21st March 2009 – 8.30pm – $8 cc.

A very special night’s entertainment at Melbourne’s “Tiki Lounge and Bar” with a fabulous new print of this very famous and rare gem of cinematic history. From the director who made “Nosferatu” and the very famous “Sunrise” (often featured in top ten lists of best films of all time) Tiki Lounge and Bar is proud to present “Tabu” with a score composed and played live from music iconoclast and underground legend Mike Cooper.

About  the Movie…

There has never been another film like “Tabu”. This is a unique blending of
ethnographic documentary and expressionist drama, from a master director.

The actors are real Polynesians and their ceremonies and rituals are faithfully
captured, and interwoven with a tragic love story. The cinematography deservedly
won an Oscar – it is truly beautiful. Murnau, away from his usual studio sets,
manages to create the same sense of danger using natural light – especially
moonlight – and real locations.

The performances are very strong – especially Chevalier as the girl, and the old
man is as scary as Nosferatu as he haunts her dreams at night.

Sadly this was Murnau’s last film – he died in a car crash just before the
premiere. It is a little dramatically uneven, and certainly not the masterpiece
that “Sunrise” is, but it is still very worthwhile. (source)

Motu Tapu, the place where Murnau made this film, is an actual sacred tabu place
… It is therefore understandable that the islanders believe Murnau’s disregard
for the tabu, in making a film on this forbidden site, was the cause for his
tragic death soon afterwards.

About the Artist…

MIKE COOPER – GUITAR /LAP STEEL GUITAR/ ELECTRONICS/ VOCALS

For the past 40 years Mike Cooper has been an international musical explorer, performing and recording, solo and in a number of inspired groupings and a variety of genres.
Initially a folk-blues guitarist and singer songwriter his work has diversified to include improvised jazz and electronic music, live music for silent films, radio art and sound installations. He is also a music journalist, writing features for magazines, particularly on Pacific music and musicians, a visual artist, film and video maker, collector of Hawaiian shirts and appears on more than 60 records to date. “Cooper was forging connections between folk and experimental musics long before America got New or Weird..” (The Wire)

Mike’s Myspace page

Hi There,

In light of the tragic events of the last week throughout rural Victoria, Tiki Lounge and Bar has decided to do their bit to raise some funds to send to the Australian Red Cross for their Bushfire Appeal.

Due to the fact that we have many incendiary drinks on our menu, for the next month, Tiki Lounge and Bar will be donating $2 from every flaming drink we sell to the Red Cross*.

Our thoughts go out to all those touched by the Bushfire tragedy, and we wish for the best for those still battling the fires and those who are beginning the arduous task of rebuilding.

Cheers,

Tiki Lounge and Bar

*We’re hoping that’s not too distasteful to people – apologies in advance if anyone is offended.