Buzz
The experimental film genre dates back to the earliest days of cinema. One of the first examples was created by Thomas Edison’s assistant, William Dickson, on the kinetoscope, titled “Monkeyshines No. 1”, around 1889 or 1890. Early silent films were, in essence, experimental as filmmakers were pioneering ways to use the camera and editing techniques to craft stories or express dreamlike visual art.
Experimental films gave rise to various subgenres, with one of the key ones being avant-garde cinema. This style often lacks a traditional narrative and instead delves into exploring themes like time, fantasy, dreams, or perception. A classic example of this is the German silent film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which explores dreams and altered states of perception.
Today, the genre continues to evolve, giving rise to forms such as cinematic poetry and the cinematic diary, reminiscent of the late Jonas Mekas's works. Even experimental documentaries have a longer history than many realize, with city symphony films being an early example, and more recently, Guy Maddin’s “My Winnipeg.”
Drawing from the history of experimental cinema and modern examples, here are ten experimental films that are worth watching.
10. 'Un Chien Andalou' (1929) is a defining film in experimental cinema.
This film is often the first encounter with experimental filmmaking for many students. The French title, meaning 'An Andalusian Dog,' is a bit of a misnomer, as it doesn't align with the film’s content. Created by Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali, this silent surrealist masterpiece uses dream-like logic to craft a non-linear narrative, heavily influenced by Freudian themes, designed to provoke shock and wonder.
The concept of the film is drawn from a combination of two dreams shared by its creators—Dali's vision of a hand covered in ants and Bunuel’s image of an eye being sliced open. Watching the film invokes a sense of discomfort, as it challenges the viewer to decode a dream that resists any clear interpretation. Your brain desperately searches for patterns or meaning, only to encounter a multitude of possible interpretations. This ambiguity, intentional on the part of the filmmakers, leaves the audience contemplating, unable to pin down a singular interpretation, reflecting the very essence of surreal art: always open to debate, never offering a definitive answer.
This is why 'Un Chien Andalou' is a must-see for anyone intrigued by experimental cinema.
9. 'The Life and Death of 9413: A Hollywood Extra' (1928) remains a significant piece in film history.
This movie is an underrated masterpiece from the silent film era. Produced in 1928 for just $97, it is considered a cornerstone of early American avant-garde cinema, influencing the genre in profound ways.
The story follows an actor who arrives in Hollywood with dreams of stardom, only to face exploitation and degradation by the studios, ultimately landing the role of an insignificant extra. In a cruel twist, they mark him with the number 9413, reducing him to just another cog in the machine.
What sets this film apart is its creative use of a minimal budget, resulting in a visually striking portrayal of Hollywood's desolate and isolating side. The haunting imagery, influenced by German expressionism, employs distorted shapes, layered visuals, and unsettling angles to depict the actor's descent into madness and death, all driven by the industry's brutal, dehumanizing forces.
8. 'Manhatta' (1921)
Regarded by many as the first true American avant-garde film, 'Manhatta' is a collaboration between painter Charles Sheeler and photographer Paul Strand. This non-narrative documentary is a visual poem that captures two main themes: first, it presents an abstract depiction of New York City through meticulously composed shots, and second, it explores the relationship between the camera, photography, minimal movement, and incidental motion in every frame.
Although it is a silent film, this one stands out by using intertitles in a unique way, opting for a Walt Whitman poem instead of conventional dialogue or scene descriptions.
7. 'From Afar' (2020)
A breathtaking short film that takes only two minutes of your time. It belongs to the cinematic poetry genre, and its simplicity combined with its editing style makes it a memorable experience.
In a manner similar to 'The Life and Death of 9413: A Hollywood Extra,' filmmaker and poet Andrei Purcarea utilizes his resources cleverly to visually enhance the poem. Some shots may seem unrelated to the words at first glance, yet they convey a deep sense of understanding as the film progresses.
Unlike 'The Life and Death of 9413,' this film lacks rapid cuts or superimpositions. Instead, its pacing and editing are more aligned with 'Manhatta,' telling a visual story alongside the poem. Is the film truly about a ship, or is it symbolizing something from life that we have missed and can no longer see? What did the characters lose? Who did they long for? The solitary red chair and the mirror placed on the beach, facing the sea... it's deeply existential, experimental, and emotionally powerful.
6. 'Catharsis' (2018)
This short film masterfully employs experimental techniques to evoke emotion as we delve into the protagonist's mind. It serves as a surreal reminder that we often cannot fully understand what someone is experiencing, even if they appear composed on the surface. Directed by Naleeka Dennis, the story follows Marsha as she grapples with the loss of her loved one, retreating into a fantasy world as a means of coping. Eventually, she must confront the reality of her grief.
The final shot drives this point home powerfully, as the world around Marsha feels unsettlingly eerie. Though it appeared the same before we entered her mind, understanding her inner turmoil shifts your perspective entirely.
5. 'Until There Was Nothing' (2020)
This remarkable short film, released last year, takes us to Earth's final moments as it plunges into a black hole. Directed by Paul Trillo, the initial stunning visuals quickly transform as they stretch toward the sky. While the film might seem grim at first, Trillo reflects, 'Someday this will pass and there will be nothing left… That’s not something to fear ‘because we come from nothing’ as Alan Watts puts it… and from nothing comes something new.'
The surreal imagery in the film, heightened by intense gravitational forces and accompanied by philosopher Alan Watt’s reflections on the concept of nothingness, adds a profound depth to the experience.
4. “Stellar” (1993)
Stan Brakhage blends artistry with filmmaking in an unparalleled way. With an astonishing 380 films, picking just one is a challenge. His works are like live paintings, where each frame is individually painted, scratched, or manipulated. His film “Stellar” stands out, reminiscent of early sci-fi classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey and the original Star Trek TV series.
The final moments of “Stellar” are particularly striking, as an enigmatic image emerges from the swirling stars. As with all art, “Stellar” is open to interpretation. For me, it’s a journey through space, marking the birth of the universe and the arrival of the first life form at the conclusion. How do you interpret it?
3. “Meshes of the Afternoon” (1943)
Maya Deren was a polymath with many talents. She excelled as a dancer, choreographer, film theorist, poet, photographer, advocate for the avant-garde, and groundbreaking experimental filmmaker.
Deren was adamant that film should be an immersive experience. “Meshes of the Afternoon” is a perfect example of this concept—an essential piece of experimental cinema, regarded as one of the most influential films in the history of American cinema.
The film operates like a dream. By employing dreamlike logic, it creates a distinct experience for the viewer. The narrative follows a woman who falls asleep after returning home, and as her intense dreams unfold, her darker subconscious desires surface. The boundaries between reality and dreams blur, making it hard to tell them apart—this ambiguity is key to the film's mental engagement.
This film has had a profound impact on many filmmakers, including the works of David Lynch.
2. “Light Is Calling” (2004)
Bill Morrison stands out as a filmmaker who revives lost or decaying films, transforming them into experimental art. I highly recommend his works like Decasia (2002) and Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016).
In 2004, Morrison created the short film “Light Is Calling,” where he rejuvenates the decaying nitrate film from 1926, titled “The Bells,” into a fresh cinematic experience.
Following an optical reprint of the film, it's restructured into a new form paired with a 7-minute composition by Michael Gordon. IMDb aptly describes it as a reflection on the ephemeral nature of life and love, captured through the deteriorating film emulsion.
A breathtaking, fading reverie.
1. “Night Mayor” (2009)
A brilliant cinematic treasure. Guy Maddin’s visuals evoke the spirit of early silent films, yet he adds a modern twist by shooting on contemporary formats, even including VHS. However, it’s his mastery of lighting, old-school techniques, and editing that truly gives this film its dreamlike, surreal quality.
“Night Mayor” offers a visual exploration into the mind of Nihad Ademi, a Bosnian immigrant who believes he has unlocked the secret to using the power of the Aurora Borealis to transmit images across vast distances.
A must-watch short film!
