ARTICLE

Cate Blanchett’s Avant-garde Film ‘Manifesto’ to Premiere at National Gallery Singapore’s Film Festival!

By Flora / 13 Sep 2017 (Wednesday)

Photo Credit: National Gallery Singapore

The National Gallery Singapore launched its annual film festival, entitled 'Painting with Light: International Festival of Films on Art', packed with over 30 feature-length films, shorts, and a public forum, happening this October!

Painting with Light is the Gallery’s initiative to establish new connections with a wider audience and encourage stronger appreciation of the arts through the medium of film. Following its monthly Southeast Asian film series of the same name in 2016, the Gallery decided to enlarge its scope to include international titles featuring art practices, movements, and institutions all over the world to provide a wider perspective. Hence, Painting with Light has expanded into a film festival this year.

Painting with Light: International Festival of Films on Art
Date: 7 - 29 October 2017
Venue: National Gallery Singapore
Ticket Pricing:

General: $10
Concessions: $8

(Find out more here!)

Film still of Image Makers: John Clang (2012) by Kirsten Tan

There will also be a public forum on film commissions, its challenges and responsibilities, and how artists overcome market considerations to create exceptional works of art; the line-up includes film industry professionals such as Joachim Ng, Director of the Singapore Film Commission, Tenzin Phuntsog, filmmaker and Assistant Professor of Film at Montana State University as well as Singaporean artists Charles Lim and Erika Tan and more.

Viewers can also look forward to Southeast Asian Shorts, a free daily programme of short films exploring Southeast Asian perspectives on self-mastery, death, currency and city living. A different set will be screened every two hours, starting at 11am at the Auditorium Anteroom.

Some of the highlights include:

The New Rijksmuseum (2013) by Oeke Hoogendik

Film still of The New Rijksmuseum (2013) by Oeke Hoogendijk

The festival’s opening film, The New Rijksmuseum makes its Southeast Asian premiere this October. The film explores the 10-year-long renovation process of the world renowned Museum of the Netherlands. It reveals striking parallels with the Gallery’s own transformation from 2005 to 2015.

Manifesto (2015) by Julian Rosefeldt

Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett plays multiple characters in Julian Rosefeldt’s artistic film that pays homage to the 20th century’s most impassioned statements on art. Originated as an art installation, allow this chameleonic actress to blow your mind in this must-watch tribute piece.

The Royal Ballet of Cambodia (1965)

Film still of The Royal Ballet of Cambodia (1965) produced by National Archives and Records Administration of the United States (NARA)

A rare documentary on classical Khmer court dance and the work of the troupe, supported by the royal family of Cambodia, and starring HRH Princess Norodom Buppha Devi. Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Buppha Devi will be in attendance at the screening, together with a post-show dialogue with Proeung Chhieng, Technical Director of the Royal Ballet.

China’s Van Goghs (2016) by Yu Haibo and Yu Tianqi Kiki

Film still of China’s Van Goghs (2016) by Yu Haibo and Yu Tianqi Kiki 

The film follows Chinese painter-worker Zhao Xiaoyong to discover the work of Van Gogh for himself. Obsessed with the artist, he traces Van Gogh’s footsteps through Amsterdam, Paris, Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise.

Which are the films that you'll be looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below!

The National Gallery Singapore Painting With Light International Festival Of Films On Art Film Festival Manifesto The New Rijksmuseum The Royal Ballet of Cambodia China’s Van Goghs

Get Showtimes

Cate Blanchett’s Avant-garde Film ‘Manifesto’ to Premiere at National Gallery Singapore’s Film Festival!