Underground Film Journal

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Pacific Film Archive: Four by Nathaniel Dorsky

By Mike Everleth ⋅ February 21, 2010

Entrance to the Pacific Film Archive

Feb. 23
7:30 p.m.
Pacific Film Archive
2575 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94720

Hosted by: Pacific Film Archive

San Francisco experimental filmmaker Nathaniel Dorsky will screen four of his films, including two world premieres that mark a significant shift in his career. Dorsky will be in attendance at the screening to discuss the films and the change he’s been forced to make.

Compline (2009) is the last film Dorsky will ever make using Kodachrome film stock, which the filmmaker notes he’s been using since he was ten years old. Invented by Leopold Godowsky Jr. and Leopold Mannes, Kodachrome was first used for 16mm film in 1935, but Kodak discontinued the product in 2009 due to poor sales thanks to the rise of digital filmmaking and photography.

Therefore, Aubade (2010) is Dorsky’s first film shot on color negative. Dorsky notes, “In some sense, it is a new beginning for me.”

The other two films being screened, Sarabande and Winter, were both produced in 2008.

If you want to read more on Dorsky, the underground film website Making Light of It has compiled an excellent set of links to interviews, appreciations and other articles, plus a complete filmography.

Sarabande (2008, 15 mins, PFA Collection).
Winter (2008, 21.5 mins, PFA Collection).
Compline (2009, 18.5 mins, From the artist).
Aubade (2010, 11.5 mins, From the artist).