Flatpack Festival starts in Birmingham this Tuesday (running until Sunday). It’s probably one of the top 5 artsy things that happens in the area maybe along with Fierce Festival, Supersonic and presumably some other things that i can’t currently think of. There’s so much to say (and it’s an effort to write even this much at this time on a friday night) but i’ll have a go at summing things up – the sentiment’s there/here? at least.
Flatpack’s a festival of film, but not in the traditional ‘movie’ sense. There’ll be art films, experimental films, docs, performances, clubs nights etc. Last year was pretty great and it’d be cool if everyone tried to get along to something hence why I invited everyone on facebook.
The programme’s pretty big and things could easily get expensive so i’ve picked out my ‘recommendations’ for what they’re worth. As there are so many clashes i always think it’s best to cross all the movies and docs off as it’ll be pretty easy to source most of them on dvd/lovefilm some point down the line. This leaves the more event/performance based happenings which are usually more fun anyway.
On Wednesday night the Uncle Hans-Peter Party sounds pretty fucking weird. It’s meant to be mysterious hence why the write up barely says anything but the bad thing with that is it puts people off going. One of the flatpack co-ordinators was hesitant to give me too much info but she advised me to bring some friends, have a few drinks before hand and ‘just go with it’. Sounds pretty intriguing, probably make a nice change from Snobs too. Tickets are only £4. Prior to this there’s a screening of fucked up horror ‘House’ at the library but it’s not part of flatpack – just bad timing.
On Thursday there’s some queer shit on at Ikon Eastside – SSION BOY: Whatever! An evening of filth and fantasy. It’s hosted by local drag queen Twiggy and includes a showing of Pink Flamingo’s which is most well known because of the scene where Divine (RIP) eats a real dog turd. It’s £6 but should be worth it. Before that at Vivid there’s Shorts on Walls which is free. In fact most of this years free stuff is at Vivid so maybe just camp out there for the weekend if you have no money?
On Friday they’re showing some old British musical Evergreen (think Busby Berkerley) at the Electric and it’s only £3 – bargain. There’s also free performances throughout the day by some artist at the library – i think.
Ghostbox on Sunday at Vivid looks cool – music and film and stuff. Not really sure – read the website. They’re also showing the new film by the director of Gummo, called Trash Humpers – on late Sunday night at the Electric.
Oh and Friday night there’s Fast Forward with Synth Eastwood the Rainbow. If people actually turn up to this it should be pretty fucking mega. Clark (warp records) is pretty awesome. You can find some of his records on spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/0gb2PNFcBB91jDychNjAUF My friend says Gangpol and Mit are good. Local band Health and Efficiency are alright too. But it’s not just lives music, there’ll be live mixing of weird visuals all night – so loads of films projected on screens all over the club – COOL. plus some weird performance art and art exhibits dotted around the place. Apparently artist Hugh Cooney will sit in a box and wait for people to post ideas for a film through a little slot before he makes the film for you or something – in his box? I have no fucking idea basically but if i’m drunk he’ll freak me out and that’s always fun. See a video of him at work below…
This is such a shit blog post. But basically -you should all go to something but if you can’t be bothered to do any of that if you pop into the created in birmingham shop – come say hi – we’ll be hosting an art installation for the duration of the festival with mannequins and tv screens.
I realise this isn’t very coherent (i’m tired) but neither is flatpack – this puts a lot of people off – it can seem a bit intimidating and ‘hipstery’ but it’s not, so you should come. Also that weekend all over digbeth the various creative hubs are having an open weekend, so come and have an explore and go to all the places you always mean too… boxxed, rea garden, vivid, eastside projects – and that’s all free. basically – dont plan anything for weds, thurs, fri, sat, sun this week and do this instead. Oh and Vivid’s really easy to find – it’s on heath mill lane (by custard factory), just keep walking – you’ll see it.
My plan, join me?
Weds – Straight 8 @ Vivid – 6.30 FREE or Walking Down Bristol Street @ Ikon East – 6.30,
Uncle Hans Peter Party @ Vivid – 8.30
Thurs – Shorts on Walls @Vivid 6pm FREE
Whatever! A double bill of filth and fantasy @ Ikon East – 8pm or maybe i’ll just stay on for sweet and sour shorts?
Friday – Julien Maire, Digit @ Birmingham Library – 12pm FREE
Evergreen @ Electric Cinema – 3pm
Made in Shipyard @ Vivid – 7pm FREE
Fast Forward with Synth Eastward @ Rainbow – until late (apparently turn up early for cheap entry – possibly?)
Saturday – Plasticine Party @ Vivid – 9pm
Sunday – Belbury Youth Club/Ghostbox @ Vivid – 5pm
anyway, bye!
