My Precious

My Manifesto

 

I became interested in experimental film through the heroin scene in Baltimore.  Street rats handing out flyers promoting these awful shorts that made no sense.  They play a lot of art house films and avant-garde movies in Eastern Baltimore, about ten minutes down the road where used needles line the streets like flowers.  The show 'The Wire' sparked an interested in film for me.  Until seeing a show being filmed, wrapped up,  and broadcasted on HBO, film seemed to be a world away.  The people seemed to be too glamorous and the minds behind the camera too complex.  My mother made me watch Marlon Brando movies and the films by director Eliza Kazan.  I fell in love with films shot in black and white.  The shadows of black and white films played well into my black humor.  Experimental film allows a director to express the tortures that build deepest in the corners of his or her soul.  The only rule you need to follow is that there are no rules.  You can do whatever you want as long as you make it work, even if you don’t it is your baby; only you have to be satisfied with it because no one would ever truly understand what every second from beginning to end actually means except the person who poured themselves into it.  Actually, that is debatable too.  Experimental film is a way to take an art form where typically many people work one project together, working on something to reach one specific goal and make it completely yours.  These films are a way for the director to become an absolute control freak.  You can’t rely on anyone in this world to get it right, so do it yourself.  We are all Caesars of our projects; make your own world where no one can touch you.  The first article by Hans was on the right track.  Hollywood movies are a boring craft.  I still enjoy them more than any other medium but who cares.  Richter discussed how literature has turned visual and every author writes with the idea of a movie deal.  I typically read old Russian novels cause you get to paint your own picture, all the details are there.  Richter also explained the use of documentary style in experimental, especially with the Russians.  If you grew up in the time of Sputnik I understand, but trust the Russians.  The next article is by Scott MacDonald and it explains the simple stuff of Avant-Garde.  I think everyone in this class has already read this with Kruel or Berliner.  It talks about how Avant-Garde is beautiful if you only give it a chance so please don't give up on it.  I think most Avant-Garde filmmakers couldn't give a shit if most people gave up on it.  Avant-Garde film can be pretentious and boring, but now and then a filmmaker can make something so pure and beautiful it is truly moving.  The idea of visual poetry is an art form that few creative minds can steer away from.  I almost refused to reread this last article because I believe that it is completely wrong.  It gives rules to an art-form that should remain rule-less and ruthless.  By the way, this is all bullshit.    

 

TristanSomerset