Film series: Journeys of discovery 16 March – 24 April 2011

By Robert Herbert, curator, film (until June 2017)

Still from Roadgames 1981, photo: courtesy Bayside Pictures — Still from *Roadgames* 1981, photo: courtesy Bayside Pictures

Screened in conjunction with the exhibition Photography and Place, this collection of features and short films follow characters on the move through the Australian landscape. Road movies, thrillers, poetic drama, gothic horror as well as some unique hybrids – these are all journeys of discovery, exploring personal and cultural associations of place. Moving beyond the exploitation of the Australian outback as a mere backdrop to human activity, these films position landscape as an active participant in the drama. The camera lingers over details and intimacies of the environment while the characters are transformed. Places define or echo people’s moods, emotional states and spiritual experiences, and are sometimes shown holding the keys to their identity. These films are an important component of Australian cinematic culture.

Films

16, 20 March – Beneath clouds (director Ivan Sen, Australia, 2002, 35mm)
26 March – My bed, your bed (director Erica Glynn, Australia, 1998, 16mm)
26 March – Journey (director Ivan Sen, Australia, 1997, 35mm)
26 March – River time (director Michael Glasheen, Australia, 1985, 16mm)
23, 27 March – Peel (director Jane Campion, Australia, 1982, 35mm)
23, 27 March – Long weekend (director Colin Eggleston, Australia, 1978, 35mm)
30 March, 3 April – Wake in fright (director Ted Kotcheff, Australia, 1971, 35mm)
2 April – Out of it (director Ken Cameron, 1977, Australia, 16mm)
2 April – The singer and the dancer (director Gillian Armstrong, Australia, 1976, 35mm)
6, 10 April – The cars that ate Paris (director Peter Weir, 1975, Australia, 35mm)
13, 17 April – Roadgames (director Richard Franklin, Australia, 1981, 35mm)
20, 24 April – Broken highway (director Laurie McInnes, Australia, 1993, 35mm)