VHS Tracking Newsletter #29
Funeral Parade Of Roses at Goolugatup, Darkman at Luna Cinemas, Radiothon at RTRFM.
Welcome to VHS Tracking Newsletter!
Transmissions from the universal consciousness that is VHS Tracking…
VHS Tracking Presents: Funeral Parade Of Roses (1964) with Stirling Kain
Wednesday 19 August 6:30pm, Goolugatup
VHS Tracking Presents is a free film club screening at Goolugatup Gallery where local artists present a wide-ranging selection of art films, classics and new wave cinema. For our August screening, artist Stirling Kain will be introducing the cult classic Japanese film, Funeral Parade of Roses (1969).
Director Toshio Matsumoto’s film explores the underground queer culture and socio-political atmosphere of Tokyo in the late 1960s. Non-binary actor Peter plays Eddie, a hostess at the Bar Genet who is involved in a love triangle with the club owner Gonda (Yoshio Tsuchiya) and a drag queen Leda (Osamu Ogasawara).
Funeral Parade Of Roses follows Matsumoto the director’s method of ‘neo-documentarism’, blending interviews, street footage, psychedelic rock, allusions to Oedipus Rex and style that brings together the New Wave and Pop Art. While receiving a mixed reaction in both Japan and America upon its release, the film is now regarded as a landmark in queer cinema and Japanese New Wave cinema.
Stirling Kain is an emerging photographer using experimental film and darkroom practices to speculate fictive worlds. Kain has exhibited locally and nationally since 2023. As an arts worker, she produces art festivals and events.
Funeral Parade Of Roses is rated MA15+ and contains adult themes, sexuality, violence and use of strobing. Japanese language with English subtitles. Goolugatup will have free popcorn and a cash bar available. BYO snacks.
Doors open: 6:30pm.
Introduction + film: 7:00pm.
Post-film discussion: 9:00pm.
Trash Classic: Darkman (1990)
Friday 28 August 9:00pm, Luna Leederville
Between The Evil Dead and Spider-Man, director Sam Riami created an original superhero from his love of classic gothic horror... Darkman (1990)! Liam Neeson stars as scientist Peyton Westlake, whose research into synthetic skin is disrupted by a ruthless gang of criminals. Left for dead and disfigured, Peyton becomes “Darkman”, an avenging angel who hides in the shadows. Over-the-top visuals and wacky gags are all over this gothic comic-book thriller. You will never forget the “Pink Elephant” scene! Reserve your tickets!
VHS Tracking zine contributor: Mia Palmer-Verevis
Mia Palmer-Verevis is an independent curator and the Hatched Curatorial Associate at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Mia’s curatorial interests lie within the intersections between contemporary art and film. She has published writing with Film International and Rough Cut Magazine, as well as written for a number of exhibition catalogues and art publications.
For the Romance issue of VHS Tracking, Mia wrote a review on Trouble Every Day (2001).
Another movie that Mia would recommend on the theme of Romance?
“My bonus romance film rec is Falling in Love (1984).”
For more of Mia’s writing, check out: miapalmerverevis.com
VHS Tracking zine - Issue 30 ROMANCE with cover art by Hana Arai is now available to purchase at Xerox Days, Cockatoo Comics and Friends and Enemies.
Movie Squad Podcast: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, One Night Only and The Furious
A new episode of the Movie Squad Podcast features reviewers Simon Miraudo and myself talking cinema with RTRFM 92.1 Breakfast host Pam Boland including:
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma: A meta horror-comedy from director Jane Schoenbrun which stars Hannah Einbinder as a queer director looking to reboot a horror franchise with a retired ‘scream queen’ played by Gillian Anderson.
One Night Only: In a near future where premarital sex is illegal, there’s one night where it is allowed and two single people played by Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro keep running into each other.
Bonus podcast review! The new martial arts action thriller The Furious starring Xie Miao and Joe Taslim, which is available to rent or purchase digitally.
This week, Radiothon kicks off! The annual drive for subscriptions and donations is an important part of RTRFM 92.1, and shows each year the community support for community radio. The theme for 2026? “It’s good for you!” And RTRFM is good for Movie Squad because it wouldn’t exist without the radio station, the award-winning website and the podcast support. I love stepping into the studio each Friday morning with Simon and Pam, as well as further reviewers like Lucy Rutherford and Laura Blundell, to chat movies and spotlight alternative, local and independent cinema wherever we can!
If you have enjoyed listening to the Movie Squad segment live on air or through the Podcast version, we would appreciate you showing your support by subscribing to the station and even throwing on an additional donation!
Other Recommendations:
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997) at The Revival House: projected on 35mm film on Saturday 15 August. Tickets.
The Misfits (1961) at Palace Cinemas Raine Square: part of the Marilyn Monroe retrospective on Saturday 5 September 12:30pm. Tickets.
Gregg Araki double feature at Luna Leederville: The Doom Generation (1995) and Mysterious Skin (2004) are part of the Monday Double 14 September. Tickets.
See you at the movies!
Sincerely,
Tristan Fidler
Trash Classics | VHS Tracking