OTHER CULTURES, OTHER (HI)STORIES A selection of films that tell Other stories through the return to pre-colonial traditions (in Yeelen and Yaaba); an exploration of the impact of colonialism (in Chocolat and Burn!) and globalisation (in Turumba) on traditional societies; and by the modernist combining of radical politics, popular culture and indigenous folklore (in Macunaima). 2pm, slq Auditorium 2, level 2, State Library of Queensland. Free admission, no bookings required. Enquiries ph 3840 7768 (Mon-Fri)

6 Sep Chocolat (PG)* "Made with the complexity and subtlety of a great short story" Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times A woman returning to the place of her childhood in the Cameroons relives those years in a long flashback. The film reflects Denis' memory of her own childhood. Filming in the Cameroons with a mostly indigenous crew created a collaborative atmosphere in which, in her words, there is the presence of a 'black people's gaze on my white woman's gaze'. France 1988 105 mins. Director Claire Denis Cast Giulia Boschi, Isaach de Bankole, Mireille Perier NO SCREENING 13 SEP (BRISBANE WRITERS' FESTIVAL)

20 Sep Yaaba (U15) "A direct, affecting story of superstition and love" David Thompson, Time Out In this story of an unlikely friendship, 'Yaaba' is the name given by a young village boy to an old woman ostracised by the village community who suspect her of being a witch. In its timeless humanity Yaaba has been compared with Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali in its protrayal of village life. The rhythms of the film reflect those of an indigenous oral tradition. Ouedraogo's film was popular with African audiences as well as being the first international success for African cinema. Burkina Faso/France/Switzerland 1989 90 mins. Director Idrissa Ouedraogo

4 Oct Yeelen/Brightness* Jury prize, Cannes 1987 "An extraordinarily beautiful and mesmerising fantasy" Jonathan Rosenbaum, 1001 Films This is widely considered to be the best of the Indigenous 'return to source' films that emerged in North West Africa in the eighties seeking to search out and represent pre-colonial traditions on film. The theme is classic conflict between the old and the new pitting a member of a feared secret sect against his son who seeks to destroy the sect. The son undergoes a voyage of initiation but it is his son who is the future. Mali 1987 105 min. Director Souleymane Cissé 11 Oct Macunaima (15+)* Monty Python meets El Topo in what has been described as a "wild, weird, colourful, magical, surreal wonder-work with endless memorable moments." It is part social satire and part serious political commentary based on a path-breaking modernist novel published in 1928. The film was a popular success in Brazil and achieved cult status inthe US where it was retitled 'Jungle Freaks' and promoted as '95 minutes of Brazil nuts'. Brazil 1969 108 min. Director Joaquim Pedro de Andrade

27 Sep Turumba (U15)* "An amazing piece of storytelling...by a real genius" E.San Juan Jr, film critic In Pakil, a traditional village in the Philippine province of Laguna, paper mache figurines were made by the villagers to sell at Turumba, the annual religious festival. This film is a deadpan autobiographical account, ambiguously mixing staged and documentary footage, of the village's disastrous entry into the global economy - the manufacture of 25,000 toy dachshunds for the 1972 Munich Olympics. Philippines 1985 87 min. Director Kidlat Tahimik

18 Oct Burn!/Queimada! (M)* "An amazing film...luxuriant and ecstatic" Pauline Kael Part epic adventure film and part political allegory about a slave uprising on a fictitious Caribbean island in the mid nineteenth century; Brando (in what he considered to be his best film performance) is a cynical British agent initially for the British government intent on overthrowing the Portuguese sugar monopoly and later for British sugar interests wanting to end the slave rebellion. This is Pontecorvo's companion film to his The Battle of Algiers. Italy/France 1968 112 min. Director Gillo Pontecorvo. Cast Marlon Brando, Evaristo Marquez, Renato Salvatori *Source NFSA