21°C | Saturday May 24, 2025 
7 May 2025
By James Mullan
As the weather gets colder, it’s that time of year again to head inside for a great night at the cinema, brought to you by the 71st annual Sydney Film Festival. This year the festival will run from 4-15 June, screening 200+ films from over 70 countries at 13 venues across Sydney, including the iconic Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne.
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Here are some of the films, attendees can look forward to catching at their local picture palace:
The Life of Chuck
Stephen King’s novella The Life of Chuck, adapted by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston, received Toronto’s People’s Choice Award. This reverse-narrative film portrays a world devastated by climate change, where billboards oddly praise a figure named Chuck Krantz. Amidst failing internet and societal breakdown, a teacher named Marty champions education as Chuck’s life story unfolds, highlighting the complex nature of individuals and drawing a parallel to Walt Whitman’s “I am manifold.
Blue Moon
Set during the 1943 opening night of the musical “Oklahoma!”, Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon” stars Ethan Hawke as the troubled lyricist Lorenz Hart. The witty, real-time chamber piece sees Hart reflecting on his career and personal life, hoping to reconcile with his former collaborator Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) as he waits for a young college student (Margaret Qualley).
The Friend
Based on Sigrid Nunez’s book and starring Naomi Watts as Iris, a New York novelist whose solitary life is shaken up when her late mentor (Bill Murray) leaves her his dog. Iris (Watts), grieving her friend and facing her building’s no-pets policy, develops an unexpected bond with the oversized dog, Apollo, who serves as both comfort and a reminder of her loss.
Vie Privee
A Cannes Film Festival selection is a lighthearted murder mystery starring Jodie Foster as esteemed psychiatrist Lilian Steiner. When her patient Paula dies, Lilian suspects foul play, particularly from Paula’s husband. Annoyed by Paula’s sudden disappearance, Lilian teams up with her former spouse and a hypnotist. Through hypnotic sessions that unlock crucial visions, Lilian embarks on an investigation into Paula’s death. This French-language film boasts a talented ensemble cast including Virginie Efira, Mathieu Amalric, Daniel Auteuil, and Frederick Wiseman, highlighting Jodie Foster’s impressive performance in French.
The Ballad of Wallis Island
In the delightful comedy Carey Mulligan stars as Nell Mortimer, one half of a formerly beloved musical duo. Eccentric millionaire Charles (Tim Key) orchestrates a reunion with her former musical partner and lover, Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden), for a private performance. Set within Charles’ mansion, their rehearsals are fraught with rekindled passions and simmering resentments, all while their host strives to ensure his envisioned reunion comes to fruition. This charming and well-acted film seamlessly blends comedic moments with heartfelt emotion, creating a harmonious and engaging story.
Throughout the festival there will be night screenings at the Orpheum of these films and much more. For the full schedule, tickets and previews head to the SFF site: https://www.sff.org.au/program/by-date/?venues[]=north-shore