Yowza – what on earth could that be I hear you wondering….. I’m a little unsure myself but this week/end from 11-13 June the Film Archive cinema (corner of Taranaki and Ghuznee Sts) is going to be exploding with the best of experimental film from Australia.
Three of the leading lights of the genre – Sally Golding, Joel Stern and Dirk de Bruyn – have been brought over with help from the Australian High Commission to present three nights of mind-blowing entertainment.
Each night promises to be something a little different, kicking off with the historical then the godfather of Australian experimental film, followed up a riotous conclusion of handmade and hand processed film, feedback systems, incongruous foley noise, sprockets and flicker, trumpets and strings, specially prepared screens and alienated narration.
You’d be crazy to miss this calibre of performance in a live setting. As NZFA Project Developer Mark Williams says…
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Don’t miss this 35mm screening of the brilliant Rust Never Sleeps (USA, exempt, 103 mins) this Saturday night at the Film Archive. Tickets are $8 ($6 concession) and this feature length documentary could sell out so get your tickets now.
The Godfather of Grunge is in essential (read: grungy) form on this acclaimed live video, widely considered to be the best record of Neil Young’s spectacular concert presence. Filmed in 1978, Young and his backing band, Crazy Horse, rip through sixteen of his best songs, including Like A Hurricane, Cinnamon Girl, and the modern classic, After the Goldrush.
Rust Never Sleeps is one of those rare concert films that renews one’s faith in rock and roll. Tell your Dad.
Put simply, Wellington artist Douglas Bagnall is an artsy computer-nerd genius (hopefully he won’t mind me saying so).
Tomorrow eve, Wednesday 15 April at 5:30pm the Film Archive’s mediagallery is unveiling his interactive project:
A MACHINE THAT TRANSFORMS CRAYON PICTURES INTO UNIQUE VIDEO GAMES THAT YOU CAN PLAY!
I kid you not. Take your kids during the school hols, take your Nana. The exhibition is free and runs until May 16.
Take whoever, and most importantly, take yourselves for a drink on Wednesday eve!
Film Archive, corner of Taranaki and Ghuznee Sts
No, this isn’t a fellow Wellingtonista helping another out after a hard Friday night on Courtenay Place, it’s a pic of the New Zealand Medical Corps in 1917.
This Saturday at the Film Archive (7pm, entry by koha) Dr Chris Puglsey is presenting a peek at some of the oldest surviving films in the Archive, from 1910-1920 of the New Zealand experience during WWI.
Dr Pugsley is a total hoot (teaches at Sandhurst – yes that’s right, the school of choice for Wills and Harry) and he’ll be joined by live piano accompaniment.
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Gambarimashooooooo
The Film Archive is having a mini-Japanese Film Festival this week with support from the Japanese Foundation. And all the films are screening for FREE!
If you’re any kind of anime fan you’ll be rushing to see:
1979 anime classic – Lupin the III – The Castle of Cagliostro (Thurs 19) and the brilliant Death Note (Fri 20) based on the manga series of the same name.
On Wednesday eve (that’s tomorrow) there’s also the hurtling maritime action movie Umizaru 2 – Test of Trust which promises a wild ride.
All screenings start at 6:30pm and it’s on a first in basis.
Terry Urbahn has spent a lot of time in bars and hotels – just the kind of guy we love here at the Wellingtonista.
He has an exhibition of selected works from 1994-2008 on show at the Film Archive mediagallery until 9 April, with the opening taking place tomorrow – Saturday 14 March at 5pm. This is a bit of a departure for the gallery. A weekend opening!
Come along and start your Saturday night right with a tipple and some great art – photography, video work, diorama and sculpture – by one of Wellington’s favourites. Everyone is welcome to celebrate this launch.
All of the work was made during Urbahn’s time living in Capital City (he currently lives in Sydney) but it’s the first time it’s been shown here…
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including the spectacular work The Sacred Hart (pictured) which is on display by special arrangement with Auckland Festival.
[Image courtesy of Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth]
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This very happy looking young man is New Zealander Ron Tonkins (pictured with Margaret Chapman) who travelled to Hollywood in 1946 and worked as a publicity photographer.
Interesting thing is, during his time in Hollywood he shot reels and reels of Super 8 film footage like any usual tourist. Completely Bizarre thing is, he had unlimited access to the stars of the day and the major Hollywood lots (including Hopalong Cassidy). All without a security guard in sight.
Come and watch this "backstage" look at Hollywood, shot by a plucky Kiwi and narrated with his own recollections, "Here’s Marlene Dietrich and she’s asking me, ‘What’s New Zealand like Ron?’ ??!?!
I kid you not, this rare record of Kiwi ingenuity must be seen to be believed.
Screening Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March, 7pm. FREE ADMISSSION at the Film Archive.
Never mind, on Wednesday 11 March at 7:30pm the Film Archive is hosting six Gyuto Monks who will perform live chanting before a fundraiser screening of Murder in the Snow. On their way to Womad this weekend the monks will conduct a Q&A session afterwards.
Well blow me down, the VBC is turning two! Bravo!
Not entirely sure how they’ve pulled it off but the radio station continues to go from strength to strength (best listened to streaming at www.vbc.org.nz And they’re throwing a whopper party to coincide with VUW Orientation 2009.
See you at the Front Room TONIGHT (at 5 Hania St off Kent Tce) for the Dead C, So So Modern, Rory Storm & The Invaders
All for a mere $15. Tickets on the door.
CONGRATULATIONS guys!
Come down to the Film Archive this eve for the last exhibition opening of the year.
Hot damn – it’s a goodie! Tessa Laird, whose name you may recognise from her brilliant art writing over the years, has curated an exhibition from the Film Archive’s Home Movie Collection.
With such a wealth of material (over 30,000 titles) she created an arbitrary selection process based on the colours of the rainbow. The resultant Rainbow Reels are fantastic. There’s everyone from Opo to Chairman Mau….
Plus, performing tonight by special request are Alphabet Bomber – a band of 13 year olds who must be seen to be believed. They’re influenced by the Cramps and sheesh – it’s going to be a party!
See you tonight!
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Image from 1982 Sweetwaters Festival from the Yellow section.