Three exciting seasons this April
Korean docs, indie rock and contemporary dance. At Showroom, we pride ourselves on a diverse programme, and April is no different. Besides the usual slate of releases and stone-cold classics, let’s look at next month’s upcoming seasons.
Yvonne Rainer (b.1934) is a vital force in contemporary dance. Her seven feature films are boldly experimental, tackling subjects of sexuality, ageing and gender through an uncompromising, feminist lens.
Working with Invisible Women, a feminist archive film collective, we are proud to present her entire catalogue; eight features, from 1972’s Lives of Performers to 1996’s MURDER and murder, in sparkling 4K restoration. It’s a rare chance to catch these films on the big screen.
Rainer’s work is avant-garde. Yet, her mixture of dance, montage and wit is surprisingly relatable in the age of the video essay, whether that’s fragmented thoughts on relationships in Kristina Talking Pictures or an analysis of intersectionality in Privilege. Yvonne Rainer: A Retrospective starts 2 April.
Our Cinema Could Be Your Life, which runs from 5-7 April, is another boundary-pushing season. The line-up features Fugazi, The Minutemen, Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth, as we dive into the hazy history of the US indie scene.
The documentaries accompanying these bands are as raw and uncompromising as their music. Each one featuring electrifying, liveperformances among the mix of stories. That weekend, we’ll also jam out in the Café Bar to a mix of these bands and more, at TEEN AGE RIOT on 6 April.
Finally, we’re delighted to work with the University of Sheffield’s Centre for Korean Studies once more, this time on a season of ground-breaking documentaries running from 16-21 April.
Experience modern Korea through the lens of these captivating stories. Abandoned football fans fight for nine years to reclaim their home club in FC Sukhavati on 19 April. KPop stans showfervour in Fanatic/성덕 on 20 April, an exploration of idol culture and fandom. Defectors (21 April), is a reflection on the Korean war by Hyun Kyung Kim and the weight it still bears on her own family. All three films will screen with in-person director Q&As.
Showroom also screens two films (16 April) in collaboration with Queer East, the arts festival highlighting LGBTQ+ cinema. Home Ground profiles the history of Seoul’s first openly lesbian bar, LesBos, while Coming to You follows two mothers, supporting their children through an often-hostile cultural climate.
Whatever your taste, find something new this spring at Showroom.
