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Doors 6:30pm / Film 7pm
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Marjorie Keller was one of the most significant figures in late 20th century American experimental film. A profoundly original artist, scholar, teacher and advocate, Keller was staunchly feminist without limiting herself to that movement’s ideological orthodoxies. Fiercely independent, her work was sharply critical of the customary role women were relegated to in patriarchal society, even as she embraced aspects of traditional family life. Keller cherished the mostly male history of avant-garde filmmaking, but she was one of the foremost advocates for women film artists throughout her life. When she died at age 43 in 1994, Keller had already produced twenty-seven 8mm and 16mm films. They were remarkable for their thematic and poetical complexity and by investigating her domestic life as a woman for their starting point. Her expressive cinematography and intricate montage were sensual, emotional and intellectually challenging, and while she was clearly influenced by such predecessors as Marie Menken, Stan Brakhage and Saul Levine, Keller's cinematic voice was distinctly her own from beginning with her first film.

In conjunction with the publication of a new book on Keller's work, In the Absence of Marjorie Keller, edited by Robin Blaetz and Scott Hammen, two programs of her films, spanning twenty-four years, will be presented by Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive and San Francisco Cinematheque. Each one focuses on Keller's interest in private life—perceiving daily events as occasions for inquiry and critique. (Steve Anker)

Program curated and introduced by Steve Anker.

SCREENING: Turtle (1972); 8mm screened as digital video, color, silent, 3 minutes; exhibition file from the Film-Makers’ Cooperative. She/Va (1973), 8mm screened as digital video, color, silent, 3 minutes; exhibition file from the Film-Makers’ Cooperative. Misconception (1977); Super-8mm screened as digital video, color, sound, 43 minutes; exhibition file from the Film-Makers’ Cooperative. Ancient Parts/Foreign Parts (1979); 16mm screened as digital video, b&w, silent, 6 minutes; exhibition file from the Film-Makers’ Cooperative. Six Windows (1979), 16mm, color, silent, 7 minutes; print from Anthology Film Archives.

This screening is presented by San Francisco Cinematheque. Full details and curatorial statement here.

SFC link: https://www.sfcinematheque.org/screening/marjorie-keller-intimate-observer/