Dr. Plonk with live score by Graham Tardif and the Stiletto Sisters (with Phillipa Safey)
Be transported by Rolf de Heer’s masterful pastiche of silent cinema paired with swoon-worthy score composed by Graham Tardif and performed by Melbourne’s Stiletto Sisters, with Phillipa Safey (piano).
In the year 1907, Dr Plonk, an inventor exuberantly played by street performer Nigel Lunghi (aka Mr Spin), has discovered that the world will end in 101 years. When his peers don’t believe him, Dr Plonk, with the assistance of his wife (Magda Szubanski), his assistant Paulus (Paul Blackwell) and his dog, builds a time machine and travels to Australia circa 2008 in search of evidence.
As his protagonist time travels into the future, Rolf de Heer transports us back in time in an uncanny fashion. Using film stock, and shooting on a hand-cranked camera, de Heer’s film captures and celebrates the silent film aesthetic. This is also a celebration of the physical comedy prowess of the film’s stars, Lunghi and Szubanski. Whip-smart and hurtling along quick-smart, Dr Plonk is a fast-paced comedic whirlwind.
This special, outdoor performance is co-presented by ACMI.
Format: Digital
Language: Silent with English intertitles
Courtesy: Vertigo Productions, Rolf de Heer, Graham Tardif, Julian Barnett, Matt Amy, Sam White and Insite Arts.
Duration: 85 mins
The Stiletto Sisters are a dynamic and vibrant trio, featuring the sparkling eyes and ready smiles of Hope Cstoros on violin, Judy Gunson on piano accordion and double bassist, Jo To. Gypsy melodies, seductive tango rhythms and sensuous songs from Europe and Latin America – this will be music to swoon by.