NZ Film Archive Presents Siapo Cinema

The Film Archive

Listing details: Siapo Cinema moving image festival
When: 17 January - 1 February 2014
Where: The New Zealand Film Archive, 84 Taranaki St, Wellington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Siapo Cinema

This summer the Film Archive is thrilled to present Siapo Cinema, a festival celebrating Pasifika moving images. The festival has been organised in association with Wellington City Council's Summer City, Positively Pasifika 2014, the New Zealand Film Commission and Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust.

Siapo Cinema runs from 17 January - 1 February, showcasing the work of Pasifika film makers. It will present a delectable selection of feature films, documentaries, shorts, and music videos, along with some live music and the opportunity to talk to film makers.

The Siapo Cinema programme follows:

Fri 17 Jan, 6pm: Siapo Cinema Launch

Join us for an evening of audiovisual revelry in celebration of the opening of the festival. Get into the Pasifika spirit with refreshments, DJing by the Audio Mechanics, and music videos (King Kapisi, Che Fu, Teremoana Rapley, Sisters Underground, Scribe and more) projected larger-than-life on the walls of the Film Archive cafe. Free entry, all welcome.

-Sat 18 Jan, 4.30pm & 7pm: The Orator (2011)

Tusi Tamasese’s acclaimed film of love, honour and courage. Shot on the island of Upolu in Samoa, this is the first feature filmed entirely in Samoan. Small in stature and humble, Saili lives a simple life with his beloved wife and daughter in an isolated and traditional village. Forced to protect his land and family, Saili must face his fears and seek the right to speak up for those he loves. Tickets: $8 / $6.

-Wed 22 Jan, 6pm: Discussion: Pasifika Moving Images

This event provides a forum for celebrating and discussing Pasifika moving images. A panel of award-winning film makers - Makerita Urale, Sima Urale and Louis Sutherland - will discuss their work and share their perspectives. Come along and have a chat with them. Discussion starts 6pm, pizza 7.15pm, screening of short films by the panelists 7.45pm. $5 koha appreciated.

-Thurs 23 & Fri 24 Jan, 6pm / Sat 25 Jan, 4.30 & 7pm: Siapo Shorts

A selection of thoughtful and compelling films made by Pasifika film makers in New Zealand, with the support of the New Zealand Film Commission. Programme includes: O Tamaiti (Sima Urale, 1996), Still Life (Sima Urale, 2001), Run (Mark Albiston, 2007), Coffee and Allah (Sima Urale, 2007), Six Dollar Fifty Man (Mark Albiston & Louis Sutherland, 2009), Night Shift (Zia Mandviwalla, 2012). Tickets: $8 / $6.

-Wed 29, Thurs 30 & Fri 31 Jan, 6pm: Siapo Documentary

A programme of vibrant documentary films that explore various forms of Pasifika art and expression. Includes: Savage Symbols (Makerita Urale, 2002), Velvet Dreams (Sima Urale, 1997) and Fat Freddy’s Drop - Behind The Scenes Mother Mother (Sarah Hunter/ Transmit Media, 2013). Tickets: $8 / $6.

-Sat 1 Feb, 4.15pm & 6pm: Pollywood 2013

A 100 minute line-up of inspiring recent short film and multimedia work, fresh from the 2013 Pollywood festival in Auckland. The Pollywood programme presents films by grass roots through to established practitioners, and is a showcase of Pasifika stories and ideas on screen. The films are presented courtesy of Craig Fasi. Pollywood film maker Chantelle Burgoyne will introduce the 6pm screening. Tickets: $8 / $6.

-Running continuously in the Film Archive TV Room, Fri 17 Jan - Sat 1 Feb:

Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust presents a compilation of moving image work from artists of Pacific heritage. Each artist works primarily in moving image and, through this, they show their own creative diversity within this chosen field. This particular group of artists has been handpicked to showcase the broad spectrum of work that exists within the discipline. What you will witness is proof that artists of Pacific heritage cannot be pigeonholed in to any one medium or concept. Featured artists: Jeremy Leatinu'u, Janet Lilo, Angela Tiatia, Robert George, Darcell Apelu, Salome Tanuvasa, Natasha Matila- Smith. Free admission.

All Siapo Cinema events will take place at the Film Archive, 84 Taranaki St, Wellington. For full details about the screenings, visit www.filmarchive.org.nz

Image: The Orator (Tusi Tamasese, 2011).

Image: Velvet Dreams (Sima Urale, 1997). Part of the Siapo Documentary programme.

Video work by Janet Lilo. Part of the Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust compilation on display in the Film Archive TV Lounge for the duration of the Siapo Cinema festival.

Coffee and Allah (Sima Urale, 2007). Part of the Siapo Shorts programme.

ENDS

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