QUEENSLAND.- A major program exploring all facets of rock music on film screens at the Gallery of Modern Art’s Australian Cinémathèque from April 29 to June 5, 2011.

Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said tickets are on sale now for ‘Let There Be Rock’, a program of more than 45 documentaries, concert movies and feature films capturing the rebellious spirit of rock music.

‘From Elvis Presley in Jailhouse Rock 1957 and The Beatles in A Hard Day’s Night 1964 to Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White in It Might Get Loud 2009 and Animal Collective’s visual album ODDSAC 2009, ‘Let There Be Rock’ surveys over 50 years of music on the big screen,’ Mr Ellwood said.

‘In addition to the films themselves, the Friday night screenings are complemented by local musicians responding to the music represented on screen with very special short live performances, included as part of the ticket price,’ he said.

‘Ben Salter (The Gin Club), Matt Somers (I Heart Hiroshima), Seja Vogel, Tim Steward and Kate Jacobsen (Texas Tea) provide their own unique takes on Joy Division, The Rolling Stones, Arcade Fire, The White Stripes and The Doors.

‘In a special final event on June 3, Quan Yeomans (Regurgitator) will take on the music of Prince prior to a screening of Purple Rain 1984.’

Mr Ellwood said the film program would feature intimate portraits of bands and musicians, showcasing their magnetic stage presence and musical talents, as well as the fans, collaborators and locations that surround them.

‘Wild experiments with rock operas and musicals illustrate the blending of rock music and cinema into a unique film genre. Concert films and live recordings capture bands in full flight and the transformation of stage performances into visceral experiences.

‘Iconic music events caught on film also chronicle rare pieces of music history and their ensuing influence on new generations of music fans.

‘Documentaries on some of the central events in rock mythology – Woodstock 1970, Wattstax 1973 and the Rolling Stones’ Altamont Free Concert depicted in Gimme Shelter 1970 – are featured alongside recent exposés of the pressures of the music industry, such as Metallica: Some Kind of Monster 2004.

‘The role of women in rock is showcased with Patti Smith: Dream of Life 2008, chronicling the artist’s incarnations as poet, painter, writer and musician and Radical Act 1995, a documentary on the feminist punk movement in the United States.

‘Modern rock of all persuasions is included with films on the music of The White Stripes, Animal Collective and Sigur Ros.

Mr Ellwood said Australian artists would be represented by films on Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Dirty Three and Brisbane’s own SixFtHick, who will take part in a Q&A session following a screening of SixFtHick: Notes from the Underground 2010 on Saturday May 21 at 2pm.

‘Additionally, there will be an exclusive free 20 minute preview of the forthcoming major documentary on AC/DC fandom, Beyond the Thunder on Sunday June 5 at 1pm.

‘Also screening are classic musicals Jesus Christ Superstar 1973, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 1975 and Hair 1979, as well as seminal rock-mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap 1984.’