Summer Screenings in the Courtyard
Reece Black and the twin 'Vic 8s'
Each January and February, the NFSA summer courtyard screenings offer a rare experience in movie-going. Screenings take place under the night sky in the courtyard of the NFSA's Art Deco Acton home.
The NFSA's outdoor cinema only screens original format 35mm cinema, as classic films were originally screened and meant to be seen. Our original Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 projectors are interlocked for "change-over" twin-projection, like the picture palaces of yesteryear.
The twin "Vic 8s" can be seen throughout the screening, quietly humming away in the back of our outdoor cinema. Every 20 minutes or so there's a slight noise, like a trap closing. That lets you know our projectionist has efficiently changed reels, from one projector to another.
We like to call our projectionists "The Professors" of the lost art of film projection.
A visit to our outdoor cinema gives you the unique chance to appreciate why!
Arc Cinema
SAT 3 JAN: SUNSET BLVD. (Billy Wilder, 1950, PG) Starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson and Erich von Stroheim.
SAT 10 JAN: MANHATTAN (Woody Allen, 1979, M)
With Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep.
SAT 17 JAN: ON THE TOWN (Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen,1949, G) Starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Vera-Ellen.
SAT 24 JAN: BARRY MCKENZIE HOLD HIS OWN (Bruce Beresford, 1974, M) The even more outrageous sequel - starring Barry Crocker, Barry Humphries and featuring a special appearance by Gough Whitlam.
SAT 31 JAN: BIG WEDNESDAY (John Milius, 1978, M) The epic surf-movie classic, starring Gary Busey, Jan-Michael Vincent and William Katt.
SAT 7 FEB: CHINATOWN (Roman Polanski, 1974, M) With Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.
SAT 14 FEB: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Richard Lester, 1966, PG) Larry Gelbart's satirical Roman musical, starring Michael Crawford, Phil Silvers and Buster Keaton in his last film role.
SAT 21 FEB: ROBOCOP (Paul Verhoeven, 1987, R) Brand new print!
SAT 28 FEB: PLAYTIME (Jacques Tati, 1967, PG) M. Hulot visits Paris in Tati's comic masterpiece.
Arc Cinema
