Stephen A Russell
@stephenarussell.bsky.social
Glasgow-born, Naarm (Melbourne)-based arts journalist and award-winning critic obsessed with film, theatre and a whole lot more. Live on the unceded lands of the Kulin Nation. Snorts generally included. He/him, quite gay.
Substack: Orion's Shoulder
Substack: Orion's Shoulder
Pinned
The movie Jennifer Lawrence (and Martin Scorsese) had to get made
After reading Die My Love in book club, Martin Scorsese knew it had to be made into a film. Now it's rewriting cinema portrayal of womanhood and postpartum depression.
ab.co
A chat with Die My Love director Lynne Ramsay about making gripping films that aren’t black or white ab.co/4nGVLHp
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
A delightfully free-ranging chat with opera director Constantine Costi about how on earth he stirred up a documentary about competitive porridge-making, The Golden Spurtle bit.ly/4oC5mja
Director Constantine Costi on swapping opera for The Golden Spurtle
For director Constantine Costi, all the world’s a stage, whether it’s an opera production or a porridge-making competition in a Scottish village.
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 11:18 PM
A delightfully free-ranging chat with opera director Constantine Costi about how on earth he stirred up a documentary about competitive porridge-making, The Golden Spurtle bit.ly/4oC5mja
A delightfully free-ranging chat with opera director Constantine Costi about how on earth he stirred up a documentary about competitive porridge-making, The Golden Spurtle bit.ly/4oC5mja
Director Constantine Costi on swapping opera for The Golden Spurtle
For director Constantine Costi, all the world’s a stage, whether it’s an opera production or a porridge-making competition in a Scottish village.
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 11:18 PM
A delightfully free-ranging chat with opera director Constantine Costi about how on earth he stirred up a documentary about competitive porridge-making, The Golden Spurtle bit.ly/4oC5mja
Today I had my Miranda moment and spent 1.5hrs trapped in my bathroom until my hero @emmawestwood.bsky.social pulled of a stunning and complex rescue. Restorative gin was had 🥰
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Today I had my Miranda moment and spent 1.5hrs trapped in my bathroom until my hero @emmawestwood.bsky.social pulled of a stunning and complex rescue. Restorative gin was had 🥰
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
On this International Day of People with Disability, I had the absolute honour of talking to three Australian Paralympians about their journey to Paris 2024 #IDPWD bit.ly/4iAhxMe
New doco follows three Paralympians to Paris as we gear up for Brisbane 2032
Filmmaking siblings Tristan and Timothy Kenyon's documentary Changing Track explores how competing in the Paralympics changes lives.
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 10:40 PM
On this International Day of People with Disability, I had the absolute honour of talking to three Australian Paralympians about their journey to Paris 2024 #IDPWD bit.ly/4iAhxMe
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
This lovely chat with Twiggy (and director Sadie Frost) about the documentary of her life made my year, because the living legend sent her love to my mum bit.ly/3MF6CVm
Superstar Twiggy on the documentary of her storied life
For the first time, the much-loved English model, actress and singer tells her own story in a new documentary by Sadie Frost.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 2:21 AM
This lovely chat with Twiggy (and director Sadie Frost) about the documentary of her life made my year, because the living legend sent her love to my mum bit.ly/3MF6CVm
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
Here’s my review of the effervescent Twiggy doco bit.ly/48iY4w4
Twiggy review: effervescent portrait of one of the world's most famous faces | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games
Directed by Sadie Frost, this entertaining documentary dives into the life of Twiggy, one of the first supermodels.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Here’s my review of the effervescent Twiggy doco bit.ly/48iY4w4
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
Ok, I am an unreformed mythology geek, BUT Opera Australia and Circa’s team-up on Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice is the stuff of dreams. Short run, so get in quick and don’t look back bit.ly/49UsBRY
Orpheus & Eurydice review: a magisterial marvel
Opera Australia’s collaboration with Circa breathes dazzling new life into Gluck’s mythology-mining Orpheus & Eurydice.
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Ok, I am an unreformed mythology geek, BUT Opera Australia and Circa’s team-up on Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice is the stuff of dreams. Short run, so get in quick and don’t look back bit.ly/49UsBRY
Marry me, Carrie
Westwood | Kawakubo
NGV
Westwood | Kawakubo
NGV
December 5, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Marry me, Carrie
Westwood | Kawakubo
NGV
Westwood | Kawakubo
NGV
Here’s my review of the effervescent Twiggy doco bit.ly/48iY4w4
Twiggy review: effervescent portrait of one of the world's most famous faces | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games
Directed by Sadie Frost, this entertaining documentary dives into the life of Twiggy, one of the first supermodels.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Here’s my review of the effervescent Twiggy doco bit.ly/48iY4w4
Stunning exhibition at the NGV😍
December 4, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Stunning exhibition at the NGV😍
This lovely chat with Twiggy (and director Sadie Frost) about the documentary of her life made my year, because the living legend sent her love to my mum bit.ly/3MF6CVm
Superstar Twiggy on the documentary of her storied life
For the first time, the much-loved English model, actress and singer tells her own story in a new documentary by Sadie Frost.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 2:21 AM
This lovely chat with Twiggy (and director Sadie Frost) about the documentary of her life made my year, because the living legend sent her love to my mum bit.ly/3MF6CVm
Ok, I am an unreformed mythology geek, BUT Opera Australia and Circa’s team-up on Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice is the stuff of dreams. Short run, so get in quick and don’t look back bit.ly/49UsBRY
Orpheus & Eurydice review: a magisterial marvel
Opera Australia’s collaboration with Circa breathes dazzling new life into Gluck’s mythology-mining Orpheus & Eurydice.
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Ok, I am an unreformed mythology geek, BUT Opera Australia and Circa’s team-up on Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice is the stuff of dreams. Short run, so get in quick and don’t look back bit.ly/49UsBRY
On this International Day of People with Disability, I had the absolute honour of talking to three Australian Paralympians about their journey to Paris 2024 #IDPWD bit.ly/4iAhxMe
New doco follows three Paralympians to Paris as we gear up for Brisbane 2032
Filmmaking siblings Tristan and Timothy Kenyon's documentary Changing Track explores how competing in the Paralympics changes lives.
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 10:40 PM
On this International Day of People with Disability, I had the absolute honour of talking to three Australian Paralympians about their journey to Paris 2024 #IDPWD bit.ly/4iAhxMe
Stop. Using. So. Much. CGI.
Layers of real at any size will always be better. As will sets and matte paintings.
Layers of real at any size will always be better. As will sets and matte paintings.
The model effects in ALIENS are so effective you don't realise that they're using puppets in the final boss fight on the Sulaco. It's so well done, will pitch perfect lighting that marries the marionettes with the full-size action superbly.
These physical effects are a testament to talent.
These physical effects are a testament to talent.
December 2, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Stop. Using. So. Much. CGI.
Layers of real at any size will always be better. As will sets and matte paintings.
Layers of real at any size will always be better. As will sets and matte paintings.
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
Listening to Last Christmas because it is an all-time banger and George didn't die on Christmas Day for you to disrespect his memory by participating in Whamageddon
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Listening to Last Christmas because it is an all-time banger and George didn't die on Christmas Day for you to disrespect his memory by participating in Whamageddon
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
Spoke to the filmmakers behind a new First Nations horror movie playing at BIFF tonight ab.co/4pE7hVh
How a devilishly good partnership led to a very scary film monster
First Nations stories are combined with modern horror scares in this new film from Australian creatives Chris Broadbent and Enzo Tedeschi.
ab.co
November 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Spoke to the filmmakers behind a new First Nations horror movie playing at BIFF tonight ab.co/4pE7hVh
Need something cute to watch this arvo? Rumours of Bump’s death have been greatly exaggerated bit.ly/4rtJDfW
Celebrate with the Bump clan’s bumpiest Christmas
As the blended family sets off on a Colombian cruise in Bump: A Christmas Film, what could possibly go wrong?
bit.ly
November 30, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Need something cute to watch this arvo? Rumours of Bump’s death have been greatly exaggerated bit.ly/4rtJDfW
Spoke to the filmmakers behind a new First Nations horror movie playing at BIFF tonight ab.co/4pE7hVh
How a devilishly good partnership led to a very scary film monster
First Nations stories are combined with modern horror scares in this new film from Australian creatives Chris Broadbent and Enzo Tedeschi.
ab.co
November 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Spoke to the filmmakers behind a new First Nations horror movie playing at BIFF tonight ab.co/4pE7hVh
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
Part of a training montage.
November 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Part of a training montage.
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
After quite some time, the mighty Meow Meow completes her Hans Christian Andersen trilogy with The Red Shoes 👠 👠 bit.ly/3Kemduq
★★★★★: Meow Meow's The Red Shoes at Malthouse Theatre
The cabaret queen is an uber Karen, reclaiming a woman’s right to stand up for herself and what she desires.
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 8:46 AM
After quite some time, the mighty Meow Meow completes her Hans Christian Andersen trilogy with The Red Shoes 👠 👠 bit.ly/3Kemduq
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
In one of my favourite chats of the year, I spoke to a What It Feels Like For a Girl star @ellishoward.bsky.social bit.ly/4rruJag
‘What It Feels Like for a Girl’ star Ellis Howard on honouring trans pioneer Paris Lees
In depicting a raw truth version of the memoir-writer, the show celebrates queer life in all its messy glory.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
In one of my favourite chats of the year, I spoke to a What It Feels Like For a Girl star @ellishoward.bsky.social bit.ly/4rruJag
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
Had a chat with Brisbane Film Festival executive director Sophie Mathisen about the challenges and triumphs of bringing BIFF back from the brink bit.ly/48jUU9U
A new era begins for the Brisbane International Film Festival | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games
Brisbane International Film Festival Executive Director Sophie Mathisen and her team have big plans for revitalising the cinematic showcase.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Had a chat with Brisbane Film Festival executive director Sophie Mathisen about the challenges and triumphs of bringing BIFF back from the brink bit.ly/48jUU9U
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
Spoke to Lurker writer/director Alex Russell, plus stars Archie Madekwe and Théodore Pellerin, and lurked around some classic stalker movies too bit.ly/4oWV2mS
Lurker taps into the uneasy pleasures of the greatest stalker movies
Pairing Saltburn’s Archie Madekwe with Solo’s Théodore Pellerin, Lurker is a trip! We hear from the stars of this debut feature from the writer of Beef and The Bear.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Spoke to Lurker writer/director Alex Russell, plus stars Archie Madekwe and Théodore Pellerin, and lurked around some classic stalker movies too bit.ly/4oWV2mS
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
A few thoughts on Rawcus show One Night Only at the Northcote Town Hall this weekend bit.ly/48D0d5H
One Night Only review: form-melting theatre that scoops us up
One Night Only, a new collaboration from Rawcus, presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy, soars and swoops through time and place.
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 6:14 AM
A few thoughts on Rawcus show One Night Only at the Northcote Town Hall this weekend bit.ly/48D0d5H
Reposted by Stephen A Russell
In the mix with this ABC round-up of the month in movies, including my thoughts on Lurker and Predator: Badlands ab.co/3KsyXxx
Here are the November films that you need to see
November saw the return of two beloved franchises; magic-filled Now You See Me and action classic Predator — but can either live up to their predecessors?
ab.co
November 28, 2025 at 6:13 AM
In the mix with this ABC round-up of the month in movies, including my thoughts on Lurker and Predator: Badlands ab.co/3KsyXxx