Scala!!! (SUFF) - Closing Night

Closing Night
Sunday, September 15 @ 6:30pm

Calling all film, music, art, and culture vultures! We’ll be closing out this year’s Sydney Underground Film Festival with SCALA!!!, a wild new doc that is the perfect bookend for the 2024 festival! Enjoy a complimentary WAYWARD BEER or LITTLE RIPPLES WINE on arrival then head to Kelly’s on King after for some SCALA-esk tunes!

Delirious, debaucherous, and downright dangerous – the Scala was the epicentre of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll in Thatcher-era London. Nestled in the infamous King’s Cross district, this stunning Art Deco cinema was home to a riotous mix of cult classics, sexploitation, horror, and LGBTQIA+ films from 1978 to 1993. It was a haven for freaks, weirdos, and renegades, or as John Waters put it, “a country club for criminals and lunatics.”

Directed by Jane Giles and Ali Catterall, Scala!!! features interviews with nearly 50 contributors, including Peter Strickland, Ben Wheatley, and Mary Harron. Brimming with exuberant anecdotes and unseen archival footage, this fast-paced documentary celebrates the Scala’s legacy as a cultural beacon that inspired a generation. Join us for a Closing Night celebration of all things cult cinema; Scala!!! is a wickedly good time that transcends nostalgia, showcasing the power of cinema to create community and provide refuge for outsiders.

"An electrifying tribute to the wild heart of London's underground cinema scene – Scala!!! is a must-see for film lovers and rebels alike." – Film Festival Insider

"Captivating and anarchic, Scala!!! masterfully captures the rebellious spirit of a bygone era. An absolute gem!" – Reel Reviews

“Suitably riotous … taking us inside the shuddering walls and recreating the unique atmosphere of the venue that was nicknamed the ‘Sodom Odeon’.” – The Observer