Sat 9 June only
For Spingwatch, the biggest survey ever into the arrival of spring, run by the BBC in association with the Woodland Trust and the UK Phenology Network, don’t miss the return of Pigeon (2003), by Ruth Maclennan & Volker Eichelmann, Wingbeats (2006), by Thomas Newton, and the magical David Hinton & Yolande Snaith film, Birds (2000).
The Ruth Maclennan and Volker Eichelmann video, Pigeon (2003), was specially made to be shown in cinemas as a split second interlude between the advertisements and the main feature. It was commissioned as part of an ongoing series, ‘A-Clips’, produced in Berlin and London. The forty-five second film stretches time to draw a portrait of pigeons in the city. Shot at pigeon-eye level, blown up to full screen size, the pigeons reflect some of the peculiarities and suffering of their human counterparts. At the same time, the film captures the textures, colours and sounds of the city as they might appear to a pigeon.
Thomas Newton’s Wingbeats (2006), is a must watch. In this film Newton combines his interest in birds’ flightpaths with that of experimental musical composition; using custom-developed software to track the movements of the birds, each movement is translated directly into music. Before our very eyes motion-paths of birds become aerial sculptures – the results are breathtaking.
David Hinton & Yolande Snaith film Birds (2000) is made entirely from found archive footage recording the natural movements of birds, then edited to create a new exhilarating dance and sound piece.
(times tbc)
Sat 9 June – Friday 15 June 2007
Manchester-based moves returns for the third year, 12-17 June, as the largest UK platform for screen-based work exploring movement in the form of dance films, interactive installations, animation and experimental shorts.
Over 6 days, moves07 will host a panoply of visual delights from all over the world and welcome international filmmakers, industry professionals and academics to partake in a 2-day conference, screenings, discussions and workshops and debate the ever-expanding boundaries of the medium.
To view the full programme and book your tickets or festival pass, visit http://www.movementonscreen.org.uk
To mark the programme The Bigger Picture will be playing host to a moves07 day programme and week long Overnight MuteLoop.
Also showing is a specially curated programme to mark the passing of a decade since Hong Kong’s handover to China. Running from June into July audiences can catch Hong Kong animation, music videos and out of date / regional advertisement from the pivotal decade.
From 9 – 29 June Big Screen Manchester will play host to the first of these two programmes by screening a magical array of Hong Kong animation interdespersed with out of date / regional advertisement. All selections pursue an individual style and content, imaginative, hopeful, nostalgic and critical. Works are not only a reflection of the reality of the past, but also imply a vision of the future.
Catch:
Paper Child (2004), Dir: Cheng Pui Sze
What is animation? When you flip over a stack of consecutive drawings, you have animation. Traditional Chinese revolving lams work on the same principle. When they revolve, the drawings on them become animation. This is a story about a paper cutting character Paper Child who has an adventure in the revolving lamp. Everything in the revolving lamp is 2-D paper cutting… and somehow, Paper Child becomes 3-D.
Utopia (2004), Dir: Chan Wai May
A character enters a pictorial world where he likes it so much, he asks what will happen next?
Dearrabbit (2004), Dir: Mok Pui Yuk
This animation chronicles the dark desperate journey of Dear Rabbit. He spurns the opportunity to live longer.
Very Fantastic (2001), Dir: So Man Yee
Very Fantastic includes good ghosts and strange Hong Kong pre-war building references in a move to convey the importance of the preservation of Hong Kong’s own culture.
A mid-night story (2005), Dir: Antonio Wong Hoi-chung
This story is about a conflict between a small pushcart and a big garbage truck.
The tired city (2005), Dir John Chan and Pam Hung
Mind Blossom (2006), Dir Winnie Choi Lai-Wan
The programme is part of Made in Hong Kong: A Decade of New Cinema. See www.cornerhouse.org or www.chinese-arts-centre.org for further information on films, events and exhibitions. With thanks to Tereza Kwong Independent Short Film & Video Awards, HKAC, The Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong, and Ying Kwok, Curator Chinese Arts Centre Manchester. This programme will tour to Melbourne Australia, Federation Square.
The Bigger Picture screens on the Big Screen in Exchange Square, Manchester, Monday – Friday, after the news at 9.00am, after the news at 12noon, 2.05pm, after the news at 5pm, 10.35pm, and at various times throughout the weekend. Schedule subject to change. For further and up-to-date information, plus submission information on this unique project please see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/features/big_screen
www.cornerhouse.org/art/biggerpicture
The Bigger Picture Overnight MuteLoop will screen everyday, nightly from Midnight – 7.00am. (Schedules subject to change).
The Bigger Picture screens on the Big Screen in Exchange Square, Manchester, Monday – Friday, after the news at 9.00am, after the news at 12noon, 2.05pm, after the news at 5pm, 10.35pm, and at various times throughout the weekend. Schedule subject to change. For further and up-to-date information, plus submission information on this unique project please see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/features/big_screen
www.cornerhouse.org/art/biggerpicture