Constantly In Motion
A medley of German experimental films and videos
Ershad Kamol
Since the beginning of cinematography, the history of experimental films has evolved as a subdivision of the history of cinema. The works of experimental cinema have, however, made an important contribution to the development of cinema as a separate art form, to the language of the cinema and to film aesthetics. The motivation and intentions of experimental films, however, are not always clearly evident. An experimental film or an artistic video, comparable to a painting or a piece of music, can convey meaning and reveal itself just through the impression it makes. The decade 1994-2004 is remarkable in German filmdom in the sense that a lot of experimental films have been made in this period by talented young directors. The Goethe Institut Bangladesh in co-operation with Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) has arranged an experimental German film screening session titled 'Constantly in Motion' at Goethe Institut auditorium. Over 30 experimental films will be screened in the four-day programme, which began on January 15. The film series, 'Constantly in Motion', is one of a kind of short films and video works of the development in the last 10 years of experimental film works in Germany. On the reason behind arranging the festival, the officials of Goethe Institut asserted that this session of films has traveled many countries of the world to introduce the experimental works. Moreover, the session will inspire a dialogue and strike a chord of the spirit of the times. Imran Firdous of Dhaka University Film Society pointed out that the film screening session will enrich the independent filmmakers in Bangladesh and critics as well as introduce them to concepts such as avant garde, surrealism and dadaism. Added Firdous, "The duration of the movies in the session varies from 56 seconds to 48 minutes. So clearly it indicates that it's not the duration rather the cinematography which is the most important aspect of cinema." The screening of films will be accompanied with a discussion by local independent film experts.
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