Oddball Films and guest
curator Carl Elsaesser present Freedom From Flight: Cinema of Seclusion. From the allegorical purity of an art cinema
masterpiece to educational shorts that explore psychological effects of
isolation, this breathtaking and expansive program examines solitude through a
range of genres. Highlights include: Academy Award winner The Red
Balloon (1956), by acclaimed
filmmaker Albert Lamorisse, follows a child rejected from society who finds joy
in being alone while making friends with a seemingly sentient balloon; Discovering Insects: Solitary Wasps (1950s) looks at this mesmerizing species that after
birth go off and live their life away from any community; What Time Is Your
Body? (1962) a campy scientific
look at locking people in basement apartments with no clock for months to see
how time changes for them; and Neurotic Behavior (1965) a public service announcement about the
effects of nervous and compulsive behavior. Plus more lovely lyrical balloons! Feeling Space (1952)
featuring two children exploring their world with balloons; and a unique colorful
balloon-filled kodachrome family film from 1954.
Venue: Oddball Films, 275 Capp Street, and San Francisco
Date: Friday, December 13th, 2011 at 8:00PM
Admission: $10.00 – Limited Seating RSVP to
programming@oddballfilm.com or 415.558.8117.
Featuring:
Feeling Space (1950’s, color,)
These two children explore a giant fields with
balloons innocent attempt to feel space when this fails they realize the best
way to feel space is in a church exploring all the tight and dark places that
are hidden there.
Discovering Insects:
Solitary Wasps (1950’s color)
Watch these creatures stray from the pack and journey off to make their own
lives. The things they are able to do on their own are astounding. Finally free
from social pressures and guilt, they construct intricate hives, and lead
individually beautiful lives.
What Time Is Your Body? (1960’s, Color) Shot over the course of several
years. These scientists were fascinated with extreme cases of Isolation. In
order to explore some of these fascinations, they set up elaborate studies
locking people in basements windowless rooms and even caves, all without
clocks! Watch the fascinating discoveries reveal themselves!
Neurotic Behavoir (1975, Color)
Watch another scientific
endeavor into some of the possible effects of long term isolation. This time,
what happens when an isolated man is reintroduced back into society? Watch as a
new scientific species emerges: the neurotic man.
The Red Balloon (1956, color) Filled with complexes, intentions and
desires. Finally we end up with an act of giving in and letting go. Forget the
truth you hide behind! And enjoy
what was always there, a balloon, a child, an innocent fascination with the
world, a people trying to take it all away from you and a love.
Curator’s
Biography
In the sand I can
see myself. I can almost see my face until I press with my toes and the beach
rises above me or I am the sand that is further away from the water on the end
of the shore. We are all walking through open snow fall. I can see dad and mom
clearly. His red hat. And if I forget there is snow
still.
Arounded.
And they
disappear on grounded with
a movement
between in mostly one direction.
On the way back
dad tells us that naked is one of those words that sounds like its definition.
And says it again, “Nnnnnekid”. I
imagine skinny dipping, running into the ocean. The sand and sea and sky are
smeared and I am jagged and nekid. Mom says that nude sounds better. She holds
onto the n and dances with the u. N_____^u^_de. I think of a Matisse painting
where this man watches three ladies. The women are bathing privately
together.
In the car after
we are talking, I talked quickly, dad asks if I think he lives an easy life and
mom sits
still.
elsaesserc@gmail.com