When an artist finally says what the heck

by Tarald K. Tvedt 1:43 pm 1 comments Experimental Film Year 1

Experimental film

Experimental film, also known as Avant Garde, is whenever a film or music video takes a step away from the mainstream. The normal, typical, and frankly sometimes boring conventions of film making take a bow, and make room for new, fresh, and maybe even crazy ideas. Considering this genre is experimental at the very core, nothing really defines how long, or how "entertaining" they have to be. Films can range from 15 seconds to multiple hours, and dialog/visuals are an optional. I believe that because of this genres raw attitude towards rules, it's easier to express human emotions, but also pressing topics. Experimental film has been looked down on by a lot of people because of the sheer uniqueness, but has also been criticised based on the artist behind the film. It's quite common that because of the immense emotion it takes to make an experimental film, the artist often appears in the film themselves. By some this could be perceived as narcissistic. 

Now it's important to remember that every aspect of the film can be experimental, even the screening. Many artists wants their film to be screened in unusual ways, like on a passing tube, or on the ceiling of a warehouse. (Those ideas were just me thinking haha). If you for an example screened it on the ceiling of a warehouse your film might be about consumerism, or maybe how we always have our nose stuck to a smartphone, and would never look up to actually see the film. Experimental film is more common today I think, as more people have access to art. That might sound like a silly thing, but it's a fact that we live in a world today were its not completely fatal to take chances - thus more people being able to pursue their art. 

Now, for starters I decided to take a look at Derek Jarman. And what an astounding artist he was! The film that first caught my eyes was his film from 1993, "Blue". The film is filmed exclusively on a blue background with a narrator talking about Jarman's fearless confrontation with his loss of sight, and his imminent mortality. Jarman's loss of sight was due to the AIDS virus, and he uses the film to list symptoms, his endless visits to the hospital, and serves as a general look back on his life. It's an immersive experience where you too can close your eyes and just listen - without being afraid of missing any visuals. Simon Fisher Turner provides a lovely soundtrack that also adds greatly to the experience. I found this film really compelling because as a person who is really interested in film, I'm always looking for the best visual I can get, but this completely removes that aspect without taking anything away from the experience. I find that truly amazing! 

"Blue" (1993) by Derek Jarman - please take the time to listen to the 10 first minutes

Jarman would in interviews say that he was not "living with AIDS", but rather "dying with it". This is not necessarily a negative output on the situation, but maybe just the realistic one that he needed. In Blue, we hear that the whole experience is dreading, but there is a nostalgic side to it as well. Cinematographer Christopher Doyle said in an interview that Blue was one of the most intimate films he'd ever seen, and I can completely understand why. Derek Jarman invites you for a screening of his entire life, and you sit next to him as he quietly fades away. 

He sadly died only four months after the films release at the age of 52. 

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Sources: 

Davidson, Alex. "Derek Jarman: five essential films." 

BFI.com. 30th Januar 2015. 

(http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/derek-jarman-five-essential-films) [9th January 2016]

Garfield, Simon. "Derek Jarman: into the blue: He is not living with Aids, he says, but dying with it. But he works on. His new film and his very presence are reminders of how, in him, radical challenge and disarming delight go hand in hand. Simon Garfield reports." 

independent.co.uk. 13th August 1993.

(http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/derek-jarman-into-the-blue-he-is-not-living-with-aids-he-says-but-dying-with-it-but-he-works-on-his-1461014.html) [9th January 2016]

Johnston, Sheila. "Film-makers on film: Christopher Doyle"

telegraph.co.uk. 19th April 2005

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/3640666/Film-makers-on-film-Christopher-Doyle.html [10th January 2016]