THURSDAY, JUNE 02 – 10:00 PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 10 – 11:55 PM
MONDAY, JUNE 13 – 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 25 – 7:00 PM (Q&A)
Spectacle presents a selection of short films directed by Chris Kraus, author of I Love Dick, Summer of Hate, Torpor, Aliens and Anorexia, and Video Green, and co-editor of Semiotext(e).
Kraus gained prominence over the last two decades for her ability to cultivate a sense of empathy while telling her life stories and those close to her. Prior to becoming an author, Kraus was a filmmaker who was immersed in New York’s 1970s avant-garde film scene. For Kraus, it was a challenging time to be a filmmaker — she often alluded to feeling ‘pathetic’, struggling to get recognized, and being in the shadow of others. Her films explore many of the same themes that she would later elaborate on as an author (rewriting the history of controversial figures, raising feminist consciousness, and self-exploration).
FOOLPROOF ILLUSION
dir. Chris Kraus, 1986.
17 min.
A film with different acts that illustrate Kraus’s humorous, confessional style of writing and dialogue.
TRAVELING AT NIGHT
dir. Chris Kraus, 1990.
11 min.
A field trip to a deconsecrated Wesleyan Methodist Church in Darrowsville, New York.
HOW TO SHOOT A CRIME
dir. Chris Kraus, Sylvère Lotringer, 1987.
28 min.
Intimately collages scenes of murder, blight, and wisdom from sex workers.
THE GARDEN BOWL or REPRESSION
dir. Chris Kraus, 1990.
12 min.
A moody, atmospheric short reminiscent of a Nan Goldin photograph.
IN ORDER TO PASS
dir. Chris Kraus, 1982.
26 min.
A grainy, conceptual play on imagery and dialog between people in classrooms, filled with text-turned-art.