About

‘Ghost Stories: Spirits, Hauntings and Worlds Beyond’ explores the vibrant legacy of cinematic spectres. From haunted houses and ethereal encounters to romantic apparitions and irrepressible poltergeists, this program brings together more than a century of supernatural tales.

Among the richest and most dynamic screen symbols, ghosts and spirits have played many different roles throughout cinema history. They can be allegories for inescapable memories, overwhelming grief, and love so powerful that it transcends earthly bounds. They can lurk in the shadows of gothic mansions, join their living families for dinner, and even train Shaolin monks to fight. ‘Ghost Stories’ presents a selection of films that showcase the many fascinating interpretations of spirits and hauntings from across the decades and around the world.

'Ghost Stories' is a free, curated cinema program. Seating is general admission and our ushers will ensure all patrons in the cinema follow COVID-safe seating arrangements. As seating is still limited, we recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment.

Program curated by Robert Hughes, Australian Cinémathèque.

QAGOMA acknowledges the generous assistance of the National Film and Sound Archive, Canberra; the Eye Filmmuseum, Amsterdam; the American Genre Film Archive, Austin; the Academy Film Archive, Los Angeles; and the National Film Archive of Japan, Tokyo in providing materials for this program

Live Music & Film: After Death + The Fall of the House of Usher

A haunting gothic horror double of Soviet filmmaker Yevgeni Bauer's brooding After Death 1915 and Jean Epstein's renowned Edgar Allan Poe adaptation The Fall of the House of Usher 1928. Organist David Bailey will accompany the films on the Gallery's 1929 Wurlitzer organ.

Live Music & Film: The Cat and the Canary

Paul Leni's horror-comedy delight The Cat and the Canary 1927 finds the potential heirs of an eccentric millionaire gathered inside his supposedly haunted mansion waiting to discover who will inherit his fortune. Much beloved and oft-remade, The Cat and the Canary is a stylish romp that would help shape the 'haunted house' movie for decades to come. Organist David Bailey will accompany the film on the Gallery's 1929 Wurlitzer organ.