickly discover they have just tangled with no ordinary miner. No matter what the Nazis throw at him, this one-man death squad will go to outrageous lengths to regain his gold. This deliriously gory grindhouse pastiche sets about its task with inventive, messy, cartoonish and hugely satisfying abandon.

Featuring Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan

Dir Jalmari Helander | 2022 | Finland | 91 mins | 15 | Finnish, English with English subtitles

Amanda is 24, lives alone and has never had any close friends. Her family barely tolerates her self-absorbed neediness. Achingly lonely and angry at childhood events that she believes have robbed her of connection with the wider world, she is fixated on the past. When she learns that she once had a friend, Rebecca, as a toddler, she embarks on a quest to reignite that relationship. A quirky, unconventional and deadpan funny study of offbeat female friendship.

Featuring Benedetta Porcaroli, Galatéa Bellugi, Giovanna Mezzogiorno

Dir Carolina Cavalli | 2022 | Italy, France | 93 mins | 15 | Italian with English subtitles

When Pietro’s family head to the mountains on holiday, the young boy quickly forms a deep friendship with local lad Bruno. As they grow older they drift apart, but the death of Pietro’s father brings them back together to fulfil his wish to build a remote mountain cottage, which soon becomes a place invested with deep meaning and a focus for reflection and reconciliation. A powerful, beautifully-shot meditation on male friendship, family, and the struggle between wanderlust and rootedness.

Featuring Luca Marinelli, Alessandro Borghi, Filippo Timi

Dir Felix van Groeningen, Charlotte Vandermeersch| 2022 | Italy, Belgium, France, UK | 147 mins | 12A | Italian, English, Nepali with English subtitles