Perth Voice Interactive

AFTER decades of screening other people’s films, Luna Leederville will finally get top billing in a new behind-the-scenes doco about the beloved indie picture house. 

And who better to make Luna, Starring than two of its long term employees – duty managers Ailish Beahan and Caitlin Kirk – who know the quirky venue inside-out.

Beahan will direct and Kirk produce, with both sharing writing credits. Kirk has a background in film and post-production, and for the past year they have been making creative advertisements under the Girlgenuis moniker.

“We will be highlighting a variety of events held at Luna, and how important getting together for storytelling and human connection in these spaces is,” said the pair in a joint statement to the Voice. 

“There are endless funny things that happen at Luna, the same as any workplace that consists of funny, passionate and creative human beings.

“We hope to include as many of these faces and stories as we can in the doco.”

Situated on the corner of Oxford and Vincent Streets, the Leederville venue was built in 1927 and started out life as The New Oxford Theatre.

Over the years it went through a series of owners and name changes including the Nickelodeon, Olympia Theatre and Star Theatre.

In the mid 1990s it was renamed Luna Cinema and underwent major renovations, before the Luna Palace group took over in 1999 and it finally became Luna Leederville.

The gorgeous art deco venue is a hipster antidote to dumb Hollywood franchises like Transformers and The Fast and the Furious, screening only the best indie, cult and classic movies.

Quirky

It also hosts special events like Q&As with directors, live concert broadcasts and various fun nights like Rocky Horror singalongs. The cinema has a funky bar, adding to the social and sometimes chaotic vibe.

In recent times cinemas have struggled because of streaming services and giant TVs, but Luna Leederville has transcended its cinematic roots to become a quirky hub for the community and a bit of a cult icon.

“Luna is an inspiring and special place,” said Beahan and Kirk.

The 10-minute documentary was one of three films selected to be made as part of the City of Vincent Film Project, which awards filmmakers $8000 to make a short film about Vincent.

Aurelio Costarella (working title) will explore the rollercoaster life of the Vincent fashion designer, including the success of his fashion label, his mental health journey and the impact of art therapy. It will be directed by Chantel Concei and produced by Kate Downie.

Steel Coping will delve into the local skateboarding scene, which is more than just a hobby and has become a subculture for disaffected youth in Vincent. It will be produced by Zoe Davis with writer/director Mason Smit.

A partnership with the Revelation Perth International Film Festival, over the years the City of Vincent Film Project has been an important springboard for filmmakers to get wider recognition.

Pacing the Pool, a short doco about local swimmer Richard Pace who has the bone-weakening condition polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, and The Throwback which explores the last days of Mt Hawthorn’s holdout video rental store, have won international awards.

Directed by Radheya Jegatheva, Pacing the Pool was picked up by more than 80 festivals around the world and even got the nod at an Academy Award-qualifying event.

“Now in its seventh year, the Vincent Film Project has gone from strength to strength,” said Vincent mayor Alison Xamon.

Luna, Starring, Aurelio Costarella, and Steel Coping will be screened at the annual Revelation Perth International Film Festival at Luna Leederville on July 3-7.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK