Hello

 
Our Winter break is drawing to a close and the new programme has its first screening with a matinee on Friday 4 September.  In the meantime those of us who are unable to escape to warmer climes have to endure some more cold and cloudy days and very cold nights.  With some significant rain forecast in the next few days it will be a good chance to top up the tanks and see the dams (hopefully) overflow.  We can hope the terrible drought and fires in the northern hemisphere are not replicated here this coming Summer.  

 
The programme for September and October is now completed and off to the printers.  I’ll try to have the programme on the cinema’s website within a week.

 
As I mentioned we start off with a matinee on Friday 4 September with the film “The Christophers”.  This black comedy stars Sir Ian McKellen and tells the story of the children of a once famous irascible artist who hire a forger to complete some of his unfinished, long-abandoned canvases so that they’ll have an inheritance when he dies.  As usual the screening starts at 10.30am with complementary morning tea from 10.00am.  Matinee tickets are now $12.00.

 
“The Christophers” also screens on Saturday and Sunday 5 and 6 September at 6.00pm and 5.00pm respectively.  Screening second on those nights is “Relay” an action packed thriller follows a broker who assists whistle blowers, while concealing his identity through a relay service for the deaf. He breaks his own rules when a new client seeks his protection.

 
On the weekend 12 and 13 September we have a film from Iran and one from Italy/France.  First up is “The President’s Cake”.  The film is set in rural Iraq in the 1990s and tells the story of a young girl chosen to bake a cake to celebrate Saddam Hussein’s birthday.  The second film is “Primavera” and might be one for music lovers.  It is a biographical drama set in 18th century Venice.  Cecilia, a talented violinist confined in an orphanage meets Vivaldi, who becomes her teacher. Under his mentorship and through his music, she gains the courage to break free and pursue her passion.

 
On Saturday 19 September we have a private function open to the public.  The Mansfield Rural Australians for Refugees is screening “We Are Not Powerless”.  In escaping the Taliban in Afghanistan a young man and his wife flee to Indonesia.  Unable to reach Australia they start a small school which becomes the centre of the community.  Tickets are $25 and include afternoon tea after the film.  Tickets are available through Humanitix or our website.

 
That evening, Saturday 19 September and for following day we are having a short Sam Neill tribute with two of his much loved films.  Screening first is the comedy drama “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”.  Made in 2016 the film follows the adventures of a foster child and his reluctant foster uncle as they try to escape a nation-wide search for them.  Screening second is “My Brilliant Career”.  Made in 1979 this is one of Neill’s earliest films and as a drama contrasts nicely with the previous film.

 
The end of September sees the German film “The Sound of Falling” as a single feature.  The movie revolves around four German women, all living in the same farm in Eastern Germany, but in different eras.  

 
Finally, going into October we are screening a family matinee for the school holidays on Friday 2 October at 10.30am with Toy Story 5.  Watch how Woody, Jessie, Bud and the other toys deal with being cast aside by their owner Bonnie in favour of an electronic tablet.  Again we have a complementary morning tea from 10.00am and tickets are $12.00 for adults and remain at $8.00 for children aged 4 to 12.

 
The committee met earlier this week and I have some housekeeping notes to convey.  You are reminded that you can become a member and support the cinema for just $5.00 per year.  This can be paid at the ticket box the next time you're at the cinema.  

 
Our Annual General Meeting will be on Tuesday September 6 starting at 7.00pm.  The meeting will conclude by 7.30pm and a chance to catch up over a cup of tea/coffee and slice will follow.  Please come along and show your support for the committee. You’ll be asked to leave at 8.00pm so the committee can hold its monthly meeting.  

 
We are 35 years old in October!!  Come along on the weekend of 10 and 11 October and celebrate with a complementary glass of bubbles and a piece of cake.  

 
As you will be aware the Swanpool hall is a recognised Safer Place in the event of emergencies such as heat waves and bushfires.  Through some state government grants we now have free public internet access.  Look for the wifi link Swanpool (or something similar as I’m not connected to it right now) and the password is Swanpool. 

 
Related to hall improvements, additional solar panels and a new very large battery is to be installed. The total battery size will be in excess of 90kw.  This will assist in ensuring the cinema always runs and will provide excellent power backup in emergencies.

 
That’s all for now.  Stay warm and, importantly, stay dry over the next week or so.

 
I hope to see you sometime in September at the cinema and especially on our 35th Birthday weekend.

 
Regards

 
Robert