Head On is adapted from the 1995 novel Loaded, the debut title from bestselling Australian author Christos Tsiolkas (The Slap, Barracuda). The narrative offers a 24-hour window into the life of troubled protagonist Ari, a young, queer, Greek Australian man who finds himself alienated from just about everything. Ana Kokkinos’ film adaptation stars Alex Dimitriades as the nineteen-year-old Ari, who seeks short-term ecstasy in drugs and anonymous sexual encounters while struggling to relate to his traditional parents (Tony Nikolakopoulos and Eugenia Fragos). Head On is a gripping dive into class, culture and sexuality in 1990s urban Australia. ‘Shocking, confronting and dazzling…an exhilarating piece of Australian filmmaking’ – SBS Presented on 35mm film prints from the NFSA collection. The screening will be followed a discussion with guest screenwriter and author Anthony Mullins, exploring Australian grunge lit and the novels and film adaptations of He Died with a Felafel in his Hand (John Birmingham), Monkey Grip (Helen Garner) and Loaded (Christos Tsiolkas). Presented in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival. A discounted triple film pass is available to see Richard Lowenstein’s He Died with a Felafel in his Hand (11 Aug), Ken Cameron's Monkey Grip (18 Aug) and Ana Kokkinos’ Head On (25 Aug).