Performances with Purpose
During our 2022 Annual Festival program, we were thrilled not only to screen compelling subject matter through our curated films, but also to activate spaces for storytelling via performance and music. The creation of such rich multi-arts events brought global films into local context and provided breaks from screen content, grounding attendees in their local setting and offering moments for reflection and renewal.
We were very grateful to have artists from Western Edge (WEYA) as part of our Queen of Glory and The Man Who Sold His Skin events, welcoming artist performers Amarachi Okoromi and Leigh Lule at the former, and Betiel Beyin and Yaw Dadzie at the latter. With dynamic performances integrating spoken word, acting and music, these young WEYA artists showcased the ways every person in our communities can hold a unique role in speaking truth to power.
At our event for Aotearoa/New Zealand film Cousins, we were honoured to be joined by Māori community group TUIA THT. Before the screening, the collective’s performers brought an electrifying energy to the ACMI space with their powerful performance of the matriarchal version of the Kapa Haka, inspiration and music directly from the film. The screening of this resonant film was followed by a passionate speech and discussion on the subject of Māori cultural revitalisation.
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Cousins performance by TUIA THT
Māori performance group, educating and empowering people through revitalising Māori history and culture.
Maa te matauranga me te manaakitanga ka hiki te mana o te tangata mai I ngaa pakiwaitara me nga purakau a kui maa a koro maa noo roto I ngaa mahi a Tanerore raua ko Hine te Rehia. > Learn more
Queen of Glory performance by Amarachi and Leigh
Amarachi Okorom and Leigh Lule shared a 15 minute performance exploring heartbreak, grief, unrequited love, loss and self-worth. Traversing the genres of rom com to drama, spoken word to song.
The Man Who Sold His Skin performance by Yaw and Betiel
Yaw Dadzie and Betiel Beyin used this epic thriller as a base to explore power, ambition, fear, desire, displacement and love. Weaving together established and original scenes from theatre and film, Western Edge brought local talent and ideas from artists in Melbourne’s West before being transported to Syria and Europe for The Man Who Sold His Skin.
Western Edge (WEYA)
Western Edge is a not-for-profit arts organisation creating safer spaces for young artists from Melbourne’s west to tell their own stories, with their own voice, in their own way.
Working across three core programmatic areas we create opportunities for young people and artists to explore creativity, learn new artistic practices, gain on-the-job employment, and develop as artistic and cultural leaders. > Learn more
