From sun-soaked surf stories to rom-com antics, brick-built adventures and glitter-drenched gestures, The Galileo Open Air Cinema is bringing a little bit of everything to its silver screen this week.
Making its long-awaited return, the Wavescape Surf & Ocean Film Festival finally rolls in with two short ocean-inspired documentaries screened back-to-back. Add in the playful chaos of How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the colourful brick-inspired antics of The Lego Movie and the bold bohemian flair of Moulin Rouge, and you’ve got yourself a line-up that’s equal parts fun, feel-good and fabulously over the top.
So book your spot here, swing by when the doors open, grab your snacks, and soak in golden-hour picnic vibes and lawn games before getting cosy with your fellow film fanatics for movie night, officially beginning after sunset (± 7:30pm).
Here is what’s on the silver screen this week:
15 April: Wavescape Surf & Ocean Film Festival
Showcasing epic short films from across the globe, Wavescape blends surf culture, conservation and cinematic adventure, making it a must-see event for ocean lovers and movie enthusiasts alike.
This year’s special screening will pay homage to the people and places of Africa, with emphasis on Cape Town. Wavescape goers can expect to be captivated by:
Surf’s Up (For Real): 8 minutes
Before the main feature, settle in for Surf’s Up (For Real) – a beautiful, homegrown short surf documentary that captured a rare and heart-warming surfer–penguin encounter in Cape Town.
The Big Sea: 74 minutes
Pulling back the curtain on surfing’s dirty secret, The Big Sea is an environmental documentary focusing on exposing the toxic reality of neoprene production and its links to Cancer Alley in the US, while also offering hope through natural alternatives that literally grow on trees.
It’s a powerful story about accountability, community, and the change we can create together. A panel discussion will be held after the screening with eminent conservationists, big wave surfers and environmental activists.
- Day: Wednesday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden
- Time: Gates open at 6pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Surf & Ocean Documentaries
- Age restriction: PG
- Tickets: Webtickets
16 April: How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days
How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days is a 2003 romantic comedy directed by Donald Petrie and starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.
It’s the battle of wills as Andie (Hudson), a magazine writer with a bet and a chance to write more substantial stories at stake, needs to prove she can get dumped by a guy in 10 days, whereas Benjamin (McConaughey), an ad executive with a bet and a major campaign to win, needs to prove he can pursue a girl in 10 days.
Now, the clock is ticking – with a hidden agenda in each camp, will either party be able to complete their mission?
- Day: Thursday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden
- Time: Gates open at 6pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Romance Comedy Drama
- Age restriction: 10
- Tickets: Webtickets
17 April: The Lego Movie
The Lego Movie is a 2014 computer-animated adventure comedy film based on the LEGO line of construction toys. The film was written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and stars an ensemble voice cast of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks and Morgan Freeman.
An ordinary LEGO figurine, Emmet (Pratt), who always follows the rules, is mistakenly identified as an extraordinary being and the key to saving the world. He finds himself drafted into a fellowship of strangers who are on a mission to stop an evil tyrant’s plans to conquer the world.
Unfortunately for Emmet, he is hopelessly and hilariously unprepared for such a task, but he’ll give it his all nonetheless.
- Day: Friday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden
- Time: Gates open at 6pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Animation Adventure Comedy
- Age restriction: PG
- Tickets: Webtickets
18 April: Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is a 2001 jukebox musical romantic drama directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, with Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh, John Leguizamo, Jacek Koman and Caroline O’Connor in support roles.
The vibrant musical romance, set in 1899 Paris, follows Christian (McGregor), a young English poet who falls in love with Satine (Kidman), the star courtesan of the infamous Moulin Rouge cabaret. However, she has been promised by the manager to a Duke (Roxburgh) in return for funding his next production.
As the young lovers meet in secret, their passionate affair is threatened by the jealous Duke as Satine’s wedding day draws closer, but she hides a fatal secret from both Christian and the Duke.
- Day: Saturday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden
- Time: Gates open at 5pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Musical Drama
- Age restriction: A
- Tickets: Webtickets
Also read:
Must-see original films coming this year (that aren’t remakes or sequels)
Picture: Supplied
