Apt8 Cinema

The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial incorporates a fascinating cinematic dimension with a host of unique themed films providing a rare insight into both Islam and Filipino film-making and culture. And best of all, most of it’s free.

Indeed those who are up for it could spend much of the summer seated in the cool aircon comfort of GOMA’s state of the art cinemas and surrounds, getting immersed in works that range from the experimental - a new video (screening in the foyer) work from Filipino film-maker Yason Banal – to works that explore the pop culture within Islam and, for the patient, the ‘slow’ durational works spanning up to 12 hours of leading contemporary Filipino director Lav Diaz.

There’s also a week in March where the subhuman genre of science fiction will be celebrated and, for something completely different, amazing, exclusive and world class, one of the most important voices in North America, Michael Gira will for just one night, and in the first time for over a decade, be performing live in Cinematheque A (a ticketed event) on the eve of his final tour with his band SWANS.

A quick overview of the APT8 GOMA Cinematheque program:

Lav Diaz

One of the leading figures of contemporary Cinema, Lav Diaz is not just renowned for his ‘slow’ durational cinematic style (with films lasting from 4-12 hours) that bears witness to life in a way more akin to literature, but for his intense poetic works exploring everything from the time of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos to the Filipino revolution against Spanish rule and the devastating aftermath of 2013’s Typhoon Haiyan. (Until Apr 9)

Pop Islam

Representations of Islam in contemporary film, documentary and video art are explored in this cinema project, whose global reach stretches from Australia to South East Asia, the Middle East, subcontinent and Africa. With more than 20 percent of the world’s population practicing Muslims, Pop Islam (co-curated by Australian-Lebanese artist Khaled Sabsadi) seeks to highlight and demonstrate their diverse opinions and experiences and reveal a contemporary world where young people in particular shape their own version of the practices and teachings of Islam. (Until Apr 10)

Filipino Indie

Independent and experimental digital film-making from the Philippines is the focus of Filipino Indie, which has been co-curated with leading Filipino artist Yason Banal. As well as a screening program, a highlight is Banal’s new video work AN UNTITLED EPISODE_ 2015, which screens in the GOMA foyer throughout APT8 and combines Super-8 film, chroma effect, still images, text, graphics, sound, a superstar actor and fragments of Philippine cinema, reality TV and art industry. Until Apr 6

Mind vs Machine: What Makes us Human?

The selection of films in this week-long ticketed program investigate what it means to be human in counterpoint to humanoid technologies (with the moral implications) and are part of the inaugural World Science Festival Brisbane. Featured are Blade Runner (1982), The Matrix (1999), eXistenZ (1999), Her (2013) and Ex Machina (2015). Mar 9-13. Tkts - A$9, Conc/Stud/Child $7 Members $6

Michael Gira

For just one night in Cinematheque A, the leading member of New York music project SWANS will be giving a rare solo performance. Mar 5 GA $41.50 Members $37.50

*Mind vs Machine and Michael Gira are strictly ticketed events.