Puffs of Smoke at the NFSA
Next on 12 Sep 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pmPuffs of Smoke at the NFSA
Overview
This live musical performance pairs a curated program of short silent films, mostly from before 1920, with an original score composed and performed by Phillip Johnston. Blending dramatised poems, newsreels, bushranger melodrama fragments, advertisements, short documentaries, and even Salvation Army magic lantern slides from Soldiers of the Cross (1900), the show creates a fantasia exploring the little-known history of Australian silent cinema. The program draws on films and excerpts from the NFSA collection, offering audiences a rare glimpse into early cinematic techniques and storytelling.
Phillip Johnston, an accomplished saxophonist, composer, and arranger, has composed extensively for film—including Faithful, The Music of Chance, and Stolen Life—and has performed original silent film scores at major festivals and venues across Australia, from the Sydney Opera House to MONA FOMA. This unique performance brings the silent era vividly to life through live music, showcasing the artistry, experimentation, and cultural significance of Australia's early film history.
Dates
12 Sep 2025Facilities
- Cafe
- Carpark
- Coach Parking
- Conference/Function Facilities
- Family Friendly
- Non Smoking
- Public Toilet
- Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
- Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
- View accessibility statement