First attractions for innovative film fest.
The first glimmer of spring heralds the return of Flatpack Film Festival. The eighth edition of the Birmingham-based film jamboree takes place from 20th-30th March and will be packed with a programme of new features, short films, archive discoveries and events, from canal-side sound walks and artist talks to expanded cinema performances and live soundtracks.
Headline events include:
THE WORLD MADE ITSELF, an immersive performative piece from LA-based artist and performer Miwa Matreyek, who will imagine the origins of the earth by interacting with her own animations. A UK premiere. www.semihemisphere.com
Bill Morrison (Decasia, The Miners’ Hymns) presents the UK premiere of THE GREAT FLOOD, a portrait of the devastation caused by the Mississippi floods of 1927. http://billmorrisonfilm.com
PHONO-CINÉMA-THÉÂTRE, a recently-restored treasure trove of 1900s film featuring theatre and variety stars of the day, notably Sarah Bernhardt as a duelling Hamlet.
BIRMINGHAM-ON-SEA – recounting the tale of one land-locked city’s love affair with water, from Brummie kids on holiday in 1963 documentary They Took Us To The Sea to a video voyage down the River Rea by artist David Rowan.
Other programme highlights include:
CAFÉ NEURO, a weekend of talks, screenings and activities that will exploit recent developments in brain-imaging and eye-tracking technology to explore what cinema does to our brains.
A selection of HENRY HILLS’ mesmerising, rhythmical work presented by the experimental filmmaker himself, who will discuss his collaborations with the likes of John Zorn and Christian Marclay. www.henryhills.com
JAPANIMATION, a retrospective for Japan’s offbeat DVD label Calf including work by Mirai Mizue, Tochka Collective and Atsushi Wada. http://calf.jp/en/
DVD BANG, a Korean-inspired viewing lounge, where you can book in to watch a movie day or night. http://dvd-bang.com/
Tickets for selected highlights are now on sale. The full programme will be announced and on sale in mid-February at www.flatpackfestival.org.uk