Caffeinated Clint
In Melbourne from 5th-9th December 2007
You might think Bikes and Films go about as well together as drinking lattes in the sun on a Summer’s day… but it’s true, they do, or at least is going to attempt to convince of us of that (and just for the record, I don’t recommend drinking hot coffee on a hot Summer’s day – not unless you wear a bib).
Here’s a great event that we’ve just heard about via morse code.
Beep… Beep…. Bee-Bep….Bep…. Beeeep…
Or,
Thrilling diverse audiences in 15 international locations for the past seven years, the Bicycle Film Festival rolls into Melbourne in full force from the 5th-9th December 2007. A gridlock-free program of art, music, films, parties, and related bicycle-related extravaganzas, the BFF encourages both young and old to get off their seats and onto their bikes, exploring the city and its offerings in unique and exciting ways.
The bicycle’s social, environmental and political salience has never been so high on the cultural agenda. More bicycles than cars are sold in Australia each year, and experts insist a ‘quantum leap’ in attitudes to cycling is integral to Melbourne’s future as a sustainable and liveable city. The Bicycle Film Festival promotes biking and its role in society through a creative platform of art, music and film that appeals to broad populations in a fun and inventive fashion.
After a near-fatal bike accident with a bus in New York City broke every bone in his body and hospitalised him for close to a year, BFF director Brendt Barbur transformed negative into positive by using his settlement money to found The Bicycle Film Festival in 2000, generating one of the most powerful, innovative and dynamic events on the global cultural calendar. In addition to films, the BFF offers parties, rock shows, street parades, and art exhibitions. The Melbourne program already
includes:
• Wednesday 5th December – Spoke Art Exhibition
Literally and laterally Spoke is a celebration of the bicycle. Across a range of mediums the exhibition will explore the relationship of man and machine with an emphasis upon the energy, magic and freedom that this bond can create. Featuring work from Stefan Marx (Germany), Mike Giant (US), Josh Petherick (AUS), RINZEN, Steve Nishimoto (US), Dylan Martorell (AUS), Tin & Ed (AUS), Thomas Jeppe (AUS), Aleksandra Domanovik (Japan)
• Thursday 6th December – Opening Night BIKES ROCK! Kick-off Party
A ride-in event with bicycle valet parking at the heritage-listed Meat Market in North Melbourne, local and international bands will entertain 500+ guests at this once-in-a-lifetime gig.
• Friday 7th – Saturday 9th December – Screenings at RMIT Capitol Theatre
The historic and glorious Capitol plays home to 9 screening sessions over 2 days, including local and international short and feature-length films, works by the Neistat Brothers, Lucas Brunelle and the Australian premier of Reginald Harkema’s ‘Monkey Warfare’ – winner of the Special Jury Award at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival. A foyer bar and lounge sustain the devoted bike masses through marathon screenings.
• Sunday 9th December – B.est F.riends F.orever Bike Parade Laneway Party
Cyclists of Melbourne in all shapes and sizes converge in Tattersals Lane off Section 8 Container Bar to participate in Bike Swaps, Performances, Bicycle Beauty Pageants and general mayhem.
• Sunday 9th December – Best of BFF DVD Screening & Closing Party at Rooftop Cinema
The sun setting over Melbourne will provide a stunning backdrop to cyclists and general enthusiasts alike enjoying a final night’s screening and very special party, including BFF highlights of the past seven years, on top of the world.
Bicycle lovers are in for a treat as Melbourne plays host to a selection of the best of the Bicycle Film Festival in recent years. The screening program, curated by festival Founder and Director Brendt Barbur, features over 50 high-profile short and feature-length films – all devoted to the celebration of the bicycle in all shapes and forms.
Highlights include:
GASOLINE VS YOGHURT
USA 2006 / DV 5min.
Dir: Neistat Brothers
The Neistat Brothers have made another short for the BFF. This time Van and his
yogurt-powered bike take on Casey and his gasoline powered Ducati. You know who wins?
WARRIORS: THE BIKE RACE
USA 2004 / DV 20min.
Dir: Christopher Ryan, Michael Green, Jesse Epstein
In August of 2002, over 800 bicycle riders descended upon New York City in the form of 89 gangs. Their goal: to live out the epic gang warfare movie known as THE WARRIORS. During the all night race from the Bronx to Coney Island, riders got lost, blood was shed, police outwitted, and countless brain cells destroyed. Most of what took place that night was thankfully never to be discussed again until…WARRIORS: THE BIKE RACE.
LUCAS BRUNELLE WORLDWIDE BROADCAST
USA 2007 / DV 10 mins
Dir: Lucas Brunelle
The famous Lucas Brunelle travels the world from London to Mexico City to New York. In this year’s update of his worldwide adventures you see the emerging bike movement through his helmet cam.
MONKEY WARFARE
Canda 2006 / DV 77 mins
Dir: Reginald Harkema
Many critics have selected this film as one of the best films without distribution of the year. Dan and Linda are two ex-activists in Toronto who live a low-key lifestyle, selling junk online and riding their bicycles. After their pot dealer gets busted, they meet the young revolutionary Susan, forcing Dan and Linda to question their relationship and face their turbulent past. “Monkey Warfare” was well-received at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, winning the Special Jury Award.
PEDAL
USA 2001 / DV 50 mins
Dir: Peter Sutherland
Acclaimed NYC filmmaker and photographer, Sutherland is known for his work as Director of Photography on the skateboarding film “Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator” which played to audiences nationwide, as well as the photography book AUTOGRAF. Pedal is a fast-paced documentary film about surviving in the streets of New York City as a bicycle messenger. It features messengers from all walks of life as they battle traffic in a race to make their next delivery on time. It premiered in 2001 at the South by Southwest film festival and in New York at the Bicycle Film Festival, and later was acquired by the Sundance channel, where it aired until 2004
A complete program is available at www.bicyclefilmfestival.com, or email pip@ambiguoushorse.com
