CINEMANIACS Reveal March – July Programming In Melbourne
CINEMANIACS return to ACMI in Melbourne from March 6th and in addition to two Special Event Screenings (PEACHES Presents JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR & THE FABULOUS BIKINI KILL) to launch their latest season, their regular programming will occur more frequently and on a new night too.
Fortnightly on Saturday evenings, CINEMANIACS will resume their regular programming, kicking off on April 15 with John Badham’s 1977 SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER with introduction by performing artist and writer Sophie Perillo.
Here’s a breakdown of what you else can expect to see and whom you can expect to hear talk about it prior to the screening.
SATURDAY 29 APRIL
GREASE 2 (1982)
Introduction by cabaret performer and artist Wes Snelling.
Working class misfit Stephanie Zinone (Michelle Pfeiffer) heads the sassy spunky Pink Ladies at Rydell High where she comes into contact with handsome introvert Michael Carrington (Maxwell Caulfield). When Stephanie expresses her desires for a ‘Cool Rider’, Michael goes through a character transformation in this raucous and energetic cult musical directed by Pat Birch.
SATURDAY 13 MAY
COMMANDO (1985)
Introduction by critic and essayist Hande Noyan.
Superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in Mark L. Lester’s powerhouse of 80s action movie excellence. Relentless in its delivery of high energy combat sequences and matched by a poignant sentimental look at father-daughter relations, this explosive entry in Schwarzeneggar’s career is a benchmark in the super popular wave of action cinema.
SATURDAY 27 MAY
SCREAM FOR HELP (1984)
Introduction by critic and Monster Fest programmer Jarret Gahan.
A wonderful combination of slasher film, home invasion, psych-horror, soap opera and Nancy Drew-style mystery, director Michael Winner’s Scream for Help explores the secret world of a teenage girl’s acute perception and understanding of something sinister going on. A smart and savvy violent film, owing as much to teen melodrama as it does to slice ‘n dice gorefests.
SATURDAY 10 JUNE
MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO (1991)
Introduced by critic and historian Lee Gambin.
Gus Van Sant’s poetic and lyrical take on Shakespeare’s Henry IV and V set amongst the world of street hustlers in the Pacific Northwest is a tragic and monumental landmark in the early 90s New Queer Cinema movement. Starring heartthrobs Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix in their most profound roles, the film examines human loneliness, struggle and desperation while painting a complex and introspective view of sex work and strained relationships.
SATURDAY 24 JUNE
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1994) 35mm Screening
Introduced by critic and historian Dr. Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.
Anne Rice’s epic literary saga chronicling the trials and tribulations of vampires throughout the centuries comes to life in this adaptation of her novel, directed by Neil Jordan. Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt) has given up on life, but is then blessed/cursed with immortality by the charismatic Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise) who teaches him the way of the undead. The two foppish bloodsuckers adopt and infect orphaned Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) and thus this vampire family travel through time and locale enduring tragedies and violence throughout the years.
SATURDAY 15 JULY
LADY IN A CAGE (1964)
Introduced by filmmaker Caitlin Koller.
Behold! One of the most nasty and insane films ever made! Screen legend Olivia de Havilland stars in this demented chamber horror piece which owes a lot to the emerging ‘roughie’ pictures of the 60s. Trapped in her inhouse elevator, wealthy widow Cornelia Hilyard (de Havilland) is tormented by three hoodlums who break into her abode and unleash an onslaught of terror.
SATURDAY 29 JULY
BOOM! (1968)
Introduction by critic and historian Sally Christie.
Penned by Tennessee Williams (based on his play The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore) and starring the iconic dynamo powerhouse duo that is Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Boom! is a monstrous maniacal look at memory, identity and neuroticism. Shot on the island of Sardinia, this cult favourite of such filmmakers as John Waters also features legendary playwright and composer Noel Coward as ‘The Witch of Capri’!
Visit the ACMI website for full programming, session and ticketing details.
About CINEMANIACS:
CINEMANIACS is a volunteer-run community of cinephiles that hold monthly screenings of retrospective films across all genres. Each screening is presented by Melbourne’s finest film historians including panels, presentations and video introductions by cast & crew from the films being screened. If you want a truly unique experience alongside friendly, welcoming folks, then come along to CINEMANIACS.
