Is it a revelation or a revolution? It’s both! The Revelation Perth International Film Festival is tackling the theme of “Revolution” when its 13th annual edition begins violating Australia on July 8-18. Get set for 11 days filled French zombies, Belgian cowboys, outer space outlaws, Beat poets, cat ladies, gospel musicians and other revolutionaries.

Actually, one of the main features of the festival this year is a slew of music documentaries, mostly spotlighting both American and Australian music. On the U.S. side of things there’s Wheedle’s Groove, a look at the history of Seattle funk; Rejoice and Shout, which examines gospel music’s impact on African-American culture — and vice versa; Tom DiCillo’s Doors documentary When You’re Strange; plus The Family Jams and 72 Musicians. And, from Australia, there’s Megan Simpson-Hubberman’s classic concert film The Night of the Triffids.

There’s lots more than music docs, too, including genre and cult films from all over the globe: La Horde from France; Panique au village (A Town Called Panic) from Belgium; Kynodontas (Dogtooth) from Greece; Metropia from Sweden; Snow and Ashes from Canada; and more.

Plus, there will be a screening of Nude Study the second feature film by Stefan Popescu, the founder of the Sydney Underground Film Festival.

There is one special Underground Film Journal shout-out I want to give. On July 11, there will be a screening of Jennifer M. Kroot‘s superb documentary It Came From Kuchar, which is about twin underground filmmaking legends George and Mike Kuchar. After making the rounds of the underground festival scene, I finally got a chance to see the film recently and I highly recommend it to fans and non-fans of underground cinema alike.

The full lineup of the festival is below and it’s a real doozy with tons more films than the ones I spotlighted above. For more info on the fest, please visit the official Revelation Perth website.

July 8

7:00 p.m.: Good Hair, dir. Jeff Stilson. Investigative comedian Chris Rock dives into the black hair industry to understand issues of black identity through hairstyling.

July 9

5:15 p.m.: Panique au village (A Town Called Panic), dir. Stephane Aubier. Based on the cult Belgium TV show, a couple of western-themed toys go on a grand adventure to see who flooded their valley with millions of bricks.

6:45 p.m.: “Revel-8”
20 filmmakers who have shot a short film on Super8 film get to see their work — along with the audience — for the very first time. Plus, their films have each been scored by a different composer.

7:00 p.m.: The Family Jams, dir. Kevin Barker. Musicians Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart and Vetiver travel the U.S. and jam with different bands in different cities.

8:45 p.m.: Kynodontas (Dogtooth), dir. Giorgos Lanthimos. Three twentysomethings who have led extremely sheltered lives by their dictatorial parents finally start rebelling against their upbringing.

9:00 p.m.: Sons of Steel, dir. Gary L Keady. See this rarely screened cult apocalyptic classic from Australia.

11:00 p.m.: Teenage Paparazzo, dir. Adrian Grenier. This documentary follows the travails of a real life 13-year-old celebrity photographer, Austin Visschedyk.

11:15 p.m.: The House of The Devil, dir. Ti West. A college student needing some quick cash takes a babysitting job that turns into a real nightmare.

July 10

1:00 p.m.: Double Take, dir. Johan Grimonprez. This documentary recasts famed movie director Alfred Hitchcock as a paranoid history professor living during the peak years of the Cold War.

2:00 p.m.: The Living Room of the Nation, dir. Jukka Karkkainen. This documentary shows what happens in six ordinary living rooms.

2:30 p.m.: Howl, dir. Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman. A biopic of Beat poet Allen Ginsberg and the tribulations of getting his most famous poem published. Starring James Franco and Jon Hamm.

3:30 p.m.: 72 Musicians, dir. Bob Moczydlowsky. This documentary profiles the lives and careers of musicians living in Lawrence and Kansas City.

5:00 p.m.: Bomb It!, dir. Jon Reiss. A documentary on graffiti.

5:15 p.m.: Panique au village (A Town Called Panic), dir. Stephane Aubier. Based on the cult Belgium TV show, a couple of western-themed toys go on a grand adventure to see who flooded their valley with millions of bricks.

5:45 p.m.: Good Hair, dir. Jeff Stilson. Investigative comedian Chris Rock dives into the black hair industry to understand issues of black identity through hairstyling.

7:00 p.m.: Down Terrace, dir. Ben Whatley. A comic look at a family of criminals trying to get by in the south of England.

7:30 p.m.: When You’re Strange, dir. Tom DiCillo. A documentary about The Doors featuring lots of rare archival footage.

9:00 p.m.: The Sculptor, dir. Christopher Kenworthy. A young couple encounter sinister forces while on a retreat in the woods.

9:15 p.m.: “Russ Meyer double bill”
Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Vixen

10:45 p.m.: Selfless, dir. Jacob Pander. An architect is thrown into a dark and dangerous underworld.

July 11

12:30 p.m.: Cat Ladies, dir. Christie Callan-Jones. This documentary profiles four women who own multiple cats, but are they really the “crazy” cat ladies of popular modern mythology?

1:15 p.m.: Reporter, dir. Eric Daniel Metzgar. This documentary follows New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof as he travels to the Congo to report on the atrocities going on there.

2:15 p.m.: Teenage Paparazzo, dir. Adrian Grenier. This documentary follows the travails of a real life 13-year-old celebrity photographer, Austin Visschedyk.

2:45 p.m.: Metropia, dir. Tarik Saleh. While traveling through vast underground tunnels, a commuter runs into strange characters who seem to know him.

4:00 p.m.: Disco and Atomic War, dir. Jaak Kilmi. This documentary shows the effect that American TV had on the communist country of Estonia when it was beamed into that country during the height of the Cold War.

4:30 p.m.: Panique au village (A Town Called Panic), dir. Stephane Aubier. Based on the cult Belgium TV show, a couple of western-themed toys go on a grand adventure to see who flooded their valley with millions of bricks.

5:45 p.m.: We Are the Mods, dir. E.E. Cassidy. Two female outcasts bond while trying to fit in somewhere at college.

6:00 p.m.: Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee, dir. Shane Meadows. A lowly roadie has dreams of becoming a huge rap star.

7:30 p.m.: When You’re Strange, dir. Tom DiCillo. A documentary about The Doors featuring lots of rare archival footage.

7:45 p.m.: It Came From Kuchar, dir. Jennifer M. Kroot. A documentary on the life of twin pioneering underground filmmakers, George and Mike Kuchar, who directed such classics as Hold Me While I’m Naked and Sins of the Fleshapoids. (Read the review)

9:15 p.m.: Howl, dir. Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman. A biopic of Beat poet Allen Ginsberg and the tribulations of getting his most famous poem published. Starring James Franco and Jon Hamm.

July 12

6:00 p.m.: Kynodontas (Dogtooth), dir. Giorgos Lanthimos. Three twentysomethings who have led extremely sheltered lives by their dictatorial parents finally start rebelling against their upbringing.

7:00 p.m.: Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee, dir. Shane Meadows. A lowly roadie has dreams of becoming a huge rap star.

8:15 p.m.: Snow and Ashes, dir. Charles-Olivier Michaud. A journalist tries to recall what happened to him and his colleague while covering a war in Eastern Europe.

8:30 p.m.: Metropia, dir. Tarik Saleh. While traveling through vast underground tunnels, a commuter runs into strange characters who seem to know him.

July 13

7:00 p.m.: “Animation Showcase”
An Insidious Intrusion, dir. Tessa Farmer & Sean Daniels
The Lost Thing, dir. Andrew Ruhemann & Shaun Tan
Backstage, dir. Pierce Davison
Petrol Can Rider, dir. Simon O’Carrigan
Hog, dir. David Webster
7 x 3, dir. Daniel Winter & Barry Hale
Cockroach, dir. Luke Eve
Nest of Skeletons, dir. Tessa Farmer & Sean Daniels

7:15 p.m.: The Family Jams, dir. Kevin Barker. Musicians Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart and Vetiver travel the U.S. and jam with different bands in different cities.

8:30 p.m.: Bunny and the Bull, dir. Paul King. A shut-in reminisces about his one great, fantastical trip across Europe with the love of his life.

9:00 p.m.: Double Take, dir. Johan Grimonprez. This documentary recasts famed movie director Alfred Hitchcock as a paranoid history professor living during the peak years of the Cold War.

July 14

7:00 p.m.: We Are the Mods, dir. E.E. Cassidy. Two female outcasts bond while trying to fit in somewhere at college.

7:15 p.m.: Reporter, dir. Eric Daniel Metzgar. This documentary follows New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof as he travels to the Congo to report on the atrocities going on there.

8:45 p.m.: Rejoice and Shout, dir. Don McGlynn. This documentary traces the cultural history of gospel music and the part it plays in African American heritage.

9:00 p.m.: Cropsey, dir. Barbara Brancaccio. Is the escaped madman who has a hook for a hand just an urban legend? Or does the popular story to scare teenagers have some basis in the real world.

July 15

7:00 p.m.: “Get Your Shorts On!”
The Paper Tale, dir. Sohan Ariel Hayes
Enemy, dir. Pete Gleeson
Water, dir. Corrie Jones
Mabuji, dir. Tyson Mowarin
Porcelain, dir. Timothy Merks, Roseline Lau
Carlos Rules the World, dir. Julia Ngeow
My Nan & the Yandi, dir. Denise Groves

7:15 p.m.: Disco and Atomic War, dir. Jaak Kilmi. This documentary shows the effect that American TV had on the communist country of Estonia when it was beamed into that country during the height of the Cold War.

9:00 p.m.: The Living Room of the Nation, dir. Jukka Karkkainen. This documentary shows what happens in six ordinary living rooms.

9:15 p.m.: Wheedle’s Groove, dir. Jennifer Maas. An examination of Seattle’s mostly overlooked musical history of soul and funk.

July 16

6:30 p.m.: Bomb It!, dir. Jon Reiss. A documentary on graffiti.

6:45 p.m.: Rejoice and Shout, dir. Don McGlynn. This documentary traces the cultural history of gospel music and the part it plays in African American heritage.

8:30 p.m.: American: The Bill Hicks Story, dir. Matt Harlock & Paul Thomas. A profile of the world’s most dangerous comedian, who died way before his time.

9:00 p.m.: One Hundred Mornings, dir. Conor Horgan. Two couples living in a remote part of Ireland try to survive an apocalyptic disaster.

10:30 p.m.: The Loved Ones, dir. Sean Byrne. A tortured teenage boy meets the girl of his dreams he hopes to take to the prom, but more sinister forces control his destiny.

11:00 p.m.: The Sculptor, dir. Christopher Kenworthy. A young couple encounter sinister forces while on a retreat in the woods.

July 17

1:00 p.m.: Down Terrace, dir. Ben Whatley. A comic look at a family of criminals trying to get by in the south of England.

1:45 p.m.: Stolen, dir. Dan Fallshaw & Violeta Ayala. This documentary — quite by accident — actually uncovers a shocking case of slavery in the Western Sahara.

3:00 p.m.: “Fantastic Planet: Sydney Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Festival”
Eraser Children, dir. Nathan Christoffel (feature)
Burden, dir. Michael David Lynch
The Attack of the Robots From Nebula-5, dir. Chema García Ibarra
The Snow Princess, dir. Audrey Holland

4:00 p.m.: Wheedle’s Groove, dir. Jennifer Maas. An examination of Seattle’s mostly overlooked musical history of soul and funk.

5:30 p.m.: Good Hair, dir. Jeff Stilson. Investigative comedian Chris Rock dives into the black hair industry to understand issues of black identity through hairstyling.

6:00 p.m.: Bunny and the Bull, dir. Paul King. A shut-in reminisces about his one great, fantastical trip across Europe with the love of his life.

7:15 p.m.: Stingray Sam, dir. Cory McAbee. A reformed outlaw attempts to rescue the kidnapped daughter of the king of an alien planet.

7:30 p.m.: “Best Of Domefest”
Selections from the immersive cinematic experience.

8:00 p.m.: Snow and Ashes, dir. Charles-Olivier Michaud. A journalist tries to recall what happened to him and his colleague while covering a war in Eastern Europe.

9:00 p.m.: The Night of the Triffids, dir. Megan Simpson-Hubberman. This 1984 performance film captures the legendary Australian band the Triffids in concert.

10:30 p.m.: The House of The Devil, dir. Ti West. A college student needing some quick cash takes a babysitting job that turns into a real nightmare.

10:30 p.m.: La Horde, dir. Yannick Dahan & Benjamin Rocher. Corrupt cops in Paris prepare for an assault on a notorious gang holed up in a high rise, but the officers must battle a zombie horde instead.

July 18

1:00 p.m.: “RevRelations Secret Screening “
Yep, this exclusive screening is a total surprise.

1:30 p.m.: Cropsey, dir. Barbara Brancaccio. Is the escaped madman who has a hook for a hand just an urban legend? Or does the popular story to scare teenagers have some basis in the real world.

3:00 p.m.: 72 Musicians, dir. Bob Moczydlowsky. This documentary profiles the lives and careers of musicians living in Lawrence and Kansas City.

3:15 p.m.: One Hundred Mornings, dir. Conor Horgan. Two couples living in a remote part of Ireland try to survive an apocalyptic disaster.

4:30 p.m.: Cat Ladies, dir. Christie Callan-Jones. This documentary profiles four women who own multiple cats, but are they really the “crazy” cat ladies of popular modern mythology?

5:15 p.m.: The Family Jams, dir. Kevin Barker. Musicians Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart and Vetiver travel the U.S. and jam with different bands in different cities.

6:30 p.m.: Nude Study, dir. Stefan Popescu. A female filmmaker believes she’s found the perfect model for her latest project, but her involvement with her subject develops into a frantic passion.

7:00 p.m.: Good Hair, dir. Jeff Stilson. Investigative comedian Chris Rock dives into the black hair industry to understand issues of black identity through hairstyling.

8:45 p.m.: American: The Bill Hicks Story, dir. Matt Harlock & Paul Thomas. A profile of the world’s most dangerous comedian, who died way before his time.

9:00 p.m.: A Day at the Oasis, dir. Tim Lethbridge. A speed dating event turns painfully awkward when way more men show up than women.