BOOK CLUB TRIPLE PASS: AUSTRALIAN GRUNGE LIT
HE DIED WITH A FELAFEL IN HIS HAND
SUN 11 AUG | 1PM | Arc Cinema
2001| MA15+ | 107 mins | DCP | AUS | D: Richard Lowenstein
&
MONKEY GRIP (35mm)
SUN 18 AUG | 1PM | Arc Cinema
1982| R18+ | 102 mins | 35mm | AUS | D: Ken Cameron
&
HEAD ON (35mm) + Discussion
SUN 25 AUG| 1PM | Arc Cinema
1998| R18+ | 104 mins | 35mm | AUS | D: Ana Kokkinos
Explore three classic Australian films based on key novels from the Australian Grunge Lit movement by authors John Birmingham, Helen Garner, and Christos Tsiolkas, ahead of our discussion on 25 August.
In He Died with a Felafel in his Hand, author John Birmingham draws on his colourful experiences as a share house tenant, having lived with over 80 different people across 13 Australian share houses. This independent autobiographical novel was adapted into a long-running stage play, as well as Richard Lowenstein’s 2001 tragicomedy.
The film follows Danny (Noah Taylor), who moves from share house to share house and city to city, failing to escape the quicksand of problematic housemates, destructive behaviours and unsavoury conditions that typify share house life.
Through its keen observation of drug use, sexuality and stark economic realities, He Died with a Felafel in his Hand embodies many of the characteristics of Australian grunge literature, its wry humour offering an almost satirical take on an otherwise deeply realist genre.
‘…a beer-splattered kaleidoscope of outrageous sharehouse situations…The exaggerated truth in the tales connected with readers living through it or remembering their experiences’ – The Guardian
Australian author Helen Garner was the first woman to receive the National Book Council’s Book of the Year Award, for her debut novel Monkey Grip. Now considered a modern classic, this early example of Australian grunge literature explores the tense relationship between a single mother and her heroin-addicted lover.
Ken Cameron’s film offers a nuanced reflection on the complexity of love, set against the realities of inner-city sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll in 1970s Australia. A young Noni Hazelhurst won an AFI Award for her sensitive portrayal of conflicted protagonist Nora, giving voice to a character more-oft reduced to sensationalist headlines. The film features an original soundtrack of contemporary rock music performed by the Divinyls.
‘Few Australian films are as evocative of the time and place of their production – or of the period in which they are set – as Ken Cameron’s adaptation of Helen Garner’s award-winning novel Monkey Grip…Its atmospheric re-creation of a bohemian phase in Melbourne suburban life…has not been superseded.’ – Metro Magazine
Presented on 35mm film prints from the NFSA collection.
Head On is adapted from the 1995 novel Loaded, the debut title from bestselling Australian author Christos Tsiolkas (The Slap, Barracuda). The narrative offers a 24-hour window into the life of troubled protagonist Ari, a young, queer, Greek Australian man who finds himself alienated from just about everything.
Ana Kokkinos’ film adaptation stars Alex Dimitriades as the nineteen-year-old Ari, who seeks short-term ecstasy in drugs and anonymous sexual encounters while struggling to relate to his traditional parents (Tony Nikolakopoulos and Eugenia Fragos).
Head On is a gripping dive into class, culture and sexuality in 1990s urban Australia.
‘Shocking, confronting and dazzling…an exhilarating piece of Australian filmmaking’ – SBS
Presented on 35mm film prints from the NFSA collection.
The screening will be followed a discussion of Australian grunge lit and the novels and film adaptations of He Died with a Felafel in his Hand (John Birmingham), Monkey Grip (Helen Garner) and Loaded (Christos Tsiolkas).
A discounted season pass is available for the full Book Club at the NFSA program. Learn more
Please note, Season Pass seating is allocated on a best available basis. To request a seat change, please contact tickets@nfsa.gov.au after completing your booking.
SUN 11 AUG | 1PM | Arc Cinema
2001| MA15+ | 107 mins | DCP | AUS | D: Richard Lowenstein
&
MONKEY GRIP (35mm)
SUN 18 AUG | 1PM | Arc Cinema
1982| R18+ | 102 mins | 35mm | AUS | D: Ken Cameron
&
HEAD ON (35mm) + Discussion
SUN 25 AUG| 1PM | Arc Cinema
1998| R18+ | 104 mins | 35mm | AUS | D: Ana Kokkinos
Explore three classic Australian films based on key novels from the Australian Grunge Lit movement by authors John Birmingham, Helen Garner, and Christos Tsiolkas, ahead of our discussion on 25 August.
In He Died with a Felafel in his Hand, author John Birmingham draws on his colourful experiences as a share house tenant, having lived with over 80 different people across 13 Australian share houses. This independent autobiographical novel was adapted into a long-running stage play, as well as Richard Lowenstein’s 2001 tragicomedy.
The film follows Danny (Noah Taylor), who moves from share house to share house and city to city, failing to escape the quicksand of problematic housemates, destructive behaviours and unsavoury conditions that typify share house life.
Through its keen observation of drug use, sexuality and stark economic realities, He Died with a Felafel in his Hand embodies many of the characteristics of Australian grunge literature, its wry humour offering an almost satirical take on an otherwise deeply realist genre.
‘…a beer-splattered kaleidoscope of outrageous sharehouse situations…The exaggerated truth in the tales connected with readers living through it or remembering their experiences’ – The Guardian
Australian author Helen Garner was the first woman to receive the National Book Council’s Book of the Year Award, for her debut novel Monkey Grip. Now considered a modern classic, this early example of Australian grunge literature explores the tense relationship between a single mother and her heroin-addicted lover.
Ken Cameron’s film offers a nuanced reflection on the complexity of love, set against the realities of inner-city sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll in 1970s Australia. A young Noni Hazelhurst won an AFI Award for her sensitive portrayal of conflicted protagonist Nora, giving voice to a character more-oft reduced to sensationalist headlines. The film features an original soundtrack of contemporary rock music performed by the Divinyls.
‘Few Australian films are as evocative of the time and place of their production – or of the period in which they are set – as Ken Cameron’s adaptation of Helen Garner’s award-winning novel Monkey Grip…Its atmospheric re-creation of a bohemian phase in Melbourne suburban life…has not been superseded.’ – Metro Magazine
Presented on 35mm film prints from the NFSA collection.
Head On is adapted from the 1995 novel Loaded, the debut title from bestselling Australian author Christos Tsiolkas (The Slap, Barracuda). The narrative offers a 24-hour window into the life of troubled protagonist Ari, a young, queer, Greek Australian man who finds himself alienated from just about everything.
Ana Kokkinos’ film adaptation stars Alex Dimitriades as the nineteen-year-old Ari, who seeks short-term ecstasy in drugs and anonymous sexual encounters while struggling to relate to his traditional parents (Tony Nikolakopoulos and Eugenia Fragos).
Head On is a gripping dive into class, culture and sexuality in 1990s urban Australia.
‘Shocking, confronting and dazzling…an exhilarating piece of Australian filmmaking’ – SBS
Presented on 35mm film prints from the NFSA collection.
The screening will be followed a discussion of Australian grunge lit and the novels and film adaptations of He Died with a Felafel in his Hand (John Birmingham), Monkey Grip (Helen Garner) and Loaded (Christos Tsiolkas).
A discounted season pass is available for the full Book Club at the NFSA program. Learn more
Please note, Season Pass seating is allocated on a best available basis. To request a seat change, please contact tickets@nfsa.gov.au after completing your booking.
Terms and Conditions
Pass is not transferable and is valid for one entry per session. All sessions must be pre-booked. Passes are not valid for special events. Passes can be scanned at the door for entry.