Melbourne International Film Festival 2015
If there’s one thing that’s synonymous with Melbourne – it’s festivals and cultural events, usually of the obscure variety. Well - obscure movie fans will be happy to hear that the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is back again for 2015. From the 30th of July till the 16th of August you can sample films from around the world by internationally renowned directors, actors and writers. C&G has combed through the program and put together our top MIFF picks. 
National Geographic turned director Louie Psihoyos brings us an intense eye opening examination of the rapid deterioration of some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems. This confronting documentary follows a team of activists, scientists and others as they investigate mankind’s role in the destruction of our planet and how that may end in the extinction of all species.
If you’re a fan of adolescent rite-of-passage films, then make sure you check out Diary of a Teenage Girl. This coming of age tale follows the story Minnie, a teenager growing up in 1970’s San Francisco with her mum. Minnie is searching for herself, testing the waters of her sexuality and trying to figure out what she wants. With such acting talents as Kristen Wiig, Alexander Skarsgard and Bel Powley, it’s not to be missed.
It is said that there is an old Albanian custom where women are free to live as men and long as they remain abstinent their entire lives. This intriguing and complex film follows the story Hana who is living as Mark. After visiting family abroad and seeing how different life can be, she becomes to feel trapped by her decision and grapples with her own gender identity.
From filmmaker Amy Berg comes this confronting documentary about the investigation into the life of Warren Jeffs, former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jeffs ran his church more like a cult, braining washing women into marrying him, many of whom were underage. At the time of his incarceration in 2007 he had over 70 wives and innumerable children. Berg’s film gets to the bottom of the facts, shedding light on this controversial religious organisation.