This film approaches the Holocaust from the perspective of eight=year old Bruno. When his SS father is promoted to a post in the country, Bruno finds his new home, away from his friends in Berlin, ratrher lonely, especially as he is forbidden to go near an adjoining farm, where all the farmers and the children wear striped pyjmas. Sneaking away from his mother, Bruno finds himself up against a barbed wire fence, on the other side of which is another boy, Shmuel.
This 2008 film was directed by Mark Herman and stars Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis and Rupert Friend. The cinematography is excellent, and the performances are impressive, particularly by the two boys and the mother. There are times when the story lacks subtlety, but ultimately it is a moving and life-affirming film.
The preceding short film is the Australian “Yolk” and commences at 7.30 pm on Friday 18th May at Faith Wine Centre. The main film will show after a short break for refreshments.

A great example of the Hollywood musical “The Band Wagon” will be the April presentation at the Faith Wine Centre on Friday 20th April, with the programme which includes New Zealand short film “This Is Her”, commencing at 7.30 pm. Directed by Vincent Manelli and starring Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Jack Buchanan, “The Band Wagon” was first screened in 1953. Regarded by many as second only to “Singin’ In the Rain”, the story is of an aging musical star who hopes that a Broadway play will revitalise his career. However, the play’s director wants to make it a pretentious retelling of Faust, and brings in a prima ballerina, who clashes with the star.
With fabulous dancing by two of the greatest dancers in film history, this is a fun movie with some seriously good choreography.

Ingmar Bergmann’s masterpiece from the 1960′s, “The virgin Spring”. scored 4.3 points out of 5 from the audience at the recent showing by the Barossa Film Club. In lesser hands, this somewhat grim tale of rape and revenge would have been sensational and uncomfortable to watch. Bergmann dealt with it in a totally non-exploitative manner, and created a cinematic masterpiece with some excellent performancs from his cast. The style of acting was typical of its era, slightly theatrical and mannered by modern standards, but no less empathetic for the audience. Bergmann fully deserved his first Academy Award, and the audience agreed with the honour.

The Film Club will hold its Annual General Meeting at 6.45 pm on Friday 16th March at the Faith Wine Education Centre. President Imelda Carson will present her report and Treasurer Bronwen Topfer the annual financial statement. All positions on the Committee are open for nomination – Committee duties are by no means time-consuming and, if you have a passion for film, and would like to contribute your views on the selection for showing, please consider standing for a position on the Committee

FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 7 PM

2012 SEASON LAUNCH WITH WINE AND CHEESE

We kick off our 2012 programme with one of Clint Eastwood’s best films as a director. “Million Dollar Baby” starring Eastwood himself, and two very fine actors, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman.  Swank earned an Oscar as the white-trash waitress determined to carve out a career as a boxer with the reluctant help of Eastwood.  Made in 2004, this is a fine film, well worth a repeat viewing if you have seen it before, and a must for anyone who is coming to it for the first time.