Sometimes in one’s cultural travels around Sydney one comes across a genuine discovery. My entry to the world of Kino, by way of Kino 85 at 107 Projects, was one such occasion.
The Sydney Kino group meet every month, on the first Monday night. The evening kicks off around 6 as people stroll into the foyer to enjoy the pizza and James Squire beer served up, just the right stuff up to put one in the mood for a night of a Kino films amongst other entertainments.
Kino films are very specific films. Some of the essential criteria:- the films have to run five minutes or under, and the film has to be specifically made for Kino and feature their logo.
What is Kino?! Kino-(a Geman word meaning cinema) is a cinema movement that was founded in 1999 in Montreal, Quebec by young filmmaker Christian Lawrence. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities that young film directors were having, he started the first Kino group, found a small venue and screened the first series of short films.
His initiative has taken off in a big way- there are Kino cells- that is the lingo- in Central Anerica, Europe, USA, Africa, the Middle East, and in Oz there are cells in Adelaide and Melbourne as well as here.
The Sydney Kino cell just had its 85th night. A cool young dude Sam, hosted the evening and a very diverse range of short, short films were screened, each followed by the screen maker coming to the front, chatting briefly with Sam, and taking questions from the audience.
There was an interval halfway through the movies. A great opportunity to try and get any remaining pizza and another beer. When we came back in, there was a bit of a change of pace with three stand-up comedians each performing a short, refreshing burst of their shtick. They were great value.
This was followed by a first for Kino Sydney. A five minute raw reading of a new script by a budding playwright, which was also well received. Then we moved on to Act 2 of the Kino screenings.
By the end of the night I had got very savvy with the Kino challenge which the audience really got into. If the Kino logo isn’t placed somewhere in the film or the film runs over the five minute threshold then anyone from the audience can scream out challenge. If the challenge is confirmed, then the filmmaker has to make a new film for Kino-but the problem is that the film has to be on a subject predetermined by the Kino committee- The subjects selected are very bizarre, and are subjects that a filmmaker wouldn’t usually go anywhere near. Let’s just say Kino filmmakers try and avoid being challenged!
My highlight of Kino 85 was the rich diversity in subject matter that the film-makers explored from extreme science fiction scenarios it a beautiful young model exploring the four sides if her personality.
Kino 86 will take place on the first Monday in September at the same venue, 107 Projects, Redfern Street, Redfern. Tickets are very reasonable 15 bucks. The event runs from approx 6 till 9.30pm. Try and find the time to get there. The films have zest and zing and the pizza and the beer are damn fine too! There are also dvd giveaways to those folk up on movie trivia. Young film makers also take note, this may be a great opportunity for your screen vignettes to find a audience and do some networking.
For more information about Sydney Kino visit their official website:-www.kinosydney.com.