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MEDIA RELEASE |
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| 9 JANUARY 2015 |
| MYTHS AND LEGENDS SCREEN AT GOMA’S CINÉMATHÈQUE |
Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings 2001-2003, Cecil B. DeMille’s Ten Commandments 1956 and the William Wyler’s Ben Hur 1959 are among fifty films to screen as part of the Queensland Art Gallery│Gallery of Modern Art’s (QAGOMA) ‘Myths and Legends’ film program.
QAGOMA Acting Director Simon Wright said tickets were on sale now for the program screening at GOMA’s Cinémathèque from this Friday 9 January until 8 March.
‘‘Myths and Legends’ celebrates the world of heroic deeds, epic journeys and sacred stories. From classic mythology to contemporary reinterpretations, it continues the conversation that began with last summer’s popular ‘Fairytales and Fables’ film program,’ said Mr Wright.
‘The program includes versions of classic tales from early silent cinema with The Passion of Joan of Arc 1928 and The Golem 1920 – presented with live musical accompaniment – through to films steeped in classical mythology such as Cleopatra 1963, Jason and the Argonauts 1963 and Clash of the Titans 1981.
‘While these classic stories are easily recognised as mythological narratives, the program also considers less obvious contemporary interpretations. While Aliens 1986, Fight Club 1999 and Monty Python and the Holy Grail 1975 might have little in common with traditional tales at first glance, they share similar heroic journeys to the rites of passage depicted in the classics,’ Mr Wright said.
Amanda Slack-Smith, Associate Curator, The Australian Cinémathèque, QAGOMA, said ‘Myths and Legends’ would feature several live music and film events, with some of these activating QAGOMA’s restored 1929 Wurlitzer Style 260 (Special) theatre pipe organ.
‘It is largely through the metaphors of myth that we find our place in the universe and understand how and why we exist. Instead of telling these stories by the campfire we now see them unfold on our screens. At their core, these stories still provide us the rituals to guide us through the changes in our lives and are as relevant to contemporary society as they have always been,’ said Ms Slack-Smith.
On Saturday 7 February from 1.00pm Amanda Slack-Smith will give a talk entitled ‘Play It Again, Sam: Film and Modern Mythology’. The talk is free, and no bookings are required. Check the website for details.
In a special event during the summer school holidays, teens aged 13 – 18 years are invited to join the QAGOMA Teens team from 1.00pm Saturday 17 January for an exclusive screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1982. Bookings required, visit the website for more information.
‘Myths and Legends’ screens at the Gallery’s Australian Cinémathèque at GOMA from this Friday 9 January until 8 March 2015. Tickets are available online through QTIX (booking fees apply) or at the GOMA Box Office from one hour prior to film screenings (subject to availability). Adults $9.00, concession $7.00.
For a full program details please visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/mythsandlegends. |
| Production still from Cleopatra (detail) 1963 / Director: Joseph L Manciwietz, Rouben Mamoulian / Courtesy: Twentieth Century Fox |
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