Myths and Legends

Overview

Last summer, the Gallery of Modern Art’s Australian Cinematheque dwelled in the realm of film fairy tales and fantasies. Now, they prepare for the sequel. The focus? This time, Myths and Legends take their fancy, in movies about heroic deeds, epic journeys and sacred realms.

Screening 54 films released between 1920 and 2014, the program opens with a diverse double, starting with 1928 silent The Passion of Joan of Arc — presented with a new live musical score by Brisbane band Hazards of Swimming Naked — and followed by James Cameron's Aliens. Elsewhere, expect classics and epics old and new, including Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon, the historical-leaning Spartacus and Cleopatra, '80s fantasies The Dark Crystal and E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, and all three movies in Peter Jackson's original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Yes, this lineup both includes and is bigger than Ben-Hur, and offers multiple interpretations of its theme in a schedule that features Mad Max, The Terminator, Pretty Woman, Pulp Fiction and Fight Club, too. As a special treat for those who missed it last year, you can also catch Aussie horror effort The Babadook — one of the best films of 2014 you probably didn't see.