LIGHTS, CAMERA, DECKCHAIRS!
You don’t have to tell us twice to get our butts to the Deckie, as the beloved cinema throws open the doors [gates] for another huge year of flicks under the tropical night sky.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
IMAGE PAZ TASSONE
THE 2026 SEASON officially launches this month with a huge opening night event, featuring the latest from one of the Northern Territory’s most prolific directors, Cannes International Film Festival award winner, Warwick Thornton.
Celebrated for films like Samson and Delilah and Sweet Country, Thornton’s latest flick Wolfram – a sequel to Sweet Country – premiered at Adelaide Film Festival in 2025. Now, the flick filmed entirely in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, the First Nations director’s hometown, makes its NT premiere at the beautiful Deckie.
Thornton says he’s pleased to see it grace the screen of the Territory institution.
“Deckchair’s always looked after me, you know. The screenings that I’ve done there, I think I did Sweet Country there, New Boy, it’s just such a warm experience, it’s such a warm, balmy night, it’s always, always been such an amazing experience screening there,” he says.
“It’s full houses, people who are intelligent, and want to know more, and want to be entertained, I love it – I love Deckchair – it’s an institution, it’s just very special.”
Set in 1932 and based on a real story, Wolfram stars Deborah Mailman as Pansy, a mother longing for the return of her stolen children. It addresses the exploitation of Indigenous Australian children working at the Hatches Creek wolfram field – a tungsten mine in the NT.
Written by David Tranter and Steven McGregor, Thornton says it’s important to continue to shine a light on the experiences of Aboriginal Australians through cinema.
“We’ve had a lot of stories told about us, where we’re always sort of been over there in the distance under the tree, we never really have been asked what’s our opinion, so it’s just time, you know,” he says.
“And it’s not just me, it’s some of the other Indigenous filmmakers – actually, Territory filmmakers as well – we’ve got access to that cinema screen, and we need to show the truth and give people dignity, and that’s what we should be doing … taking control of your narrative, and speaking your point of view.
“It’s like, a lot of white films about Indigenous people, they’re filmed from the station owner’s verandah, looking out at a so-called lawless world – and our point of view is that there’s a sh-tload of lore out there. Incredibly strong lore. And we’re looking from that place, looking back at the verandah and getting scared … A different perspective and point of view … My theory on cinema is, as long as it’s full of truth and dignity, it’ll work.”
Deckchair Cinema General Manager James Parker says the team’s thrilled to kick off the year with a Territory story, powered by Territorians.
“Warwick Thornton, he’s such an international star these days, he’s a Territorian who’s made it into the big time, and I think we can all enjoy his work on the big screen and the story that’s behind that … the history of his films, I mean, they’re fantastic, and this is a follow on from Sweet Country, which was a huge hit,” he says.
“There’s lots of Territory creatives involved – from Central [Australia] to Katherine to Darwin. We’ll also have Steven McGregor, the writer, who’s based in Darwin, at the event as well. It’s just a huge Territory story – the film’s a huge Territory story, but the actual event and the film coming out is a huge Territory story.”
The special guests keep rolling, with appearances throughout the month.
Award-winning Canadian filmmaker, photographer, author, and multimedia artist Dianne Whelan visits for the screening of her film for 500 Days in the Wild, where one woman’s epic cross-country journey becomes a stirring portrait of endurance, landscape, reflection, and human connection.
Filmmaker James Litchfield and actor Tilda Cobham-Hervey pop in for the screening of Alphabet Lane, where a couple leave the bustle of city life for the quiet of rural Australia, hoping for a fresh beginning. This atmospheric Australian drama explores connection, imagination, and the fragile boundaries between truth and storytelling.
April boasts a swag of international films with the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival and the National Indian Film Festival Opening Night. The fundraiser program also continues, with Sunday screenings to help local not-for-profit organisations raise a bit of coin.
Other gems hitting the big screen include Imagine from filmmakers Tyson Yunkaporta and Jack Manning Bancroft, and Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie, a Canadian time travel comedy mockumentary-adventure film pegged to be a cult classic.
With tasty tucker dished out by local food vendors each night, the chance to catch one of our iconic Top End sunsets, and the anticipation of the looming Dry season, Deckchair Cinema throwing open for the year means you just know good times are coming.
Wolfram – Deckchair Cinema Opening Night
WHEN WED 8 APR | 7PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $11-$20 | $45 FAM
INFO deckchaircinema.com
Inset: Warwick Thornton. Image James Gourley
