This November, the Australian feature documentary Volcano Man will screen in Palace Cinemas in major cities across the country to drive awareness and fundraising for men’s mental health in partnership with Movember – the global leading men’s health charity. 

Premiering at the 2022 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) where it received 3^rd in the Audience Award, Volcano Man is the wildly entertaining and deeply moving feature debut from director James Crawley. Documenting James’ complex relationship with his eccentric father Richard Crawley, the film is a life-affirming portrait of a father and son grappling with life and loss, using the language of film to communicate and bring them closer together. 

Movember Director of Mental Health Training, Dr Zac Seidler says, “Movies like Volcano Man help to open up important dialogues about men’s mental health and its intergenerational impact. Breaking down outdated stereotypes of masculinity, by encouraging men to access the stories we all have inside us and share them, will only benefit our communities, as we see the sheer depth of men’s emotional lives. Together we have the power to make a difference and it all starts with a conversation.” 

Palace Cinemas will be donating $5 from every Volcano Man ticket sale to Movember and select screenings will feature Q&As with the filmmakers hosted by Movember ambassadors. 

Palace Cinemas Head of Marketing Alex Moir said “Palace Cinemas is proud to be bringing this film to audiences across the country and provide meaningful support to the film's complex subject matter, with donations to Movember from every ticket sold.” 

Volcano Man director James Crawley said “For my entire life, Dad’s camera was turned to whatever parts of the world gave him joy. From Mick Jagger to the maternity ward, to the cutlery drawer in the kitchen – he filmed everything. The decision to create a feature documentary solidified when I sat alone and watched the 30 hours of video diaries Dad filmed in the years after my mum’s death. Despite its harrowing contents, the vignettes shot at 3 am in the morning almost played out like a film.” 

Crawley continues, “I never set out to make a film about men’s mental health or grief, it naturally evolved that way. Screening the film across Australia with my father is a fantastic opportunity to start a conversation – and have a laugh or three along the way.” 

Volcano Man co-writer and producer Tim Russell said “Volcano Man is an entertaining and profoundly moving film that will make you laugh and cry. As James and Richard so perfectly illustrate, revealing your own personal demons and vulnerabilities to the world is not a weakness, it’s a strength.” 

SCREENING DATES: 

QLD: Tuesday 1st November 6.30pm, Palace Barracks, Brisbane

NSW: Wednesday 2nd of November 6.30pm, Palace Byron Bay Cinemas, Byron Bay

NSW: Thursday 3rd November 6.30pm, Palace Norton Street, Leichhardt

ACT: Friday 4th November 6.30pm, Palace Electric Cinemas, Canberra

VIC: Tuesday 8th November 6.30pm, Palace Westgarth, Northcote

VIC: Wednesday 9th November 6.45pm, Palace Cinema Como, South Yarra

SA: Thursday 10th of November 6.30pm, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Adelaide

WA: Friday 11th of November 6.30pm, Palace Cinemas Raine Square, Perth

Buy tickets here: www.palacecinemas.com.au/events/volcano-man-movember-fundraiser-screening

Buy tickets here (SA only): https://palacenova.com.au/films/volcano-man 

Donate to Volcano Man x Movember here: au.movember.com/mospace/14787928 

Volcano Man will be available on the streaming site DocPlay in Australia following the screening series. For the month of November, DocPlay will offer viewers a 45-day extended free trial using the URL: docplay.com/MOVEMBER