Experience a live global simulcast of Ai Weiwei's powerful performance re-enacting his secret detention.
Saturday 4 July 2026
10:00am - 9:00pm
Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Free
Step into a compelling live performance that brings to life Ai Weiwei's harrowing 81-day secret detention. This unique event offers a rare glimpse into the artist's experience of confinement, resilience, and the fragility of personal freedoms.
The performance is a day-long re-enactment condensed into 11 hours at ACMI, featuring Ai Weiwei sleeping, eating, writing, and washing in a recreated cell, with moments of interrogation.
Prepare for an unsettling yet thought-provoking experience that challenges perceptions and invites deep reflection on human rights and political imprisonment.
This live simulcast is presented in partnership with Factory International in Manchester, where the full 24-hour performance takes place. At ACMI, the simulcast runs from 10:00 to 21:00 AEST on Saturday, 4 July 2026.
The event is unclassified but recommended for audiences aged 15 and over due to mature themes including nudity, political imprisonment, and interrogation.
Admission is free and drop-in; however, seating capacity is limited. Audience members will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis as seats become available.
The event takes place in Cinema 2 at ACMI, located at Federation Square, Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
ACMI is easily accessible by public transport and offers facilities to ensure a comfortable visit. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with extended hours for cinema sessions.
Families and visitors are encouraged to plan their visit ahead and arrive early to secure seating.
This performance contains mature content and nudity; viewers under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The event highlights themes of political imprisonment and personal dignity, which may be intense for some attendees.
Please note that seating is limited and admission is on a drop-in basis, so early arrival is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Admission is free, with no advance booking required.
Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis up to the cinema's capacity.
For more information about ACMI membership benefits, exclusive screenings, and events, visitors can explore the ACMI website.
