Film program

Saturday Film Club: True Stories

A man wearing a cowboy hat and suit sits in a red convertible.
  • Cinema
  • Vivid LIVE
  • Playhouse
  • Run time: 89 minutes, plus 20min Q&A with Alexei Toliopoulos Subject to change
  • Seating map

David Byrne’s classic ode to eccentric Americana

United States l 1986 l English l Comedy/Musical | PG

Join us for the next screening in our regular Saturday Film Club, pairing a contemporary classic with an in-depth discussion featuring Alexei Toliopoulos and a special guest.

For Vivid LIVE, Alexei introduces the 1986 offbeat comedy directed by Talking Heads singer David Byrne. Choosing the fictional location of Virgil, Texas in which to set his tale, Byrne introduces us to an eccentric assortment of characters, all working to celebrate a milestone anniversary for their much loved town. Their tales may be tall, but all are inspired by real life, grown from stories that Byrne read in tabloids while on tour with Talking Heads.

Featuring music from Talking Heads, Kronos Quartet, Meredith Monk and more, ‘True Stories’ was Byrne’s directorial debut and remains his only narrative feature film. Nonetheless, it is a beautifully eccentric and underrated landmark of American indie cinema, conceived and lovingly brought to screen by one of music’s true mavericks.

This special screening will feature an introduction and Q&A with Alexei Toliopoulos and a special guest.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Event details

An exuberant and wonderfully oddball stew of deadpan comedy, character drama, music video, and art installation.

Flavourwire

Deeply funny and free-spirited … a nuanced, acutely perceptive mosaic of a film, a merging of comedy and music and art.

Criterion

Cast and credits

Director David Byrne
Writer Stephen Tobolowsky
Writer Beth Henley
Writer David Byrne
Louis Fyne John Goodman 
Kay Culver Annie McEnroe
The Lazy Woman Swoosie Kurtz
Earl Culver Spalding Gray
Mr Tucker Pops Staples
Ramon Tito Larriva
Narrator David Byrne

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Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Playhouse

The Playhouse is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

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