Unseen American Cinema - Beyond the Frame: 1893-1941

Outside conventional channels of distribution, many, many films await filmgoers eager enough to enter uncharted territories of visual stimulation.  For a number of reasons, none of them all that reasonable, thousands of films remain unseen.  The study group will focus on films made from the very beginnings of cinema in the late 1800's to mid-20th century.  The sessions will involve viewing and discussing film and video copies of rare, out-of-print titles and include works by film-makers such as William Heise, Edwin S. Porter, D.W. Griffith, Nazimova, Man Ray, Otto Messmer, Dudley Murphy, Ralph Steiner, Joseph Cornell, Norman Bel Geddes, Francis Lee, and Slavko Vorkapich.  The beginnings (and sometimes the ends) of cinema genres will be explored in regards to the burgeoning dramatic narrative, animated, documentary, advertisement, industrial, home movie, experimental, and travelogue films.  Since the time allotted for viewing and discussion is limited, mostly short films will be reviewed in class with optional titles suggested for out of class viewing.  In addition to selections from Posner's book, Unseen Cinema: Early American Avant-Garde Film, reading assignments will be provided via copies handed out at each session.

Class is limited to 25 members.

BRUCE POSNER  is a filmmaker and historian who has served as curator for Anthology Film Archives, Harvard Film Archive, Alliance Film/Video Project, and Pittsburgh Film-Makers.  His film anthologies, Unseen Cinema: Early American Avant-Garde Film (1999-present), White Light/White Heat: The Power of Cinema (1996-97), Articulated Light: The Emergence of Abstract Film in America (1995-96), and Spirit Stream Storm: Hand-Crafted Artist's Films (1995-96) have screened widely to international acclaim.  His work in cinema is recognized as provocative, diverse, insightful, and historically significant.