Introduced By Rick Prelinger
Beyond what we usually think of as cinema exist untold numbers of "ephemeral" films. Typically educational, industrial, or amateur films, they are conceived of as short-lived, often serving a pragmatic and narrow purpose. It is only by chance that many of them survive. With over 48,000 individual titles, the Prelinger Archives can be seen as a vast and prescient rescue operation. Archivist Rick Prelinger has amassed an unprecedented collection of ephemeral films which, precisely because of their indifference to posterity, seem ironically to capture most vividly the issues and details of their day. For three programs, August 8, 15, and 21, Prelinger has selected some of his favorite films depicting everyday dilemmas that just won't go away.
Each evening Rick Prelinger will join us to talk about the unique character of throwaway media.
