From new blockbusters and art-house gems from around the globe, to documentaries and short films, the Brisbane International Film Festival is running until November 25. Closing night will see the much-awaited premiere of Anna Karenina, directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) while, also in the literary realm, Great Expectations is also showing – starring Helena Bonham Carter as the cobweb-clad Miss Havisham.

Those who prefer the sword to the pen can revel in The Man With the Iron Fists, the highly anticipated kung-fu mash-up directed by RZA and starring Russell Crowe as a man with a knife fetish. With a soundtrack featuring Kanye West and The Black Keys, words duly fail to describe the buzz surrounding this film.

For a more traditional art-house cinema experience, the festival also features Amour, directed by Michael Haneke (The White Ribbon, Funny Games), and The Angel’s Share, directed by Ken Loach. An extended version of Heaven’s Gate, the much-maligned art-house flop from 1980, will also be screening. Also highly recommended is the black-comedy Pieta, which continues South Korea’s growing reputation for quality cinema.