Sun Ra's Space is the place is showing at Watershed as part of their 'Afrofuturism' programme.
'Calling planet Earth, you are cordially invited to experience (or re-experience) the Sun Ra sci fi classic Space Is The Place, one of the most elusive cult music films of all time. Sun Ra was a Pharoah from another galaxy who took the form of philosophical and experimental jazz genius leader of the Intergalactic Arkestra. Travelling through the cosmos in his music fuelled spaceship, Ra discovers a planet where the 'vibrations are different', a world that might serve as a new home for the black humans from Earth, a place where they still struggle to achieve equality. Before our hero can offer the people of Oakland the chance of a new life, he must first do battle with the establishment, as well as a pimpish Devil-like figure known as The Overseer. Whilst earthbound, he manages (but of course) to play some of his most famous songs with the Arkestra. For Ra (born Herman Blount in Birmingham, Alabama, also the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan), outer space wasn't just a gimmick, a convenient source of song titles and an awesome theme for outfits (there's full on glitter-Egyptian regalia, gold silk tunics and chain mail skull caps galore). It was a zone where racism didn't exist, a place where black people could make their own destinies - just imagine. This is a wonderfully strange filmic adventure, one we should all get on board for - join us for a jazz-flavoured ride into space!
With an introduction by Professor Denenge Akpem, performance artist, designer and lecturer.
Ticket prices: £5.50 full / £4.00 concessions. Ticket holders also receive priority entry to the pre-film DJ set (see below).
Join us for FUTURE SHOCK, a pre-film warm up in the Café/Bar from 22:00-23:00 with DJ Food (Ninja Tune/Solid Steel), who will present a turntablist soundscape of sci-fi songs, cosmic music and retro electronic visions of a future very different from the one we live in now.'
