With Hollywood saving its blockbusters for better days the cinemas are turning to beautifully restored classic and foreign films to fill the void. This is not a stopgap, but a great opportunity. If only a small percentage of regular cinema-goers take the chance to broaden their horizons it would be marvellous thing for film culture in this country.
As part of the trend one of Sydney’s few remaining art deco cinemas, the Randwick Ritz, is hosting a season of films by French director, Jean-Pierre Melville (1917-73) with brief introductions from cinephiles such as David Stratton, Bruce Beresford and Max Berghouse.