Overview

Essay contributors include Stan Brakhage, Fred Camper, Jack Chambers, R. Bruce Elder, Avis Lang, Sarah Milroy, Bart Testa, Peter Tscherkassky, Ross Woodman, and Michael Zyd. Published by Cinematheque Ontario. Distributed in Canada by Wilfrid Laurier University Press. Distributed outside Canada by Indiana University Press.

Full Product Details

9780968296943

Table of Contents

Reviews

Widely known and celebrated as a painter, Jack Chambers (1931-78) made little more than a handful of films before his life was tragically cut short, but those lovingly `amateur,' partly autobiographical films, including Circle and his masterpiece, The Hart of London, are among the milestones not only of the Canadian cinema but also the independent-minded cinema of the sixties and early seventies. -- Simon Field, Director, International Film Festival Rotterdam There has never been a book, until now, that encompasses the range and significance of Jack Chambers' career as an artist in both painting and film. Kathryn Elder has put together a rich chorus of voices that collectively answers so many of the questions I've had since that life-changing night in 1978 when I saw The Hart of London for the first time....The Films of Jack Chambers beautifully balances detailed critical analysis, historical background and biographical context with revealing anecdotes and deeply felt personal responses to the work. The book culminates with several articles specifically focused on The Hart of London, and is a critical treasure chest for scholars, teachers and students of this magnificent, dense and elliptical work. The last chapter is a glass raised in harmony, a collective testimonial to Chamber's work by critics, poets, programmers and filmmakers including Steve Anker, Paul Arthur, Yann Beauvais, Greg Curnoe, Nina Fonoroff, Anne Michaels, Carolee Schneemann and Michael Snow. Augmented with a complete reference section by Kathryn Elder, The Films of Jack Chambers now becomes the standard text and guidebook for all future scholarship on the life and work of Jack Chambers.'' -- Phil Solomon, filmmaker and Associate Professor, Film Studies,University of Colorado at Boulder

<p> Like its subject, a major Canadian painter and filmmaker whose nine-yearfight against leukemia claimed him at 47, this superb anthology is indispensable. Itproves Stan Brakhage's claim that Chambers' minute film canon, five shorts and afeature, changed the whole history of film, despite their neglect. Recollections byChambers' associates, culminating in Anne Michaels' poem, revive his character. Eventhe critical writing here shows the poetry and emotion of a felt idea. For SarahMilroy, the tragic stoicism in both Chambers' vision and technical innovation putsthe viewer on a knife-edge between contentment and tragedy. Elder revives Chambers'own manifesto and early introductions to specific works, including seminal pieces byDeborah Magidson, Greg Curnoe, Stan Brakhage, and Ross Woodman, who describesChambers and his art as constricted energy waiting to explode. Among the fine newofferings, Michael Zyrd examines hybrid as a political essay on the Vietnam war andBruce Elder approaches

<p> Like its subject, a major Canadian painter and filmmaker whose nine-year fight against leukemia claimed him at 47, this superb anthology is indispensable. It proves Stan Brakhage's claim that Chambers' minute film canon, five shorts and a feature, changed the whole history of film, despite their neglect. Recollections by Chambers' associates, culminating in Anne Michaels' poem, revive his character. Even the critical writing here shows the poetry and emotion of a felt idea. For Sarah Milroy, the tragic stoicism in both Chambers' vision and technical innovation puts the viewer on a knife-edge between contentment and tragedy. Elder revives Chambers' own manifesto and early introductions to specific works, including seminal pieces by Deborah Magidson, Greg Curnoe, Stan Brakhage, and Ross Woodman, who describes Chambers and his art as constricted energy waiting to explode. Among the fine new offerings, Michael Zyrd examines hybrid as a political essay on the Vietnam war and Bruce Elder approaches Chambers surrealism through Dali's photographic realism. The five takes on The Hart of London, ranging from filmmaker Brakhage's to academic Bart Testa's, are insightful and eloquent. With an excellent annotated bibliography, this is a worthy addition to the Cinematheque Ontario Monograph series. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. --M. Yacowar, University of Calgary, 2003jul CHOICE--M. Yacowar, University of Calgary, 2003jul CHOICE

Like its subject, a major Canadian painter and filmmaker whose nine-year fight against leukemia claimed him at 47, this superb anthology is indispensable. It proves Stan Brakhage's claim that Chambers' minute film canon, five shorts and a feature, changed the whole history of film, despite their neglect. Recollections by Chambers' associates, culminating in Anne Michaels' poem, revive his character. Even the critical writing here shows the poetry and emotion of a felt idea. For Sarah Milroy, the tragic stoicism in both Chambers' vision and technical innovation puts the viewer on a knife-edge between contentment and tragedy. Elder revives Chambers' own manifesto and early introductions to specific works, including seminal pieces by Deborah Magidson, Greg Curnoe, Stan Brakhage, and Ross Woodman, who describes Chambers and his art as constricted energy waiting to explode. Among the fine new offerings, Michael Zyrd examines hybrid as a political essay on the Vietnam war and Bruce Elder approaches Chambers surrealism through Dali's photographic realism. The five takes on The Hart of London, ranging from filmmaker Brakhage's to academic Bart Testa's, are insightful and eloquent. With an excellent annotated bibliography, this is a worthy addition to the Cinematheque Ontario Monograph series. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. M. Yacowar, University of Calgary, 2003jul CHOICE

Author Information

Kathryn Elder is film and video librarian at York University, Toronto, and editor of The Films of Joyce Wieland, also published by Cinematheque Ontario.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available