Our Library staff have chosen four (4) recommendations, with some words explaining each pick.
They can include everything from films and TV series to books, podcasts, music and beyond.
They can be accessed either online or from the Library's physical collection (for AFTRS staff and students only).
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The Messiah
Dir. Michael Petroni (2019)
This series although canceled is well worth the watch. It is an interesting take on how the modern world would respond to the Biblical End Times. It follows a man Īsā (Jesus) who claims to be the returning Messiah. A CIA agent seeks to uncover the truth, it is visually beautiful and gives one hope.
Andrei Rublev
Dir. Andrei Tarkovsky (1966)
This masterpiece showcases rare film interviews with Andrei Rublev and Tarkovsky. This is a great introduction to Tarkovsky, who created beautiful films - he believed that film as an art form had the ability to communicate emotion, unlike other mediums.
The Passion : photography from the movie The Passion of Christ
By: Ken Duncan
This book is a collection of photographs that invites audiences to continue to engage with the film and feel its impact. The film itself tells the Christian Easter story of the last 2 hours of the life of Jesus, the events leading up to the crucifixion, where Jesus is betrayed by Judas, ultimately leading to his conviction and death and final resurrection.
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Re-viewing The passion : Mel Gibson's film and its critics
By: S. Brent Plate
The Passion of the Christ is one of the top-grossing films in history, however, its creation was not without controversy. This book reviews the film through the lens of feminism, art, literature, and culture with perspectives taken from Catholicism and Judaism.
Bob le Flambeur
Dir. Jean-Pierre Melville (1955)
An enticing mix of 50s noir and the early stirrings of energy that would become the French New Wave. The melancholy, romantic atmosphere works with the hard-edged elements.
They All Laughed
Dir. Peter Bogdanovich (1981)
This one took a little while for me to settle into, but about a third of the way through I was totally on board. A bewitching combination of screwball romantic comedy and strange detective mystery, set in a gritty 80s Manhattan dream zone.
Zodiac
Dir. David Fincher (2007)
One of the all-time great procedurals. Hypnotic filmmaking that explores an endless, existential search for meaning: sign me up.
Certain Women
Dir. Kelly Reichardt (2016)
I watched this recently and I’m pretty convinced it’s some kind of masterpiece. Such a restrained, assured approach is taken to all three stories, with the final one being a particular highlight: Lily Gladstone is truly remarkable. Up there with Wendy and Lucy as one of Reichardt’s best imo.
Sully
Dir. Clint Eastwood (2016)
This is an extraordinary dramatisation of the Miracle on the Hudson where a passenger plane lands in the water of the Hudson River. This film makes you feel like you are on the plane with the pilots and passengers. Tom Hanks is brillant as always as Sully.
Bridge of Spies
Dir. Steven Spielberg (2015)
This films make you feel like you are in the middle of the cold war. Tom Hanks gives an awesome performance in this docudrama about the Bridge of Spies, where Soviet/US spies were exchanged through negotiations. A must watch for any history buff.
That Thing You Do
Dir. Tom Hanks (1996)
Tom Hanks wrote and directed this dive into the 1960's music industry. The film follows the rise and fall of the band 'The Oneders' after the success of their one hit wonder. The songs are catchy and the film is entertaining and fun to watch.
A League Of Their Own
Dir. Penny Marshall (1991)
This is a classic film that I fell in love with when I was younger. Tom Hanks was fantastic and his well time comic touches were the cherry on top of an already awesome cake.
Spaceship Earth
Dir. Matt Wolf (2020)
This is a really strange documentary you have to see to believe. In 1991, 8 people were sent into a giant terrarium in the middle of the Arizona desert for 2 years. Inside they had replicated the Earths ecosystem to test it out for future Mars colonization and sustainable living on Earth.
Utopia – Aperture 241
The contributors of Utopia share their visions of what an alternate way of living could look like. After months of isolation, self-quarantine and new ways of living, is it possible for people to reset and shift our priorities, instead of returning to the way things were?
100 Climate Conversations
Powerhouse Museum Podcast (2022)
The Powerhouse Museum presents an exhibition alongside weekly live discussions with 100 inspiring Australians who are talking about resilience, community and invention as ways to tackle climate change. You can book free tickets to watch the discussions happening live every Friday, or you can listen to the discussions on Spotify.
In an Australian light: Photographs from across the country
Edited by Jo Turner (2019)
A celebrations of the incredible landscapes of Australia.
The Andy Warhol Dairies
Dir. Andrew Rossi (2022)
I went into this with no expectations, only knowing that anything Warhol-related is worth indulging in. This 6 part series should've been 10 parts… when you think about how long Inventing Anna was! It was so beautiful, and really did the diaries (aka Warhol's private self) justice. Oh and did I mention Warhol voice via AI narrates?
Seconds
Dir. John Frankenheimer (1966)
Absolutely terrifying from start to finish. There are so many points to discuss here but my takeaway is a reaffirmation that living life according to what society expects of you only leads to regrets, disappointments and a very dull life indeed. Rock Hudson is magnificent (and still hot as hell) as the made-over man, in a deep despair and aching from loneliness while also cracking up from paranoia. I will never forget the finals moments and his screams of total terror.
Mahogany
Dir. Berry Gordy (1975)
I'd like to thank Film Club (RIP) for their "everything must go sale" for enabling me to finally indulge in this camp classic. Starring Diana Ross as a fashion designer trying to make it in the ruthless fashion world, Anthony Perkins as the sociopathic photographer who "discovers" her and Billy Dee Williams as her asshole aspiring-politician BF who treats her horribly and who she should NEVER have gone back to. That's not really a spoiler - this movie really has to be seen to be believed. I am still shell shocked.
Resident Alien
Dir. Jonathan Nossiter (1990)
A beat-style doco following a Quentin Crisp -- English writer, eccentric personality, camp icon and personal hero of mine, having moved to New York, aged 73. Cameos c/o John Hurt, Fran Lebowitz, Michael Musto, Holly Woodlawn and countless New York personalities of the downtown scene.