Tag: Experimental Film
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SHORT FILM: THE GIRL CHEWING GUM
The Girl Chewing Gum (1976) by John Smith is a short experimental film that deconstructs the relationship between film, reality, and directorial control. The film begins with a commanding voiceover directing various elements of an everyday street scene in Dalston, East London. The voice, resembling that of a film director, orchestrates the movement of people,…
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SHORT FILM: THE FROG (1908)
The Frog (1908), directed by Segundo de Chomón, is a silent, surreal short film that blends early special effects with whimsical storytelling. The film begins with a magician performing a series of tricks in front of an audience. As the magician conjures a variety of objects, one of his creations is a small frog that…
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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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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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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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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…
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TRANS-EUROP-EXPRESS
Trans-Europ-Express is a 1966 experimental film written and directed by Alain Robbe-Grillet and starring Jean-Louis Trintignant and Marie-France Pisier. The title refers to the Trans Europ Express, an international rail network in Europe. The story shows a creative team devising a film plot during a train journey to Antwerp. It is intercut with a film-within-a-film about…
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GUMMO
“Gummo,” directed by Harmony Korine and released in 1997, is a controversial and surreal exploration of a decaying, post-disaster small town in Ohio. The film captures a series of vignettes that provide glimpses into the lives of various eccentric and marginalized characters, painting a raw and disturbing portrait of a community grappling with the aftermath…
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DAISIES
“Daisies” is a visually stunning Czechoslovakian film Directed by Věra Chytilová in 1966. The film explores the adventurous and mischievous personalities of two young women. It takes a daring and unconventional approach by breaking away from traditional storytelling styles and societal expectations. The story follows Marie I (played by Jitka Cerhová) and Marie II (played…
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200 MOTELS
“200 Motels” is a surreal and avant-garde musical film released in 1971, directed by Tony Palmer and featuring the rock band The Mothers of Invention, led by Frank Zappa. Like many bands of this era, making a strange, weird film was a natural extension of their musical output, with some being much better than others.…
The Other Cinema 