Category: Surrealist
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SHORT FILM: SCORPIO RISING
“Scorpio Rising” is a groundbreaking 1963 experimental short film directed by Kenneth Anger. The film explores themes of rebellion, sexuality, and the intersection of popular culture and subversive iconography. “Scorpio Rising” is a non-narrative film that conveys its themes through visual symbolism, pop music, and a provocative editing style. The film is divided into several…
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BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
“Being John Malkovich” is a 1999 darkly comedic and surreal film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film explores identity, consciousness, and the human desire for connection and control. The story centers on Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), a struggling puppeteer living in New York City with his pet-obsessed wife, Lotte (Cameron…
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SHORT FILM: THE ARGUMENT
“The Argument,” a short film directed by Donald Cammell and edited by Frank Mazzola, is an experimental piece that was filmed in 1971 but remained unfinished until 1999. The film centers on an intense and enigmatic dialogue between two characters, a man and a woman, whose identities and relationships remain deliberately ambiguous. Set within the…
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SHORT FILM: AN OCCURENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is a short film directed by Robert Enrico. It is based on the short story by Ambrose Bierce. Originally released in France in 1962 as “La Rivière du hibou,” it was later broadcast in the United States in 1964 as an episode of “The Twilight Zone.” The film stars…
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THE TOUCHABLES
“The Touchables,” a 1968 British film directed by Robert Freeman, is a quirky, psychedelic crime comedy that captures the spirit of the swinging ’60s. With its colorful visuals and offbeat narrative, the film explores themes of fame, obsession, and counterculture.The film opens with a surreal sequence set in London, where we meet the four central…
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DEMENTIA (DAUGHTER OF HORROR)
“Dementia,” a 1955 experimental horror film directed by John Parker, is a nightmarish and surreal journey into the mind of a disturbed young woman, often referred to as “the Gamine.” The film, notable for its lack of dialogue, relies heavily on its eerie visual style and unsettling score by George Antheil to tell the story.…
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DAVID LYNCH 1946-2025
It is with heavy hearts that we learned today the passing of visionary filmmaker David Lynch at 78. Lynch was a true original and played a significant role in the rise of independent cinema in the late 1970s. He also created one of the last true “water cooler” cultural phenomena on television in the early…
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EMPEROR TOMATO KETCHUP
“Emperor Tomato Ketchup” is a 1971 experimental film directed by Shuji Terayama. It is known for its avant-garde style and surreal narrative, as well as being somewhat controversial for its depiction and actions played by children. The film is a social commentary that explores themes of power, authority, and rebellion in a dystopian society ruled…
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ROMA (72)
“Roma,” released in 1972, is a poignant and visually stunning film directed by the acclaimed Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. The story revolves around two trips made to Rome by a director. The first trip was taken when he was a young man in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The second trip was made when…
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THROW AWAY YOUR BOOKS, RALLY IN THE STREETS
“Throw Away Your Books, Rally in The Streets” is a groundbreaking Japanese film directed by Shuji Terayama and released in 1971. The film is a surreal and anarchic exploration of youth rebellion, societal disillusionment, and the search for personal freedom. The story follows the protagonist, a young man named ‘Me’ (portrayed by Hideaki Sasaki), who…
The Other Cinema 