Sam Ball in Person

The Black Maria was Thomas Edison's film studio, built in 1893 in West Orange, New Jersey, where a replica stands today. It is the inspiration behind the Black Maria Film Festival, now in its twenty–first year. The Festival is dedicated to presenting inventive, diverse films and videos by contemporary independent filmmakers. Its tiny staff works tirelessly to tour the Festival throughout the U.S. and abroad, celebrating works that are never shown in commercial theaters and that, without their efforts, would be little seen outside of a few cities. Tonight is your opportunity to view some of the most adventurous films being made today. They range from the subtle, poetic experimental visions of Michael Gitlin, Eve Heller, Masako Miyazaki, and Fred Worden to the minute, sensual observations of Leighton Pierce and Jim Jennings and the lush hand–painted films of Jennifer Reeves. Matt McCormick and Jen Sachs alter our perceptions of graffiti and a lurid crime, respectively. Local filmmaker Sam Ball pays tribute to the great comic artist Ben Katchor, and Virgil Widrich's stunning film animates 18,000 photocopied digital frames.

Her Glacial Speed (Eve Heller, 2001, 5 mins, Silent, B&W, 16mm). Water Seeking Its Level (Leighton Pierce, 2002, 6 mins, Color, Video). Shudder (top and bottom) (Michael Gitlin, 2001, 3 mins, Color, 16mm). The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal (Matt McCormick, 2001, 16 mins, Color, Video). OR Cloud (Fred Worden, 2001, 10 mins, B&W, 16mm). Train (Masako Miyazaki, 1999, 8 mins, Color/B&W, 16mm). Impossible Love (Jim Jennings, 2000, 10 mins, Silent, Color, 16mm). Pleasures of Urban Decay (Sam Ball, 2000, 17 mins, Color, Video). The Velvet Tigress (Jen Sachs, 2001, 11 mins, Color, 16mm). Fear of Blushing (Jennifer Reeves, 2001, 6 mins, Color, 16mm). Copyshop (Virgil Widrich, Austria, 2001, 12 mins, B&W, 35mm).With thanks to John Columbus, Frances John, Alvin Larkins, Black Maria Film & Video Festival staff.