About

Presented in partnership with the Goethe-Institut, the Australian Cinémathèque presents a screening of Nikolaus Geyrhalter's film Homo Sapiens 2016, accompanied by a newly composed, live electronic score from Austrian sound artist Heinz Riegler.

Homo Sapiens by the renowned Austrian director Nikolaus Geyrhalter is based on long, static shots of abandoned buildings and landscapes. Even though not one human being can be seen in the entire film, watching this carefully crafted work is an amazingly engaging experience. The Guardian called it “a visually extraordinary film” that is “as gripping as any sci-fi thriller” and awarded it 5/5 stars. Seeing this work on the big screen with a live soundscape will be nothing short of a meditative event.

Heinz Riegler is an Austrian sound artist who currently lives in Brisbane. He has worked across art installations, film and music. His edgy post-punk band Not From There won an ARIA Award in the 1990s, but since then he has moved into more experimental electronic sounds and collaborated with artists such as Lawrence English, David Toop and Ben Frost.

'Homo Sapiens is a film about the finiteness and fragility of human existence and the end of the industrial age, and what it means to be a human being. What will remain of our lives after we're gone? Homo Sapiens is an ode to humanity as seen from a possible future scenario.' Nikolaus Geyrhalter

Homo Sapiens is a haunting work that surveys the ruins of human civilisation. Traces of violence and neglect are signposted throughout and nature is seen in a process of reclaiming once functioning train stations, shopping centres, housing estates, churches, schools and hospitals. With no camera movement, no dialogue and no music, Austrian documentarian Nikolaus Geyrhalter simply observes these environments that appear destroyed, neglected or decayed. Through its simplicity of form, Homo Sapiens opens up a contemplative space for the audience to consider humanity and the implications of our collective presence in this world.

Ages 15+