The Revelation Perth International Film Festival is back, and with it comes the thought-provoking documentaries, the quirky indie flicks, and the mind-bending art-house films from all over the world. (read here for our introduction to the festival last year). You know, those obscure films you heard about, the ones with trailers you happen to stumble upon but thought would never reach our shores? Well, the wait for a d̶e̶c̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶r̶r̶e̶n̶t̶ DVD-release of said movies is over: From the 4th to 13th of July, you can actually see it them in an actual theatre near you!

Rev Film Fest has always had a very impressive programme, and this year’s line-up – carefully curated by Jack Sargeant – is no different. Now, I know your instinctive reaction is to jump up, pump your fist in the air and declare that you’ll “watch ‘em all!”, but who are you kidding? This year’s festival will feature 116 films. One hundred and sixteen.

Look, calm down. This is what we’re here for. To help you with your impossible decision, we’ve combed through the long list of films and here are our top picks:

Under The Skin

Hailed as a breathtakingly original visceral experience, this experimental sci-fi art film by Jonathan Glazer (Birth) is the perfect anchor for this year’s festival, as it encapsulates what the Revelation Film Fest is about: watching films that challenge you both emotionally and intellectually. Under The Skin stars Scarlett Johansson as an “alien seductress” who preys upon unsuspecting men in the streets of Scotland. Tell me you don’t want to see that, I dare you.

Session Times:

Already sold out Opening Night tonight!

SUNDAY 6 JULY, 6:15PM, LUNA SX

WED 9 JULY, 6:30PM, CINEMA PARADISO

Joe

There are two kinds of Nicolas Cages in this world: The batshit crazy “ARRRGHH NOT THE BEEEEES!” Cage, and occasionally, the less bat-shit crazy, Oscar-winner Cage. Thankfully, director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, All The Real Girls) is able to bring us the gift of the latter in Joe. Nicolas Cage plays the titular character of Joe, an ex-convict struggling to keep his severe anger issues under control (Yeah, I know), but is faced with a chance at redemption when he meets Gary – played by the talented Tye Sheridan (Tree of Life, Mud), continuing his streak of working with auteur directors in the Sourthern-set films – a fifteen year-old boy who is being abused by his own father (Ronnie Gene Blevins). A good, restrained Cage performance like this is a rare gift to humankind, and you’d be remiss to have missed this.

Session Times:

SAT 5 JULY, 6.30PM, CINEMA PARADISO

MON 7 JULY, 8.30PM, LUNA SX

WED 9 JULY, 8.30PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

FRI 11 JULY, 8.45PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

Locke

The whole movie solely features Tom Hardy intensely driving a BMW, and it’s been regarded as one of the most nail-biting thrillers of the year. Need I say more?

Session Times:

FRI 4 JULY, 6.30PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

SAT 5 JULY, 7.45PM, LUNA SX

SUN 6 JULY, 8.20PM, CINEMA PARADISO

TUE 8 JULY, 8.15PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

The Congress

From the talented Israeli director Ari Folman (Waltz with Bashir), comes another visually stunning spectacle, this time a live-action/animation sci-fi starring the equally talented Robin Wright (Forrest Gump, House of Cards, The Princess Bride) as a fictionalised version(s) of herself: a “washed-up” actress who, in an effort to take care of her ailing son, agrees to let the film studio scan and own her on-screen persona for eternity. About 70% of this film is in gorgeous animation. Yes, this one sounds like a bit of a doozy, but trust me, it is an engrossing emotional ride that will captivate you the whole time.

Session Times:

FRI 4 JULY, 8PM, LUNA SX

SAT 5 JULY, 6.15PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

SAT 12 JULY, 8.30PM, CINEMA PARADISO

FRI 13 JULY, 8.15PM, LUNA SX

Finding Vivian Maier

Making its Australian premiere is this fascinating documentary on the late Vivian Maier, an elusive nanny who was posthumously discovered to be one of the most accomplished street photographers in the 20th century. Already gaining critical acclaim since its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, Finding Vivian Maier looks too good to pass up.

Session Times:

SAT 5 JULY, 8.45PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

TUE 8 JULY, 6.30PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

SAT 12 JULY, 8.15PM, LUNA SX

SUN 13 JULY, 3.45PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

Internet’s Own Boy

From We Are Legion director Brian Knappenberger, comes another thought-provoking documentary that explores the relationship between technology and our society – this time through the story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. The film depicts Swartz’s fearless efforts as an information activist, as well as his controversial prosecution by the US government, and the events that lead to his tragic suicide at age 26 (Current events can’t possibly be spoilers, right?).

Session Times:

SAT 5, 12PM, LUNA SX

SAT 5, 7.15PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

SUN 6, 4PM, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

SUN 13, 1.45, LUNA LEEDERVILLE

Click here for Revelation Film Festival ticket details and bookings

CLICK HERE for the full festival program.

Also: Our writers here at IN will be covering the festival. We’ll be posting festival updates, trailers and reviews of the films either prior to or after the screenings. So stay tuned! Let us know if you’re going and tell us which film you’re excited about in the comment section below!