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Movie Reviews

Latest reviews of films destined for Australian cinemas or premiering at international film festivals, with an emphasis on world movies, award-winners, independents and cult films doing the rounds of the arthouse circuit.

Now Showing

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Riz Ahmed takes the lead in the new film from Mira Nair.

Tabu

Former critic Miguel Gomes follows an older woman’s tale of obsessive love.

Broken

Tim Roth and newcomer Eloise Laurence star for debut director Rufus Norris.

A Place for Me

Greg Kinnear plays a divorced writer struggling to take care of two teenagers.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

In the wake of 9/11, a Pakastani finds his place in America negatively affected.

The Past

An Iranian man stays with his ex-wife and her new partner in Paris, as their divorce is finalised.

Only God Forgives

A Bangkok-based drug-smuggler seeks revenge for his brother's death.

The Congress

An aging actress learns that her last job has profound consequences.

The Bling Ring

The true story of the young group of friends who robbed the homes of celebrities.

Polluting Paradise

An ill-conceived waste facility threatens to poison a Turkish village’s environment.

The Great Gatsby

Baz Luhrmann adapts F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel in epic 3D fashion.

Broken

The life of an 11-year-old girl irrevocably changes after she sees a violent attack.  

Despite the Gods

Behind the scenes with Jennifer Lynch as she tries to make a drama in India.

Kabhi Kabhie (Sometimes)

An arranged marriage stands between a poet and his lover.

Ek Thi Daayan

An illusionist becomes haunted by a witch from his childhood days.

Transpapa

A teenage girl reunites with her father who is now living as a woman.

The Wall

A woman becomes cut off from humanity by an invisible, impenetrable wall.

Drift

In the '70s, two Australian brothers quit their jobs to launch a surf gear business.

Dreileben - Beats Being Dead

A young physician begins a love affair without a future.

This Ain't California

An account of three teens and their passionate love for skateboarding.

Breathing

An incarcerated teen tries to build a new life through his work at a morgue.

Dreileben - One Minute of Darkness

The policeman hunting an escaped prisoner begins to doubt false certainties.

Turkish for Beginners

The neurotic daughter of a free-thinking psychiatrist goes on holiday to Thailand.

German Sons

Jewish filmmaker Philippe Mora looks back at WWII with the son of a former Nazi.

Lost in Siberia

The shy logistician of a German mail order company is sent to Siberia for work.

Drug War

After a drug boss is arrested, he's agrees to bertay his accomplices.

Dreileben - Don't Follow Me Around

A police psychologist meets old acquaintances while investigating a case.

Chasing Ice

Photographer James Balog captures the world's changing glaciers.

Me and You

An introverted teenager lies to his parents about going on a ski trip.

Haute Cuisine

Based on the true story of President Francois Mitterand's personal chef.

Spring Breakers

Four college girls rob a fast food resturant during spring break festivities in Florida.

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding

An upperclass bride-to-be has cold feet on her big day.

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Watch Films Online
Films on SBS TV
Sunday, 26th May
23:45
Noise
The community is left reeling after a multiple shooting on a suburban train in Melbourne's inner-west. A young cop, beset with doubt and afflicted with tinnitus, is pitched into the chaos that follows this tragic event. He struggles to clear the noises in his head while all around him deal with the fallout of the crime. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize (World Cinema) at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Matthew Saville and stars Brendan Cowell, Maia Thomas and Henry Nixon. (From Australia) (Drama) (2007) (Rpt) MA (V,L) CC
Monday, 27th May
00:05
Death Note
A law student, disillusioned by the justice system, gets hold of a mystical notebook that gives him the power to kill by writing down a victim's name. He starts to bring criminals to justice himself by killing them using the notebook. A dark fantasy based on a successful manga series that was a huge box office success in Japan. Directed by Shusuke Kaneko and stars Tatsuya Fujiwara, Asaka Seto and Kenichi Matsuyama. (From Japan, in Japanese) (Thriller) (2006) (Rpt) M (H,V)
Tuesday, 28th May
23:05
Matchmaker, The
During the summer of 1968, young Arik Burstein goes to work for a matchmaker who has survived the Holocaust. As Arik begins to learn the personal stories of his new clients, he comes to appreciate the restorative power of love. Nominated for the Gold Hugo for Best Feature at the 2010 Chicago International Film Festival. Directed by Avi Nesher and stars Adir Miller, Maya Dagan and Tuval Shafir. (From Israel, in Hebrew) (Romance) (2010) M (S,L)
Wednesday, 29th May
23:10
Caramel
Lebanon's official entry at the 2008 Academy Awards takes a vibrant and intricate look at the lives and relationships of five Christian and Muslim women who work at, and frequent, a Beirut beauty salon. Directed by and stars Nadine Labaki. Also stars Yasmine Al Masri, Joanna Moukarzel and Gisele Aouad. (From France, in Arabic) (Drama) (2007) (Rpt) M (A)
00:55
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance
Beautiful Lee Guem-ja is finally out of jail after thirteen years imprisonment for the kidnap and murder of a six-year-old boy. She can now start to seek revenge on the man who was really responsible for the boy's death. But will her actions lead to the relief she seeks? Nominated for Best Asian Film at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards. Directed by Park Chan-wook and stars Lee Yeong-ae, Choi Min-sik and Tony Barry. (From South Korea, in Korean) (Drama) (2005) (Rpt) MAV (V,S)
Thursday, 30th May
00:05
Grbavica
A powerful, understated look at post-war Sarajevo with a single mother's struggle to survive her personal demons and raise a teenage daughter in a city broken and scarred by conflict. Winner of the Golden Bear at the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival. Directed by Jasmila Zbanic and stars Mirjana Karanovic, Luna Mijovic and Leon Lucev. (From Germany, in Bosnian) (Drama) (2006) (Rpt) MA (L)
Friday, 31st May
23:10
Hardcore
Leaving behind a hard life with their families, two teenage girls end up in an Athen's brothel, fall in love and support one another against the adversities and violence of the night. Elements of fantasy and humour mix with a story of heartbreak and the loss of innocence. Directed by Dennis Iliadis and stars Katerina Tsavalou, Danae Skiadi and Omiros Poulakis. (From Greece, in Greek) (Drama) (2004) (Rpt) MAV (S,V,A)
Saturday, 1st Jun
21:30
The Tree
After the death of her father, an eight-year-old girl becomes convinced that he is whispering to her through the leaves of the gargantuan tree that towers over her house. Nominated for three César Awards in 2011, including Best Adapted Screenplay. Directed by Julie Bertuccelli and stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Morgana Davies and Marton Csokas. (From France, in English) (Drama) (2010) (Class tbc)
21:35
Blades Of Blood
Based on a popular Korean manga, the film follows the quest of a blind swordsman from the 16th century Chosun Dynasty to seek vengeance against a former ally, a charismatic politician who seeks to overthrow the government. Directed by Lee Joon-ik and stars Cha Seung-won, Hwang Jung-min and Baek Seong-hyeon. (From South Korea) (Drama) (2010) (Class tbc)
23:25
The Science Of Sleep
Gael García Bernal stars as a shy young French-Mexican graphic artist who confuses dreams and reality while falling in love with the girl next door. Winner of the award for Best Music Score at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. Written and directed by Michel Gondry, and also stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat and Miou Miou. (From France, in English and French) (Fantasy/Comedy) (2006) (Rpt) M (L,N,S)
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SBS Film Guide to...
Australian Film Season: SBS ONE

Celebrate Australian filmmaking with this home-grown season. Starts May 25.

Saturday Cult Movie: SBS 2

A month of movies with an edge. Saturday nights in April.

SBS ONE Film schedule: Sandy George presents

Movies are back in primetime on Saturday nights, presented by Sandy George.

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The Fabric of the Cosmos (DVD)
The Fabric of the Cosmos (DVD)

A mind-blowing new exploration of space, time, and the very nature of reality.

Carla Bruni - Little French Songs (CD)
Carla Bruni - Little French Songs (CD)

A sensitive and seductive return to the limelight, written and performed in French and Italian.