How much or how little are we obliged to honour the wishes of our parents after they're gone? This is the question posed by Olivier Assayas in his rueful and wise new film, the most internationally heralded of his career to date.

In Summer Hours, the divergent paths of three forty-something siblings collide after their mother (Edith Scob), heiress to her uncle's exceptional 19th century art collection dies suddenly leaving them to come to terms with themselves and their differences. Adrienne (Juliette Binoche) a successful New York designer, Frédéric (Charles Berling) an economist and university professor in Paris, and Jérémie (Jérémie Renier) a dynamic businessman in China, are forced to discuss the practical details concerning the collection: preserve or sell? display, or protect? In doing so they must confront the end of childhood, their shared memories, background and unique vision of the future.

Every moment of this wonderful film is imbued with longing, joy, regret and illumination. Incisively written, superbly acted and boasting a delicately understated approach to the subject matter, Assayas' new film moves effortlessly through its narrative with all the grace of Renoir at the height of his powers.

From Cannes to Reykjavik, Zurich to Tokyo, London, New York, Dubai, India, Toronto and across the Asia Pacific, the verdict is unanimous! Sweeping through some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, Tulpan has bowled over critics, won an unrivalled collection of Best Film awards and astonished audiences with its extraordinary imagery, humanism and charm. 

In his first full-length feature, celebrated filmmaker Sergey Dvortsevoy takes on the age-old boy meets girl love story but spins the narrative (and the audience) into a reverie set in an unseen  yet strangely familiar world. 

Our protagonist is Asa, a young sailor fresh from completing his military service in the Russian Navy, who arrives at the home of his sister, deep in the windswept ‘hunger’ steppes of Kazakhstan. Asa is desperate for a farm of his own, but before his brother-in-law will entrust him, he must find a wife. Unfortunately, the only eligible girl for miles is the beautiful Tulpan (Tulip). And she has other plans.  For a start, she thinks Asa’s ears are too big. And then there’s his apparent awkwardness with manual labour and animal husbandry. What hope does he have of winning the girl of his dreams if his in-laws (and their adorable brood of youngsters) won’t cut him a break?

The challenges that the undeterred Asa faces in his quest to fulfil his destiny set in the most extraordinary of landscapes makes for a cinema experience that is breathtaking, hilarious and moving in equal measure. From the birth of a lamb, the visual spectacle of a ravaging dust storm, to the joy of discovering first love under the endless beauty of the clear night sky, Tulpan will reinvigorate adventurous spirits as it transports you to another place; once there, you’ll never want to ever leave.

Inspired by real events, Camino is the emotional adventure of an extraordinary eleven-year-old who is faced simultaneously with two completely new situations in her life: falling in love and dying. 

The family adheres to the strict teachings of Opus Dei, the extremely conservative organization within the Catholic Church.  Their older daughter Nuria is already ensconced in an Opus Dei house where she is virtually a servant to all the male occupants.  However, when Camino suddenly falls seriously ill, her faith and that of her family is tested.  Camino is a radiant light that shines through every gloomy obstacle in her path, denying every attempt to shroud in darkness her desire to live, to love and to feel the full depth of her happiness.

Power, money and blood: these are the 'values' that the residents of the province of Naples and Caserta confront every day. They have practically no choice, and are forced to obey the rules of the 'System', the Camorra. Only a lucky few can even think of a leading a 'normal' life.

Five stories are woven together in this violent scenario, set in a cruel and ostensibly invented world, but one that is deeply rooted in reality.

Don Ciro is "il sottomarino".  He pays the families of the prisoners that are affiliated with his clan, a clan that has the undisputed command of the territory. He is sharp, discreet and carries out his job without getting involved. But at a certain point the clan begins to crumble. Unsure from whom to take orders, he has to worry about his own survival.

Toto is 13 years old and can't wait to "grow up". So he begins his training in the school of life, one step at a time, until one day he has to make a decision, an irreversible choice.

Marco and Ciro think they are living in a Brian de Palma film, but in the eyes of the 'system' they are only two stray dogs whose acts of bravado are disturbing the orderly routine of business.

Roberto is a university graduate and wants to work. Franco offers him a great opportunity, steady employment with good earning prospects: a job in the field of toxic waste management. But the reality of his task is too disconcerting to Roberto's conscience.

Pasquale is a talented tailor who works under the table for a small enterprise subcontracted by the haute couture clothes industry. Chinese competitors give him the opportunity to teach the secrets of his trade to their workers. He is seduced and gratified by the opportunity and accepts, putting his life in danger.

Shining light of European cinema, Nanni Moretti (Dear Diary, The Son's Room) brings his trademark intelligence and wit to his starring role in the subtle and gentle film Quiet Chaos.

Having in one momentous summer's day rescued a woman from drowning and simultaneously lost his wife, Pietro's (Moretti) life is changed in a moment.  One morning he drops his adorable young daughter at school and spontaneously tells her he will wait until she returns.  He sits in his car, wanders in the park and has coffee at a nearby cafe.  And so he does, surprisingly to all, day after day.

Pietro's friends, family and colleagues come to visit him in the park, only to have their own dramas melt away in the face of Pietro's invincible calm.

Set against the charming changing of the seasons in Rome, Quiet Chaos is interwoven with great charm and wry comedy and embellished by the award winning soundtrack featuring Rufus Wainwright, Radiohead and original compositions.

Germany in the 1970s: Murderous bomb attacks, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the enemy inside are rocking the very foundations of the still fragile German democracy. The radicalised children of the Nazi generation led by Andreas Baader (Moritz Bleibtreu), Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck) and Gudrun Ensslin (Johanna Wokalek) are fighting a violent war against what they perceive as the new face of fascism: American imperialism supported by the German establishment, many of whom have a Nazi past. Their aim is to create a more human society but by employing inhuman means they not only spread terror and bloodshed, they also lose their own humanity. The man who understands them is also their hunter: the head of the German police force, Horst Herold (Bruno Ganz). And while he succeeds in his relentless pursuit of the young terrorists, he knows he’s only dealing with the tip of the iceberg.

Nominated for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ – 2009 Academy Awards OPENING NIGHT (Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane) – 2009 Festival of German

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