Share:  Viewing problems? View Cinemail online Exhibitions Programs & Events Cinema Members Shop Blog I guess you could call me a feminist in that I like the fact that women have made a significant contribution to film culture in this country. It's something we ought to be proud of and celebrate. Margaret Pomeranz, AM This fortnight we present the final screenings in Contemporary Australia: Women in Film, a program curated by Margaret Pomeranz, AM, and presented in conjunction with the exhibition 'Contemporary Australia: Women'. Margaret's selection showcases some of Australia's finest films and underlines the growing representation of women in key production roles — as screenwriters, cinematographers and producers. Margaret discussed these changes in a special public program with esteemed Australian directors Gillian Armstrong, Ana Kokkinos and Louise Alston. At 2.00pm on Saturday 14 July there will be Q&A session with director Davida Allen following the screening of her film, Feeling Sexy 1998. GOMA CINEMA | FILM SCREENINGS: 4 – 18 JULY 2012 Film notes by Margaret Pomeranz appear abridged. Waiting 1991 M DIRECTOR:  Jackie McKimmie PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Wed 4 Jul 6.00pm and Sat 14 Jul 3.30pm (94 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Clare (played by Noni Hazelhurst) is acting as a surrogate for close friend Sandy who is unable to conceive. As the birth approaches, friends and families arrive at the isolated farmhouse where Clare, an artist, has been living and working. Read more Samson and Delilah 2009 MA15+ DIRECTOR:  Warwick Thornton PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Fri 6 Jul 6.00pm and Sun 15 Jul 3.00pm (100 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Two Aboriginal kids travel in dark places in their bid for survival in this astoundingly affecting story. In 2009, the film deservedly won the Cannes Film Festival's Camera d'Or for Best First Feature. This is one of the great Australian films, and a beautiful love story that gives us insight into a hidden world. Read more The Jammed 2007 MA15+ DIRECTOR:  Dee McLachlan PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Fri 6 Jul 8.00pm (89 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA The exploitation of women is at the heart of this extremely powerful exposé of the sex-slave trade in Melbourne. Part thriller, part social document, this dynamic debut film from writer-director-producer Dee McLachlan highlights the solidarity of women in even the direst circumstances. Read more Martha's New Coat 2003 + Only the Brave 1994 MA15+ DIRECTOR:  Rachel Ward / Ana Kokkinos PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Sat 7 Jul 1.00pm (102 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Martha's New Coat explores the yawning gaps in relationships within contemporary family structures. Martha, with her younger sister, runs away from her rural home to find her father, who left eight years earlier. Only the Brave, following the story of working-class high school student Alex, offers powerful insight into sexuality, longing, abuse and tribalism among young teens from migrant communities. Read more Tracey Moffatt Shorts Program ARTIST:  Tracey Moffatt PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Sat 7 Jul 3.00pm (62 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Tracey Moffatt's juxtaposition of image, sound and seemingly incompatible elements is unsettling. Featuring three short films; Nice Coloured Girls 1987, Night Cries: A Rural Tragedy 1989 and Heaven 1997. Read more Spider and Rose 1994 M DIRECTOR:  Bill Bennett PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Sun 8 Jul 1.00pm (94 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA An ill-matched crabby old woman and cocky, irreverent ambulance driver on a road trip to Coonabarabran forms the basis of this delightful film, which not only delves into the vulnerabilities of a woman ageing in a completely unsentimental way but also brings the whole age-difference conundrum into perspective. Read more Blessed 2009 MA15+ DIRECTOR:  Ana Kokkinos PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Sun 8 Jul 3.00pm (100 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Blessed explores the terrain of alienation for a variety of reasons — most recognisably by the end, by the absence of care or, at the very least, misdirected love. The ensemble cast is universally fine but it is Frances O'Connor's AFI Award-winning performance that is the standout. Read more Muriel's Wedding 1994 MA15+ DIRECTOR:  PJ Hogan PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Wed 11 Jul 6.00pm (106 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA At its core, this film is a celebration of the friendship between two social outcasts surrounded by some very dubious female characters. Ostensibly a comedy, this film gains traction from its darkness and counterpoints moments of hilarity with tragedy. Read more X 2011 MA15+ DIRECTOR:  Jon Hewitt PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Fri 13 Jul 6.00pm (90 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA High-class callgirl Holly is about to quit the game and head to Paris for a new life after one last assignation. She connects with a new arrival in town, fledgling hooker Shay, to help out. During the night, the two witness a murder and find themselves on the run from the killer, becoming embroiled in a world of violence, close shaves and corrupt cops. Read more Kiss or Kill 1997 MA15+ DIRECTOR:  Bill Bennett PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Fri 13 Jul 8.00pm (93 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Nikki is a con artist, working with and loving Alan. When a scam goes horribly wrong, they head for Perth across the Nullarbor, pursued by the police and by a famous footballer for reasons of his own. Read more Sarah Watt Shorts Program All Ages DIRECTOR:  Sarah Watt PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Sat 14 July 1.00pm (45 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Sarah Watt established her reputation as a filmmaker with her sublime short animations. Sarah, sadly no longer with us, lives on in her very personal, very insightful, very poignant films. Her uncanny honesty, clarity and insight translate the personal into stories that have a powerful connection with her audiences. Featuring three short animations; Small Treasures 1995, The Way of the Birds 1999 and Living with Happiness 2002. Read more Feeling Sexy 1998 M DIRECTOR:  Davida Allen PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Sat 14 July 2.00pm (47 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Feeling Sexy explores the stress and anguish experienced by a passionate young woman as she becomes a wife and mother. Davida Allen is a visual artist who has made one feature film and her visual acuity is on display here, enriching the film immeasurably. Read more Japanese Story 2003 M DIRECTOR:  Sue Brooks PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Sun 15 Jul 1.00pm (106 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Toni Collette plays a geologist who grudgingly agrees to chauffeur a potential investor from Japan around various iron ore sites in the Pilbara. Cultural differences make for a rocky start but it's amazing how getting bogged in the outback can bring two people together. Read more The Waiting City 2009 M DIRECTOR:  Claire McCarthy PROGRAM:  Contemporary Australia: Women in Film WHEN:  Wed 18 Jul 6.00pm (108 mins) WHERE:  Cinema A, GOMA Against the background of inter-country adoption, this is the story of a woman who is at a crisis point in her life. Fiona is increasingly aware of the cracks appearing in her marriage to laid-back musician Ben. As they arrive in Kolkata to take custody of their newly adopted daughter, bureaucratic delays increases the stress, proving almost too much. Read more Update my details Unsubscribe Privacy policy Contact Us Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane Queensland 4101, Australia T:  +61 (0)7 3840 7303 F:  +61 (0)7 3844 8865 E:  gallery@qagoma.qld.gov.au Opening Hours Monday to Friday  10.00am – 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday  9.00am – 5.00pm (The Gallery has late opening hours when evening Australian Cinémathèque screenings are scheduled.)