After a successful 2024 season launch and celebration of 12 years of screenings the Portarlington Film Society (PFS) returns in March with a classic feature.
Having kicked off this year’s program with Charlotte Well’s Aftersun, a poignant tale of joy and melancholy, PFS brings Rear Window to the big screen on March 22 at the Portarlington Girl Guides Hall.
Widely considered one of Alfred Hitchcock’s best films, 1954 mystery thriller Rear Window starred James Stewart and Grace Kelly, returning $37 million on its $1m budget.
Like many community activity groups, PFS lost members throughout the pandemic years, but has been steadily recovering numbers since.
PFS spokesperson Pearl Wilson encouraged film fans to consider joining the society while they had the chance, as membership numbers were capped.
“We used to have a waiting list, but we don’t at the moment,” Ms Wilson said.
“Everything changed in those (pandemic) years, where people now stream a lot of film in their own home. For a while it was hard to get people to come out again.
“But they are coming out now, and they’re really out. People are loving being back amongst the other members, where they can talk about film.”
She said the greatest thing about a film society was having the chance to meet other people who were interested in film and see movies that weren’t always shown in mainstream cinemas.
“It’s the camaraderie, for want of a better word,” Ms Wilson said.
“We always have refreshments, coffee and tea and food, and then throughout the year we’ll have a special night with champagne and punch, that sort of thing. But basically people come and they see a film and they talk about it.”
Visit portnh.org.au/film_society for more information or enquire about becoming a member.
