09 AM | 21 Jul

“50 Essential Feminist Films…” [#geekgirl]

[Image Credit: flavorwire.com]

[Image Credit: flavorwire.com]

[From an article at Flavorwire]”It’s no secret that the numbers surrounding women in cinema are dismal. The Playlist recently reported that only 74 of the 271 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences this year were women. We also know that for every 15 or so male directors, there is just one female director. At the same time, filmmakers of all genders continue to explore new representations of women in cinema. We thought it was time to revisit some essential feminist films (a few classics and several, perhaps, unexpected picks) that deconstruct gender identity, explore issues pertinent to women and their history, and challenge the patriarchy. These films, directed by women and men, have broadened the scope of female representation in cinema.”

03 PM | 31 Jul

Beyond the Frame – introducing Fulldome #Melbourne #Planetarium #geekgirl

MELBOURNE – INDUSTRY SCREENING

The emergence of ‘destination cinema’ and the proliferation of large-format screens in public spaces present a challenge – and opportunity – to filmmakers working in traditional screen formats. At the very least a new cinematic language is required, one that takes account of the audience’s very different experience of stories presented on large-format, ‘frameless’, screens.

Fulldome is such a format, presenting large-scale immersive experiences on hemispherical screens. However, unless you have the chance to experience this for yourself, it’s almost impossible to grasp its immersive power and story-telling potential.

Where: Melbourne Planetarium @ Scienceworks, 2 Booker Street Spotswood, VIC 3015. When: 4pm – 5pm, Monday 9 August 2010. What: Beyond the Frame – FREE admission, but bookings are ESSENTIAL to wlawrance@museum.vic.gov.au

For other cities check out ANAT listings

03 PM | 05 Feb

Melbourne Cinémathèque 2009 Program

Melbourne Cinémathèque 2009 season kicks off on Wednesday, February 11 with imported 35mm prints of the two of the great 1950s melodramas, Nicholas Ray’s *Bigger Than Life* (1955) starring James Mason and Vincente Minnelli’s *Some Came Running* (1958) starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacClaine.  *Bigger Than Life*, a profoundly disturbing portrayal of the madness lurking beneath the surface of ordinary suburban life and *Some Came Running*, an adaptation of James Jones’ novel exploring life in a small mid-Western town, are both characterised by evocative CinemaScope cinematography and searing social critiques of post-war America.

The 2009 director retrospectives include key European figures such as Ingmar Bergman, Louis Malle, José Louis Guerín, Chris Marker, Jerzy Skolimowski, Roberto Rossellini and Marguerite Duras as well as Frank Borzage, one of the most prolific and enduring directors of the Classical Hollywood era, and the long awaited survey of Samuel Fuller’s career including: *The Steel Helmet*(1951), *White Dog* (1982), *Pickup on South Street* (1953), *Underworld USA* (1961) and *Shock Corridor* (1963).

Other highlights include *Japanese Noir: Violent Cops and Pistol Operas*, a season of crime films produced by the Shochiku studio featuring works by many of the most innovative directors of Japanese cinema: Takesi Kitano, Masaki Kobayashi, Masahiro Shinoda, Nagisa Oshima, Tai Kato and Seijun Suzuki; and *Dissent in the Revolution: Soviet Cinema* a season of films from directors that dared to express individual artistic visions and political integrity under the repressive Soviet regime in the 1960s*.*

ACMI – Federation Square, Melbourne