About

Coinciding with 'Contemporary Australia: Optimism' at the Gallery of Modern Art, the Australian Cinémathèque presents a series of film programs echoing the exhibition's exploration of the rich, broad and complex territory of the possible in Australian life and culture. Important Australian filmmakers Rolf de Heer, Ivan Sen and Clara Law are profiled with retrospective screenings. De Heer is recognised internationally as one of Australia's leading filmmakers, attracting both critical and commercial success for films such as Ten Canoes 2006 and Bad Boy Bubby 1993. Esteemed Hong Kong filmmaker Law has made powerful films dealing with themes of migration and identity within a distinctly Australian context, including the celebrated Floating Life 1996 and Letters to Ali 2004. Sen is an Indigenous filmmaker acclaimed for his powerful short and feature films, including Beneath Clouds 2002 and Yellow Fella 2005.

Kath and Kim
2 January – 20 February 2009
Look at moiye! Jane Turner is one of Australia's most respected comedians, having contributed to some of the Australia's most influential television comedies including The D Generation and Fast Forward. Most recently, Turner has played the character Kath Day alongside long-time collaborator Gina Riley in the successful series Kath and Kim. To compliment Turner's inclusion in the 'Contemporary Australia: Optimism' exhibition, the Australian Cinémathèque screens Series 1 and 2 of this award-winning program during the 'Optimism Up Late' program.

A Portrait of Nicole Kidman
3 January – 1 February 2009
Iconic Australian actress Nicole Kidman will be celebrated with screenings in the lead up to, and during the 'Optimism for Kids Summer Festival'. Throughout January, selected films from Kidman's career for youth audiences will be presented, including her break into Hollywood Dead Calm 1989 and Days of Thunder 1990 through to her Oscar winning performance in The Hours 2002. The Children's Summer Festival will screen kid's films starring the actress including retro spectaculars A Bush Christmas 1983 and BMX Bandits 1983.

Beat On: Australian Electronic Music
2 January – 20 February 2009
Showcasing the current strength and diversity of Australian electronic music, a selection of cutting edge and award winning electronic music videos will screen weekly as part of the Australia: Up Late Fridays. Australia: Up Late cinema sessions will be free.

From the Outback to the Islands: Animation by Kids
18 – 26 January 2009
A selection of short animated works handmade by children. Kids' plasticine models and drawings form the basis of these beautiful films which capture local stories.

List of Works

Rolf de Heer
Tale of a Tiger 1984
Incident at Raven's Gate 1988
Dingo 1991
Bad Boy Bubby 1993
Epsilon 1995
The Quiet Room 1996
Dance Me to My Song 1997
The Old Man Who Read Love Stories 2000
Alexandra's Project 2003
Ten Canoes 2006 | Directors: Rolf de Heer, Peter Djigirr
The Balanda and the Bark Canoes 2006 | Directors: Rolf De Heer, Tania Nehme, Molly Reynolds
Dr Plonk 2007 G

Clara Law
Wo ai daikong ren (The Other Half and the Other Half) 1988
Pan Jin Lian zhi qian shi jin sheng (The Reincarnation of Golden Lotus) 1989
Ai Zai Bie Xiang de Ji Jie iFarewell China) 1990
Qiu Yue (Autumn Moon) 1992
You Seng (Temptation of a Monk) 1993
Floating Life 1996
The Goddess of 1967 2000
Letters to Ali 2004

Ivan Sen
Warm Strangers 1996
Shifting Shelter Part 1 + Part 2 + Part 3 1997-2005
Journey 1998
Tears 1998
Wind 1999
Dust 1999
Who Was Evelyn Orcher? 2004
The Dreamers 2004
Yellow Fella 2005
Auntie Connie 2006
Broken Borders Part 1 + Part 2 2006