Oddball Films Media
•
Jan 13, 2012
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.
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.