About

Film & Arts Mackay present the 11th Mackay International Film Festival.

This year FAM present an exciting program of 5 films from France, Morocco, Australia, the USA and Spain.

Opening Night GALA Event

THE INNOCENT

DIRECTOR - Louis Garrel

2022 / France / 99m/ M / Comedy / French with English subtitles

When widower Abel (played by the film’s director) learns that his impulsive mum Sylvie is once again re-marrying – this time to an inmate she met whilst teaching theatre in prison, alarm bells start ringing and, with the help of his closest friend, Clemence, he sets out to spy on Michel, his stepfather-to-be. Their amateur sleuthing is quickly uncovered by Michel and triggers an unlikely – and bold - business proposition for them both.

Nominated for an extraordinary 11 César Awards, this entertaining comedy hit is a joyful mix of romance, laughs and hijinx.

REVIEWS:

“…. a rare and delicious comedy.” SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

“….quirky, touching, and well-played fun.” ROGER EBERT

CATERING & DRINKS AFTER THE SCREENING

Saturday Sessions

THE BLUE CAFTAN

Director: Maryam Touzani 

2022 / Morocco / 118 m / M / Arabic with English subtitles

Mina and her husband Halim run a small business making and selling bespoke caftans in one of Morocco’s oldest medinas. When the talented and handsome Youssef is hired as an apprentice, the young man’s presence, and effect on the couple, force them to reconsider the future of their relationship.

Winner of the Un Certain Regard FIPRESCI prize at the Cannes Film Festival and shortlisted for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards, this award-winning drama explores a complex marriage with tenderness and grace in a sincere and superbly performed film which unfolds to reveal a beautiful love triangle in a small Moroccan town.

“…a hugely compassionate and emotionally satisfying movie.” THE GUARDIAN

“A work of handcrafted beauty.” HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

LIMBO 

Director: Ivan Sen

2023 / Australia / 108m / MA15+ / Drama / English

Simon Baker gives a stunning performance as Travis, a jaded detective, who arrives in the remote outback town of Limbo to investigate the cold case murder of local Indigenous girl Charlotte Hayes 20 years ago, in this riveting film noir.
As truths begin to unfold about the events of the murder, the detective gains a new insight into the unsolved case from the family, the witnesses and interviews with the brother of the chief suspect.

Shot on location in Cooper Pedy, South Australia, Limbo is a poignant, profound meditation into the complexities of loss and the impact of the justice system on Aboriginal families in Australia.

Join us after the screening for an in-person discussion led by former ABC Tropical North presenter, Kim Kleidon with acclaimed writer and LIMBO director Ivan Sen.

“It is a tough, muscular film with the grit of crime, but a heartbeat of compassion..” THE GUARDIAN

“This is outback noir — oblique, secretive and as hard-boiled as the ground is hard-baked.” VARIETY

Sunday Sessions

The Whale

Director: Darren Aronofsky

2022 / USA / 117m / Drama / English

Brendan Fraser gives “the performance of a lifetime” (Time Out) in this emotive drama of redemption.

Charlie (Fraser) lives a reclusive life, estranged from his family, following a tragedy that profoundly changed his life. Charlie is morbidly obese, but the unexpected arrival of his teenage daughter Ellie has unanticipated consequences on his isolated existence, and as he tries to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter, he strives for one last chance at righting a past wrong.

'[The Whale] is an invitation to experience humanity.' - The Hollywood Reporter

'The Whale is compelling.' - Vox

AWARDS:

WINNER
Academy Awards - Best Actor, Brendan Fraser
Academy Awards - Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Critics Choice Awards - Best Actor, Brendan Fraser

ALCARRAS

Director: Carla Simón

2022 / Spain / 120m / M / Drama / Spanish with English subtitles

For as long as they can remember, the Solé family have spent every summer picking the peaches from their orchard in Alcarràs, a small village in Spain. But this year’s crop will be their last. The owner of the land is deceased, and his grandson and heir wants them to abandon the farming business so he can uproot the trees and install solar panels. So as the children and the adults get together for the harvest, the family finds themselves at odds as to how they should go on, and risk losing more than their home.

Inspired by Simón's own family story, ALCARRÀS is a story of relationships and tradition versus change, told against the backdrop of independent farmers being squeezed out by corporate interests and government failures and features faultless performances by a non-professional cast of local community members.

“It is a deeply intelligent, humane drama.” THE GUARDIAN

“Soothingly lovely. Beautifully observed, richly inhabited.” VARIETY

Awards

WINNER - 2022 BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - Golden Bear (Best Film)

More information at:
https://filmartsmackay.weebly.com/

Location

Get directions

Mackay Mount Pleasant Event Cinemas
13 - 29 Grandview Drive, , North Mackay Queensland 4740

Contact Event Organiser