Testosterone-Filled Thursday

Weekly Westerns

Last Thursday Hugh Robinson introduced the Thursday Flickers public to his slightly eccentric world. Hugh and his friends have weekly meetings whereby they watch each others favourite Western movies. His short, The Mild Bunch, is a light hearted docu which takes a closer look at the origins of their soft spot for the Western genre. The included interviews reveal their very personal bonds with these movies, which sometimes go way back to their younger years. It was interesting to see how Westerns - which for me were at first glance superficial, violent films - can evoke so much emotion and passion in mature men.

Stay in touch with previous screeners

Film maker Ray Jacobs invites you to Fragments of Dark, a performance installation created by Arty Party Performance Group as part of the Ghostly Gaslight night at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Gorge Museum, 6 - 9pm on Saturday 30 October. For more information please visit http://www.artypartytelford.org/ or telephone 01952 593884.

Ray also invites you to experience the multi media site-specific installation: Coming To Our Senses at the Old Market Hall Digital and Media Centre, The Square, Shrewsbury. Showing from 11 October 2010 - January 2011.

It's a harmonious art intervention with simple yet beautiful images of hands at rest, in conversation or on their own, echoing the day to day actions of people within the cafe. Directed by Ray Jacobs and Jonathan Tritton. The multi layered installation incorporates film of people's hands presented on a screen triptych in a cafe environment, accompanied by sounds of the cafe. Coasters provide a further insight and interaction with the installation.

For further information and opportunities to discuss the work please contact Ray Jacobs, 01743 792052.

Intense voyeuristic viewing

A big thank you to Faye Claridge for showing her video work last Thursday. She introduced the three pieces by saying that they weren't meant to be viewed as 'cinematic' films but as installation videos. For me that wasn't a problem, especially with the fairground videos. I too love to intensely gaze at people. Almost in a voyeuristic way. Observing the little things that give away a lot about people's characters and lives.

During the Q&A questions were asked like 'your photographic work seems to be much more manipulated by you than your video work'. Faye responded by saying that her films are also in a sense artificial; one fixed camera angle, long, slow paced edits. In doing so she tries to freeze a piece of time. She is very much fascinated by social history and I think her films will be of much interest for historians in years to come. Have a look at Faye's work: www.fayeclaridge.com

This Thursday, 21 October, Hugh Robinson will screen his latest short.

View the Museum Movies. Click on these links to Youtube, they will take you straight to Alan's and Bill's films:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIsyMRrmni4 (Bill Sankey's Art Gallery)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojc0KLYu6BI (winner: Alan van Wijgerden's The Boat House)

We are also mentioned on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/coventry/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_9111000/9111268.stm

See you soon on a Thursday night!

Tammy

Wrists: a visit to The Twilight Zone (in a good way)

Last week's screening

John Bradburn's impressive low budget (£2000) feature film Wrists was a feast for your eyes. John introduced it as 'Wrists is a crossover between fine art and film'. Watching this film was for me like visiting The Twilight Zone, but in a good way. The rural setting was extremely photogenic whilst at the same time creating a slight uncanny athmosphere. The minimal use of dialogue only strengthened the storyline. A story which at first glance might look straightforward; girls gets obsessed with boy but it was masterfully worked out. Isn't there a bit of psychopath in all of us?

Here is a quote from John's blog

(wristsfilm.blogspot.com):

Screening Feedback
Two excellent screenings so far. A good response at both of the screenings which lead to some interesting debates on the themes of Wrists. I know the film is a little 'difficult' but it does seem to pay off. My nerves are worth it.

Stay in touch with previous screeners

Remember the local band Jackdaw with Crowbar? It combines visual music with thrash film. Jackdaw will be performing again coming Monday. Together with the Dutch band The Ex they will present an extraordinary evening of live music in Leamington's Cultural Quarter.

So put in your diary: Monday 18th October, North Hall Spencer Yard (CV31 3SY, behind church opposite Assembly), 8pm, £6.50

See http://www.qujunktions.com/, http://www.theex.nl/, http://www.jackdawwithcrowbar.com/ for tasters.

You should also check out this link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=102605249777203 to James Page's latest project; a short film called Self Help.

Coming up

Film maker Malcolm Neailey who is a VFX artist will soon be appearing on the Thursday Flickers programme. Visit his website http://www.mneailey.co.uk/ and have a sneak preview.