10 must-see movies at this week’s Revelation Perth International Film Festival

Returning to Luna Cinemas Leederville and Luna on SX in Fremantle for its 26th instalment, Revelation Perth International Film Festival is back this week to champion Australian screen culture and independent filmmakers.

Taking place over five jam-packed days from Wednesday 12-Sunday 16 July, it’s a huge program of premieres, short films and documentaries – here’s 10 (of many) not to miss:

Devil’s Peak

The fest kicks off with award-winning director and proud Perth local Ben Young’s latest feature film, Devil’s Peak, the follow-up to his breakout feature Hounds of Love. Set in the Appalachian Mountains it has a stacked cast including Robin Wright, Billy Bob Thornton, Jackie Earle Haley and Emma Booth, this southern gothic drama combines crime and a family torn by conflicting loyalties.

It’s screening a few times at the fest, including Q&A’s with Young and fellow West Aussie Emma Booth, and you can grab tickets here.

Frank & Frank

Festival Ambassador Trevor Jamieson stars in a brand-new feature film shot around Albany and the great southern about a man deep in a midlife crisis (Myles Pollard) finding a new friend with the same name (Jamieson). It’s a gentle, naturalistic, character-driven drama and both screenings feature a Q&A and music performance – grab your tickets here.

How To Blow Up A Pipeline

One of the buzziest films of the fest, How To Blow Up A Pipeline is new international indie cinema at its best. A challenging political thriller made for the big screen, it packs a punch at every turn as a group radical activists become engaged in some very radical action. Tickets here.

Unidentified Objects

A sassy fish-out-of-water, LGBTQIA+ buddy comedy and road movie is loads of fun. A spunky film that bounces along in unexpected ways, it’s already won awards, driven by excellent performances from the two leads and supporting cast, a tight script, and creative vision. Grab tickets here.

IX XI

This deeply human documentary weaves together the experiences of a handful of ordinary New York people on 9/11, leaving geopolitics at the door as it unfolds through the voices of its subjects. With glowing praise from one of the documentary world’s finest, Werner Herzog, this must-see documentary will be accompanied by a Q&A with director Sean Wilsey, who will be here in person.

Music Docos

Speaking of documentaries, Rev isn’t short on some fantastic music documentaries including Lee Fields: Faithful Man – a feature documentary 50 years in the making about the soul of soul singers; What You Could Not Visualise – an intimate portrait of the short-lived 4AD band Rema-Rema who were part of the initial wave of post-punk bands that formed in the late ’70s after the demise of punk; and Little Richard: I Am Everything – a treasure trove of archival footage that recounting the story of the black queer origins of rock’n’roll and a celebration of the revered artist and performer.

International Family Animation Explosion

On Sunday 16 July head to the State Library of WA for some free family fun as Rev unveils a specially-curated collection of international short animations perfect for all ages, even those who’ve never been to the movies before! There are 14 short films showing in total, check ’em out and get more info here.

The Mummy (1959)

We couldn’t think of a more appropriate screening location for ’50s Hammer Horror classic The Mummy than in the spectacular surrounds of WA Museum Boola Bardip. Screening under Otto the blue whale in Hacket Hall, before the screening you can immerse yourself in the world of mummies at the Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition, and grab some drinks/nibbles from the Afterlife popup bar. Tickets here.

Shin Ultraman

Following on from his wildly successful Shin Godzilla rework in 2016, Japanese director Shinji Higuchi returns for more crazy kaiju (giant monster) action in Japan, this time with another cult Japanese hero – Ultraman. The award-winning film offers incredible action and spectacle, with a nod towards Ultraman’s ’60s TV series roots that’s appropriate for fans both new and old. Tickets here.

Closing Night: Get Your Shorts On and City of Vincent Film Project

A perennial crowd pleaser, this program features four new short documentaries produced by Revelation and the City of Vincent alongside some brand new locally-produced short works. Celebrating WA’s talented emerging filmmakers is the perfect way to close out the fest – grab your tickets here.

Check out the rest of the Revelation Perth International Film Festival program here.