“I have often thought it was very arrogant to suppose you could make a film for anybody but yourself… I like to think of The Falls as my own personal encyclopaedia Greenaway-ensis.” The Falls (Peter Greenaway, 1980)
Mar
1
US Constitution – 1781
A blonde wearing a floppy hat with peach-coloured ribbons and bird feathers attached to it, sits in front of three small whiteboards with study material such as pictures of waterfalls and pilots. Next to her a little fuse box, and on it a small, white fake bird and an orange-yellow egg. DPs: Mike Coles & John Rosenberg.
An important list in remembrance of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States on March 1, 1781.
– Peter Greenaway, via
Ninety-two people, all with a surname starting with f-a-l-l, survive unexpected catastrophes known as VUEs (Violent Unknown Events). These individuals experienced curious ailments, such as mutations of evolving into a bird-like form, speaking new languages, and becoming immortal.
This film, a list, describes them all.
1980s
“The film is about observing, about glances that see without being seen, a dubious art of light and visibility.”Der Riese [The Giant] (Michael Klier, 1983/1984)
Feb
15
freebie: a movie from 1984
A woman, we only see her hands, waits at a counter while clutching her purse. Her handbag is next to her. The camera focusses on the small space reserved to count out money. DP: n/a.
January 21 redux: a film from 1984 on the date Orwell died (1950).
– Michael Klier, via
According to Harun Farocki, Der Riese was the first narrative film completely compiled out of surveillance footage.
“Mother, didn't you know there are children starving in Africa?”Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (Todd Haynes, 1987)
Feb
4
A brunette Barbie doll representing Karen Carpenter makes a statement in front of the White House. DP: Barry Ellsworth.
– “Karen Carpenter”
War Machine (Duvet Brothers, 1984)
Jan
21
the passing of Orwell
A repurposed TV still of a battle ship billowing thick black smoke with the text WAR MACHINE superimposed over it.
A scratch video from 1984 on the date George Orwell died (1950). Date of production is either 84 or 85.
“A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper
'Go to sleep, everything is alright'”Blue Velvet (David Lynch, 1986)
Jan
19
lights
Ben (Dean Stockwell) miming Roy Orbison's In Dreams with a work light for a microphone. DP: Frederick Elmes.
Lights on the date in 1883 that #ThomasEdison first switched on overhead electric lighting.
– Roy Orbison, In Dreams (1963)
David Lynch at his finest Anger, and Stockwell at his peak. The work light was improvised when Lynch noticed Stockwell handling it between shoots.
“They pulled in just behind the fridge
He lays her down, he frowns
“Gee, my life's a funny thing
Am I still too young?”
He kissed her then and there
She took his ring, took his babies
It took him minutes, took her nowhere
Heaven knows, she'd have taken anything”Mauvais sang [Bad Blood / The Night Is Young] (Leos Carax, 1986)
Jan
8
David Bowie – 1947
(Alex) Denis Lavant in a scene set to David Bowie's Modern Love. DP: Jean-Yves Escoffier.
A [favourite] scene featuring a Bowie song for David Bowie's birthday (1947).
– David Bowie, Modern Love (from Let's Dance, 1983)
“So this is the team, ey? A priest, a detective near retirement, and a young moron rookie of a cop… Terrific.”Rosso sangue [Absurd / Monster Hunter] (Joe D'Amato, 1981)
Nov
2
spaghetti
Pretending to be set somewhere in the US, people watch an American Football match on TV. Being Italian, their go-to snack is spaghetti. DP: Joe D'Amato.
– Sgt. Ben Engleman
“Hey! If you're going to throw those guns away, can I have one?”Night of the Comet (Thom Eberhardt, 1984)
Sep
20
cereal
An empty box or Raisin Bran lies tipped-over next to a Toshiba boombox. Just visible but out of focus is Samantha Belmont (Kelli Maroney) in her cheerleader uniform DP: Arthur Albert.
– Sarah
Kisapmata [Sa bawat kisapmata / In the Wink of an Eye] (Mike De Leon, 1981)
Aug
18
gatas
Adelina (Charito Solis) unwell in bed. She holds a glass of milk. DP: Rody Lacap.