Out Of Arcadia

Out Of Arcadia

Season

Please note : this season finished in Nov 2022

Arcadia (noun): An image or idea of life in the countryside that is believed to be perfect.

Inspired by Paul Wright’s provocative, flickering montage film Arcadia, which Bristol Beacon are presenting with a live score at St George’s on Fri 11 Nov, this season explores our shifting and contradictory relationship to the land. Journey with us through the changing face of the British countryside – moving from images of idyllic pastures to pagan rituals, industrialised landscapes and raves in rural fields.

As one of the three features we’ll show on 35mm film, we start the season with John Akomfrah’s entrancing, experimental take on the Odyssey -The Nine Muses - where the filmmaker combines glorious shots of Alaskan winter-scapes and British archival film to comment on themes of migration and belonging.

Delve into pressing questions of access and ownership of land through a trio of artist short films in Right of Way – a programme which explores how natural spaces can be homes to protest, trespassing, activism and raves.

Take a trip down an ancient road in Maen Mawr, a live-scored audiovisual journey presented by experimental duo SŌN, then lean further into the eerie in Derek Jarman’s haunting vision of a land in turmoil in The Last of England, with its evocative score by Simon Fisher Turner, and a memorable early performance from Tilda Swinton.

Finally, join us on Sun 20 Nov and follow a family trio spanning three generations as they make the 6,000-mile journey round Britain’s coastline, exploring the lives and culture of the rural fringes in Andrew Kötting’s witty and playful road movie Gallivant.

This season has been curated by Steph Read, a UWE MA Curating student on placement at Watershed and mentored by Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and the Watershed team.

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Previous screenings & events in this season

Gallivant

classified 15 Out Of Arcadia
Gallivant
Please note: This was screened in Nov 2022
Film

Andrew Kötting’s Gallivant belongs to a cinema of psychogeography, exploring the British landscape and culture with wit and imagination by way of a 6000-mile trip around its coastline.

The Last of England

classified 15 Out Of Arcadia
The Last of England
Please note: This was screened in Nov 2022
Film

Derek Jarman's passionate fusion of Super 8 material, riot footage and home-movies is jagged and elegiac; an angry, powerful, Blake-like vision of England in turmoil.

Shorts & live AV performance
Please note: This event took place in Nov 2022
Event

A collage of films inspired by neolithic stones, ancient folklore, mythology, superstition and tradition within the land. Deep, dark and twisted visuals will be scored live with their own unique blend of homemade percussion instruments and robust electronic rhythms.

Right of Way

classified 12A Out Of Arcadia
Right of Way
Please note: This was screened in Nov 2022
Film

Through a series of newly-commissioned artist short films, the Right of Way programme explores contemporary issues of access and inclusion in the UK countryside, raising a discussion about who has a right to the great outdoors and who’s excluded from it.

The Nine Muses

classified PG Out Of Arcadia
The Nine Muses
Please note: This was screened in Nov 2022
Film

John Akomfrah’s entrancing experimental film combines archive imagery with the striking wintry landscapes of Alaska to paint a picture of the immigrant experience in the UK.

Arcadia Live

Out Of Arcadia
Arcadia Live
Please note: This event took place in Nov 2022
Event

A live performance and screening of the acclaimed film Arcadia by BAFTA-winning director Paul Wright presented by our friends Bristol Beacon at St George's.

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