In conjunction with the Flash Festival of Photography, Cinematheque presents a selective portrait of the power of image making ranging from Shereen Jerrett’s deeply poignant film about her father growing up in Brandon, Taking a Walk with Dad to Arthur Lipsett’s stark, horrifying 21/87 and Guy Maddin’s stunning short Odilon Redon. Each film reflects the importance of the visual through a diversity of interpretations.
Taking a Walk with Dad / Directed by Shereen Jerrett, 1994, Canada, 24 min / When Shereen Jerrett’s father Jerry was a boy, his photographer father Ernest, filmed Jerry’s life growing up through the lens of an 8mm camera. Shereen then screened the footage to her father and recorded his observations of watching himself on screen. Shereen re-edited the film, adding a voice-over by Jerry. The result is a remarkable story of growing older touched by melancholy. “One of the most original, accomplished and moving works to have come from the WFG in its 17 year history. A deeply moving experience.” – K.GEORGE GODWIN, BORDER CROSSINGS
Vivan Maier, Photographer Extraordinaire / Directed by Tom Palazzo, 2011, USA, 12 min / This film tells the story of recently discovered Chicago street photographer Vivan Maier and includes some of her brilliant photos with excerpts from her rare 8mm films. Vivian Maier is voiced by actor Judith Hoppe.
21-87 / Directed by Arthur Lipsett, 1963, Canada, 9:30 min / This brilliant collage piece using stark B&W imagery is a disturbing commentary on the dehumanization of society. Lipsett created his films by going through the trim bins of the NFB looking for discarded film and sounds.
“Few films are as movingly bleak as Arthur Lipsett’s little-known 21-87…stunning.” – FRED CAMPER
Odilon Redon: The Eye Like a Strange Balloon Mounts Towards Infinity / Directed by Guy Maddin, 1995, Canada, 5:30 min / Commissioned by the BBC to create a short work based on a favorite artwork, Maddin chose Belgian artist Odilon Redon. In this astonishing work, Keller, an old sub-aquatic locomotive engineer, and his son Caelum become romantic rivals over Berenice, who was rescued from its wreckage.
*Special Jury Citation, 1995 Toronto International Film Festival
Camera / Directed by David Cronenberg, 2000, Canada, 6 min / Created to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Toronto Film Festival, seasoned actor Leslie Carlson (in his fourth collaboration with Cronenberg) discusses the current state of film while a group of young children sneak in with production equipment to film him.
Pas de Deux / Directed by Norman McLaren, 1968, Canada, 13:22 min / A cinematic study of the choreography of ballet. A bare, black set with the back-lit figures of dancers Margaret Mercier and Vincent Warren create a dream-like, hypnotic effect. *Nominated
Best Short Subject- 1969 Academy Awards
“Mesmerizingly beautiful.” – BILL THOMPSON
