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[rest; repeat]: film from sleep





Saturday, September 30, 2023
Millennium FIlm Workshop
Full list of works can be found here.
The program emerged out of an open call for films on sleep and rest; possible meandering included similar activities that flow slowly inwards, like ‘staying idle, reminiscing, daydreaming, absences’.

The program also emerged out of a personal need to apologize for seeking rest, as I found myself mirrored in the vacant stare of Chantal Akerman as she scooped out sugar from the paper bag in Je Tu Il Elle.

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I found programming to be humbling, more a task of education than anything else. Almost a plea for the wiser to divulge to me how one is to live, in this case, with your legs dug to the ground amidst the roaring stream.

[The selection was made based on topic relevancy - only at this point did I realize themes emerging, ranging on films of sleeplessness, films that felt sleepy in its imagery and pacing, films that document sleep, films that inspire sleep.

After notifying artists with personal comments and making graphics, I attempted to weave aforementioned themes into coherency. The films follow one another in both an affirming and exploratory way, crashing and rolling onto one another like waves.]

The program moved through nighttime routines, insomniac texts, the taste of home in your dreams, the slackful gait of natural life, the choreographic proximity of sleep to mortality, bedtime tales, and more. 

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The screening lasted around two hours (excluding introduction). We greeted people with a make-your-own-tea-table and a busy boiling kettle. After a 15-minute intermission, a live performance took place where Lucy lied down and dreamed - and everyone involved got to dream with her. Some of us secured special ground seats as an area was cleared out for people to lie down or lounge with pillows from a dear MFW friend, yXEN. Audience members were encouraged to take a nap or ‘rest their eyes’ if needed.