Goddess celebrates cinema’s leading women throughout the ages

The fiercest women to have graced the screen are being celebrated in ACMI’s new world-premiere exhibition, a spectacle that no film-lover will want to miss.

Open from April 5 until October 1, Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion explores the complex history and changing representations of women across 120 years of film. With a focus on Hollywood, Bollywood and Asian cinema, the exhibition is set to be a triumphant ode to the goddesses who have fought convention on and off the screen.

Goddess will feature never-before-seen costumes, props, sketches, movie memorabilia and interactive experiences that shine a spotlight on cinema’s most revolutionary women. Viewers can expect to see some of their favourite moments in cinema encapsulated in the exhibition, from Marlene Dietrich’s iconic white tuxedo and Michelle Yeoh’s fight-ready outfits from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) to the trailblazing work of Pam Grier.

Backed by the Victorian Government, Goddess is the latest instalment of the Melbourne Winter Masterpiece series, aiming to boost tourism and economic activity during the colder months.

According to Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and Creative Industries Steve Dimonpoulos, the exclusive exhibition is “set to attract thousands of visitors to our city”, adding that the increase in tourism “will deliver a major boost to local businesses including cafés, bars, hotels and retail shops”.

Established by the state government in 2004, the initiative has been responsible for some of the most popular exhibitions in Melbourne, including Disney: The Magic of Animation, David Bowie Is... and Tim Burton: The Exhibition.

Goddess opened on April 5 and featured a keynote speech from two-time Oscar winner Geena Davis, who is also the exhibition’s lead ambassador. The speech was delivered at the Being Seen on Screen: The Importance of Representation conference presented by ACMI, in partnership with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.

Until October 1, Goddess will run an extensive program of events, including curator tours, talks, workshops and film screenings. The exhibition will also see the Goddess Nights after-dark experience come to life, featuring an impressive lineup of DJs and performers.

“We’re the major events and creative capital of Australia so there’s nowhere better to host Goddess,” Mr Dimonpoulos said.

“It’s fierce, it’s fun and it showcases the iconic women who have influenced screen culture throughout the ages.”

Goddess is set to tour overseas following its run at ACMI. •

For more information: acmi.net.au