Film Sessions: Multicultural Movie Marathon

Next date: Tuesday, 08 September 2026 | 10:30 AM to 05:30 PM

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Presented by Darebin FUSE Festival and Thornbury Picture House

Join us for a series of acclaimed international films, with stories from Malta, Morocco, and China, in our Multicultural Movie Marathon!

The screenings are FREE to attend but bookings are essential as capacity is strictly limited. You may attend one, two, or three of the films, but you must book ticket/s for each individual screening you wish to attend.

Program

Cats of Malta

10.30am: Refreshments
11am: Cats of Malta
2023, 68 minutes, rated PG, Maltese and English. Mild themes.

A family-friendly documentary giving a voice to the island's stray cats and cat-culture through candid interviews with charismatic local feeders, artists and volunteers.

Book now

Calle Málaga

12.30pm: Refreshments
1pm: Calle Málaga
2025, 116 minutes, rated M, Arabic and Spanish. Coarse language, nudity, sex scenes.

An aging Spanish woman in Tangier resists her daughter's decision to sell her home. To protect it and the memories it holds, she fights back and, unexpectedly, rediscovers love and sensuality.

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Black Dog

2.30pm: Refreshments
3pm: Black Dog
2024, 110 minutes, rated M, Mandarin (English subtitles). References to animal cruelty and suicide.

Released from jail, Lang returns to his hometown in Northwest China. As part of a dog patrol tasked with clearing stray dogs before the 2008 Olympics, he bonds with a black stray. The two lonely souls embark on a new journey together.

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Image: Calle Malaga, 2025, dir. Maryam Touzani, still.

Content warnings

CATS OF MALTA

Rated PG. Parental guidance recommended for viewers under 15 years. Mild themes.

While some viewers may be distressed by a few of the stories featured, this is ultimately a lovely, soft, fuzzy, and purr-inducing documentary. It offers an inspiring look at the daily work, dedication, and commitment of those caring for the cats of Malta.

CALLE MALAGA

Rated M. Recommended for mature audiences 15+ years. Coarse language, nudity, sex scenes and sexual references.

BLACK DOG

Rated M. Recommended for mature audiences, 15+ years. Animal cruelty, references to suicide.

The 2024 Chinese film Black Dog (Gou Zhen), directed by Guan Hu, prioritized canine safety. Not only were the dogs well-protected during filming, but the lead actor, Eddie Peng, formed such a strong bond with his four-legged co-star, Xin, that he adopted him—and two other puppies born on set—after production wrapped.

Credits

CATS OF MALTA

Director: Sarah Jayne Portelli

Producers: Sarah Jayne Portelli & Ivan Malekin

Cinematographer: Ivan Malekin

Editor: Ivan Malekin

Music by: Asher Pope

CALLE MALAGA

Director: Maryam Touzani

Writers: Maryam Touzani & Nabil Ayouch

Producers: Nabil Ayouch, Amine Benjelloun, Jean-Rémi Ducourtioux

Cast includes: Carmen Maura, Marta Etura, Ahmed Boulane, María Alfonsa Rosso, Miguel Garcés

Cinematographer: Virginie Surdej

Editor: Teresa Font

Music by: Freya Arde

BLACK DOG

Director: Guan Hu

Writers: Guan Hu, Ge Rui & Wu Bing

Producer: Zhu Wenjiu

Cast includes: Eddie Peng & Tong Liya

Editor: Matthieu Laclau & He Yongyi

Music by: Breton Vivian

Venue and accessibility information

Thornbury Picture House is fully wheelchair accessible.

Each of the three films will be captioned with English subtitles.

Assistance animals are welcome.

Darebin Arts and Darebin FUSE Festival acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners, custodians and cultural leaders of this land. We pay respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge the continuing connection to Land, Water and Culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.