The cinematic world is experiencing a renaissance, and it's all thanks to the resurgence of Australia's cinematheques. These cultural institutions, which have been around for decades, are now more popular than ever, offering a unique and captivating experience for film enthusiasts. But what's the secret behind their success? And how are they changing the way we watch movies? Let's dive in and explore the magic of Australia's cinematheques, and why they're worth a visit for anyone who loves cinema.
The Magic of Cinematheques
For a quarter-century, Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love has been a beloved classic, and when Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art programmed the film at its Australian Cinémathèque, it was a huge success. The film attracted a diverse audience, from classic cinephiles to intergenerational families, proving that cinematheques have something for everyone. But what exactly is a cinematheque, and why are they so special?
A Window to the World
Cinematheques, pioneered in Paris in the 1930s, are dedicated to preserving celluloid archives and championing movies as an art form. In Australia, three of the biggest cinematheques reside in galleries and museums: the one at Goma, the soon-to-launch Sydney Cinémathèque at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Melbourne Cinémathèque at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. These institutions appreciate cinema as a window to and vital record of the world, offering retrospective screenings, underseen highlights, and indie discoveries.
A Different Kind of Movie Experience
In a time when everything feels available everywhere all at once, cinematheques offer an alternative to the Hollywood franchise churn at multiplexes and the endless scroll of streaming. Patrons, especially younger demographics, are valuing this approach and altering their viewing habits accordingly. Cinematheques provide avenues for discovery, translating the world of cinema into something accessible and engaging for all.
The Role of Cinematheques
Amanda Slack-Smith, the Australian Cinémathèque's longstanding curatorial manager, believes that cinematheques' task is to provide avenues for discovery. "It's not about shoving scholarship down people's throats," she says. "It's about us being translators. We put on our Indiana Jones hat, we go out there, we find all the gems, we bring them back."
Commercial theatres can seldom fulfil this role, even with year-round retrospective programming. The film industry data firm Gower Street Analytics reported a global box office of US$33.55bn last year, still struggling to match pre-Covid figures. "They're a business, they have to survive," Slack-Smith notes. "So if it wasn't for places like cinematheques, how do you have those conversations? How do you see that material? And how do you put it in context?"
The Power of Originality
When the Australian Cinémathèque programmed In the Mood for Love, it was part of an ode to Hong Kong star Maggie Cheung. Other notable recent seasons have showcased Japanese filmmaker and Drive My Car Oscar-winner Ryusuke Hamaguchi, as well as the work of Charles Burnett, director of the widely revered classic drama Killer of Sheep. These screenings offer a chance to see films in their original cut, preserving the director's vision and providing a unique experience for the audience.
The Next Generation of Cinematheques
Sydney Cinémathèque, which begins welcoming audiences in March, is an exciting new development. It will rebrand and expand AGNSW's screening program, which dates back to 2000. Ruby Arrowsmith-Todd, the film curator, sees it as an opportunity for emerging film professionals, such as critics, programmers, and projectionists. "Each year there's a new cohort of young people coming through, keen to see the so-called classics but also increasingly voracious for films that are far off the typical canon list," she says.
The Magic of the Cinema Experience
Grace Boschetti, a next-gen cinemaphile, embraced Melbourne Cinémathèque after seeing Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse while at university. "It's never the ideal way to watch something at home," she says. "Watching something in a cinema is always going to be a better experience."
Australia's cinematheques fulfil a much-needed role, offering an antidote to streaming and the false sense of abundance provided by digital platforms. They provide a unique and captivating experience, preserving the magic of cinema and offering a window to the world of film. So, the next time you're looking for a movie experience that's truly special, why not give a cinematheque a try?
