VHS Tracking Newsletter #25
Danger: Diabolik fundraiser screener for Perth Comic Arts Festival, Tone List program a movie night at Goolugatup, and more!
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Trash Classics: Danger: Diabolik (1968)
Friday 29 May 9:00pm, Luna Leederville
Diabolik was a popular Italian comic created by sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani. Designed to be pocket-sized and enjoyed by commuters on the train, the comic focused on Diabolik, an anti-hero master thief, accompanied by his accomplice and lover Eva Kant and pursed by police Inspector Ginko.
Produced by Dino De Laurentiis at the same time as his other comic-book adaptation, Barbarella, even using the same sets and actors, Danger: Diabolik (1968) stars John Phillip Law as Diabolik. It’s a fun, psychaedelic and zippy caper as the masked Diabolik outwits both the authorities and criminals to accomplish his impossible heists.
Danger: Diabolik was directed by Mario Bava, best known for influential horror films like Black Sabbath, Blood and Black Lace, and A Bay of Blood. His film is infused with visual effects and bold colours. Even though it underperformed upon release, the film has a cult audience due to its style including Ennio Morricone’s iconic soundtrack.
Trash Classics is collaborating with Perth Comic Arts Festival for a screening that with raise funds for this year’s festival. There is an original poster for Danger: Diabolik from artist L.G. Veldenmire, and A5 prints will be available for fundraiser ticket holders.
IMPORTANT TICKETING INFO! Please print a copy of your Fundraiser Ticket and present it at the Luna for entry! You must purchase your ticket through the PCAF Humanitix event page. We are unable to process Fundraiser Ticket sales on the night, so please bring a printed copy of your purchased ticket to the event!
VHS Tracking Presents… time space motion (2017) and Re-Recorder (2021) with Tone List
Wednesday 20 May 6:30pm, Goolugatup gallery
Fresh from hosting their iconic Audible Edge festival, exploratory music label and organisers Tone List offer up two selections for VHS Tracking Presents: the near-silent study of light & time, “time space motion” by Shinkan Tamaki (2017), and the ‘imageless film’ “Re-Recorder” by Joshua Bonnetta & Judith Hamann (2021), “in a bid to equally annoy fans of film and music alike! …In all seriousness these are both incredible works and we’re excited to share them.” – Tone List.
Tone List is an artist-run, Boorloo-based label for exploratory music. It is dedicated to the nurturing of approaches to music-making which “receive little or no attention in existing structures on the west coast of this continent, especially where those approaches are radical or novel.” Tone List presents the acclaimed annual Audible Edge Festival of Exploratory Music, publishes recordings predominantly by Western Australian artists, and frequently organises concerts, workshops and other events. Tone List’s programming is co-directed by Goolugatup Sounds alumni Josten Myburgh and Annika Moses, who will be presenting tonight’s films.
Register to confirm your attendance of this special screening which will truly interrogate and re-imagine what exploratory cinema is!
Movie Squad Podcast: DJ Ahmet, The Birthday Trip and Hokum.
Our latest episode of the Movie Squad Podcast featured guest Breakfast host Danae Gibson chatting to myself and Simon Miraudo about new movies including the Macedonian coming-of-age comedy-drama DJ Ahmet (winner of the Audience Award at Perth Festival), the new Australian satire The Birthday Trip and a bonus review of the Irish horror film Hokum starring Adam Scott.
For moe information about The Birthday Trip, an independent Australian satire that is being hosted by Black Maria Film Collective with a Q and A for director-writer James Robert Woods, you can purchase tickets through the event page. Happening this Friday 15 May 6:30pm at Luna Leederville; tickets are selling fast, get yours now to see this very special premiere screening!
Also, RTRFM are hosting Radio Love Month for the month of May where you can show your love and appreciation for the Sound Alternative with a donation before the End of Financial Year! RTRFM is the home of the movie review segment and podcast that I and other reviewers volunteer our time for, and it’s a great avenue to spread the love of cinema including alternative and independent productions. Get involved and show some love!
Birthright (2025) Q and A screening with director Zoe Pepper
Tuesday 19 May 6:30pm, Luna Leederville
Thanks to Madman Entertainment, I will be hosting a Q and A screening with WA writer/director Zoe Pepper for the Luna Leederville screening. Just announced - there will also be a screening at Luna on SX Thursday 21 May hosted by Tim Clifford from The Greens WA.
A pitch-black satire of generational wealth and the housing crisis, as an unemployed son (Travis Jeffrey) returns home with his pregnant wife (Maria Angelico), looking for a temporary stay with his wealthy parents (Michael Hurst and Linda Cropper). The stage is set for a tug of war between the boomers and the millennials, those who have it and those who don’t. It’s funny, visually inventive and actually connects to something we’re continuing to deal with in Australia! Get your tickets now!
Other Recommendations:
Alexei Toliopoulos - VHS: A stand up comedy show about the love of movies, performed by the movie man himself, Alexei Toliopoulos, host of The Last Video Store. It’s happening this Thursday 14 May 8:30pm at The Rechabite. Use the offer code “COMEDY” to get a discount. Tickets here!
Blood For Dracula (1974) at Luna Leederville: A tribute to the great German actor Udo Kier at the German Film Festival. See one of his iconic roles as Dracula, directed by Paul Morrissey and produced by Andy Warhol. Friday 22 May 8:50pm. Tickets!
JFK (1991) at The Revival House: The classic political conspiracy drama about the assassination of President John F Kennedy is directed by Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner and is screening on 35mm film on Sunday 24 May 3:50pm. Tickets!
Sounds On Screen: Femme Fatale: One of my favourite selectors and mixers of soundtrack music is the great Florence Scott-Anderton, and there’s a brilliant mix themed around Femme Fatales, which incidentally inspired me to rewatch Brian De Palma’s Femme Fatale (2001). Listen here.
Please remember, you can pick up a copy of the latest VHS Tracking zine - The Fantasy Issue here. See you at the movies!
Sincerely,
Tristan Fidler
Trash Classics | VHS Tracking