Artists' Television Access

Author: Fara

  • Other Cinema: OPTRONICA2

    6_Optronica2[1] ELEKTRO MOSKVA + DAVIS + PAYNE/BALDWIN +
    Our second Op installment is anchored by the North American premiere of this riveting Russian report on electronic music from the former USSR, directed by Elena Tikhonova and Dominik Spritzendorfer. Opening is John Davis, the pillar of NorCal’s analog synth scene, who sets off his 20-min. Soviet Hiss, a sublime reading of the obscure optical tracks of Soviet 16mm “propaganda” films! These rarities fell into John’s hands on his 2014 Tajikistan residency; tonight he transmogrifies their electronic interludes into pure sonic poetry! PLUS “twins” from John’s now-legendary Gravity Spells fest: Craig Baldwin’s Time Bomb against Maggie Payne’s Black Ice/STATIC, seen and heard in asynchronous playback for the first time publicly. AND Leon Theremin (of course!), the Trololo Man, Russian rockers, vodka shots, etc.

  • 3rd i Films presents: Rajnikanth and the Cult of the Superstar

    ForTheLoveOfAManSouth Indian superstar Rajnikanth commands a fan base of dedicated supporters for who fandom exists beyond just assiduously watching his films to frenzied celebrations at movie releases and birthdays that have over time garnered legendary reputations. This talk explores the political and social history of fandom in South India, and specifically the case of Rajinikanth himself, that has over time contributed to his larger than life on-screen and off-screen persona. We explore the lives of fans willing to dedicating their entire careers and fortunes to the star’s cause, with clips from an upcoming documentary on Rajinikanth’s fans, For the Love of a Man.
    Joyojeet Pal is a professor at the School of Information at the University of Michigan, where his work focuses on technological accessibility for people with disabilities. He is also the producer and researcher of “For the Love of a Man,” a documentary on Rajnikanth’s fans, shot over five years in Tamil Nadu, India.

  • Other Cinema: OPTRONICA1

    5_Optroncia1[1]

    KRAFTWERK: POP ART + YOUNG + BECKER +

    Opening our semi-annual Optronica suite is) Kraftwerk: Pop Art, the BBC‘s absorbing doc on the godfathers of electronic music. Produced in conjunction with (and including performance clips from) their famous 2013 Tate Modern shows, the 55-min. report, like the band itself, proceeds effortlessly from expert interviews to fascinating music excerpts, some as early as 1970! Opening is local dorkbot Kit Young, here with a ingenious joy-station of video-loopers and analog FX boxes for his 20-min. Plumb the Depths. ALSO: The unstoppable Tommy Becker premiering his Aquarium, Vicki (PLU) Bennett‘s Matmos homage, and jolts of juice from Len Lye, Anna Spence, and Negativland (RIP Don Joyce).