Cleverman stormed onto ABC TV in 2016 as a dystopian sci-fi with a difference. With predominantly Indigenous cast and senior crew, the series explores a series of Aboriginal origin stories in a contemporary context, with political nuance touching on themes of class, racism and power.

Exploring First Nations storytelling, language and creativity in production design, costumes and props, this free exhibition invites you to listen-first and immerse yourself in a powerful and contemporary expression of origin stories.

The exhibition explores the making of Cleverman, including props, costumes and make-up from the series, designs by Weta Workshop and artwork from the original comic book series.

This exhibition has been curated by ACMI and co-curated by Cleverman concept creator Ryan Griffen and Cleverman production designer Jacob Nash.

Cleverman series 1 and 2 are available on ABC iview for the duration of the exhibition.

Cleverman: The Exhibition
6 December 2018 – 22 April 2019
ACMI – Melbourne
www.acmi.net.au

A meditation on the souls of buildings, the responses offered by six manmade structures are surprising. Cathedrals of Culture bestows upon these souls an unparalleled voice – the buildings in this documentary literally speak for themselves, exploring human life from a unique perspective.

Six accomplished filmmakers have contributed their own artistic styles and insights to the project, each drawing audiences into the inner workings of the buildings they explore. In their own way, these structures exemplify bold ideas and ingenuity, and are ultimately a manifestation of human thought and action.

Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas and Buena Vista Social Club) journeys deep inside the Berlin Philharmonic, a modern beauty that stands at the centre of a once divided city; the late Michael Glawogger (Workingman’s Death, Whores’ Glory) harnesses the rich cultural heritage of inspired thought housed in the National Library of Russia; Danish filmmaker, Michael Madsen navigates the complex duality of the world’s most humane prison, Halden Prison; Robert Redford discovers a temple that worships science and nature in the Salke Institute; Margreth Olin channels the creativity of the Oslo Opera House that permeates both art and life; and Karim Aïnouz playfully reflects on the pulsating Centre Pompidou, which is portrayed as a ‘living, breathing culture machine’.

Commenting on Cathedrals of Culture, ACMI’s Senior Film Programmer, Kristy Matheson said: “In this stunning ode to the enriching and transformative power of architecture, six acclaimed directors transport audiences beyond the walls of some of the world’s most magnificent structures. The film offers a rare opportunity to contemplate the purpose, placement and history of these seminal structures in the modern world.”

Cathedrals of Culture will screen at ACMI from Tuesday 28 October to Tuesday 11 November 2014. For program information and tickets, please visit acmi.net.au.

“Cathedrals of Culture must rank as one of the most fervent hymns to architecture ever sung, proudly throwing down the gauntlet of high culture to that part of the intelligentsia who attend the movies. Clever, coy, precious, stirring, it’s a film of many moods.” – The Hollywood Reporter

Cathedrals of Culture
Tuesday 28 October to Tuesday 11 November 2014
Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne
www.acmi.net.au

Following his 2011 visit to the Polish National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódž – the birthplace of the Polish Film School of the 1950s and 60s that put Polish cinema on the film map – Scorsese was compelled to bring the great masterpieces of Polish cinema to audiences.

Long drawn to the power of Polish cinema from his days as a film student in New York, Scorsese selected 21 seminal films that profoundly resonated with him. Masterpieces of Polish Cinema includes works from luminaries such as Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Krzysztof Zanussi, Andrzej Munk, Jerzy Kawalerowicz and Wojciech Has.

ACMI is proud to be showcasing 13 of the 21 films featured in Masterpieces of Polish Cinema from Sunday 5 October to Sunday 26 October 2014. Screening exclusively at ACMI in Australia, all 13 films have been digitally remastered and are newly subtitled with the assistance of Scorsese’s Film Foundation.

This special season, which spans three decades between 1957 and 1987, captures and critiques Poland’s social and political upheaval of the time. For many critics and viewers, the films stand up to repeated viewings for their emotional and creative depth, as well as their sweeping, humanistic themes.

Commenting on Polish cinema, Scorsese said: “This is a cinema of personal vision, very strong social commitment and a poetic responsibility from which we’ve all learned, and which sets a very high standard, which as a filmmaker, I strive to achieve with every film.”

ACMI’s Head of Film Programs, Richard Sowada is immensely proud that ACMI will be able to share these cinematic masterpieces with Australian audiences.

“This important series explores a range of themes and genres, from existentialism in Night Train, to eccentricity in Innocent Sorcerers, and absurdism in The Hourglass Sanatorium. It also includes Wajda’s iconic film set on the last day of World War II,Ashes and Diamonds, which Scorsese deems to be one of the finest films ever made. Audiences will have a unique opportunity to discover (and rediscover) these digitally restored masterpieces.”

Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema was organised with thanks to Propaganda Foundation, DI Factory, The Film Foundation and KinoRP Project.

Martin Scorsese Presents: masterpieces of Polish Cinema
Sunday 5 October to Sunday 26 October 2014
ACMI – Federation Square Melbourne
www.acmi.net.au