The beloved film series Cult Vault is returning to Palace Cinemas Westgarth, starting Monday, 22 April.
This sui generis program, a weekly showcase highlighting classic, cult, and boundary-pushing cinema, is set to intensify the passion for film in Melbourne’s community of film buffs.
Palace Westgarth is a venue with deep roots in Melbourne’s cinematic history, and Cult Vault is an exclusive program designed to honour the area’s enduring cult status. Each Monday, film lovers are invited to immerse themselves in a specially tailored selection of films showcased at the historic Westgarth venue.
Cult Vault
- April 22 onwards
- Palace Cinemas Westgarth
- Tickets here
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Curated by Zak Hepburn, Palace Cinemas’ Curator of Film & Screen Culture–who is notably responsible for the programming and curation of the well-loved Astor Theatre’s Calendar and an esteemed film critic–the Cult Vault program aims to preserve the essence of the late-night repertory scene reminiscent of the mid-2000s in the USA, tailored uniquely for Australian audiences.
Hepburn shares, “The Cult Vault was my first film program and holds a dear little piece of my heart. It’s a response to a time when Australian cinemas lacked a dedicated late-night repertory program focusing on cult and genre cinema. We’re bringing back those bespoke pre-show trailers, retro adverts, and special offerings like themed cocktails and audience interaction that made the original program a sanctuary for late-night cinephiles.”
Originally running from October 2010 to February 2012, the Cult Vault program marked its beginning with a 35mm print of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave and concluded with a 35mm screening of Eraserhead. Hepburn reflects on the program’s origin, emphasising its innovative and community-centred approach to cinema in Australia. “We introduced audiences to an immersive experience, showcasing films on 35mm and even incorporating elements like running through the cinema with a fake chainsaw during Texas Chainsaw Massacre screenings,” Hepburn reminisces.
The schedule kicks off on Monday, 22 April, with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It continues with iconic titles such as American Psycho, Alien for its 45th Anniversary, Pulp Fiction for its 30th Anniversary, and Foxy Brown for its 50th Anniversary. June and July are frightfully stacked with The Thing, The Shining, Le Cercle Rouge, The Warrior, and Near Dark.
August and September include the legendary This is Spinal Tap, which celebrated its 40th-anniversary last month and is aptly timed in anticipation of the release of the mockumentary’s sequel, which is currently in production. Other notable titles in the program in August and September are Fight Club, Mulholland Drive, My Own Private Idaho, and Spirited Away. Hardcore Star Wars fans will be indulged on the first weekend of May with the Star Wars Trilogy and Prequel Marathons.
Special ticket pricing: $14 for Palace Movie Club Members or $18 for Standard Tickets. Tickets here.
