Summer Films
On Wednesdays throughout February, Fed Square will transform into a free outdoor cinema, screening modern classics on the Big Screen that’ll make your heart sing. Thanks to our Summer at the Square partners Cebu Pacific and Melbourne Airport, you can also enjoy free popcorn during the screenings and enter a competition for your chance to win a trip for two to The Philippines.
Pack a Valentine’s Day picnic for a romantic screening of six category Oscar award-winning musical, La La Land (14 February) harp back to 1969 Harlem with Oscar award-winning music documentary Summer of Soul (21 February) and shimmy the night away with AACTA award-winning Australian musical The Sapphires (28 February).
La La Land with pre-feature short film
Wednesday 14 February, from 8pm | Big Screen
Short Film: Voice
Supported by City of Melbourne arts grants
Influenced by early 2000s cinema, Voice explores the theme of (dis)connection, technology within an urban setting; to (and from) friends, feelings, memories, and devices. How we communicate and listen to each other and sharing spaces.
Short Film: Katele (Mudskipper)
Martha, a Torres Strait Islander woman works tirelessly in a laundromat loading machines and folding washing, ready for the collection of her boss. When a mysterious visitor arrives, Martha is reminded of the life she has left behind.
Short Film: (You’ll Make It In) Florida
When a magazine ad comes to life, a depressed English teacher – and her dog – embark on a wild ride through the wonders of the Sunshine State.
La La Land (US, 2016)
M: Coarse language.
An homage to the golden era of Hollywood musicals, this romantic musical comedy stars Ryan Gosling as a struggling jazz pianist and Emma Stone as an aspiring actor, who meet and fall in love, as they each attempt to pursue their creative dreams. Screening on Valentine’s Day, this is perfect for a romantic date night out, or to watch with a fellow musical-lover in your life.
Summer of Soul with pre-feature short films
Wednesday 21 February, from 8pm | Big Screen
Short Film: The Spaghetti Stains
An immersive look into up-coming Melbourne band ‘The Spaghetti Stains’, including their upbringing in the regional Victoria area of Gippsland, their experiences as an all-female band, and their outlook on life and the future of the Melbourne music scene.
Short Film: That’s My Jazz
A touching portrait of world-renowned pastry chef Milt Abel II as he reflects on his relationship with his deceased father Milton Abel Sr., famed Kansas City jazz musician. The film presents an son understanding the similarities between a father and himself, and informs his future.
Short Film: It’s A Soul: A Portrait of Hailu Mergia
The legendary Ethiopian jazz keyboardist Hailu Mergia’s story is intertwined with “tezeta”. The atmospheric tone poem, “It is a Soul” tracks aspects of Hailu’s journey from an iconic bandleader in the club scene of Addis Ababa in the 1970s, his immigration to the US during a decade of political repression and brutality in Ethiopia, and his public re-emergence as a performer in 2014 after a music publisher in New York began re-releasing his music.
Summer of Soul (… Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
PG: Mild themes and drug references.
This 2021 Sundance Audience and Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary explores the historical significance and ongoing legacy of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Using footage from the festival, news reports from the time and interviews with attendees, musicians and other commentators, the film considers why the festival continues to be little-known today, despite attracting large crowds and big-name performers, including Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, the 5th Dimension, Sly and the Family Stone and the Chambers Brothers.
The Sapphires with pre-feature short film
Wednesday 28 February, from 8pm | Big Screen
Short Film: Katele (Mudskipper)
Martha, a Torres Strait Islander woman works tirelessly in a laundromat loading machines and folding washing, ready for the collection of her boss. When a mysterious visitor arrives, Martha is reminded of the life she has left behind.
Short Film: Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped In Black)
Yankunytjatjara artist Derik Lynch escapes the oppressive white city life of Adelaide, taking a road trip back to Country (Aptula), his remote Anangu community. There, he seeks spiritual healing and performs on sacred Inma ground. Inma is a traditional form of storytelling using the visual, verbal and physical. It is how Anangu Tjukurpa (myths) have been passed down for more than 60,000 years. Marungka Tjalatjunu won the Silver Bear Jury Prize (Short Film) and a Teddy Award for best queer short film at the 2023 Berlinale.
While a deeply moving cinematic film, the story includes elements that might not be suitable for some viewers. A visual reference to suicide are present in the film. Support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, and Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The Sapphires
PG: Mild violence, themes, coarse language and sexual references.
Feelgood 2012 Australian musical comedy drama, based on the stageplay of the same name by Tony Briggs, starring Jessica Mauboy, Deborah Mailman and Chris O’Dowd. Loosely based on a 1960s girl group, in which Briggs’ mother performed, the film follows a group of First Nations women who are spotted by an Irish talent scout (O’Dowd) and go on to perform for troops during the Vietnam War.
We thank our partner of Summer at the Square:
