Published 24 October 2022

Baz Luhrmann’s extraordinary biopic ELVIS will screen at the National Film and Sound Archive next month to mark the refresh of the Australians & Hollywood Exhibition; Justin Kurzel and photographer Matthew Thorne join us for a special screening and Q&A of The True History of the Kelly Gang. 

Baz Luhrmann’s latest global smash tells the story of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) through the prism of his complicated relationship with enigmatic manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). As told by Parker, the film delves into their complex dynamic, which spans more than 20 years.  

ELVIS charts Presley’s rise to fame and unprecedented stardom, all set against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Also central to that journey are other significant and influential people in his life like Elvis’ parents (Richard Roxburgh and Helen Thomson) and Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge). 

Tickets to the very special screening of ELVIS on Friday November 18 include entry to the NFSA’s newly-refreshed Australians & Hollywood exhibition, a talk from an NFSA curator about the ELVIS items on display and a performance from rock’n’roller Jerikye Williams before the film.

On Saturday November 26, award-winning director Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Nitram) and photographer Matthew Thorne will join the NFSA for a Q&A session following the screening of Kurzel’s 2018 film True History of the Kelly Gang.

This epic, fictionalised retelling of the life of legendary Australian bushranger Ned Kelly is inspired by Peter Carey’s Man Booker prize-winning novel of the same name. It shatters the mythology of the notorious icon to reveal the essence behind his life and forces a country to stare back into the ashes of its brutal past. It stars a spectacular cast of Australian and international stars including BAFTA-winner George MacKay as Ned Kelly, Oscar-winner Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, Essie Davis, Claudia Karvan, Charlie Hunnam and the late Uncle Jack Charles.     

Tickets include entry to the Australians & Hollywood exhibition, which features True History of the Kelly Gang, and the chance to hear from NFSA curators about the film and exhibition.   

This event is presented in partnership with Canberra Museum + Gallery, currently showing Matthew Thorne: Jingo was born in the Slum, the exhibition featuring photographs and costumes from True History of the Kelly Gang, alongside Sidney Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly paintings which influenced the film.  The exhibition also includes Alice Babidge’s award-winning costumes from the film, on loan from the NFSA, as well as iconic paintings from the Commonwealth Sidney Nolan collection. 

ELVIS: SPECIAL EVENT SCREENING  

FRI 18 NOV | 6PM Tickets here

TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG: SCREENING + Q&A  

SAT 26 NOV | 6PM Tickets here

Full details of November programming at the NFSA are available here.

Australians & Hollywood is on at the NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton, Canberra

Exhibition closure: Monday 17 October – Monday 7 November inclusive

Exhibition re-opening: Tuesday 8 November. Open daily from 10am-4pm with special extended hours on Fridays from 10am-8pm. Tickets are available to book or on entry.

Images are available here.

Media enquiries: Louise Alley - louise.alley@nfsa.gov.au - 0422 348 652