Storytelling

The Button Factory presents an intimate evening of poetry films by Martin Sercombe and Britta Pollmuller and live performances of poetry and music by Gus Simonovic, Shane Hollands and Lola Elvy.

“Spoken word is an ancient form of sharing the gift of poetry. There is something special about reading a poem in a quiet corner of your room, there is something special in hearing those words directly from the author.
Joy is shared, the choice – is yours.” Gus Simonovic

Shane Hollands is a veteran of the New Zealand performance poetry scene. He is well-known for his innovative work with music of differing genres from electronica to metal, and his efforts to give other poets a platform to perform; he established performance poetry collective The Literatti, and the NZ national celebration of beat poetry, The Kerouac Effect. He was one half of the art-music duo The Beautiful Losers, and now regularly tours the country as the front-man for jazz-beat poetry band, Freaky Meat.

Lola Elvy writes music, poetry and other forms of creative fiction and nonfiction. She is a central committee member of the New Zealand National Flash Fiction Day organisation and founded and edits the online youth journal fingers comma toes. Her work has been featured in online and print anthologies in New Zealand and overseas. Intertwining themes of science, language, and the natural climate, Lola's work asks wider questions of the world, seeking to tether the abstract to the personal experiences that ground us.

Martin Sercombe and Britta Pollmuller will introduce a series of their short poetry and music inspired short films. Martin’s work has been screened at poetry film festivals worldwide. He has organized Lyrical Visions, an annual one-day festival of cinematic poetry, with the help of Robin Kewell since 2016.

There will be free refreshments and snacks included in the ticket price.

Short Film Programme

Orpheus HD Video 3 mins 34 secs (2018)

An animation by Britta Pollmuller about the Orpheus shopwreck of 1863, as told by Frederick Butler, a sailor on board when the ship was lost. The animation uses black sand taken from the same beach at Whatipu, where the disaster took place.

Burano UHD Video 10 mins (2003)
Glimpses of everyday life in the picturesque Venetian village of Burano, with a sparse marimba based musical accompaniment by Jonathan Lambert.

Storytelling HD Video 9 mins (2019)
A visual journey through a domestic environment, using a macro lens to transform everyday objects into odd and unfamiliar states. Poem by Gus Simonovic.

Songs of Vanishing UHD Video 5 mins 47 secs (2024)
A shadowy, lyrical journey through a foggy AI generated landscape. The film was recently screened at Aotearoa Poetry Film Festival 2024 and the 12th Ó Bhéal Winter Warmer Poetry Festival 2024 in Cork, Ireland.

Awakening to Timelessness UHD Video 6 mins (2024)
A portrait of Titirangi and its rainforest surroundings. The cinepoem is a three way dialogue between poet Ron Riddell, composer Raeul Pierard and film maker Martin Sercombe.

Meredith and the Lions UHD Video 2 mins 20 secs (2024)
A surreal performance piece involving a grand piano, an ostrich and a lion.

Quietude UHD Video 2 mins 25 secs (2024)
Accompanied by a sparse piano piece by Serge Quadrado, the film suggests that, in observing nature with patience and reverence, we can glimpse the divine in the most simple, transient moments.