There’s quite a few outdoor cinemas that’ve scattered themselves around Perth as of late, just in time for the warmer seasons. Namely, Moonlight Cinema in Kings Park, Rooftop Movies in Northbridge, and now the Lotterywest Films at UWA Somerville as part of the annual Perth Festival.
From now until Sunday 9 April 2023, you can catch a film in style beneath the stars, surrounded by looming pines in some sort of cabin in the woods type scenario, minus the cabin. It’s no wonder Lotterywest Films at UWA Somerville was recently named one of Time Out’s Top 40 outdoor cinemas in the world.
Latest flicks from around the world will project onto the truly massive screen, 19 of them to be exact. And this year’s program for Perth Festival might just have you laughing, crying, questioning, raging and swooning as you discover stories from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, USA, UK, and Australia.
The line-up of cinematic wonders includes the Australian premiere of a brilliant, star-studded film which was made right here in the west. Blueback, directed by Robert Connolly is described as a ‘classically Western Australian story’ adapted from Tim Winton’s acclaimed book – a potent and moving tale of family, friendship and the power all of us have to make a difference.
The program also includes nine films directed by, or co-directed by women, with a strong presence throughout the program of female-led and feminist narratives. Three of which are: Corsage, Feminist Riposte, and Other People’s Children.
On the other hand, all three Best Film winner from the international festival competitions Cannes, Berlin and Venice, feature within the program – Triangle of Sadness, Alacarras, and All The Beauty And The Bloodshed.
Five documentaries are also on the cards which reflect Perth’s previous enthusiasm for getting stuck into captivating true-life stories at Sommerville – a few include The Giants, My Old School, and You Can Go Now.
Mind you, this is just to name a few of the films screening across the outdoor cinema’s season.
And if that isn’t enough for you; every night Lotterywest Films at UWA Somerville will also show one of Belgian artist Francis Alÿs’ beautiful, globe-trotting films from his Children’s Games series before the feature of the night begins. And an encore week is in store at the end of the 19-week season, where some of the people of Perth’s favourites from the season will be screened.
Lotterywest Chief Executive, Ralph Addis says, “We’ve had the honour of supporting the Perth Festival for over 30 years. An integral part of Perth Festival, Lotterywest Films gives West Aussies the chance to enjoy the best films from around the world in one of Perth’s most beautiful outdoor cinemas.”
Lotterywest Films runs from Monday 21 November 2022 – Sunday 9 April 2023 as part of Perth Festival. Tickets are available online and the full program can be found here.