Documentary
Asunder director Esther Johnson’s stunning documentary Dust & Metal presents stories of freedom in Vietnam told through the lens of the country’s most ubiquitous mode of transport – often the only one suitable to navigate its vast arterial system of tiny rural roads – the motorbike. Stepping away from Hollywood portrayals of the country, seen mostly through the prism of the US-Vietnam War, Dust & Metal offers a thrilling and unorthodox perspective on Vietnam.
Created via a unique partnership with the Vietnam Film Institute to digitise rare archive film, this Vietnamese-British project, funded by the British Council, is an unmissable audio-visual live cinema experience. Juxtaposing and repositioning archive film and contemporary footage, backed by a beautiful electronic score composed and performed by Vietnamese artist Xo Xinh, Dust & Metal illuminates unfamiliar histories and the motorbike culture of Vietnam.
Live Cinema is planning wraparound activities to coincide with Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year) on 10 February 2024, including a live scored version of the film, wider programming of Vietnamese cinema classics, and community outreach activities with BESEA/British Vietnamese communities. Please contact lisa@livecinemauk.com to register your interest.
