Gemini Rising: The Cinema of Mai Zetterling, 1 – 20 July 2021, Melbourne

 

ACMI presents Australia’s first retrospective on the multi-faceted career of Mai Zetterling, 1–20 Jul 2021

As part of our film program in July 2021 we aim to celebrate one of the most unappreciated talents to emerge from a thriving, mid-century Swedish film industry, and her empowering transition from acting to directing. Mai Zetterling directed very progressive films for her time and often depicted taboos that are still relevant today, such as female objectification, reproductive rights, and sexual misconduct.

After a working-class upbringing, including growing up for a few years in Australia, Mai Zetterling carved out an unexpected acting career as a movie star and as a stage performer. By transitioning from acting to directing, Mai Zetterling reclaimed power. Of being an actress, she said, “showing my legs and my cleavage, I had been no threat at all: men could fantasise about me”. When she became a director, that changed. Mai Zetterling is a feminist champion. Her feminist films in the 1960s were ahead of sweeping change as the second wave of feminism gathered momentum. Our program shines a spotlight on a strong female voice from the 1960s and asks at a relevant time in contemporary society why Mai Zetterling is not more widely recognised. When many people think of Swedish cinema, Ingmar Bergman will come to mind, but at the height of his career, another director was directing a fresh crop of films, sometimes banned, frequently ignored, often undervalued, that heralded a new wave of feminism.

 

Film titles will include (subject to change):

  • The War Game, dir. Mai Zetterling, UK
  • Loving Couples (aka Älskande par), dir. Mai Zetterling, Sweden
  • Night Games (aka Nattlek), dir. Mai Zetterling, Sweden
  • Dr Glas, dir Mai Zetterling, Sweden & Denmark
  • The Girls (aka Flickorna), dir. Mai Zetterling, Sweden
  • Scrubbers, dir, Mai Zetterling, UK
  • Amorosa, dir. Mai Zetterling, Sweden

Program title: Gemini Rising: The Cinema of Mai Zetterling

Dates: 1 – 20 July 2021

Location:  ACMI Cinemas, Fed Square, Melbourne Background

acmi.net.au

The films are unclassified (18+). Viewer discretion is advised.

Song Cycle Celebrating Daniel Solander 12 Feb 2022 Sydney – NEW DATE!

Experience the World Premiere of an exciting new Australian composition. SOLANDER, a musical celebration of the great Swedish botanist, Daniel Solander (1733-1782) who accompanied Cook on his first Pacific voyage. It will be performed by the Sydney Chamber Choir directed by Sam Allchurch. Composer Kate Reid, text and lyrics Rodney Fisher and Kate Reid, narrator John Gaden.
One performance only.
NEW DATE, SAME TIME & VENUE

SATURDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2022

7.30pm-8.45pm Doors open at 6.30pm

THE GOVERNORS CENTRE,

558 CLEVELAND STREET,

MOORE PARK 2021 

 

Words from Composer Kate Reid

I was first drawn to the story of Daniel Solander, the highly acclaimed Swedish botanist and talented linguist, after many visits to Sweden, where I had the opportunity to appreciate the diversity of its people, the splendid landscape and the extreme winters – vastly different from the world that I was used to on the other side of the earth.   This song cycle is written in celebration of Solander’s important contribution to scientific discovery and the great courage and commitment it demanded from him.  

It begins with Solander’s childhood in the north of Sweden.  It opens with a gentle reference to the indigenous people of northern Sweden, the Sami, singing a lullaby. It goes on to follow him on his two-year journey to Australia on the Endeavour as an assistant to Joseph Banks in 1768.  It concludes with a farewell to Solander, where we hear the same Sami motif return in the final bars.

There are seven movements for a combination of voices, ranging from two soloists to a full SATB choir.  The only instrument is a vibraphone.  The movements are linked by a narrative spoken by John Gaden.  Rodney Fisher has provided the beautiful narrative and many of the lyrics. 

I have been moved to respond to Solander’s life story and to acknowledge, through my music, this extraordinary individual whose work, in spite of its significance and its relevance here, remains relatively unknown in Australia today.

Ett tillfälligt förbud mot resor till Sverige med anledning av covid-19

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