Chile, 2019, 107 min. Directed by Pablo Larraín Chilean Musical Drama In his first film since the 2016 double bill of Neruda and Jackie, Pablo Larraín returns to present-day Chile for an incendiary portrait of a young woman in rebellion. Set in Valparaíso, the film concerns married couple Ema, a platinum-blonde reggaeton dancer (played brilliantly […]
An evening of history and hope with local historian Dr Marguerita Stephens and local documentary film-maker James Freemantle.The Years of Terror meticulously documents the struggle of the Kulin clans to hold Country as La Trobe unleashed ‘the terror of British law’ on them.Based on the journal of Assistant Protector William Thomas, this work provides a […]
USA, 2016, 98 min. Directed by Werner Herzog Digital Revolution Documentary Elon Musk, Lawrence Krauss and Lucianne Walkowicz, stars of the digital revolution, feature in Werner Herzog’s documentary about the internet, which he calls one of the “greatest revolutions of humanity.” Herzog asks pertinent questions, and patiently listens, allowing his subjects to reveal all the […]
Spain, 2021, 120 min. Directed and written by Fernando León de Aranoa Spanish comedy-drama Blanco (Javier Bardem), the charismatic owner of a family-run factory, is under pressure as he covets a local award for business excellence. Everything needs to be perfect! But the veneer of his perfect company cracks as Blanco has to deal with […]
Ireland, 2020, 95 min. Written and Directed by Philip Doherty Deadpan Dark Irish Comedy To see out the year 2023, we turn to a pitch-black, irreverent comedy about a troubled young man returning to his fictional Irish hometown of Ballylough, in the real County Cavan. A despairing prodigal son seeking redemption for his sins, he […]
London Housing Estate Comedy Resourceful and bold 12-year-old Georgie secretly lives by herself on the outskirts of Chigwell in East London after the death of her mother. She survives on her wits and the wondrous friendship with her best mate Ali. Young Georgie gets into fights, nicks bikes and pretends to the social services, she lives […]
Luscious Moroccan Drama In 2021, BFS screened the well-received film, Adam. This is Touzani ‘s second feature film, described by Sight and Sound as a ‘tender, dignified drama’. A master tailor who owns a caftan shop in Morocco’s oldest medina, falls for his young male apprentice in this nuanced portrait of unconditional love at its most […]
Chinese Neo-noir Crime Thriller When small-time mob leader Zhou Zenong (Hu Ge) accidentally kills a cop, a bounty is placed on his head, forcing him on the run from both the police as well as dangerous gangsters out for the reward. Hiding out in China’s densely populated (and deeply divided) Wuhan province, Zhou becomes entangled […]
Iranian-Australian Family Story Opening the 2022 Melbourne International Film Festival, Niasari ‘s debut film Shayda was selected by Australia to enter the Best International Feature Film Oscar race in 2023. Iranian-Australian born writer and director Noora Niasari tells the personally inspired story of a young Iranian mother and her 6-year-old daughter who find refuge in […]
May 18 @ 7:00 pm - 11:30 pm $20 – $30 Returning for one night only The Vegas 70 was once the most popular cinema in Ballarat. The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and Showbiz Cinemas have collaborated to bring back the Vegas for the Ballarat Heritage Festival. The first moving pictures (called cinematograph) in Ballarat were […]
June 13 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Under the Spanish sun... The Soles are peach farmers who have occupied their land for generations on the basis of a handshake deal with the original owners. The sighting of a looming mechanical crane ushers into their lives an uncertain peach season and future. An ensemble drama […]
July 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Aboriginal Historical Fantasy The New Boy is set on a remote mission for Aboriginal children in the 1940s run by a renegade nun, Sister Eileen. A new charge is delivered in the dead of night – a boy who appears to have special powers - and so […]
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Night Tours
Fri 31 Oct – Sat 15 Nov
& Fri 12 Dec
Tour 1 at 7pm
Tour 2 at 9pm.
Linen & Lace Exhbition
Includes Devonshire Tea | $20
Sat & Sun 22, 23 Oct
10am-4pm
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Coming soon…
Rozzi Bazzani. Stella Day Out: Katia Ariel & Samah Sabawi, Rachael Johns
Coming soon…
Dianne Dempsey, Chrissie Bellbrae, Paula Gleeson, Rozzi Bazzani.
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Australian Heritage Festival
Minerva's Secrets
25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60
Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
