by FilmInk Staff
Welcome To Paradise – Melt Festival 2024
It’s here and its Queer! In conjunction with the Brisbane Powerhouse, Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema is excited to present MELT ON SCREEN as part of the MELT FESTIVAL 2024 – The ultimate celebration of LGBTQIA+ artist and allies from October 23 to November 10.
Brisbane will be awash with art, glitter, and rainbows as it plays host to this city-wide celebration. Join us at Dendy Powerhouse and immerse yourself into a Paradise of Queer Culture with the best queer cinema including a lineup of films aiming to foster inclusivity & diversity, create expression, provoke thought and celebrate the community.
See our program below opening with a special Q&A screening of HEART OF THE MAN with the Director, David Cook joined by cast members in attendance for a Q&A following the official opening of MELT FESTIVAL in New Farm Park. On the banks of the Maiwar (Brisbane River) located on Yagara and Turrbul country, Traditional Owners will open the MELT festival with a welcome smoking ceremony from 3pm.
HEART OF THE MAN (M) + Q&A
Screening after the official opening of Brisbane Powerhouse’s MELT FESTIVAL held in New Farm Park at 4pm.This Opening Night Screening includes an in person Q&A after the film with Director, Producer, Writer and Actor David Cook along with cast members Parker Little, Roxanne McDonald (Aunty Rox) and Matt Young. Heart of the Man tells the story of a young boxing prodigy coming to terms with his sexuality, who must battle between fulfilling his father’s dream and becoming his own man. Screening Saturday, 26 October.
QUEENDOM (CTC)
In defiance of Russia’s anti-LGBTQ laws, a queer, 21-year-old artist risks her life performing in surreal costumes throughout Moscow. Jenna Marvin’s radical public performances blend artistry and activism in this SXSW documentary. Screening Sunday, 27 October and Friday, 8 November.
TANGERINE (MA15+)
It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn’t been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the working girl and her best friend, Alexandra, embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles, including an Armenian family dealing with their own repercussions of infidelity. Screening Wednesday, 30 October.
SAHELA (CTC)
To their respective conservative Indian parents, Vir and Nitya are a happily married couple living in Parramatta. As their cultural expectations start to take their toll, they both face challenges causing a rift between them and bringing shame to their families. Screening Friday, 1 November.
I SAW THE TV GLOW (M) – Presented in conjunction with The Brisbane International Film Festival
Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack. One of the first screenings in QLD on Saturday, 2 November at 6.30pm.
PROBLEMISTA (M) – Presented in conjunction with The Brisbane International Film Festival
Alejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream. Starring Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, RZA and Isabella Rossellini, this is sure to be a Festival favourite.
Screening Saturday, 2 November at 8.45pm along with Sunday, 10 November as our MELT ON SCREEN Closing Film.
PARIS IS BURNING (M)
Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? Made over seven years, this landmark documentary featuring legendary voguers, drag queens and trans women provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City’s African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene, a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Screening Sunday, 3 November.
STRANGE CREATURES (CTC)
Strange Creatures is an Australian dramedy in the vein of Nebraska and Little Miss Sunshine; a darkly humorous road trip film about the value of family and the pratfalls of masculinity as two brothers set off across Australia to fulfil their mother’s dying wish. Screening Wednesday, 6 November.
LOVE LIES BLEEDING (MA15+)
From Director Rose Glass and starring Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian and Ed Harris comes this electric new love story. Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family. Screening Thursday, 7 November.
THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT – 30th ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating its 30th year, re-live the unforgettable story of two drag queens and a transgender woman who are contracted to perform a drag show at a resort in Alice Springs. As they head west from Sydney aboard their lavender bus, Priscilla, the three friends come to the forefront of a comedy of errors, encountering a number of strange characters, as well as incidents of homophobia, whilst widening comfort zones and finding new horizons. Screening on Saturday, 9 November following Brisbane’s inaugural River Pride Parade led by The Queen of the River Courtney Act. Enjoy the flotilla of vessels from the riverbank as they journey from William Jolly Bridge to Brisbane Powerhouse and then join us for the screening afterwards, hosted by Brisbane Drag Royalty – Maxi-Bon.
Dendy Powerhouse is an unforgettable outdoor cinema experience located at Brisbane Powerhouse. Featuring a massive outdoor screen atop custom-made 40ft shipping containers, 350 outdoor lounge chairs with wide armrests, and wireless Dendy headphones with superior sound quality. Order a glass of wine or beer, pair it with Byron Bay Pizza’s fresh from the oven, or partake in one of Dendy’s classic cinema snacks, including our famous lovingly hand-scooped choc tops, all from the comfort of your seat via a QR code. Prepare to be fully immersed in cinema under the stars.
All tickets are $20, with Club Dendy members receiving an extra 25% off! Films commence at 6.30pm with gates open from 5.30pm unless otherwise stated.
Get your tickets exclusively online HERE!