Best of the Fest: Arts Lovers
Art plays a major role in shaping, reflecting and expressing the world we live in. It transcends language, culture, age, time and space. It takes the words we can not find and the emotions we cannot articulate and delivers them through sound, silence, shapes, colour and movement.
It wouldn’t be the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival without a (very) healthy dose of art, and if you are a lover of sublime dance, music, poetry and expressive movement - these are your go-to events.
FAREWELL AMOR (2020)
THURSDAY 22 APRIL | 6:30 PM | ACMI CINEMA 1
Dance is at the heart of Farewell Amor, and its movement filled narrative will be accompanied by a pre-screening performance from singer, songwriter and spoken word poet NIASHA.
A Zimbabwean-born soul performer NIASHA connects directly with her audiences as she delves into the topics of love, identity, a celebration of self and others.
UNDERPLAYED (2020)
FRIDAY 23 APRIL | 6:15PM | ACMI CINEMA 1
In her documentary Underplayed, director Stacey Lee gives voice to the female pioneers of electronic music and shines a spotlight on the systemic challenges women face being seen and heard in the music industry.
Join us as we amplify the richness of women in music with a performance by emerging artist Jacki Tut. Tut’s melodic sounds are infused with deep soul, RNB and a dose of hip-hop, the perfect prelude to a powerhouse film.
AI WEIWEI: YOURS TRULY
SUNDAY 25 APRIL | 1:15PM | ACMI CINEMA 1
As we grow ever more conscious of the heavy toll speaking out has on activists, this film delivers a poignant look at the consequences faced by prolific artist Ai Weiwei when he speaks truth to power in China.
Framing this deep dive into courage is a powerful pre-screening performance by Malaika Mfalme (Angel King) whose strikingly smooth vocals and sweet guitar create a safe space focused on healing, kindness, acceptance and reflection.
FIRESTARTER: THE STORY OF BANGARRA
SUNDAY 25 APRIL | 4:15 PM | ACMI CINEMA 1
A stunning expose on how movement heals, Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra tells of three young Aboriginal brothers who turned a newly born dance group into one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies.
Enjoy a pre-screening performance from Kululu Waria, whose warmth and sincerity is delivered through catchy hooks and honest, relatable lyricism.
BODY OF TRUTH
FRIDAY 30 APRIL | 6:30PM | ACMI CINEMA 1
This confronting yet intriguing expose will draw you in as four female artists explore what it truly means to express through your body as they explore themes of war, violence and suppression through the canvas most readily available to them: their body.
Artist Georgia Banks will set the bar high with a pre-screening performance laced with the signature of their work; provocation and invitation.
THE LAST TREE | SATURDAY 1 MAY | 6:30PM
ACMI CINEMA 2
This event is packed full of heart and talent as The Last Tree’s narrative of identity and belonging spill from the screen to the stage with a performance from Western Edge Youth Arts (WYEA).
WEYA’s young artists are on a journey of self-exploration, expression and learning how to cultivate artistic agency as a leader.
