Sunset Season Finalé
Public service announcement, folks. Depending on when you're reading this feature article, there’s just a handful of opportunities left to soak up some cinematic goodness at Darwin’s iconic Deckchair Cinema.
By Kate Conway
It's been a huge year for the Territory institution, rolling out programs jam-packed with industry events, a thoughtfully curated selection of films, fundraisers and exciting special guests.
“Guests love coming to Darwin. They love the laid-back lifestyle, it’s just completely different from them travelling around cities down south. I think the word gets out that it’s a great cinema to go to, so we’re starting to get a bit more clout, and we can bring in bigger guests,” says Deckie General Manager James Parker.
“We just had the best guests this year, topping it all off with Hugo Weaving here for closing night of Darwin International Film Festival. He is just a legend of Australian and the world cinema industry.”
As well as Hugo Weaving, Deckchair hosted Aussie legends actress Sigrid Thornton and director Ivan Sen, the drawcard of big names happily translating into attendance figures.
“We had fantastic numbers through the door, we averaged 200 people per session which is unheard of for cinemas,” Parker says.
“We keep breaking our record of how many people we get through the door – whether we do that this year, it’s too early to say, because it’s all dependent on the weather.”
Speaking of the weather, clearing out the fridge before a Wet season break is vital for any Territory household, and the Deckie is no different, offering specials on all local products for closing night. Hot tip – the dark chocolate almonds are a must!
Closing out the 2023 season is the debut feature film from director Celine Song, Past Lives – a sell-out hit during DIFF. Parker tells us it’s one of the best reviewed films of the year, with some serious Oscars buzz.
Before the deckchairs get packed away and the sun sets on another season of cinema, round up your crew and get your fix of flicks one last time.
“There’s this amazing atmosphere, it’s always got a great buzz … closing night is always a lovely experience. Everyone down here at the cinema wants to be there for one last night.”
Deckchair Cinema Closing Night – Past Lives
WHEN SUN 12 NOV | 7PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $18 | $14 CONC | $10 MEMB $42 FAM | $10 CHILD
INFO deckchaircinema.com
