Melbourne Cinémathèque 2008: Cinema ’68

40 years on, the tumultuous year of 1968 is still a watershed for 20th century history, and a beacon of the possibilities of social, political and cultural change that have largely foundered over subsequent decades. The films in this season encounter both directly and metaphorically the social upheavals, cultural criticism and winds of revolutionary change that swept across both Europe and the United States, their extraordinary mix of styles and forms equally demonstrating a growing dynamism in cinematic practice. Complimenting other celebrations of the near-revolution in France in May ’68, this season presents films which reflect a growing anger and concern with the political system, the Vietnam War, the violence of contemporary society, stirrings of democracy and political crackdowns in Eastern Europe, staid cultural institutions and conventional gender roles.

Focusing on the United States, Britain and Czechoslovakia, this expansive season profiles films released, made and produced in immediate response to these dynamic events, including: Haskell Wexlers extraordinarily immediate docu-drama exploring contemporary media and the meltdown of the Chicago Democratic Convention – “Medium Cool”.

A section of the program represents the response to the quagmire of Vietnam and its racist underpinnings including the radical documentaries “No Vietnamese Ever Called Me Nigger” and “Interviews with My Lai Veterans”.

There are also two seminal works of the Czech cinema dealing metaphorically with the suppression of the Prague Spring “The Joke” and “The Witches’ Hammer” and three dark surrealist Svankajer shorts.

Also a selection of unconventional horror films that reflect the unsettling and disorientating effects of social change and violence “The Witchfinder General” and Targets. And the modern classics “If…” and “Petulia ” which directly capture the Zietgiest of the late 60′s.

For more on the program and the screening schedule please see:
http://www.melbournecinematheque.org/specials/cinema_68.html

Program commences Wednesday, September 17, 2008 and completes Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Melbourne Cinematheque screenings are every Wednesday from 7pm at ACMI, Federation Square. Tickets can be purchased at the ACMI Box Office.

Location:
ACMI Cinemas
Federation Square
Melbourne, Australia

To view the full program for 2008 please visit http://www.melbournecinematheque.org/ or pick up our calendar at ACMI.

Camp for Climate Action

Peaceful community action for a safe climate future
thr 10 jul – tue 15 jul
Richardson Park, Newcastle

The Camp for Climate Action will be 6 days of inspiring workshops & peaceful direct action aimed a shutting down the world’s largest coal port in Newcastle, just north of Sydney. If you’re concerned about climate change & want real action instead of more hot air, then we encourage you to come, bring your friends & family & get involved. Whether you are old or young, a seasoned protestor or if you’ve never been to a protest in your life, if you share our passion for climate action, then climate camp is for you! }

p: 0434 641 662

climatecamp.org.au<>

Protest to Stop Monash Uni Animal Abuse

WHEN: Thursday, May 29 @ 6pm
WHERE: Water Wall entrance to the National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda
Road, Melbourne

Animal Liberation Victoria have been fighting hard to stop barbaric and unnecessary animal experiments at Monash University (see www.MonashKills.org for more information).

The university openly admits that there are humane alteratives to the rabbit killing class available which do not disadvantage students in any way. The fact that Monash University continues to instruct students to cut open and kill rabbits is therefore scientifically and ethically indefensible. Vice Chancellor Richard Larkins has received hundreds of your letters calling for an end to this pointless animal abuse, yet apparently he treats ethical concerns about the killing of rabbits at his university as so unimportant that they do not even warrant a reply.

YOU CAN STOP THIS SENSELESS KILLING!

This Thursday Monash University are having their 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria. Monash University patrons, donors and high profile graduates will be in attendance. This is the perfect opportunity to put pressure on the University to remove live animal dissections from the classroom. Please meet us at 6pm at the Water Wall entrance to the NGV (180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne) and help us send a loud and strong message to Monash that live animal dissections must stop.

Ban the Bombs

Cluster bombs are weapons that break up in mid air to litter the ground with mini-bombs, some of which remain unexploded for years awaiting innocent civilians. But as the international community meets in Dublin to ban them, the Australian Government is going out of its way to frustrate the process.

Thousands of civilians have lost their lives and limbs, mainly children from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon. But our Government is trying to water down the treaty that could ban them.

They’re hoping this issue will slip under the radar without anyone noticing – but the stakes are simply too high to ignore. We need a strong international treaty to prevent horrors like those experienced as a result of land mines, and that decision is being made right now in Dublin. Join me (Kent Holloway) in banning the bombs:

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/BanTheBombs