Spotlight

Widow Clicquot

Widow Clicquot


M 90 MIN

Based on the true story of the “Grande Dame of Champagne,” WIDOW CLICQUOT follows Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin (1777–1866) who, at the age of 20, became Madame Clicquot after marrying poetic, unconventional François, the heir of a winemaking family. Named Veuve (the French word for widow) at age 27, she is determined to protect her family’s legacy and boldly challenge the men — as well as the state — set on stripping her of her vineyards. Determined to advance her husband's theories about soil chemistry, the configuring of vines, and revolutionary techniques in bottling, Barbe-Nicole wagers on the next harvest and her own blend of sparkling wine. Challenged by the irregularity of the seasons, the aggressive competitor Monsieur Moët, and the Napoleonic Code of 1804 barring women from running businesses, the elegant and luminous widow must succeed or lose everything. Telling the tale in retrospect and reflection over a 10-year span from approximately 1797 to 1807, director Thomas Napper entwines a sparkling story of flourishing female entrepreneurship with an account of doomed lovers whose legacy reverberates in the bubbles. A rousing toast to the perseverance of unshakeable women. Cheers!

Firebrand

Firebrand


M 120 MIN

In the final months of King Henry VIII's reign, his sixth wife, Katherine Parr, faces the perilous challenges of the Tudor court. Portrayed by Alicia Vikander, Parr is a champion of progressive ideals, courageously advocating for change. Her beliefs, however, put her at odds with the ailing and increasingly paranoid monarch, played by Jude Law. When Henry appoints her as Regent in his absence, Parr's newfound authority unsettles the courtiers, who begin to plot against her and cast doubt on her loyalty to the King. FIREBRAND is a captivating historical drama that shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked story of Katherine Parr. Vikander brings depth and intelligence to the role of the determined Queen, while Law's portrayal of the volatile Henry VIII is a standout performance. Directed by Karim Aïnouz, the film boasts stunning visuals, a sharp script, and a talented supporting cast, including Simon Russell Beale, Eddie Marsan, and Sam Riley. FIREBRAND weaves a gripping tale of ambition, survival, and the power struggles faced by a formidable woman in a world that undervalues her intellect.

Four Letters of Love

Four Letters of Love


CTC 125 MIN

Featuring a commanding ensemble cast, Polly Steele’s tender character piece navigates the human condition. Nicholas and Isabel are destined for each other, but their path to true love is anything but straightforward. As fate brings them together, they are also pulled apart by family, passion, and faith. Nicholas’ father, William (A touching performance from Pierce Brosnan), upends their quiet, modest life when he announces he has received a divine calling to dedicate himself to painting. Abandoning his job, he heads to the coast, leaving his bewildered wife and son to cope on their own. Meanwhile, Isabel’s family enjoys a vibrant life on a nearby island, filled with music and poetry. When tragedy strikes and her brother is injured, their joyful existence is shattered. In their grief, Isabel’s parents (played to perfection by Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne) decide to send her to a convent school on the mainland. As Nicholas and Isabel navigate their separate paths of heartache and unfulfilled love, fate eventually weaves their lives back together delivering a heartfelt drama that will linger long after the end credits roll.

The Return

The Return


M 116 MIN

Director Uberto Pasolini’s adaptation of Homer’s ODYSSEY reunites THE ENGLISH PATIENT stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in a film that exudes the classical essence of the Greek epic with a distinctly British spin, capturing the steely resolve of its source material, where every gaze is intense, and each word and breath is meticulously measured. The story begins as Odysseus (Fiennes), is washed ashore on Ithaca after more than 20 years away, having fought in the Trojan War. His wife, Queen Penelope (Binoche), has waited faithfully all this time, while their son Telemachus (Charlie Plummer) has lost hope in his father’s return and fears for his mother’s safety as increasingly aggressive suitors pressure her to remarry and crown a new king. This UK/Italian co-production offers lavish visuals, tightly constructed sequences and showcases Fiennes and Binoche at the very top of their game. The assured direction from Pasolini, who takes his previous experience with character dramas such as NOWHERE SPECIAL and STILL LIFE, applying it to mythological archetypes with stunning results.

The Salt Path

The Salt Path


M 115 MIN

After losing their home and livelihood, a middle-aged couple, Ray (Gillian Anderson) and Moth (Jason Isaacs), embark on a 630-mile walk along the southwest English coast. This journey is complicated by Moth’s recent diagnosis of a terminal neurodegenerative disease. Forced out of their B&B with no money or hope, they impulsively decide to trek the Salt Path from Dorset to Somerset. Is this a desperate attempt to outrun their problems, or a final adventure? Adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz from Raynor Winn's 2018 memoir, THE SALT PATH marks the film debut of Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliott. Set against stunning coastal landscapes, the film is a cinematic exploration of a couple battling the elements and their inner turmoil. Anderson and Isaacs deliver powerful performances, portraying the physical and emotional exhaustion of their characters. As they journey through harsh weather and abandon their expectations of comfort, THE SALT PATH reveals the profound connections forged when life is stripped down to its essentials.

About the Festival

The 2024 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival returns to cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Byron Bay and for the first time, Ballarat, this November with a star-studded line up. The specially curated program features tender dramas, action packed thrillers, comedy, documentaries and retrospectives, starring some of Britain’s most well-known faces including Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law and Tim Roth. 

Opening this year’s festival is the Premiere of BLITZ, Steve McQueen's visually stunning period drama depicting pivotal moments of World War II in London and starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Weller and brilliant newcomer Elliot Heffernan. Closing the festival is another exciting exclusive, the premiere of the highly anticipated WE LIVE IN TIME. With beautifully nuanced performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, this heart rendering romance delves into the profound question of how to make the most of the time we have in this world. 

Festival Dates

6 November - 8 December: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Ballarat, Perth, Byron Bay & Ballina

7 November - 8 December: Sydney

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