Seen & Heard

Overview

An observant and sometimes handsome Englishman named G.K Chesterton once wrote that "Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions".

What he might have meant is that popularity or acceptance does not necessarily determine something to be true or accurate; in fact the opposite is often the case. This opinion seems to work particularly well when considering the history of film and cinema, where narratives, roles, and stereotypes often find themselves in formulaic, fashionable loops (have you seen this one? Man loses girl so man does something, overcoming various obstacles, to get girl back). Think of all the remakes and sequels we witness each year in popular contemporary cinema that reinforce aged principles and tired behaviour. And, although we might consider ourselves astute viewers, we should probably admit that cinema is somewhat of a charismatic medium, often making it even more difficult to determine fallacy from fashion, social stereotype from social reality.

Taking place at the always-rewarding Red Rattler, Seen & Heard is a free festival celebrating women filmmakers. And while this festival attempts to address and critique gender roles commonly occurring in both the production and exhibition of contemporary cinema, the festival organisers would contend with anyone wanting to pigeonhole women filmmakers with solely presenting and dealing with 'women's themes'. In fact the festival promises to "battle the celluloid ceiling" and deal with questions on "class, race, ability/disability, gender and sexuality".

What seems promising here is that this festival looks as though it will be less about attacking gender restrictions in cinema and more about looking and listening at films that deserve attention, despite what the fashion may be.

The schedule:

Thursday January 14th - Stranger than Fiction: exhibiting both fiction and documentary shorts featuring guest speaker, filmmaker Sunny Grace.

Friday January 15th - Scarlet, White and Blue: causing controversy over race relations in Australia.

Saturday January 16th - Festival Gala night: featuring special guests Gurleseque and a live performance by Fag Panic.

Sunday January 17th - She's So Unusual: experimental shorts with guest speaker, filmmaker Gillian Leahy.