C&G's Guide to Melbourne Film Festival Online
Having started in 1952, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is one of the oldest film festivals in the world. With organisers confirming that the festival will be moved online in response to the ongoing lockdown across the city, 100 films will be available to stream online until August 22. In this C&G Blog, we list our top five recommendations that you should watch at home this festival season!
Australian Shorts
Always a festival favourite, the Australian Shorts presentation, curated by Film Victoria, celebrates the best up-and-coming filmmakers in Australia. You can see the full list of films included in the 2021 program here.
Come Back Anytime
For more than four decades, self-taught master chef Masamoto Ueda and his wife have run the Tokyo noodle bar ‘Bizentei’. Evoking the sweet, gentle quality of both the cuisine and the man behind it, Come Back Anytime takes us through a year in the lives of Ueda and his devoted clientele. Food lovers won’t be able to resist this tantalising story of a master ramen chef and his legendary Tokyo noodle shop. Buy tickets here.
“Engrossing … A heartfelt tribute to this fascinating spot, and it’s well worth savouring.” – Exclaim
La Civil
La Civil heads to MIFF straight from Cannes, where it received the Courage Prize in the Un Certain Regard section. Based on actual events, the film is a vigilante drama centred on a mother who will do anything to get her kidnapped daughter back. Buy tickets here.
“Gripping … An authentic portrait of this dangerous world.” – Salon
Language Lessons
MIFF’s Closing Night presentation, Language Lessons depicts a modern-age love story told entirely across screens. The SXSW Audience Award–winning film is a heart-meltingly relatable platonic rom-com that distils the reality of life and love in lockdown. Buy tickets here.
“Poignant, funny and emotionally resonant, Language Lessons organically develops a heartfelt friendship while its cast exudes warmth and charisma … Easily one of the best, and most surprising, films to be released this year.” – Screen Rant
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
Perfect for the whole family, this delightful documentary takes you behind the scenes of the beloved children’s TV classic. More than just a nostalgia trip: this documentary honours the originality of Sesame Street’s vision, which is still changing children’s lives today. Buy tickets here.
“Everything you ever wanted to know about Sesame Street but were still too enchanted by the magic to ask.” – Variety
MIFF Play is available until Sunday August 22. Tickets start from $14 per film.