Category Archives: Film & Video
Best of… 2011
And so the festive season has become. Which means booze, fine food, party and hedonistic tendencies will form en masse. And on that note, INFX shall close until the new year has blossomed. Next year we‘ll be upping the ante and drawing focus on specific topics; in pursuit of more underground artists and personalities. Keep watching our Global Profiles series as it too blooms into a somewhat incongrous portrait of life on this Earth of ours.
So that‘s it from us; below are the Top 5 posts that drew the most attention in the past year. And also an Autobox DJ mix recorded live by yours truly, with a host of breakbeat tracks over the ages, to revel in on those sweaty summer afternoons by the pool. May your news be good news, Good luck and goodnight.
CARL SCRASE: http://infx.com.au/2011/03/04/carl-scrase/
NEXT T-SHIRTS: http://infx.com.au/2011/11/11/next-the-future-of-t-shirt-graphics/
MONK EY: http://infx.com.au/2011/10/28/monk-ey/
BARBARION: http://infx.com.au/2011/04/14/barbarion/
VEIN ONE: http://infx.com.au/2011/08/05/veinone/
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Other Cinema
Hailing from San Franciso‘s Mission District Other Cinema (or ‘OC‘) is an alternative film & video production, performance, and distribution network that brings a voice to the Media Arts community. This counter-cultural outfit has been operating for nigh on 30 years, and it continues to spearhead Fine Arts film-making. Craig Baldwin established this vanguard of ‘underground cinema‘ under a range of names from 1978, because he “didn’t see anything coming up from the ground that ended up on the screens”. Since then, OC has developed into an artistic collective led by a dedicated team of curators and artists. Other Cinema continues to enhance Film & Media Arts projects in the Bay Area; which of course flourishes elsewhere due to the renowned esteem of OC.
Currently, Other Cinema is in the midst of a Benefit initiative, to raise money for their operations. As part of the fund-raising effort, they have compiled the video below, to engage with the public in what the OC has going on:
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Land of Instant Forget
These are now the final days of the 2011 RMIT Media Arts Graduate Show.
Visit the upper confines of Curtin House, in the heart of the City on Swanston Street to view an excess of works from the graduate class of 2011. These emerging Media Arts artists offer works disseminated across video, audio and sculpture. The show is billed as a space that has been ”transformed to create a world where you can leave your memories behind“ as you immerse yourself in these parallel lands. Below, you can sample one of the works on show. This piece is projected onto a giant, free hanging t-shirt and is titled Trashface by Rob Graham.
The Land of Instant Forget
Running until 30th November, 12pm until 6pm.
Curtin House, Level 6 252 Swanston St. City
Circle Jerk
Do you consider 5.1 surround the real sound? No way that you would in comparing it to the Circle Jerk audio-visual bonanza that‘s coming your way.
This gig involves 100 speakers; all calibrated to immerse the spectator in an epic aural assault that will mesmerise & seduce, offend & embellish: with 5 huges rooms spanning the most of Revolt, a tailored warehouse venue in Kensington, get ready for the Circle Jerk (presented by the What Is Music? Festival). Featuring a cavacade of Sound and Media Art works, Live digital art, and Performance pieces; it is truly an event for the senses. At once you will find yourself surrounded by sounds and visuals -venture to any of the performance areas: there‘s the chilled Screening Room with Media Art installations conversing with Short Film and Video Art, the Ballroom with Live ensembles that will thrash through and manipulate sound as you‘ve never experienced. Dash into the Side Room to check a live performance piece, or make your way down to The Dock where gigs by the likes of Wrong Room will be splitting sound into the 4th dimension. Tickets just $12 (Con.) and $15 Full -totally worth it! Saturday, 10th December at Revolt, 12 Elizabeth St. Kensington (Metro Station is Macauley).
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Restless (Gus Van Sant)
You will know Gus Van Sant by a spate of films dealing with emotive angst. His film-making style is often focussed upon dramatic themes that are purposely subdued. This is executed using curious soundscapes mixed with popular music tracks and rattling cinematography. Favourites among these are the enigmatic Elephant and Paranoid Park.
His latest offering continues in this fashion. In Restless, the coming-of-age film recieves a dose of sublte sublimity. Van Sant visits a foray into a whimsical, dreamy, and ultimately cute exploration of youth dealings with death. Although buoyed by such clichés as the dual parental car crash fatality; we contrarily find the double leads Mia Wasikowska and Henry Hopper charming in their fine performances. There are also a handful of nods to favourite adolescent films including Empire of the Sun and Stand By Me. If you can stomach the endless melancholy of the soundtrack then you‘ll most likely relish this as such a sweet film.
Restless opens at Cinema Nova on December 1st.
Writers Bench
Oriel Guthrie directs this documentary film tracing the development of the graffiti scene in Melbourne. Following on from her 2004 short Skip Hop, this film explores the stories and perspectives of those who grew up with the movement, and also those that are engrossed in its contemporary incarnation. It traces the Street Art scene in Melbourne from 1980 until the present day. The film explores its roots in political slogans, through to the development of styles that are uniquely Australian.
The film screens at ACMI weekly, on Saturdays 12th, 19th, 26th of November at 4pm.
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The Long March
Below I have included a video display that documents an A2-sized glossy poster I published a couple of weeks back.
The poster itself is a depiction of the historical circumstances surrounding Mao Zedong‘s The Long March -an event that consolidated the strength of the Chinese Communist Party in the face of its‘ complete annihilation. After the march, Mao consolidated and strengthened the party. He then went on to stage a successful revolution that defined the socio-political structures of modern China.
Communist: Chinese
Nationalist: Chinese (now Taiwan)
Imperialist: Japanese
Michael Shannon
Take the best acting qualities ever displayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and marry them with Joaquin Phoenix. Then mash both together with a mallet, and you will have some semblence of Michael Shannon‘s acting dynamic.
Shannon grew up in Kentucky and performed in stage productions in Chicago. He then left the U.S. to live in London; working in various West End productions. Arriving back in the U.S., he began to perform generic roles in both Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay blockbuster films (somewhat perverting his talents). However, he soon moved toward semi-indie productions in Vanilla Sky and Tigerland (albeit in minor roles). It wasn‘t until he embarked upon a supporting role in Sam Mendes‘ Revolutionary Road that he began to mark his filmic maturity. Earlier this year, Shannon steeled himself for the starring role in the crudely ominous and infatuating Werner Herzog film My Son What Have Ye Done? Following this amazing onscreen performance, comes the release of spellbinding film Take Shelter. Shannon again plays the lead, in which he grips you by his performance; the audience bracing for his every facial expression and emotion. This is an excellent film and another best for Michael Shannon so be sure to check it out!
King Of The Gypsies (Shane Meadows)
Shane Meadows follows in the tradition of film-makers Ken Loach and Mike Leigh in his exposé of England‘s working class humility. He is renowned for such films as the 1999 tale that is inspired by his childhood; A Room For Romeo Brass, the stunning 2006 This Is England, and its‘ 5-part television series follow-up This Is England ’86. Paddy Considine features in a lot of his film work; the pair have been close friends since they met at Art School in the Midlands. In Meadow‘s most recent film Considine is again in the starring role, as the manic Arctic Monkeys roadie in Le Donk & Scor-Zay-Zee; a parody of documentary that he filmed in just 5 days. The film was made in the vein of This Is Spinal Tap and harks back to the quasi-guerilla film-making style of his collegiate years. King Of The Gypsies is the epitome of this early documentary-style work, and it also lends a lot of understanding into Meadow‘s creative and formulaic perspective. Enjoy.
Intolerance (Austen Tayshus)
Born in New York as Alexander Jacob Gutman, Austen Tayshus is a comedian from New South Wales. Well known for his dry, black humour riddled with local colloquialisms; he achieved success in 1983 with his Australiana video/music single/sketch piece. Although an advocate for the Jewish religion (his family are Hasidic Jews), and the state of Israel throughout his youth, his comedic career satirises this culture and often includes bizarre, anti-semitic tirades. He ran for the House of Representatives in Sydney during the 2010 Federal Election as a candidate for The Sex Party, and also in the 2011 NSW State Election with the Outdoor Recreation Party.
Intolerance is an engrossing, witty, and ultimately brilliant comedy short film. It was the winner of Tropfest in 1998 and I‘d still classify it as Austen Tayshus‘ best work (even compared with Australiana). The short was directed by Paul Fenech (creator of Fat Pizza) under the pseudonym Laura Fienstein, and was edited by David Rudd. Austen Tayshus also appears in the films Holy Smoke and Strange Planet.
Sugar Mountain Festival 2012
The newest musical ensemble feast to hit Victoria is now upon the horizon; once again hosted at The Forum in Melbourne‘s CBD. The first lot of Sugar Mountain tickets went on sale yesterday: for the event in January 2012.
The first half of the line-up has just been announced too; with the awe-inspiring John Maus headlining alongside other knock-out acts including Deerhoof, Prince Rama, local upstarts World‘s End Press and many more! Their website is kicking it too; teeming with photography, artwork, and free download mixtapes by Oscar Slorach-Thorn, Nick Allbrook, and Rat Vs. Possum (among others). The site also features a swathe of information on the festival (as you‘d probably expect), and Oscar also treats us to a somewhat impromptu interview with CoCo Rosie; before endowing us with a video for his Oscar + Martin track Recognise. Also, in the Film section you‘ll find a video documenting work by street art maestro Two One and a clip by The Forest City Rockers Ft. Thee Oh Sees. Sugar Mountain presents us with a grab-bag of contemporary, studious musical greats and complements them with film screenings, photography, and art exhibitions. Hurry in and get your Early Bird tickets to this artistry exposition at: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/1300473897C72C8C?
sugarmountainfestival.com
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High Hopes
Director Mike Leigh is renowned for his bittersweet films; some of which include large-scale productions such as Topsy Turvy, the adorable Happy-Go-Lucky, and the recently released Another Year. His strongest film though, in my view, is High Hopes. I‘d rented out the DVD, thinking naively that it was a fairly recent release (say, from the last decade). So whilst enjoying the film I was warily critical of the retro set design, streetscapes and historical relativity. My critical perspective reached a climax when the Lloyd‘s Building appeared in frame; as I‘d thought the building was a recent construction. It was only at the conclusion of the film, though, that I realised it was actually made in 1988. I felt ashamed of myself and overly critical of what was an excellent film in earnest.
High Hopes follows a couple (Cyril & Shirley) living in London‘s Kings Cross. We watch fondly as they grapple with societal changes and the gentrification of London‘s inner and traditionally working-class neighbourhoods. Cyril is something of a jaded, conjectural Socialist while his mellow partner Shirley is fielding maternal impulses. Amidst the relaxed turmoil of Thatcherite UK, these characters prove endearing and ultimately hilarious when we follow them through circumstances surrounding Cyril‘s manic family. A lovely, heart-felt drama that also explores the predicament of Socialism in contemporary Capitalist society.
Media Arts: Greatest Hits
This Saturday 24th September, people, come & check out works from the RMIT Fine Arts (Media Arts) programme; as they present theirs labours of love, hate and everything in between. On the big screen.
Greatest Hits features 2 half-hour, curated screenings from some of the best current video and animation coming out of Australia‘s foremost Media Arts school. The works are bound to captivate: with a little bit of everything for everybody!
Also included on the night is an immersive sound performance by Wrong Room; with Byron Dean, Chiara Costanza and Jonathon Nokes fronting up for the performance. $5 entry ($3 students) gives you the pleasure of viewing a swathe of seminal works by the Media Arts crew. Media Arts: Greatest Hits Of 2009-2011 takes place at Tape Projects, 1/81 Bouverie St Carlton. The action starts at 7pm, so come on down and experience the unknown! Refreshments available.
Leni Riefenstahl
INFX presents an anti-semitic feast of the highest regard! Herein we feature the entire full-length film of the Adolf Hitler-sanctioned Triumph des Willens.
Leni Riefenstahl began life as a dancer prior to the formation of Nazi Germany. Whilst performing in Prague, she suffered a broken knee, and thence moved into the film world. After gaining notoriety as an actress, she switched to making films. Riefenstahl is well regarded as a cinematic pioneer: she brought new innovations into the development of film propaganda. Her technical and aesthetic achievements in film production culminated in Triumph des Willens. Following a spate of propaganda films for the Third Reich, she completed her Olympia film in 2 parts; travelling to the home of the Olympics in Greece before documenting the 1936 games in Berlin. Olympia is widely regarded as the 20th-century benchmark for documentary. Her use of slow-motion capture and dolly shots tracking athletes was indeed ground-breaking. However, after the fall of Nazi Germany her own career disintergrated. Although not charged before the Nuremburg trials, she remained artistically void until re-emerging as a photographer in Sudan during the 70s; where she documented the Nuba tribe. For this she achieved international recognition, and continued on to realise her dream as an under-water photographer. Following her death aged 101, in 2003, her achievements in film were re-visited and posthumously endowed with the acclaim they deserved (in spite of her employ by the genocidal maniacs of the Nazi party).
Koryo Warriors
It is the year 992 AD, and the Northern Korean peninsula is being ruled by a hierarchy of mean, oppressive and mentally distorted individuals. The people are enslaved by these tormentors and are cast into subservient poverty and starvation. Fast-forward over One Hundred and Twenty years later, and little has changed…
During a recent trip to the notorious DPRK I had the opportunity to meet the country‘s only film director. This director claims that he produces and directs a whopping 25 films a year (yes, one every two weeks!). And in spite of this ridiculousy fantastic and downright absurdly contrived country; I was in fact able to shoot my own film (of sorts); utilising the excellent studio facilities (namely the costume department). So take a trip back to the Kim Il-Sung inspired history of 757 AD and witness: Koryo Warriors.
