Williamstown Film
Society
Two weeks to catch
THE TRAIN
Wednesday 30th April
7:30pm sharp
screened in the comfort of the
Council Chamber of Williamstown Town Hall
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At right, director John Frankenheimer
talks withBurt Lancaster
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New Members Welcome
First screening is on us!
See MEMBERSHIP page for details
2025 Program Details
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands in which our society meets, and pay our respects to Elders past and present, and are inspired by their traditions of storytelling. Elverina Johnson's artwork - Bandu Gaddaan - means come together as one mob.
Our Appreciation
The Williamstown Film Society would once again like to acknowledge the financial support of the Hobsons Bay City Council through their Small Group Operating Grants. The Committee & Membership thank you.
January 29th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
BRAN NUE DAE (Aus, 2009, Musical/Comedy, 85min, colour, M) A road movie set on the west coast of Australia in the 1960s. A young Aboriginal boy runs away from his Catholic boarding school, pursued by the head priest. Stars Rocky McKenzie, Ernie Dingo, Jessica Mauboy, Geoffrey Rush, Missy Higgins. Based on the award winning stage musical by Jimmy Chi. The screenplay was written by Reg Cribb, Rachel Perkins & Jimmy Chi. Rachel Perkins directed. A fabulous beginning to our year watching movies. Starbox score of 4.1 stars out of 5. A grand turnout too. It's good to be back.
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February 26th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
CHAPLIN (UK/France/Italy/Japan/USA, 1992, 143min, colour, M) Richard Attenborough's extravagant biopic of Charlie Chaplin. An aged Charlie Chaplin (Robert Downey Jr) narrates his life to his autobiography's editor, including his rise to wealth and comedic fame from poverty, his turbulent personal life and his run-ins with the FBI. 3 Oscar nominations - Actor, Art Direction & Original Score. Wonderful insight into making movies back in the day. Note: Long Movie. No preamble. Straight into the film...be on time. There will be supper, of course.
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March 26th, 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
MARY & MAX (Aus, 2009, 94mins, drama/comedy, claymation, colour, PG) Adam Elliot’s first animated feature film tells the story of an unlikely pen-friendship between a lonely Australian girl and a 40 year old Jewish man in NY. Toni Collette and Philip Seymour Hoffman provide the voices for Mary and Max. Other voices belong to Eric Bana, Barry Humphries, John Flaus, Molly Meldrum, Renee Gayer and a million others. The creator Adam Elliot, as well as writing and directing, also voiced 6 of the characters. Claymation is a passion and Adam totally deserved his Oscar for his earlier short Harvie Krumpet (2004). Adam's new feature 'Memoir of a Snail' is in cinemas now. Starbox score 4.4 (out of 5 stars). And thanks to everyone for creating a wonderful atmosphere at our screening.
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April 30th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE TRAIN (US/France, 1964, War/Action, 133min, B&W, PG) In 1944, a German colonel loads France's greatest paintings on a train to transport them to Germany. However, the French resistance is determined to prevent them from stealing their national treasure. Shot in tremendous B&W, this is a classic. Is it a train film? Sure is. Is it an action movie? Sure is. Does it delve deeper than the average war film? Sure does. Burt Lancaster, Jeanne Moreau and Paul Scofield. Directed by John Frankenheimer & Arthur Penn (so epic it needed 2)
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May 28th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (US, 1955, Romance/Melodrama, 89min, colour, PG) Cary Scott (Jane Wyman), an upper-class widow with two grown-up children, has a small circle of rich friends. When her friendship with her gardener, Ron (Rock Hudson) turns to love, she faces criticism from her kids and pals. Directed by the influential Hollywood great Douglas Sirk. The story has been remade twice: The first time in 1974 by German director Rainer Werner Fassbender as 'Fear Eats The Soul'. The second was in 2002 by American Todd Haynes with the title 'Far From Heaven'. Perhaps future programs?
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June 25th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE TERMINAL (US, 2004, Comedy/Romance, 128min, colour, PG) Viktor, an East European tourist, finds himself stranded in JFK airport and takes up temporary residence there. Stars Tom Hanks, Zoe Saldana, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci. According to Director Steven Spielberg the idea for the film came from a true story. An Iranian refugee, Mehran Karimi Nasseri, lived in Terminal One in Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris, from 1988 until 2006. However, this was never officially acknowledged. The 1993 French film 'Lost In Transit' was also based on the same story (available on Apple TV).
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July 30th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber Williamstown Town Hall
I’M YOUR MAN / ICH BIN DEIN MENSCH (Germany, 2021, Romance, 105, colour, M) In order to fund her research, a German scientist is persuaded to participate in a study and live with a humanoid robot, designed to be the perfect life partner. Berlin IFF: acting winner for Maren Eggert; nominations for film and screenplay - Maria Schrader. Subtitled.
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August 27th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
RED, WHITE & BRASS (New Zealand, 2023, Comedy, 85min, colour, PG) Tongan superfan Maka will do whatever it takes to get tickets to the Tonga vs. France Rugby World Cup game in Wellington, even delivering a brass band for the pre-match entertainment. However, the band doesn't exist and Maka has only four weeks to build one. A feel-good film in every sense and based on a true story. A big hit on release in NZ, the film's exploration of Tongan-New Zealand society and culture contributing to its success.
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September 24th 2025, Wednesday 7:30-m, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE COLOUR OF PARADISE (Iran, 1999, Adventure/Drama,90 mins, colour, PG) A fable of a child's innocence and a complex look at faith and humanity. Visually magnificent and wrenchingly moving, the film tells the story of a boy whose inability to see the world only enhances his ability to feel its powerful forces. Directed by Majid Majidi who also made ‘The Children of Heaven’ which we screened as part of our 2011 program. Persian with English subtitles.
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October 29th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
ON A CLEAR DAY (Scotland, 2005, Comedy/Drama, 98min, colour, PG) After losing his job at a Glasgow shipyard, 50-year-old Frank (Peter Mullan) has few prospects and little hope. A casual remark by a buddy (Billy Boyd) inspires him to find a new purpose: to swim the English Channel.
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November 26th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm. Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE LONG, LONG TRAILER (US, 1953, Comedy/Romance/Musical, 96min, colour, G) Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz live slaphappily ever after as newlyweds honeymooning in their trailer, or as we know it, a caravan. Breezily directed by Vincente Minnelli. Also stars Marjorie Main, Keenan Wynn & Bert Freed. When the movie was made, 'I Love Lucy' had been running for 3 years on TV and MGM were unsure whether the public would pay to see Lucy and Desi when they could watch them for free at home. They were wrong and the LLT out grossed 'Father of the Bride' the top comedy at the time. Audiences were won over by the opportunity to see the stars in colour - 'I Love Lucy' episodes were filmed and broadcast in B&W. A few specials were colourised in the 1990s.
Learn MoreHOW OUR FILMS ARE CHOSEN
By clicking on 'Read More' you will find a brief rundown of our approach to putting together a program of 11 films for a particular year. Why eleven not 12? December we have off...everyone needs a holiday break.
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Click on 'read more' to access the criteria we use to produce a balanced annual program of films with more than something for everyone.
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Film Societies pay a one-off fee to Film Distribution Companies for the right to screen each film on their program to their members. Click 'Read More' for details.
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The Federation of Victorian Film Societies (FVFS) provides a wide range of resources for film societies. Many are simple 'how to' guides like this one. Of particular interest are the short outlines from different societies describing how they go about it.
Read MoreCommittee & Meetings
2024/25 Williamstown Film Society Committee
Thank you to those members of the current committee who were keen to continue in their roles for another year. We welcome Mr Peter Steinle. Click the green 'learn more' button to see the 2024/25 committee.
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AGM
Our 2024 AGM took place on Wednesday 30th October at 7:30pm. Thank you to Ms Maria Kouppas, WFS Secretary, for running the meeting in her relaxed and friendly manner. The current committee was elected unopposed with one addition; welcome Mr Peter Steinle. It's great to have you on board. AGM documentation will remain on the website until just prior to our AGM in 2025. To access documents just click the green LEARN MORE button. Thank you.
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Committee Meetings
Documentation found here. To access click on the green LEARN MORE button, which will only appear when documents are uploaded.
Federation of Victorian Film Societies (FVFS)
Click the Green Learn More button to access documentation for FVFS AGM.
Learn MoreGallery
