The first of four programs celebrating Canyon Cinema's collection of independent cinema looks at the early years of Canyon, with films by many of its founding members and films from the late fifties through the sixties. The July 12 and July 19 programs feature films from the seventies; the July 26 program features films from the eighties, including new works by filmmakers who have been active from Canyon's early years to the present.
In order to include as many films and filmmakers as possible (still only a sample of some 3,000 films by 350 Canyon members), we have selected films as short as half a minute, but no longer than 24 minutes. Low budgets may have necessitated, in many cases, the short film, but it did not prevent many filmmakers from making features; these are also to be found in the Canyon Cinema library. However, the short film can provide as strong and memorable a film experience as any feature. Audiences may find our lengthy programs of short films more demanding than watching a single feature; therefore, we have scheduled intermissions during which refreshments will be served. Program notes will be provided each evening.
• Loony Tom (James Broughton, 1951, 10.5 mins); Recreation (Robert Breer, 1956, 1.5 mins, Color); Adebar (Peter Kubelka, 1956-57, 1.5 mins); Cosmic Ray (Bruce Conner, 1961, 4 mins); Thanatopsis (Ed Emshwiller, 1962, 5 mins); Mothlight (Stan Brakhage, 1963, 4 mins, Silent, Color); Happy Birthday Lenny (Lenny Lipton, 1965, 8 mins, Color); All My Life (Bruce Baillie, 1966, 3 mins, Color); Metanomen (Scott Bartlett, 1966, 8 mins); Schmeerguntz (Gunvor Nelson, 1966, 15 mins); Hot Leatherette (Robert Nelson, 1967, 5.5 mins); Anselmo (Chick Strand, 1967, 4 mins, Color); Billabong (Will Hindle, 1969, 9 mins, Color); Our Lady of the Sphere (Larry Jordan, 1969, 10 mins, Color).