Films, filmmakers, and Adelaide cinemas mentioned in this episode are listed below:
1. Avatar
Avatar is a 2009 American epic science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. Renowned for its groundbreaking innovations in 3D imagery and stereoscopic filmmaking, the film is widely regarded as a major technological breakthrough in cinema history. A Chinese-subtitled version of Avatar 3 will be screened in Adelaide.
2. To the Wonder
To the Wonder is a 2024 television series from mainland China, adapted from the essay collection of the same name by contemporary writer Li Juan. The series tells the story of Wenxiu, a Han Chinese girl growing up in Altay, and her friendship with Batai, a Kazakh boy, depicting their encounters and emotional connections.
3. Mulholland Drive
Directed by David Lynch, Mulholland Drive (2001) is a psychological mystery film centred on an amnesiac woman and an aspiring young actress. Though its structure appears fragmented, each segment subtly gestures towards a deeper truth. Through non-linear storytelling, symbolic characters and spaces, and an emotion-driven visual logic, the film presents dreams through a cinematic language that exists between reality and the subconscious.
4. Adelaide Film Festival (AFF)
The Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), formerly known as ADLFF, is one of South Australia’s largest and most influential film festivals. It is typically held over two weeks in mid-October across multiple cinemas in Adelaide. Founded in 2003, the festival is known for its strong focus on South Australian and Australian filmmaking and for supporting local production through the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund (AFFIF).
5. Palace Nova Eastend Cinema
Palace Nova Eastend is neither a chain nor a publicly listed company. It is dedicated to presenting high-quality arthouse cinema, as well as a wide range of film-related events and festivals in Adelaide. The cinema aims to offer audiences a diverse viewing experience, encompassing mainstream blockbusters, exclusive and limited-release art films, and well-crafted popular culture titles.
6. Piccadilly Cinema
Located at the intersection of O’Connell Street and Childers Street in North Adelaide, Piccadilly Cinema was built in 1940 and has undergone multiple renovations and name changes. Now operating as a three-screen cinema, it retains its Art Deco style and selected historical features. Following its reopening in 2022, the cinema reinstated 35mm film projection and added an elevator and dining areas.
7. Akira Kurosawa Retrospective
In October 2024, Palace Nova Cinemas hosted an Akira Kurosawa retrospective.
8. David Lynch Retrospective
From 2 October to 13 November this year, Palace Nova Cinemas presented a David Lynch retrospective. These films shocked critics, inspired countless filmmakers, and left an indelible mark on cultural history.
9. Adelaide-based filmmaker Sophie Hyde
Born in Adelaide in 1977, Sophie Hyde is an Australian director, screenwriter, and producer. Her early works include the documentary Life in Movement and the award-winning feature 52 Tuesdays. On 15 October 2025, her intergenerational queer family drama Jimpa will have its Australian premiere as the opening-night film of the Adelaide Film Festival.
*Host Zane’s rednote account is @SA_不知道起什么昵称, where we regularly share information on Adelaide and Australian cinemas, as well as Chinese-language film screenings. Feel free to follow.