Western – Canterbury Film Society, Open Night

Presented in co-operation with the Goethe Institut, this is an open night at which non-members are welcome with admission by donation/koha at the door. Members are invited to bring along friends, family members, colleagues etc.

Subtly applying themes of the Western to Europe’s eastern frontier, this drama mines the tensions and the bonds that develop between a German construction camp and a nearby Bulgarian village.

"Guardian" reviewer Peter Bradshaw comments: "One of the films of the year has arrived - maybe the best of the year - a work of unmatched subtlety, complexity and artistry.”

“Western” was directed by Valeska Grisebach in 2017, is a German/Bulgarian production with a running time of 121 minutes and screens in HD colour. The censorship rating is M (violence, sexual references and offensive language). It is in German, Bulgarian and English, with English subtitles.

Go to the CFS website to view film trailer, read reviews and for more information about the film.

The Canterbury Film Society offers weekly screenings of top-quality arthouse, international, local, rare and classic feature films, documentaries and more. Full membership provides access to all screenings during our February–November season in the Philip Carter Family Auditorium at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, for under $4 per film!

We welcome new members of all ages and provide a friendly, inclusive atmosphere with drinks and snacks for purchase and opportunities to socialise each Monday night. We run a carefully curated programme over nine months, each film introduced by a guest presenter.

We run DVD swap nights, coffee and chat sessions after some films, and regular Open Nights (ie non-members welcome) so you can come along and sample our wares, or bring other people along. We work hard to captivate, inform and inspire film buffs as well as those on the hunt for alternatives to mainstream cinema. We’re quite literally the best-kept film screening secret in town!

The 2019 35-film season runs on Mondays, beginning at 7.30pm, from 18 February to 11 November (except public holidays and Mondays that coincide with the NZ International Film Festival). Three events are double features.

See our website or pick up a brochure from the Christchurch Art Gallery or a public library to read about the Society and the 2019 programme, including our Open Events at which non-members are welcome.

This season's remaining Open Events, listed below, are by donation/koha unless indicated otherwise:
- Monday 24 June at 7.30pm, “A German Youth”
- Monday 14 October at 7.30pm, “The Flight of the Te Hookioi” and “Allan Baldwin In Frame”
- Monday 31 October at 7.30pm, “Suspiria” and “Re-animator” (Halloween Spook-Night Special double feature). Tickets $10; drinks $5; fangs optional!

Doors open at 7pm for socialising, drinks ($5 and $2) and home baking ($2). We ask that no outside food be brought to the event – thank you.

Membership can be purchased online or at the venue on the night (be there by 7.15pm and speak to the Membership Secretary).

Metered street parking is free after 6pm. The CAG carpark is $1 per half hour or part thereof – www.ccc.govt.nz/transport/parking/carpark

Annual membership runs for 12 months from the date of joining and is $132 for a full new member, discounted membership is $122, tertiary student membership is $70 and youth membership (13–18 years of age) is only $50.

This year we are also offering two half-year membership options from Feb–Jun and Jul–Nov for $70. Full membership entitles members to discounted IFF events and free entry to screenings at all 13 Societies nationwide.

Our three-film $30 Flexi-Pass membership is also very popular. This has no expiry date and can be used for entry to three events of your choice or shared amongst friends.

Visit the website to sign up for email updates, join the Society online or for Membership Secretary contact details.

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