Yvonne Rainer: Autobiographical Fictions
A pioneer of the US avant-garde performance movement, Yvonne Rainer moved into filmmaking in 1972; by that time, she had become widely regarded as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century. Looking for new ways to approach language and politics in a less abstracted medium, Rainer brought her idiosyncratic, boundary-pushing approach to movement with her to the screen. Before returning to the world of dance – where she is now still active, at almost 90 – she used cinema to expand on themes inspired by critical theory, power dynamics, intersectional feminism and her own developing lesbian identity.
Rainer’s cinematic output is experimental, archly funny, unconventional and incredibly playful. MIFF offers you a rare opportunity to dive into it with the Australian premiere of five of her films, all restored in 4K.
Film About a Woman Who...
Hailed as her masterpiece, Yvonne Rainer’s second feature explores the nature of artifice via a coolly simmering woman in a subpar relationship.
Lives of Performers
The genre-defying debut feature of legendary choreographer Yvonne Rainer, which heralded an experimental new cinematic voice.
The Man Who Envied Women
An acerbic, whip-smart account of a womanising professor at the breaking point of his marriage to a fed-up artist.
MURDER and murder
Winner of the Berlinale’s 1997 Teddy Award for Best Documentary/Essay, Yvonne Rainer’s final feature is also her most personal and playful.
Privilege
In her idiosyncratically anarchic style, Yvonne Rainer tackles menopause, race and class with memoir, humour and the voices of many women.