Organised by Gajah Gallery in conjunction with the exhibition and book launch of Tiw-tiwong: Tales & Turns in the Art of Baguio and the Cordilleras at Gajah Gallery
Film screening in partnership and hosted by Objectifs

Venue: Objectifs Workshop Space
13 Oct 2024, 12.20pm – 3pm
Free admission, please RSVP here.

Screening rating: PG

The Perfumed Nightmare (1977) by Kidlat Tahimik
93 min
Philippines
Watch the trailer here

The Perfumed Nightmare is a semi-autobiographical fable that tells the story of a young Filipino born in 1942 (during the Occupation), his awakening to, and reaction against, American cultural colonialism. In his small village, Kidlat dreams of Cape Canaveral and listens to the Voice of America; he’s even the president of his village’s Werner Von Braun fan club. The idiosyncratic style of the film is one of its kind and it is not to be missed.

The screening is followed by an artist talk by filmmaker and artist Kidlat Tahimik.

This screening is held in conjunction with the exhibition and book launch of Tiw-tiwong: Tales & Turns in the Art of Baguio and the Cordilleras at Gajah Gallery. The exhibition is a major and wide-ranging survey of Baguio-based and Cordilleran art and it is co-curated by Joyce Toh and Kawayan de Guia. More details of the exhibition can be found here.


About Kidlat Tahimik

Kidlat Tahimik is a filmmaker and artist based in the Philippines. Widely regarded as the father of Philippines independent cinema, his works are celebrated for their explorative and critical approach towards colonialism, cultural identity, and neocolonial impacts. Tahimik’s films often blend narrative and documentary styles, employing a whimsical yet poignant aesthetic that challenges Western cinematic norms and narratives. Notable works include The Perfumed Nightmare (1977) and Turumba (1983), which have been shown internationally, including at prestigious venues such as the Berlin International Film Festival, where Perfumed Nightmare won the International Critics’ Prize.