TO THANK THE ROOM

The last 100 days of Maggie Fooke's iconic Brooklyn Arts Hotel

'So few films try to capture everyday life, and few succeed as this one has. I enjoyed it so much. Just beautiful' - John Flaus - Australian screen and broadcasting legend

TO THANK THE ROOM: The last 100 days of Maggie Fooke's Brooklyn Arts Hotel.

The Brooklyn Arts Hotel was set up by Maggie Fooke as guest accommodation for 'artists and lovers of the arts of all kinds - including conversation, activism and philosophy' in downtown Fitzroy, Melbourne Australia - and while rather a well-kept secret, it hosted at least 25 000 guest stays during its 15 years of operation. TO THANK THE ROOM documents the last 100 days of this beloved institution.

With themes of ageing and change, letting go of what you love, living sustainably and in community, this very female film (all main cast and almost all the filmmaking crew are women) is a heart-warming, funny and inspiring observational documentary and an intimate portrait of Maggie (herself a Cannes-screening filmmaker) as she navigates major life transition and the final days of her dearly-loved creation, before its closure due to financial constraints.

TO THANK THE ROOM was awarded Best Melbourne Documentary 2024 at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.