A season of film involving varied notions of mental health, normality and the space in-between.

Star and Shadow Cinema

September - October 2012

Sunday 30th September 6:30pm

Mary and Max (2009)

A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York. Based on a true story this clay-animated comedy-drama deals with themes including childhood neglect, teasing, loneliness, autism, obesity, depression and anxiety.

Director: Adam Elliot

Stars: Toni Collette and Eric Bana

Wednesday 10th October 6:30pm

Steam of life (2010)

Steam of Life is a Film that covers just about the whole emotional spectrum.From the Finnish sauna we listen to a variety of men sharing their lives stories, they talk about their children, their lost loves, their dreams and their hopes. This is an immensely touching movie, some scenes will make you laugh in awe; some will leave you in tears.

Directors: Joonas Berghäll, Mika Hotakainen

Stars: Timo Aalto, Pekka Ahonen

Wednesday s 17th October – 6:30pm

Benny & Joon(1993)

A young woman finds her love in an eccentric man who models himself after Buster Keaton.

Director:Jeremiah S. Chechik

Stars: Johnny Depp

Wednesday 24th October – 6:30pm

Every little thing (1997)

Documentary. The tranquil woods of the Loire Valley embrace the La Borde psychiatric clinic, an asylum in the truest sense of the word, where patients find sanctuary and repose. Patients and staff work together in rehearsals and preparations for their annual summer play. This year, they perform a modernist, absurdist classic whose dialogue is more nonsensical than that of the patients themselves.

Director: Nicolas Philibert

Sunday 28th October – 6:30pm

Harvey (1950)

Elwood P. Dowd is a mild-mannered, pleasant man, who just happens to have an invisible 6-foot rabbit friend. A Black and white classic piece of cinema:

Director: Henry Koster

Stars: James Stewart, Josephine Hull and Peggy Dow