AFW + NFSA #68: ANIMEIGHTIES

16mm projection. $10 on the door.

“Making an animated film has always been a precarious business, but a lot looked possible during the 1980s.” - Robert Stephenson

We’re excited to step back to the 1980s this month with an evening of Australian-made short-length animations from the vaults of the National Film & Sound Archive. Enjoy humorous and dazzling 16mm films from some of the icons of the Melbourne alternative-animation scene - exploring claymation, abstraction, direct animation, time lapse and traditional animation techniques. Q&A post-screening featuring some of the filmmakers.

Films:

Pleasure Domes, 1988, Maggie Fooke. 8 min

A reflection upon man-made impositions upon the landscape from Nice to St. Kilda Esplanade.

Shadowland, 1988, Anthony Lucas. 6 min

An enigmatic but violent struggle between shadowy insect creatures.

Still Flying, 1989, Robert Stephenson. 8 min

An old air force veteran reminisces about the war years.

Dance of Death, 1983, Dennis Tupicoff. 9 min

An animated satire on television violence, set in a world where the skeletal Don Death runs a popular variety show called “Dance of Death”.

Suburban Windows, 1981, Robert Wyatt. 20 min

Impressions of the domestic prison and the suburban landscape through object animation, exploration of sound-image relationships and a variety of other techniques used to non-naturalistic, often humorous, effect.

Rainbow Diary, 1984, Ivor Cantrill. 17 min

Hand-drawn directly onto 16mm film, this animation is a ‘diary’ of daily drawing-on-film practice by Ivor Cantrill over a period of 18 months. Drawing style ranges from bold geometric patterns, to a delicate calligraphy.

Film prints and blurbs courtesy of National Film & Sound Archive of Australia.

Hard Peanut play Folk-Singer/Songwriter with a tinge of Australiana Bluegrass.

Banjo/voice/piano - John Badgery

Violin - Henry Badgery

Guitar/mandolin - Bennett McKenzie

Double bass - Charlie Sexton

Brock Alexander is joined by two of his old bandmates from Wellington to present an evening of intimate music. The trio will present a range of songs from the repertoire of Frank Sinatra and contemporaries, as well as a couple of instrumentals by Alex and Lockie. Expect to hear exhilarating tunes from the finest jazz composers, heart wrenching Broadway ballads, and danceable delights.
Personnel:
Brock Alexander is an enthralling singer with a diverse repertoire and a captivating presence. He can often be seen performing original music with his own band.

Alex Trask is a versatile and exciting alto saxophonist, leading many groups in Wellington and playing lead alto in the Rodger Fox Big Band. His debut album Pool of Tears was released in 2023 on Thelonious Records.

Lockie Bennett is the most in-demand jazz guitarist in Wellington, holding down many residencies and appearing as a band leader and as a sideman. His immense dedication, skill, and passion is evident whenever he plays.

Tickets $20/$30

        Scott Ttinkler trumpet

Jenny Barnes, vocals

      Erkki Veltheim, Violin

      Stephen Magnusson, Guitar

      Joe Talia, Drums