Dir: Julian Jarrold
UK/US 2005 107mins 35mm
English Language
After the death of his father, Charlie Price must save his family’s failing shoe factory or local townsfolk will be left without jobs. When Charlie looks for a way to reinvent the family business, he finds an unusual ally in Lola, a feisty female impersonator with a flair for design. Discover what happens when people who have spent their entire lives trying to fit in finally decide to stand out. Stars Joel Edgerton and Nick Frost.

Dir: David Sington
US/UK 2007 109mins 35mm
English Language
Featuring stunning archive material and interviews with surviving crew members from every single Apollo mission, this gripping documentary offers a powerful and profound reminder of the extraordinary accomplishments humankind is capable of, as well as a celebration of the magic of moon flight and space exploration.

Introduced by Martin Lewicki, astronomy lecturer at the University of South Australia Planetarium and member of the Astronomical Society of SA.

Dir: Julian Schnabel
France/US 2007 112mins 35mm
French Language with subtitles
The remarkable true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the successful editor of French Elle, who believes he is living his life to its absolute fullest when a sudden stroke leaves his entire body paralysed. While the physical challenges of Bauby's fate leave him with little hope for the future, he begins to discover how his life's passions, his rich memories and his newfound imagination can help him achieve a life without boundaries. Stars Mathieu Amalric and Max von Sydow.

Suitable for everyone sent out to earn their keep at fifteen or made to do a degree with a job at the end of it. Were those screen studies students just watching films or did they really learn something? Shane McNeil, former screen lecturer Flinders University, writer and director for Smoking Gun Productions and co-producer of the internationally acclaimed film Boxing Day, runs you through the basic of film language, expanding your knowledge of the ‘hidden’ structures within film and some of its best known genres.

Dir: Stanley Donen
US 1963 113mins 35mm
English Language
Learning that her recently deceased husband stole $250,000 in gold from the U.S. government, Regina can shed no light on its whereabouts. When his former associates star calling in search for the money, a chance acquaintance offers to help Regina find the hidden loot. Thus begins an elaborate charade in which nothing is what it seems to be. Soundtrack by the legendary composer Henry Mancini. Stars Walter Matthau, James Coburn, Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

Dir: Gillian Armstrong
Australia 2006 82mins 35mm
English Language
A documentary about the many lives and personae of one of Australia's greatest and most enigmatic characters, Florence Broadhurst. Her flair for self-promotion, flamboyant personality and success as wallpaper designer extraordinaire made her a fixture on the Sydney social scene, before her life suddenly ended amid scandal and intrigue.

Introduced by Joanne Cys, National President Elect of the Design Institute of Australia, Senior Lecturer and Program Director of Interior Architecture at the University of South Australia.

Dir: Tim Burton US 2003 125mins 35mm
English Language
Throughout his life Edward Bloom was always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales.  As he grows weary with age, he remains a huge mystery to his adult son William. To get to know the real man, Will tries to piece together a more accurate picture of his father using snippets of information from his amazing adventures. Stars Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Danny DeVito, Steve Buscemi, Jessica Lange and Albert Finney.

In an age when a chat at the kitchen table over a cup of tea no longer cuts it, join Sunday Mail’s Clementine Ford as she guides us through the great social network pages that dominate communal exchange over the web. Learn how to be your grandkids friend on MySpace, how add somebody to your entourage on Facebook, and keep your friends and family updated on Twitter.

Dir: Fred Schepisi
UK/Germany 2001 109mins 35mm
English Language
It's a long life, so you need life-long friends. Four men embark on a journey through the countryside, and every pub they can find, while carrying out the final wishes of their old friend Jack. As they recall his life in a series of flashbacks we learn of their early hopes, their children, their affairs, good times and hidden secrets in this funny and moving film about ordinary people. Stars Helen Mirren, Bob Hoskins, David Hemmings, Tom Courtenay, Ray Winstone and Michael Caine.

Dir: Gary Winick
USA/Germany 2006 97mins 35mm
English Language
Young Fern is the only person who sees that Wilbur, the runt of the litter, is a special pig in this adaptation of the classic E.B. White story. But Wilbur has another friend – a spider named Charlotte who sees miracles in the ordinary and spins words in her web to convince the world that he should be saved from the butcher shop. Stars Dakota Fanning and features the voices of Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Opera Winfrey, Robert Redford and Sam Shepard.

Introduced by one of the members of Rising Sun Picture’s creative team, who produced the remarkable digital effects for Charlotte’s Web.

Dir: Jeremy Brock
UK 2006 98mins 35mm
English Language
Shy and downtrodden Ben faces yet another dreary school holiday spent attending bible classes, having driving lessons with his mother and helping out at a local old people's home. But eccentric retired actress Evie enters Ben's life with cataclysmic force, whisking him away on a series of adventures, challenging his beliefs and forcing him to confront the very idea of who he wants to be. Stars Rupert Grint, Laura Linney and Julie Walters.

Giving you a second chance in your third age to create a new life, this introduction to the Second Life website provides an engaging, guided tour through a virtual world. Projected on the Mercury Cinema’s big screen, discover what a second life looks like, how it works and then learn how to create your own avatar. Following the forum you’re invited to join us in the Mercury Foyer and explore further on an i-Mac.

Dir: Christopher Nolan
US/UK 2006 130mins 35mm
English Language
Robert Angier, a charismatic showman, and Alfred Borden, a gifted illusionist, are close friends and partners until one fateful night when their greatest trick ends tragically. As bitter rivals, their obsession with becoming the greatest magician of all time leads to deceit and sabotage. Using deft sleight of hand, this stunning thriller will attempt to deceive you at every turn. Stars Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson and David Bowie.

Dir: Martin Mhando
Australia 2007 64mins DV
English and Yawuru language with subtitles
Upon hearing of the tragic murder of his old friend’s adopted son, renowned actor Pete Postlethwaite undertakes a personal journey through the Australian outback with musician Archie Roach, learning of the devastation and inhumanity brought upon Indigenous people in every aspect of their daily lives. Yawuru man and national Indigenous leader, Patrick Dodson, paints the political landscape of the last 200 years, as Pete grapples with the consequences of colonisation by his fellow Englishmen in this powerful documentary.

Introduced by Jared Thomas, lecturer in Aboriginal Studies: Communication at the University of South Australia.

Also screening 2:00pm 2 November as part of the regular Mercury program.

Dir: Alfonso Cuarón
UK/USA/Japan 2006 109mins 35mm
English Language
In the year 2027, eighteen years since the last baby was born, the world has descended into political chaos. The UK struggles on under the tyranny of a military state where refugees are forcibly detained. Theo, former activist turned cynical bureaucrat, is asked by his former lover to smuggle a young pregnant woman out of the country. As competing forces fight over this potent symbol of hope, Theo will risk everything to protect the miracle the whole world has been waiting for. Stars Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine.

Joost den Hartog from the Australian International Documentary Conference, Katrina Sedgwick from the Adelaide Film Festival and Miriam Katsambis from the Australian Writers’ Guild’s National Australian Screenwriters Conference discuss their major filmmaking events coming to Adelaide in early 2009 and how you can engage with what’s on offer.  Both the AIDC and the NASC will have open fringe events held at the Mercury Cinema, while the AFF is an open program operating throughout the city.

Dir: Sydney Pollack
US/Germany 2005 83mins 35mm
English Language
A warm and observant portrait of famed architect Gehry, made by close friend Sydney Pollack, as he sits with trusted colleagues, painstakingly assembling models with scissors and cardboard until he achieves perfection. Gehry is naturally at ease in front of Pollack's camera, in this affectionate and sensitive film about a man who has dared to transcend the rectilinear approach that defines so much of architecture. Featuring Dennis Hopper, Bob Geldof and Julian Schnabel.

Dir: Billy Wilder
USA 1959 120mins 35mm
English Language
After witnessing the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago, Joe and Jerry masquerade as Josephine and Daphne, joining an all-girl band in an attempt stay one step ahead of the mob. They flee to Miami by train only to find themselves right in the middle of a gangster convention. Widely considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time. Stars Tony Curtis, Jack Lemon and Marilyn Monroe.

Introduced by Dylan Walker, author of Adelaide’s Silent Nights: A Pictorial History of Adelaide’s Picture Theatres During the Silent Era 1896-1929.

The MRC’s South Australian Short Screen Awards recognise and reward excellence in short filmmaking. Presented here is a selection of the very best nominated and award winning films from 2008. Showcasing drama, comedy, documentary and animation, get a glimpse of the future of the SA film industry.

*This screening is yet to be classified. Ratings advice will be available closer to the scheduled date.