After defying expectations in the East, critically-acclaimed indie satire The Birthday Trip lands on the West Coast today, screening exclusively at Luna Leederville. 

Despite being snubbed by festivals and distributors, the film was self-released by the filmmakers, and has gone on to out-perform films in its weight class from established distributors, garnering substantial critical acclaim including 4 star reviews in The Guardian and The Canberra Times, and The Australian calling it “A must-see Australian story”.

The film is an acerbic non-rom-com that follows three upwardly mobile millennial couples who descend on a luxury farmstay to celebrate a joint thirtieth birthday. There’s a Weapons Manufacturer, an ABC Development Coordinator, a Finance Bro, a Painter… the full spectrum of the Aussie elite.

Chaos ensues: Infidelity, inequality, inebriation.

Simmering social dynamics are captured with an immersive camera, before the trip culminates in one of the biggest stunts in Aussie indie cinema history: a twenty-tonne bulldozer smashing clean through a house.

With a string of sellout screenings across the country at Dendy Newtown, Thornbury Picture House, Golden Age Cinema, Eclipse Collingwood and the 400-seat Sydney Cinémathèque, now it’s Perth/Boorloo’s chance to come and see how the other half live.

If you enjoy Cinema Australia as much as I love publishing it, please consider supporting Cinema Australia’s commitment to the Australian screen industry via a donation below.

I strive to shine a light on Australian movies, giving voice to emerging talent and established artists.

This important work is made possible through the support of Cinema Australia readers.

Without corporate interests or paywalls, Cinema Australia is committed to remaining free to read, watch and listen to, always.

If you can, please consider making a contribution. It takes less than a minute, and your support will make a significant impact in sustaining Cinema Australia as the much-loved publication that it is.

Thank you.

Matthew Eeles
Founder and Editor.

Make a donation here.