June 2025 Staff Picks
Our Library staff have chosen four (4) recommendations, with some words explaining each pick.
They 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).
Frazer
Collection Development Librarian
Theme: Current Favs
Frazer's Picks
The Spirit of the Beehive
Director: Victor Erice (1973)
One of the best explorations of childhood I’ve ever seen on screen. The story follows Ana, a young girl living in a small town in post-Civil War Spain. One day she sees the original Frankenstein film and her whole world shifts. The politics of the time are filtered through the life of her family in a quietly powerful, haunting way.
The Lovers on the Bridge
Director: Leos Carax (1991)
A visually astonishing portrait of two drifters on the streets of Paris, played with a committed playfulness by Denis Levant and Juliet Binoche. Set during the French bicentennial celebrations of 1989, this features many incredible sequences and must be seen to be believed.
City of Gold
Director: Laura Gabbert (2015)
A charming documentary about the late, great restaurant critic Jonathan Gold and his relationship with the city of Los Angeles. It all makes for an entertaining study of the various intersections between food, writing, procrastination, family and community.
Arcadia
Director: Cameron Fraser (2023)
A Sydney skate video featuring excellent skating and a great soundtrack. Shot on a variety of formats, including some beautiful 16mm, this becomes its own kind of city portrait – filled with an infectious energy. Even if you’re not into skating this is a very good watch.
Raquel
Engagement and Outreach Librarian
Theme: Current Favs
Raquel's Picks
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Spencer
Director: Pablo Larrain (2021)
A great film about Glamorous Women Having Nervous Breakdowns. This time with Kirsten Stewart as the haunted Lady Di as she struggles through a Christmas weekend with the Royal in-laws. There’s a terrific scene in which her string of pearls fall into her cold soup and she eats the baubles. I almost died of happiness!
Corsage
Director: Marie Kreutzer (2022)
Another great “Glamorous Women Having Nervous Breakdown” film about a Royal lady, also set around the festive season. Strange they were both made around the same time too. And my picks were purely coincidental (random, in fact). This one’s about the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, AKA Empress Sissy, who’s about to turn 40 and having a “getting old and ugly” crisis. Poor sad rich ladies!
The Big Love
Author: Mrs Florence Aadland (1961)
That’s MRS Florence Aadland to you! Do me a favour and just read the first page. Now tell me you’re not hooked on this sleazy book! The account of old Hollywood movie star Errol Flynn’s affair with a 15-year-old Lolita as told by her MOTHER is both funny in a campy way, and appalling in classic #metoo fashion. Choose your own adventure!
Barcelona
Director: Whit Stillman (1994)
I have absolutely no reason for choosing this other than a Whit Stillman film is a feel-good palate cleanser. His films are just replete with sophisticated and goofy humour and there’s always an unforgettable dance scene (a sure sign of a good time!)
Alison
Research Support Librarian
Theme: Weirdly Wonderful Films from the 80's
Alison's Picks
Blue Velvet
Director: David Lynch (1986)
I love how this film dives into the darkness hiding behind small-town life. It's weird, creepy, and beautiful all at once. A true 'what am I watching?' kind of movie – in the best way.
Amadeus
Director: Milos Forman (1984)
Mozart as a wild genius and Salieri as his jealous rival – it’s dramatic, funny, and kind of heartbreaking. I always come back to this for the music and the emotional punch.
The Fly
Director: David Cronenberg (1987)
Yes, it’s body horror – but it’s also incredibly emotional. Watching someone change in front of you, knowing there’s nothing you can do... this one really hits me. Gross, but so human.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Director: Robert Zemeckis (1988)
This one still blows my mind. The mix of cartoons and real life is perfect, and the story is way smarter than you’d expect. Funny, clever, and full of heart – I’ll never get tired of it.
Victoria
Assistant Librarian
Theme: Happy Pride Month!
Victoria's Picks
Colette
Director: Wash Westmoreland (2018)
A fun biographical drama of writer Colette who runs in libertine circles, engages in lesbian dalliances, writes sapphic toned novels, and eventually fights her husband for creative ownership of her books.
Chloe
Director: Atom Egoyan (2009)
A cunning tale of manipulation, infidelity, and intertwining relationships.
Disobedience
Director: Sebastian Lelio (1985)
A beautiful story of Ronit and Esti, a love that clashes with the Orthodox Jewish community.
Agassi = The Handmaiden
Director: Park Chan-wook (2016)
Park Chan-wook provides a great take on the Sarah Waters novel ‘Fingersmith’ with marvelous cinematography. Changing the setting from Victorian England to 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea.
Hayley
Library & Information Services Manager
Theme: Remake the Magic...
Hayley's Picks
Jurassic Park
Director: Steven Spielberg (1993)
Watching Jurassic Park is like taking a rollercoaster ride through a cinematic classic—with dinosaurs as your tour guides and Spielberg as your conductor—and just when you think the ride’s over, the franchise revs up again with another instalment, ready to unleash a whole new era of prehistoric pandemonium.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Director: Chris Columbus (2001)
Let Harry’s journey remind you that even the smallest character can carry the biggest story—especially if they have glasses and a lightning bolt scar—and while the upcoming series promises more book-accurate details, nothing beats the original film’s spellbinding charm, and cinematic magic that made Hogwarts feel like home.
Lilo & Stitch
Director: Chris Sanders (2002)
This quirky gem blends sci-fi chaos with heartfelt family drama, all wrapped in watercolor skies and Elvis tunes—proving that the original is not just the first, but the gold standard, with a charm and emotional punch that the new version does not seem to capture as well.
How to Train Your Dragon
Director: Dean DeBlois (2010)
Sometimes the best stories come from breaking the rules, making friends with the weird and wonderful, and learning to fly like a total legend—and the live-action version is just as fun, proving that Toothless still knows how to melt hearts and light up the sky, no matter the format.