– Burn witch, burn witch, burn! – Dig that crazy beat, man.The City of the Dead (John Llewellyn Moxey, 1960)
Mar
3
Nan Barlow (Venetia Stevenson), exploring. DP: Desmond Dickinson.
– Burn witch, burn witch, burn! – Dig that crazy beat, man.The City of the Dead (John Llewellyn Moxey, 1960)
Mar
3
Nan Barlow (Venetia Stevenson), exploring. DP: Desmond Dickinson.
“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.
“The conquest of new worlds always makes demands of human life. And there will always be men who will accept the risk.”First Man Into Space [Satellite of Blood] (Robert Day, 1959)
Feb
28
1958
A newspaper headline for February 28, 1958 reading THE HIGHEST MAN IN THE WORLD. DP: Geoffrey Faithfull.
“His body is golden like molten gold. This hand of his… will smooth away these wounds. Justin, he is as beautiful as the sun. This sun which caresses me… is his burning desire. He is Phoebus Apollo. The sun… is his… burning kiss.” Sebastiane (Paul Humfress + Derek Jarman, 1976)
Feb
18
Pluto Day
Sebastian (Leonardo Treviglio) sits on a rock in a barren landscape. Two men in the distance, and a sheep, all have their backs turned to him. DP: Peter Middleton.
Someone is snubbed or rejected on Pluto [Discovery] Day*.
– Sebastian
Sebastian, member of the Emperor's personal guard, is exiled after an incident. He finds himself on a rocky outpost, and the object of the other men's lust. One of them – a centurion rejected by the Christian boy – subjects Sebastian to torture and eventually lifts him up martyrdom.
* Pluto Demoted Day is on August 24
– Let's keep this party going till Sunday.
– Why Sunday?
– The Hindus say the world comes to an end on Sunday.
– But, how will we know when it happens?
– Graves will gape and the shrouded dead will run gibbering and shrieking in the streets.
– Sounds like any other Sunday.The Party's Over (Guy Hamilton, 1965)
Feb
13
party
The party crowd staggers its way home at dawn across Albert Bridge. DP: Mike Pratt.
Partying on Fat Tuesday*.
*which isn't until March 4 this year.
“His specs — use them as burning glasses!”Lord of the Flies (Peter Brook, 1963)
Feb
8
Boy Scouts of America
Using Piggy's glasses, the boys light their first signal fire. DP: Tom Hollyman.
Someone prepares something for the founding of the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910.
William Golding, Lord of the Flies (1954)
The boys collectively gather firewood to light a beacon, then come up with the idea to light the fire with the help of one of the kid's glasses.
“So, this month becomes the month of Scrawdyke.”Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs (Stuart Cooper, 1974)
Scrawdyke
2
Malcolm Scrawdyke (John Hurt), disgruntled art student. DP: John Alcott.
– Malcolm Scrawdyke
“This future of yours Shelmerdine, when it's gonna begin? Today? Or, is it always tomorrow?”Orlando (Sally Potter, 1992)
Jan
24
Billy Zane's birthday
Orlando (Tilda Swinton) and Shelmerdine (Billy Zane) in intimate embrace. DPs: Aleksey Rodionov & Andrew Speller.
A [favourite] Billy Zane film for his birthday (1966).
– Orlando
As ordered by Queen Elizabeth I (Quentin Crisp), nobleman Orlando remains young and traverses exotic scenery, civilisations, time, and gender.
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 Orwell died (1950). Date of production is either 84 or 85.
Tarry-Dan Tarry-Dan Scarey Old Spooky Man (John Reardon, 1978)
Jan
10
Tarry-Dan (Paul Curran) observing kids at the school's gate. DP: Peter Bartlett.