Happy fifth birthday to the Arc Cinema! A birthday month of screenings marks the occasions and as well, 4K digital cinema projection has arrived at the cinema to join its analogue film projection.

Back in August 2007 Rolf de Heer’s feature, “Dr. Plonk,” launched Arc with its Australian premiere and now the same director returns to introduce his new film, “The King is Dead!” (MA15+). De Heer will be in conversation after the screening on August  9 and the Canberra premiere season runs until August 16.

Then there’s “The Great Singin’ in the Rain Shoot-Out!” with a side-by-side comparison of scenes from “Singin’ in the Rain” (G) in some of the many formats used by repertory cinemas past and present.  After that audiences will experience the film in DCP digital format.

Hollywood director Paul Verhoeven’s sci-fi satire “Starship Troopers” (MA15+) was the very first feature film screened in Arc’s regular program in August 2007 and it will screen again in Arc Cinema on August 5, with the original 1936 “Flash Gordon” serial running through July and August.

Jean-Luc Godard’s “Film Socialism” (unclassified 18+) has its Canberra premiere on August 4.

The only  film Godard made for digital cinema was shot on the cruise ship Costa Concordia, which accidentally ran aground in January this year.

Full details of the August Arc program are at nfsa.gov.au/arc, bookings to 6248 2000. Tickets $11 Adults / $9 Concession.