The Weekend Edition - Sleep In. Slow Down. Enjoy.

From mellow dramas to microwave films – APT9 Cinema brings us stories from across the Asia Pacific From mellow dramas to microwave films – APT9 Cinema brings us stories from across the Asia Pacific From mellow dramas to microwave films – APT9 Cinema brings us stories from across the Asia Pacific From mellow dramas to microwave films – APT9 Cinema brings us stories from across the Asia Pacific From mellow dramas to microwave films – APT9 Cinema brings us stories from across the Asia Pacific

From mellow dramas to microwave films – APT9 Cinema brings us stories from across the Asia Pacific

In case you’ve been living under a rock (how’s the weather under there?), you may have noticed that the hotly anticipated 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art has finally opened at QAGOMA for all to enjoy. As with all of the gallery’s major exhibitions, the awe doesn’t stop with what we see on the walls – patrons are also treated to a rich and vibrant cinema program to accompany. The APT9 Cinema program has arrived at the GOMA Cinémathèque to give us a taste of the Asia Pacific through the magic of film.


The APT9 Cinema program is split into three distinctive sections that each celebrates film culture from across the Asia Pacific in a unique way. The largest of the trio is the ‘Contemporary Mellow Dramas’, a showcase of intimate and heartfelt dramas from East Asia specifically. This selection of films – from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan­ – embrace a reflective style of storytelling that focuses on tranquillity and the fascinating details of everyday life. These ‘mellow dramas’ are all about the mood – it’s more about the sense of melancholy that they bring as opposed to strict narrative connections or subject matter.

The second portion of the APT9 Cinema program comes from the Marshall Islands in the form of ‘Microwave Films’. This community-based production company creates low-budget digital films made with non-professional actors and musicians, with many of these films rarely seen outside of their origin point. Finally, the third part of the program is the ‘New Bollywood‘ component – think new and dynamic films that are the product of a beautiful hybrid of mainstream Indian cinema mixed with regional and independent cinemas. 

Want to immerse yourself in Asia Pacific culture? You can check out the whole APT9 Cinema program and book tickets here.

Image credits
Production still from Hotel Salvation 2016 / Director: Shubhashish Bhutiani / Image courtesy: C International Films
Production still from On the Beach at Night Alone 2017 / Director: Hong Sang-soo / Image courtesy: Finecut
Production still from Masaan 2015 / Director: Neeraj Ghaywan / Image courtesy: Pathé Productions
Production still from Girls Always Happy 2018 / Director: Yang Mingming / Image courtesy: Parallax Films
Production still from Microhabitat 2017 / Director: Jeon Go-woon / Image courtesy: MLine Distribution

To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.



Suggested Event News Reads

Revel in the flavours of the Rainbow Region at Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Revel in the flavours of the Rainbow Region at Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

… more



back to top