All That’s Left Of You Opens In Australian Cinemas April 9

Feature-All That’s Left of You

Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, selection as Jordan’s Official Entry for the 98th Academy Awards, and Audience Award at the Sydney Film Festival, All That’s Left of You — the acclaimed new feature film by Cherien Dabis (Only Murders in the Building) – is set to open in Australian cinemas on 9 April.

Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo are executive producers of this deeply moving epic chronicling the loves, hopes, losses and traumas of a Palestinian family across seven decades, with Dabis starring alongside the brilliant Bakri dynasty — brothers Saleh Bakri (The Blue Caftan) and Adam Bakri (Omar), and their father, the late Mohammad Bakri (Wajib).

About the Film
In the occupied West Bank, 1988, a young man named Noor joins a protest that is met with devastating violence. Decades later, his mother Hanan (Dabis) sets out to tell the story of her son – but to do so, she must first return to 1948, to recount his grandfather’s (Adam Bakri) expulsion from Jaffa. Across the generations that follow, the hope of return to that home endures as both aspiration and wound, even as the family is carried further from it. Through all the disappointments and devastation, there abides the love story between Hanan and her devoted husband, Salim (Saleh Bakri).

About the Director
Cherien Dabis is a Palestinian American filmmaker and actress who has established herself as a creative force across multiple mediums. Having helped forge a new genre of Arab American storytelling, she brings authenticity, complexity and humanity to the stories she writes, directs and performs, spotlighting underrepresented perspectives with both rigour and warmth.

“The film is inspired in part by my family. My father is a Palestinian refugee who lived most of his life in exile.”

That personal experience imbues All That’s Left of You with emotional authenticity and quiet devastation. It is a film that charts the history of a family who have known great tragedy — yet it also dares to offer the possibility of healing.

“This isn’t political in its approach — it’s deeply personal and profoundly intimate. A historical epic that chronicles the story of the land through the eyes of one family and three generations of struggle. A family portrait, examining the relationship between grandfather, father and son, and the legacy of trauma passed down to each. It’s also a drama with piercing moments of joy, love and humour.

“Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to spark change by starting a conversation around the need for recognition of our suffering, because that’s where healing begins. I truly believe in the power of cinema to reframe, inspire and heal.”

— Cherien Dabis, Writer/Director

Critical Acclaim
“A deeply moving epic.” – The Guardian
“A sweeping, historical drama.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“Incredible, stunning performances.” – Elle
“A profound masterpiece.” – Pajiba

Critical consensus: 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

 

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Little Anastasia Cast Members Revealed For Hit Broadway Musical Anastasia’s Sydney Premiere

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Producers of the hit Broadway musical ANASTASIA have today revealed the talented young Sydney performers who will be sharing the role of Little Anastasia in the highly anticipated musical opening in April at the spectacular Lyric Theatre Sydney. The local performers who scored the coveted role amongst many keen auditionees are Arianna Lorusso aged 9 and based in Beacon Hill; Maya Porragas aged 10 from Cremorne; Willa Valaris aged 10 from Allambie Heights and Willow Wilson aged 11 from Lisarow.

The crowd-favourite musical made its Australian debut in December at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre wowing audiences and critics alike, and is now playing in Perth. New tickets for the Sydney season go on sale today for the final performances from 8 – 19 July.

Time Out Melbourne called the musical a “charming theatre experience” that was “destined to deliver theatrical magic” while The Music said it was “a theatrical spectacle that dazzles on every front and will leave you spellbound” and Beat Magazine said that the musical’s “dazzling Australian premiere is rich with powerful performances.”

These hugely talented young performers will join cast members Georgina Hopson as Anya, Robert Tripolino as charming con artist Dmitry, Joshua Robson in the role of antagonist Gleb, Rodney Dobson as Vlad, the much-loved Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily and theatre icon Nancye Hayes AM in the role of the Dowager Empress.

The ensemble cast includes Sophia Bae, Elliot Baker, Nicholas Cunningham, Davis Giotopoulos Moore, Todd Goddard, Stephanie Kurlow, Keian Langdon, Bella Minniti, Nathan Stafford, Alexis Van Maanen, Patrick Volpe, Annie Wilson, Deone Zanotto and Andrea Zappacosta with the swings team featuring Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Iosefa Laga’aia, Nathan Pinnell and Emma Russell.

Inspired by the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov’s rumoured escape in the dawning days of the Russian Revolution, and the 1997 Oscar nominated animated film of the same name, ANASTASIA has been brought to life on the stage by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

ANASTASIA is a lavish musical for all ages, transporting audiences from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria and exuberance of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, she enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Directed by Tony Award winning director Darko Tresnjak, ANASTASIA premiered on Broadway in March 2017. It received a Tony Award nomination for Best Costume Design in a Musical and won more than 15 major international awards including Best Musical awards in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

The book for ANASTASIA was written by the late five time Tony Award winning writer Terrence McNally, whose credits include Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime.

Music and lyrics for ANASTASIA were written by the renowned writing team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens who have been referred to as “one of the greatest songwriting teams in Broadway history.” (Chicago Tribune).

“Fantastical, intelligent, well-crafted, and exhilarating, ANASTASIA deserves a coronation!” – The Wall Street Journal
“Captivating, beautifully staged and emotionally vital. ANASTASIA hits the sweet spot!” – The Hollywood Reporter
“One of the most gorgeous shows in years! Luscious, lavish, and a joy that leaves you cheering. This is a grandiloquent feast for the senses you won’t soon forget.” – The New York Observer

ANASTASIA – THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Opera Australia in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold and Dan Hinde

SYDNEY SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Season: From 7 April
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fr-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: anastasiathemusical.com.au or 136 100
Groups 8+ email groups@ticketmaster.com.au

Festival Theatre Adelaide from August
Lyric Theatre QPAC, Brisbane from September

 

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Knock And Run Theatre Presents I And You – A Powerful, Poetic Two-hander About Connection And What It Means To Be Alive

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Knock And Run Theatre is proud to announce its upcoming production of I and You, a funny, surprising and deeply moving play by Pulitzer Prize finalist Lauren Gunderson. Set over the course of a single evening, I and You follows Caroline (Nyah Le, “Girls Like That”, “The Wedding Singer”), a sharp, sardonic teenager confined to her bedroom by illness, and Anthony (Sam Lane, “The Crucible”, “Sweeney Todd), an earnest overachiever who arrives unannounced to work on a school assignment about Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.

What begins as an awkward homework session quickly transforms into something far more profound. As the two spar, joke, challenge and ultimately open up to one another, the play becomes a moving exploration of youth, mortality, art, and the mysterious ways we are connected. Both laugh-out-loud funny and unexpectedly devastating, I and You reminds us that even brief encounters can change us forever.

Artistic Director James Chapman says the play was an immediate choice for the company:

“This is a beautifully crafted script. It is witty, intelligent and emotionally explosive. It speaks directly to young people, but it resonates just as powerfully with adult audiences. It’s about seeing someone truly, and being seen in return.”

Known for championing bold, intimate storytelling, Knock And Run Theatre continues its commitment to producing works that place actors and language front and centre. With only two performers, I and You promises an electric theatrical experience driven by raw honesty, humour and heart. Audiences can expect a production that balances teenage vulnerability with philosophical depth, bringing Gunderson’s lyrical writing vividly to life.

I And You is directed by Knock And Run Theatre Artistic Director James Chapman and stars Nyah Le and Sam Lane who are both previous students of Chapman during their acting training at Hunter Drama.

Performance Details
The Royal Exchange, Newcastle
April 8-11, 2026
Tickets on sale now: https://events.humanitix.com/i-and-you

 

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Matriarchy: Fifty Is Only The Beginning For Maitreyi Karanth At Melbourne Comedy Festival

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Yes! Tonight My Love! Maitreyi Karanth Is Taking A Page From Napoleon’s Playbook and is here to Prove Fifty is Only the Beginning! “So likeable, so relatable, so wordly and SO hilarious!” Jami Gong, TakeOut Comedy

Fifty, frisky and family roadtrippin’. A midlife crisis, a round-the-world tour and a glimpse of marital life. Laughs, luggage and a little lack of lingerie. Ooh la la!

Following 10 sold out shows at Hong Kong’s oldest and best comedy club, the matriarch of Hong Kong comedy makes her long-awaited Australian debut.

In her bold new show, the Hong Kong-based, self-crowned queen of comedy will debut her brand-new show MAITRIARCHY at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival at Ballers in Melbourne’s CBD.

“I can’t wait to hit the stage and bring laughter and joy to everyone who needs a little extra cheer right in the new year,” says Karanth. “As a comedian, reaching new audiences is absolute bliss. Melbourne, watch out, I am here to deliver!”

Maitreyi brings her storytelling style to the stage with her unique POV as an expat. She explores her life as a philanthropist, public speaker, wife, mother, and well-travelled woman with stories about being fifty, frisky and full of life whilst traversing the planet.

Karanth began her career in stand-up comedy 7 years ago and since then is the first woman in HK comedy to perform in a solo theatre show and sold out a 400-seat theatre. She sold-out 10 solo shows in Hong Kong and has opened for international comedy heavyweights: Tom Cotter, Gina Yashere, Atul Khatri and Pau Ogata to name a few.

She made her Aussie debut in September 2025 at Sydney’s Factory Theatre with DAUGHTER FROM ANOTHER OTTER alongside comedian Annie Louey for the Sydney Fringe Festival.

When she’s not on stage, Maitreyi is the founder and CEO of the Koma Karanth Foundation (Philippines-focused), which has:
• Built 44 homes to date
• Runs a tutoring school
• Operates an old age community centre
• Free lunches and transport for the impoverished tribal children

MAITRIARCHY will run from April 7 – 19th with tickets on sale now.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
AmCham’s Women of Influence Award 2025 – Leading Woman in Arts, Sports, and Leisure
TEDx speaker 2021 – Age is not just a number, it’s a journey

EPK | SOCIAL | TICKETS

Ballers Clubhouse
7-19 April, 2026

 

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