Screen Australia and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) have formed a new partnership that will see them co-present an exclusive film series set to impress lovers of the arts and further boost MCA membership benefits. This partnership is the first in a range of new initiatives by Screen Australia, designed to raise pride in Australia film and connect cultural audiences across art forms.
The first film series will take place in August and September, in the MCA's beautiful on-site cinema theatre. It will present Members and visitors with four inspiring Australian films and documentaries: Paradise Road (1997), Mr Patterns (2004), Mao's Last Dancer (2009) and Creative Minds (2012). All four have a strong focus on the arts, resonating well with MCA audiences.
Image: MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor & Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason at the MCA cinema. Credit: Ben Symons.
Graeme Mason, CEO at Screen Australia, says: We are thrilled to be partnering with another major Australian cultural institution to help bring together audiences for contemporary art with contemporary film. One of Screen Australia's key goals is to engage audiences, and it makes sense to look to the arts sector broadly in helping creating bridges between our art forms. We look forward to growing this partnership in the near future.
Richard Harris, Head of Business and Audience at Screen Australia, adds: This partnership is an important one for Screen Australia, as it is the first in a range of initiatives designed to present and profile Australian films to a range of audiences in new and exciting ways. It provides a new platform for MCA members and visitors to enjoy Australian films and documentaries in a beautiful and unique space.
This announcement follows a successful membership acquisition drive for the MCA (+400%) during its recent Chuck Close: Prints, Process and Collaboration and Light Show exhibitions.
MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE says: Our Members play a vital role in our ability to deliver exhibitions and programs of excellence, and to provide crucial support for Australian art and artists. Through this exciting film series with Screen Australia, we are pleased to offer them further opportunities to engage their aesthetic senses, celebrate our nation's creative minds and connect with the work of living artists.
Once the first series is underway, Screen Australia plans to expand the initiative to provide increasing opportunities for the general public to appreciate Australian film in unique environments.
SCREENING PROGRAM
Thursday 27 August, 6.30pm
Paradise Road (1997)
Director: Bruce Beresford, Duration: 122mins
Set in Sumatra during WW11, women imprisoned by the Japanese seek solace from the horror of their imprisonment by forming a vocal orchestra. The film and its soundtrack resonated widely with international audiences and even generated paradise road choirs' in regions around Australia, to capture the experience and the music that forged unforgettable friendships in the movie. Starring Glenn Close. Watch the trailer here.
Thursday 3 September, 6.30pm
Mr Patterns (2004)
Director: Catriona McKenzie, Duration: 56mins
Mr Patterns is a documentary set in the 1970s at the Aboriginal settlement of Papunya in Australia's Western Desert, where a teacher named Geoff Bardon helped start one of the most significant art movements of the 20th century by encouraging the community to paint their traditional dot designs using western materials. Watch the trailer here.
Thursday 10 September, 6.30pm
Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
Director: Bruce Beresford, Duration: 117mins
The inspirational true story of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cuxin now Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet adapted from his best-selling autobiography and telling how, amidst the chaos of Mao s Cultural Revolution, he was chosen to leave his peasant family and sent on an amazing journey towards freedom and personal triumph. Watch the trailer here.
Thursday 17 September, 6.30pm (in presence of Writer Robin Hughes)
Creative Minds (2012)
Writer: Robin Hughes, Duration: 2 x 40mins (4 episodes of the TV series)
Creative Minds is a six-part series of documentary interviews produced in 2012 designed to bring an audience into intimate contact with the people who create Australian art or who contribute in a significant way to Australian cultural life. The Australian artistic icons including Geoffrey Rush, Bill Henson, Stephen Page, Elena Kats-Chernin and Kate Grenville are in conversation with Robin Hughes, award-winning documentary producer, director and writer. Watch the trailer here.
Robin Hughes will be at the session for a short Q&A between each episode moderated by Georgie McClean, Senior Manager, Strategy & Communications at Screen Australia.
Image descriptions for above:
Paradise Road production still, courtesy of Roadshow Films Pty Ltd
Mr Patterns production still, courtesy Screen Australia
Mao's Last Dancer production still, courtesy Screen Australia
Creative Minds production still, Geoffrey Rush, courtesy Screen Australia
Please contact Corinne Cowlishaw at Screen Australia for the image of Elizabeth Ann Macgregor and Graeme Mason at the MCA cinema on Corinne.cowlishaw@screenaustralia.gov.au or 02 8113 5833.
BOOKINGS: mca.com.au/film/mca-members-movies
INFORMATION: MCA Members' Admission: $10 for one film / $30 for all four
General Admission: $15 for one film
Admission includes a complimentary bottle of Dr Pilkington's Miracle Cider
or Vale Ale Beer, courtesy of Vale Brewing.
For more information on MCA Membership: mca.com.au/membership
MCA, 140 George Street, The Rocks Sydney NSW 2000
P: +61 (0)2 9245 2400 / E: reception@mca.com.au
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Screen Australia and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) have formed a new partnership that will see them co-present an exclusive film series set to impress lovers of the arts and further boost MCA membership benefits. This partnership is the first in a range of new initiatives by Screen Australia, designed to raise pride in Australia film and connect cultural audiences across art forms. 
