The State Library of New South Wales is hosting a great selection of free feature film screenings from Wednesday 2 November to Friday 11 November 2011, under the banner of Study Break Films.
Six eclectic feature films will screen at the Metcalfe Auditorium from midday on selected Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
On Wednesday 2 November, the delightful 1984 adventure/fantasy The NeverEnding Story is screening. This classic 1980s family feature film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starred Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway and Tami Stronach. The theme song The NeverEnding Story was a top ten hit around the world (it was recorded in French and English) in 1984.
On Thursday 3 November the action adventure The Navigator: A Mediaeval Odyssey, directed by Vincent Ward will screen. Released in 1988, this acclaimed Australian-New Zealand co-production won several awards, including Australian Film Institute Awards and New Zealand Film and Television Awards. The feature film stars Bruce Lyons, Chris Haywood and Hamish McFarlane.
On Friday 4 November revisit the epic Stanley Kubrick masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. Originally released in 1968, this science fiction feature film is regarded as one of the greatest feature films ever made and is certainly one of the most influential feature films of the 20th century.
On Wednesday 9 November the 1986 feature film Stand by Me, directed by Rob Reiner is screening. This adventure drama featured the memorable cast of Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell and Corey Feldman. Stand By Me is based on the novella The Body by Stephen King, and the title references the classic Ben E. King song of the same name. The feature film also starred Richard Dreyfuss, John Cusack and Kiefer Sutherland.
On Thursday 10 November the 1989 drama Dead Poets Society, directed by Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke is screening. This acclaimed feature film was a major award winner in 1989/1990 and "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary" was an often quoted line.
The free Study Break Season comes to a close with a screening of the 1987 war drama The Lighthorsemen on Friday 11 November. This Australian feature film was directed by Simon Wincer and stars Peter Phelps, Nick Waters and John Larking and is based on the true story of 4th Light Horse Brigade serving in the Battle of Beersheba. This classic Australian war feature film is often referred to as part of the Australian New Wave and is often associated with Breaker Morant and Gallipoli, Australian war feature films which were also released in the 1980s.
As mentioned, all the film screenings are free and no bookings are required. The Metcalfe Auditorium is a projection room which seats 130 people. You can find a map of the State Library of New South Wales here.
For more information on this exciting feature film season, please see the State Library of News South Wales website. You can also keep up with all the latest news and events at the State Library of News South Wales with their Facebook profile.
