Torossian’s latest film marks a leap forward, and that’s saying a lot for a filmmaker who’s been releasing brilliant splashes of handmade abstraction into the world for the past two years. “Drowning in Flames” uses an astounding palette of image processing techniques to address the artistic process in both subject and form.
Filter Films
-
Comprised of ten one-minute films, shot at ecological sites in Italy, Switzerland and France, “Bouquets 11-20”, continues the work begun with the series “Bouquets 1-10” and “21-30.” Each bouquet of flowers is also a bouquet of film frames, woven together using in-camera techniques. “Bouquets 11-20”, filmed in Italy, Switzerland and France, was delayed by the weather and a series of related technical/aesthetic incidents. The ten little films (1 minute or 1440 frames each, with the exception of 23 frames or nearly a second more for n°16), continue the work begun with the series “Bouquets 1-10” and “21-30.” This consists of weaving together in-camera visual aspects of the filmed reality in order to bring into existence specific features of the cinematographic image, hopefully placing us on a boundary outside the traditional rôles of description or abstraction. Content-wise the graphic-aesthetic procès is related to social/economical politics and philosophy. Nearly every civilization disappeared due to mayor environmental issues and we are, in heading in that direction, repeating history. (R.L.) 10 Bouquets, each one minute long, all filmed at ecological sites. BOUQUET 11 – Oasis de la Roche Bleue, near Plaisans, Drôme BOUQUET 12 – Farm de la Mhotte, Saint Menoux, Allier BOUQUET 13 – Site agroécologique de la Baraque, Aujac, Gard BOUQUET 14 – Le Vieil Eclis, Asserac, Loire-Atlantique BOUQUET 15 – Azienda Agricola Cascina Piola, Serra-Capriglio, Asti, Nord Monferrato, Piedmonte, Italy BOUQUET 16 – Silvai Confiture (jam), Haute Bléone, Prads, Basses-Alpes BOUQUET 17 – Hôtel –Pension Beau-Site (Label écologique européen), Chemin sur Martigny, Switzerland BOUQUET 18 – Farm de Crozefond, Saint Aubin, Lot et Garonne BOUQUET 19 – Les Jardins du Marais, Parc Naturel Régional de Brière, Hoscas, Loire Atlantique BOUQUET 20 – Site agroécologique de la Baraque, Aujac, Gard
Bouquets 11-20
-
In post-Katrina New Orleans, street hustler Red sells carnations to support himself and his disabled lover, Sal. Living in a crowded halfway house, Red struggles to earn enough money to get Sal and himself a little place where they can be together. One fateful night Red is forced to weigh his desire for a home of his own against the realities of urban life.
Price of Flowers, The
-
Old age is no barrier to wishful thinking; in fact it may be the time we can indulge in our most provocative fantasies. Madame Spinoza and Dr. Ramsbottom, denizens of an old age home and confined to their wheelchairs, are off on their wildest travels to seek the fountain of youth. Along the way they are assisted by memories of the past and resisted by the future of flaming youth. The vision ends with their nightly medication. Also available on the DVD compilation “James MacSwain Retrospective.”
Fountain of Youth, The
-
“The mother figure revisited – a recurring theme in my work. A celluloid deterioration that addresses the ephemeral quality of the captured moment (the present) while revealing the insistent power of human presence in even the most deteriorated of states. The image of the mother is like a ghost that we won’t let go. A lament for the inevitable loss of legibility. “ – Louise Bourque
Remains
-
“A statue of the Madonna from a shrine in the house where I grew up takes on an uncanny appearance as if in response to an incantation (an oft-recited prayer from my childhood).” – Louise Bourque
Visitation, The
-
When gunshots ring out at school, library geek Alex finds herself hiding with popular girl Ruby, Alex’s secret crush. Will Alex find the courage to reveal her true desire amid the overwhelming fear and confusion?
Under Pressure
-
Fragmented memories are recaptured on Super 8 film when Diego visits New York City for the first time, intent upon coming to terms with the love he lost years earlier.
Away
-
A skinny, naive go go dancer meets with unexpected rejection when he attempts to fulfill his childhood “Flashdance” fantasy.
Go Go Reject
-
Jamie is an African-American teenager grappling with his sexual identity on the night Barrack Obama is elected president and Proposition 8 – the voter initiative to eliminate same-sex marriage – is passed. When one of his gang initiates the bullying of an openly gay classmate, Jamie uses his wits to try and prevent it, but when things don’t go the way he predicted, he is forced to face his fears head on. Winner Audience Award, Inside Out LGBT Film & Video Festival (Toronto)
Change
