Selected short films of Paul Matereke + live Q&A
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Zimbabwe in 1994 before immigrating to Australia in 2009, Paul’s style of filmmaking reflects the duality of immigrant life and recognises the contrasting aspects as two sides of one coin.
Paul’s first film “Pink Velvet” (Prize winner – Living in Harmony Festival 2016) features his own younger siblings; an experience he recalls as unbridled chaos, with a camera and tripod. This level of playfulness and intimacy continues to be a mainstay value during Paul’s productions.
Some of his filmography has been featured at SBS Australia, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, The Japan Foundation and Antenna Film Festival. Paul is also co-founder of Treason Flowers, a Sydney-based video production company producing original and evocative projects.
Poster design & images courtesy Matthew Burns
TITLE: Buggin’ Out
YEAR: 2018
DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Paul Matereke
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Benjamin Ling
ANIMATION/VA COMPOSITION: Sean Burns
MUSIC: Simukai
SYNOPSIS: Buggin’ Out is an experimental short commissioned by Runway Magazine. The film is inspired by Spike Lee’s 1989 Hood-Odyssey, “Do the Right Thing” and transposes several iconic scenes into the Australian setting of Western Sydney. Buggin’ Out combines elements of music video, mixed media, cinema & installation to culminate in a startling contemporary realisation of Lee’s original cinematic offering.
DURATION: 6 min
RATING: PG
TITLE: Blue Ribbons
YEAR: 2019
DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Paul Matereke
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Benjamin Ling
PRODUCER: Heather Tralaggan
SYNOPSIS: Blue Ribbons is a lyrical tribute to Sydney Park and the community members fighting for its survival amidst the massive WestConnex highway expansion. Nestled between the inner city suburbs of AlexandrIa, Newtown and Erskineville; Sydney Park has reincarnated itself with each generation. Formerly a brick pit and then a garbage tip, it is now an important green space amidst the city but its future is uncertain. Blue Ribbons draws its title from the many trees wrapped with blue ribbons by local protesters, identify the plant life scheduled to be cut down by WestConnex. The film is bursting with heart and community advocate Holly Rebeiro emerges as much needed sage for our generation.
TITLE: The Celluloid Domain
YEAR: 2016
DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Paul Matereke
PRODUCERS: Paul Matereke & Sean Burns
ANIMATION/VA COMPOSITION: Sean Burns
MUSIC: Paul Matereke + John Leigh Calder & His Band
SYNOPSIS: A year in the making, the film centres around the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ uniquely all-35mm film program and its exceptionally talented curator, Robert Herbert.(1960-2017) As a budding young artist, Paul explores Robert’s 20+ year career in the film industry and uses the knowledge gained to inform his own ambitions. The film includes intimate interviews with Sydney locals & cinephiles, and showcases the immensely interesting world of Celluloid film. Robert handles these films; which he considers an art form like any other, with the utmost care and respect. Much like the largely forgotten world of film projection, Robert represents a rare breed of people. His commitment to preserving the art of cinema proves to be an inspiration to the younger generation of filmmakers, and highlights the significance of remembering and maintaining the treasures of the past.
DURATION: 22 min
Sound by SoundFirm Australia
Filmed at The Art Gallery of New South Wales
TITLE: Mbuya
YEAR: 2019
DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Paul Matereke
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sean Burns & Benjamin Ling
PRODUCER: Heather Tralaggan
MUSIC: Simukai
SYNOPSIS: Mbuya is Shona for grandmother. This visual letter was created by Paul Matereke on the eve of his return to Zimbabwe for the first time since seeking asylum in Australia in 2009. Planes, birds and ocean waves ebb and flow across the screen. The shoreline heralds both his arrival and departure.
DURATION: 6 min
Commissioned by Runway Journal
TITLE: Pink Velvet
YEAR: 2015
DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Paul Matereke
CAST: Megan Matereke, Ellen Wiltshire, Oliver Morassut
SYNOPSIS: The story of a young girl’s relationship with an anthropomorphic flower. In the course of a day she learns about desire, the fleeting nature of life and death. Starring Paul’s younger sibling, his little sister’s mature portrayal of innocence is at its purest.
DURATION: 9 min
