experimental movies in hollywood

Top 25 Experimental Films

2. In the Mood for Love

3. Un chien andalou

5. The Seventh Seal

6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

8. Upstream Color

9. The Turin Horse

10. The Lighthouse

11. Open Your Eyes

12. Rashomon

13. Enter the Void

14. Irreversible

15. Timecrimes

18. Possession

21. Ex Drummer

22. Stalker

23. The Lobster

24. Russian Ark

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The 30+ Best Experimental Movies

Welcome to the captivating realm of films that challenge conventions, play with form and substance, and provoke discussion. Our expertly-curated Ranker list serves as your guide to the best controversial experimental films that captivated the audience and redefined cinematic storytelling. Wielded by visionary directors, these films push the boundaries, disrupt common tropes, and invoke powerful reactions. 

Rooted in an experimental and provocative ethos, these films are loaded with unique narrative styles, expressive visual language, and characters that defy the mainstream cinema. From surreal dreamscapes to disquieting realities, the chosen films encapsulate a wide range of topics and themes, making this a versatile list that caters to diverse tastes. 

Compare films and dive into the nuances by leveraging our user-friendly interface. Learn about each film's vivid descriptions, key cast members, and notable facts. Enrich your movie watching experience and engage in enlightening conversations as you explore the world of controversial experimental cinema.

Gain instant access to your preferred films with our integrated streaming service buttons. Whether you are a subscriber of Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, or Amazon Prime, our website offers seamless navigation to your streaming platform of choice. Each film entry harbors clickable buttons redirecting to the movie on the above-mentioned platforms, ready to be streamed at your convenience.

Revel in the rich diversity this list offers, from psychological dramas to outlandish horror, each film's distinct style and daring narrative brings something new to the table. Connect with the Ranker community, gather insights, and join the ongoing debate on these ground-breaking films. 

Our Ranker list stands as a testament to cinema's transformative power. Unveiling stories that stay with the audience, these controversial experimental films beckon to the curious and the adventurous. Join others in discovering unexplored cinematic territory and find your next watching experience here on Ranker. Delve deeper, explore further, and embrace the power of experimental films.

Seven Servants

Seven Servants is a masterclass in experimental cinema that effortlessly melds together unconventional storytelling techniques with striking visual aesthetics to create an unparalleled viewing experience. The film's intricate story structure challenges traditional notions of linear storytelling, taking viewers on an immersive journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Its breathtaking cinematography further accentuates the captivating atmosphere created by this remarkable piece of artistry. Combining these elements with thought-provoking themes exploring power dynamics and human relationships, Seven Servants truly transcends cinematic norms to stand as an extraordinary example of innovative filmmaking.

• Released : 1996
• Directed by : Daryush Shokof

Flushers is an avant-garde masterpiece that skillfully pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling and filmmaking techniques. This experimental gem showcases a bold vision, utilizing daring themes and innovative visual styles to challenge viewers' perception of cinema. With its striking imagery and unconventional story structure, Flushers takes audiences on a surreal journey through uncharted territories, constantly defying expectations while leaving an indelible mark on the world of film. The groundbreaking directorial approach ensures that this enigmatic work stands as a testament to the limitless potential for artistic expression within the medium.

• Released : 2013

Breathful is an enthralling tour de force in experimental cinema that successfully marries exceptional visual innovation with audacious thematic explorations. The film's distinct style lends itself to a hypnotic viewing experience, as viewers are drawn into the labyrinthine story that defies traditional expectations. The daring directorial choices and sublime cinematography create an unparalleled atmosphere of intrigue, ensuring that Breathful remains a fascinating example of boundary-pushing cinema. This artistic triumph is sure to captivate film aficionados and casual viewers alike with its unyielding ambition and visionary execution.

• Released : 2007

Asudem presents an intriguing amalgamation of visceral horror elements and provocative thematic underpinnings. This visionary piece redefines genre conventions by employing cutting-edge visual styles and story devices to create an immersive experience like no other. Through its evocative blend of nightmarish imagery, disturbing symbolism, and thoughtfully constructed plotlines, Asudem offers a startling exploration into the darkest recesses of human nature. With its unrelenting intensity and masterful filmmaking prowess, this standout work leaves a lasting impact on viewers long after the credits have rolled.

• Released : 2006

An Andalusian Dog

An Andalusian Dog remains an undisputed classic within the realm of experimental cinema, boasting an impressive legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers today. As one of the earliest examples of surrealist film, this groundbreaking masterpiece effortlessly blurs the lines between reality and fantasy through its dreamlike imagery and unconventional story structure. Its provocative themes exploring human desire, fear, and obsession are expertly woven throughout each frame, sustaining a palpable tension that leaves viewers enthralled long after their initial viewing experience has ended. Timeless in its avant-garde vision, An Andalusian Dog undeniably remains an essential piece within any cinephile's collection.

• Released : 1929
• Directed by : Luis Buñuel

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie stands tall as a groundbreaking entry in experimental cinema, thanks to its inventive blend of biting social commentary and surreal storytelling techniques. This acclaimed work showcases masterful craftsmanship in both its screenplay and visual presentation, resulting in an unforgettable cinematic journey that keeps viewers riveted from start to finish. With its subversive exploration of bourgeois society's hypocrisies and contradictions, this scathing satire delves deep into the human psyche while challenging long-held societal norms. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie undoubtedly serves as a shining example of experimental filmmaking at its finest.

• Released : 1972

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Top 10 Experimental Films to Watch Right Now

The experimental film genre goes back as far as film history takes us. One of the first experimental films was done by Thomas Edison’s assistant, William Dickson, on the kinetoscope called “Monkeyshines No. 1” around 1889 or 1890. In fact, you could say all early silent cinema was experimental as the filmmakers were literally figuring out how to use the camera and editing to tell a story or use it to express or explore dreamlike visual art.

Out of experimental film came many new offshoots of the genre. One of the more prominent ones was avant-garde, which usually has no conventional point to them and focuses on exploring innovative and creative issues such as time, fantasy, dreams, or perception. The German silent film classic, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is one of the more famous early examples of dreams or perception.

Today, the genre has given birth to other offshoots, such as cinematic poetry and the cinematic diary, akin to the works of the late great Jonas Mekas. Even the experimental documentary has been around longer than viewers realize; the city symphony films are an early example or, more recently, Guy Maddin’s “My Winnipeg.”

Pulling from experimental film history and more recent works, here are ten experimental films you should watch.

Related: 10 Sci-Fi Short Films That Will Give You The Creeps

10 “Un Chien Andileu” (1929)

This is many film students’ introduction to experimental film. The French title translates to “An Andalusian Dog” and has nothing to do with the film itself. Crafted by Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali, this silent surrealist journey uses dream logic to construct a non-narrative that is very Freudian in its design and meant to be shocking.

The film’s concept is actually a mix of two dreams that both the creators had—Dali’s hand covered in ants and Bunuel cutting an eye with a blade. When watched, the film invokes unease in that you are trying to make sense of a dream and can’t. Our brains try to find something relatable in the film and sometimes can’t. When we do feel some sort of connection, it’s a completely different interpretation, which is what the filmmakers wanted. They wanted to leave you thinking and trying to make sense of it. They know you can’t exactly be just like a piece of surreal art; it’s always up for debate without any true solution.

This is what makes “Un Chien Andileu” a must see for anyone interested in experimental film. [1]

9 “The Life and Death of 9413: A Hollywood Extra” (1928)

This film is a silent-film hidden gem. The film was made for $97 in 1928, and in American avant-garde cinema is considered one of the early pillars in the genre.

It centers on an actor who makes his way to Hollywood hoping to hit the big time, only to be dehumanized by studios, landing the role of a simple extra. They even write 9413 on his head, making him just a number in their system.

What makes the film so unique is how they leaned into their budget with a lack of resources and visually gave Hollywood this surreal emptiness, something that people from the outside had not seen before depicted. The use of German expressionist lighting, superimposition, twisting shapes, and disorienting angles really makes the film memorable as it visually shows the actor’s descent into madness and death caused by the demeaning dark side of Hollywood. [2]

8 “Manhatta” (1921)

This film is considered to be the true first American avant-garde film by many. “Manhatta” was a collaboration between painter Charles Sheeler and photographer Paul Strand. The non-narrative documentary is a visual poem that is simply exploring two things. First, it provided an abstract view of the city through carefully set up visual compositions. The second one is actually how the camera is used. This is done by experimenting with photography, film, minimalistic camera movement, and incidental motion in each film frame by exploring their relationships with each other.

Being a silent-era film, it does use intertitles, but unlike most films, it uses a Walt Whitman poem instead of dialogue or scene explanations. [3]

7 “From Afar” (2020)

An absolutely beautiful short film that will only take two minutes of your time. This is part of the cinematic poetry genre I mentioned earlier. Its simplicity and use of editing make it an experience that lingers.

Much like “The Life and Death of 9413: A Hollywood Extra,” filmmaker and poet Andrei Purcarea uses what he has to his advantage to visually push the poem along. Many of the shots don’t have anything to do with what’s being said exactly when you watch, but at the same time, you get this feeling of understanding.

However, unlike “The Life and Death of 9413,” this film doesn’t have fast cuts or superimpositions. In fact, the editing and pacing are more akin to “Manhatta,” visually telling us a story to go along with the poem. Is this whole film really about a ship, or is it more about something in life that represents a ship we missed and can’t see anymore? What did the characters miss? Who did they miss? The use of the lone red chair and the mirror on this beach looking out at sea…very existential. Very experimental. Very moving. [4]

6 “Catharsis” (2018)

This short film beautifully uses the experimental style to invoke emotion as we journey into the subject’s mind. It is a surreal reminder that we may not know what someone is going through, even if they seem calm on the outside. This film by Naleeka Dennis follows Marsha as she struggles to cope with the loss of her beloved by attempting to live in a fantasy world. But she must eventually deal with her grief.

The ending shot especially hammers this home as the world seems very eerie around her now. It was the same before we dove into her mind, but knowing what she is dealing with really changes your perspective. [5]

5 “Until There Was Nothing” (2020)

This wonderful short was released last year and really takes on a fantastic premise—standing on Earth in its final moments as it enters a black hole. Created by Paul Trillo, the images at first seem beautiful but suddenly change as they stretch toward the sky. While it may seem like a bleak film at first, Trillo notes, “Someday this will pass and there will be nothing left… That’s not something to fear ‘because we come from nothing’ as Alan Watts puts it… and from nothing comes something new.”

The surreal visuals caused by intense gravitational forces with the use of philosopher Alan Watt’s talking about the meaning of nothingness really gives the film a much deeper feel. [6]

4 “Stellar” (1993)

Stan Brakhage is the perfect mix of artist and filmmaker. With 380 films to his credit, it’s hard to choose which one to even pick. Brakhage’s work is unique and can be best described as live paintings. Meaning that he would paint or scratch or do something on each frame and then project it. The results were really mind-blowing. “Stellar” stands out to me as it feels like something that could’ve been used in early sci-fi films like 2001: A Space Odyssey or TV shows like the original Star Trek .

The last few frames are particularly surprising as a strange picture appears amongst the starry images. Like all art, “Stellar” is whatever you perceive it to be. For me, its a journey through space and the birth of the universes, with the first creature in the universe coming into being at the end. See how you interpret it. [7]

3 “Night Mayor” (2009)

A fantastic gem of a film. Guy Maddin’s visuals harken back to early silent film while giving a touch of modernity by filming on newer formats that even include VHS. Yet it’s his use of lighting, old-school tricks, and editing that really helps give this film its surreal aspect. Like we are watching a dream.

“Night Mayor” is a visual journey into the mind of a Bosnian immigrant, Nihad Ademi, who thinks he has discovered a way to harness the power of the Aurora Borealis in order to broadcast imagery from coast to coast. [8]

An absolute must-see short film!

2 “Light Is Calling” (2004)

Bill Morrison is an amazing filmmaker. He is unique in that he helps bring forgotten or close to decaying films back to life as experimental cinema. I highly suggest his film Decasia (2002) and Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016).

“Light Is Calling” is a short he did in 2004 in which he takes decaying nitrate film from 1926 titled “The Bells” and gives it new life.

After having the film optically reprinted, it is edited into a new format to go along with a 7-minute composition by Michael Gordon. IMDb describes the film best as a “meditation on the fleeting nature of life and love, as seen through the roiling emulsion of film.” [9]

A magnificent decaying dream.

1 “Meshes of the Afternoon” (1943)

Maya Deren was a jack of all trades. She was a dancer, choreographer, film theorist, poet, photographer, avant-garde promoter, and experimental filmmaker.

Deren believed that film should be an experience. “Meshes of the Afternoon” is definitely that—and a very important experimental piece. The film is considered one of the most influential experimental films in the history of American cinema.

The film is essentially a dream. Using dreamlike logic to create a unique experience for the viewer, it follows a female character who falls asleep after returning home. Her vivid dreams draw us in as her darker inner desires play out before our eyes. It’s actually hard to distinguish reality from the dream, but that is the point. She involves you mentally. [10]

A very influential piece on many filmmakers, including the works of David Lynch.

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The Top 50 Avant-garde / Experimental Movies of All Time

Rank This Chart

Persona https://www.flickchart.com/movie/51477FA9A2 1966 , 85 min.

Ingmar Bergman   •    Starring: Bibi Andersson ,  Liv Ullmann ,  Margareta Krook

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Foreign Language Film

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Woman in the Dunes https://www.flickchart.com/movie/64B8483026 1964 , 123 min.

Hiroshi Teshigahara   •    Starring: Eiji Okada ,  Kyoko Kishida ,  Hiroko Ito

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-20th-Century-Literature    •    Drama

The Mirror https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5AF38E0152 1975 , 106 min.

Andrei Tarkovsky   •    Starring: Margarita Terekhova ,  Oleg Yankovskiy ,  Filipp Yankovsky

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-a-True-Story    •    Biopic

The Holy Mountain https://www.flickchart.com/movie/BE984A7F57 1973 , 114 min.

Alejandro Jodorowsky   •    Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky ,  Horacio Salinas ,  Zamira Saunders

Adventure    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Media Satire

Last Year at Marienbad https://www.flickchart.com/movie/441EAFCC25 1961 , 94 min.

Alain Resnais   •    Starring: Delphine Seyrig ,  Giorgio Albertazzi ,  Sacha Pitoeff

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie https://www.flickchart.com/movie/15A7167D59 1972 , 102 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Fernando Rey ,  Jean-Pierre Cassel ,  Stéphane Audran

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Black Comedy    •    Comedy

Pierrot le fou https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9E50B9C505 1965 , 110 min.

Jean-Luc Godard   •    Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo ,  Anna Karina ,  Graziella Galvani

My Life to Live https://www.flickchart.com/movie/141B741C6D 1962 , 85 min.

Jean-Luc Godard   •    Starring: Anna Karina ,  Guylaine Schlumberger ,  Eric Schlumberger

Man with a Movie Camera https://www.flickchart.com/movie/63B3024A94 1929 , 68 min.

Dziga Vertov   •    Starring: Mikhail Kaufman

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    City Symphony film    •    Culture and Society

F for Fake https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C9F96645FE 1973 , 85 min.

Orson Welles   •    Starring: Joseph Cotten ,  Richard Wilson ,  Orson Welles

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Biography    •    Con Artist / Hustler

Possession https://www.flickchart.com/movie/044AF02050 1981 , 123 min.

Andrzej Zulawski   •    Starring: Isabelle Adjani ,  Sam Neill ,  Margit Carstensen

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Horror

La jetée https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8A66EDB3DF 1962 , 28 min.

Chris Marker   •    Starring: Jean Négroni ,  Hélène Chatelain ,  Davos Hanich

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film    •    French New Wave

Eraserhead https://www.flickchart.com/movie/185269423E 1977 , 89 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Jack Nance ,  Jeanne Bates ,  Judith Anna Roberts

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Body Horror    •    Dystopian Film

House https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E24174DEBB 1977 , 88 min.

Nobuhiko Ôbayashi   •    Starring: Kimiko Ikegami ,  Kumiko Ohba ,  Yôko Minamida

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Comedy    •    Fantasy Comedy

El Topo https://www.flickchart.com/movie/F83F7F7114 1970 , 125 min.

Alejandro Jodorowsky   •    Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky ,  Alfonso Arau ,  Brontis Jodorowsky

Adventure    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas https://www.flickchart.com/movie/BA1CE92A58 1998 , 118 min.

Terry Gilliam   •    Starring: Johnny Depp ,  Benicio Del Toro ,  Tobey Maguire

Absurd Comedy    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-20th-Century-Literature

Koyaanisqatsi https://www.flickchart.com/movie/258F656841 1982 , 86 min.

Godfrey Reggio

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Culture and Society    •    Documentary

Mulholland Dr. https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C35401EBF0 2001 , 147 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Naomi Watts ,  Laura Harring ,  Ann Miller

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Mindbender

Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles https://www.flickchart.com/movie/EDA0904CC2 1975 , 201 min.

Chantal Akerman   •    Starring: Delphine Seyrig ,  Jan Decorte ,  Henri Storck

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Female-Directed Film

Un Chien Andalou https://www.flickchart.com/movie/706EEDB109 1929 , 16 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Pierre Batcheff ,  Simone Mareuil ,  Luis Buñuel

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Mindbender    •    Satire

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9FE579D217 1992 , 135 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Sheryl Lee ,  Chris Isaak ,  Ray Wise

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-Television    •    Mystery

Naked Lunch https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D690D04666 1991 , 115 min.

David Cronenberg   •    Starring: Peter Weller ,  Judy Davis ,  Ian Holm

Addiction Drama    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-20th-Century-Literature

Baraka https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D75B5A56E8 1992 , 96 min.

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Documentary

Santa Sangre https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2132D85083 1989 , 123 min.

Alejandro Jodorowsky   •    Starring: Axel Jodorowsky ,  Blanca Guerra ,  Guy Stockwell

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Fantasy

Enter the Void https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8D79E68AA0 2009 , 136 min.

Gaspar Noé   •    Starring: Paz de la Huerta ,  Nathaniel Brown ,  Cyril Roy

Meshes of the Afternoon https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8F00E91577 1943 , 14 min.

Maya Deren, Alexander Hammid   •    Starring: Maya Deren ,  Alexander Hammid

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Fantasy    •    Female-Directed Film

Daisies https://www.flickchart.com/movie/44BF48CA9B 1966 , 74 min.

Vera Chytilová   •    Starring: Ivana Karbanová ,  Jitka Cerhová ,  Julius Albert

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Black Comedy    •    Comedy Drama

Sans Soleil https://www.flickchart.com/movie/4CFB2B8A65 1983 , 100 min.

Chris Marker   •    Starring: Florence Delay ,  Arielle Dombasle ,  Riyoko Ikeda

Inland Empire https://www.flickchart.com/movie/83BDDB87AE 2006 , 180 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Harry Dean Stanton ,  Laura Dern ,  Justin Theroux

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Ensemble Film    •    Mindbender

Waltz with Bashir https://www.flickchart.com/movie/1EBFC9EFB0 2008 , 90 min.

Ari Folman   •    Starring: Ron Ben-Yishai ,  Ronny Dayag ,  Ari Folman

Animation    •    Anti-War Film    •    Avant-garde / Experimental

Week End https://www.flickchart.com/movie/0423946FDF 1967 , 105 min.

Jean-Luc Godard   •    Starring: Jean Yanne ,  Jean-Pierre Kalfon ,  Yves Afonso

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Black Comedy    •    Cannibal Film

Pi https://www.flickchart.com/movie/87C82D2CC5 1998 , 84 min.

Darren Aronofsky   •    Starring: Sean Gullette ,  Mark Margolis ,  Ben Shenkman

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Mindbender    •    Psychological Thriller

Waking Life https://www.flickchart.com/movie/53143C0A99 2001 , 99 min.

Richard Linklater   •    Starring: Wiley Wiggins ,  Kim Krizan ,  Ethan Hawke

Animation    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama

I Am Cuba https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D51F42CA2A 1964 , 141 min.

Mikhail Kalatozov   •    Starring: Salvador Wood ,  Sergio Corrieri ,  José Gallardo

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Epic

Holy Motors https://www.flickchart.com/movie/07D7EDAD1C 2012 , 115 min.

Leos Carax   •    Starring: Denis Lavant ,  Edith Scob ,  Kylie Minogue

The Phantom of Liberty https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3F7F41A6CA 1974 , 104 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Adolfo Celi ,  Adriana Asti ,  Julien Bertheau

Celine and Julie Go Boating https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2582D8E1CE 1974 , 193 min.

Jacques Rivette   •    Starring: Juliet Berto ,  Dominique Labourier ,  Bulle Ogier

L'Age d'Or https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E221B053AD 1930 , 60 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Gaston Modot ,  Lya Lys

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Comedy    •    Drama

The Blood of a Poet https://www.flickchart.com/movie/4EDCF5BA0F 1932 , 55 min.

Jean Cocteau   •    Starring: Enrique Rivero ,  Elizabeth Lee Miller ,  Pauline Carton

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Fantasy    •    Foreign Language Film

Twin Peaks: The Return https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5E60BF025F 2017 , 1080 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Kyle MacLachlan ,  David Lynch ,  Naomi Watts

Absurd Comedy    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Crime Drama

Dogville https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8B20DD452D 2003 , 178 min.

Lars von Trier   •    Starring: John Hurt ,  Philip Baker Hall ,  Nicole Kidman

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Melodrama

Alice https://www.flickchart.com/movie/34A2DAFAE9 1988 , 86 min.

Jan Svankmajer   •    Starring: Kristyna Kohoutova

Adventure    •    Animation    •    Avant-garde / Experimental

Performance https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C86C15F887 1970 , 105 min.

Donald Cammell, Nicolas Roeg   •    Starring: James Fox ,  Mick Jagger ,  Anita Pallenberg

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Crime Drama    •    Crime

Tetsuo, the Iron Man https://www.flickchart.com/movie/4E50AFC392 1989 , 67 min.

Shinya Tsukamoto   •    Starring: Tomorowo Taguchi ,  Kei Fujiwara ,  Nobu Kanaoka

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Body Horror    •    Cyberpunk / Tech Noir

Mother! https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3E7F4BCE19 2017 , 121 min.

Darren Aronofsky   •    Starring: Jennifer Lawrence ,  Javier Bardem ,  Ed Harris

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Home Invasion Film

Russian Ark https://www.flickchart.com/movie/DC014A8D16 2002 , 99 min.

Aleksandr Sokurov   •    Starring: Sergei Dontsov ,  Mariya Kuznetsova ,  Leonid Mozgovoy

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film

Gummo https://www.flickchart.com/movie/74AD1C7DAF 1997 , 89 min.

Harmony Korine   •    Starring: Jacob Reynolds ,  Jacob Sewell ,  Nick Sutton

The Color of Pomegranates https://www.flickchart.com/movie/470A9949DD 1968 , 79 min.

Sergei Parajanov   •    Starring: Sofiko Chiaureli ,  Melkon Aleksanyan ,  Vilen Galstyan

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film    •    Period Film

A Page of Madness https://www.flickchart.com/movie/A8FAC211D5 1926 , 78 min.

Teinosuke Kinugasa   •    Starring: Masuo Inoue ,  Yoshie Nakagawa ,  Ayako Iijima

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Psychological Drama

Berlin: Symphony of a Great City https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3E16DE4D15 1927 , 65 min.

Walter Ruttmann

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    City Symphony film    •    Documentary

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50 Avant Garde And Experimental Films Gallery: From ‘Meshes Of The Afternoon’, ‘The Holy Mountain’, ‘Scorpio Rising’ To ‘The Lighthouse’ & More

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Since the creation of the camera and the dawn of cinema, film has been one long experiment. Experimental film has often been defined through its rejection of traditional storytelling and structure, its defiance of logic or reason while creating mesmerizing scenes through dreamlike abstraction and subjective narrative.

A key figure in the early history of experimental film was the French filmmaker Georges Méliès. In the late 1890s and early 1900s, Méliès was one of the first filmmakers to use special effects and trick photography to create fantastical and surreal images on the screen. His films, such as A Trip to the Moon and The Impossible Voyage , were some of the first examples of what would later be called experimental film. Another important trailblazer during the silent era was female director Lois Weber who is credited in creating an estimated 200 to 400 films. She was credited with pioneering the use of the split screen technique to portray simultaneous action in her 1913 film Suspense .

The 1920s and 30s saw the development of experimental film with the rise of surrealism and the Dada movement with artists Man Ray, Salvador Dali, Marcel Duchamp, Robert Florey who pioneered the boundaries and medium of creative short film.

Director Maya Deren would lead the movement into the ’40s with her groundbreaking short Meshes of the Afternoon . She abandoned surrealism and instead focused on using multiple exposures and superimposition in her work creating striking imagery.

Underground cult directors Jack Smith, Kenneth Anger, Steven Arnold James Bidgood ( Pink Narcissus , 1971) and Wakefield Poole all created visual imagery of transgressive sexuality that have become artifacts of queer cinema. Anger would blaze the trail with his legendary films Rabbit’s Moon (1950); Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) and Scorpio Rising (1963).

Jonas Mekas, one of the most important figures in avant-garde film, was part of the underground movement in the ’60s pushing the boundaries of censorship (and legality) with his films The Brig (1963), Lost Lost Lost (1975) Gun of the Trees (1962). Of course, in France, director Jean-Luc Godard helped popularize the French New Wave with Breathless (1960).

The decade also saw a new wave of Black directors contributing to the medium. Edward Owens’ critically-acclaimed 1966 short film Private Imaginings and Narrative Facts opened the space for Black filmmakers and led the wave of emerging talents contributing to the medium in the ’70s. This included Charles Burnett with his 1978 film Killer of Sheep and Barbara McCullough with Still from Water Ritual #1: An Urban Rite of Purification .

Filmmakers have continued to push the boundaries of cinema with modern masterpieces in recent years such as Béla Tarr Ágnes Hranitzky’s The Turin Horse ; The Lobster directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and Enter The Void by Gaspar Noé.

Scroll down to take a trip through the history of experimental cinema from its inception to the films that carry the transgressive torch today.

THE LIGHTHOUSE, 2019

Dir. Robert Eggers, starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.

THE WOLF HOUSE, (aka LA CASA LOBO), 2018

Dir. Joaquín Cociña and Cristóbal León, featuring Amalia Kassai(voice), Rainer Krause(voice) and Karina Hyland.  

THE LOBSTER, 2015

Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz.

THE TURIN HORSE, (aka A TORINOI LO), 2011

Dir. Béla Tarr Ágnes Hranitzky(co-director), starring Erika Bok, János Derzsi and Mihály Kormos.

ENTER THE VOID, (aka SOUDAIN LE VIDE), 2009

Dir. Gaspar Noé, starring Nathaniel Brown, Paz de la Huerta and Cyril Roy.  

RUSSIAN ARK, 2002

Dir. Aleksandr Sokurov, starring Sergey Dreyden, Mariya Kuznetsova and Leonid Mozgovoy.

GUMMO, 1997

Dir. Harmony Korine, starring Jacob Sewell, Nick Sutton, Lara Tosh and Chloë Sevigny.

THE WATERMELON WOMAN, 1996

Dir. starring Cheryl Dunye, Valarie Walker and Guinevere Turner.

CHRONOS, 1985

Dir. Ron Fricke

KOYAANISQATSI, 1983

Dir. Godfrey Reggio

STALKER, 1979

Dir. Andrei Tarkovsky, starring Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy and Nikolay Grinko.

WATER RITUAL #1: AN URBAN RITE OF PURIFICATION, 1979

Dir. Barbara McCullough

KILLER OF SHEEP, 1978

Dir. Charles Burnett starring Henry G. Sanders amd Kaycee Moore.

HOUSE, (aka HAUSU), 1977

Dir. Nobuhiko Ôbayashi, starring Miki Jinbo, Kimiko Ikegami and Kumiko Ôba.

ERASERHEAD, 1976

Dir. David Lynch, starring Jack Nance.

THE MIRROR, (aka ZERKALO), 1975

Dir. Andrei Tarkovsky, starring Margarita Terekhova, Filipp Yankovskiy and Ignat Daniltsev.

JEANNE DIELMAN, 23 QUAI DU COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES, 1975

Dir. Chantal Akerman, starring Delphine Seyrig, Jan Decorte and Henri Storck.  

THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, (aka LA MONTANA SAGRADA), 1973

Dir. Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Horacio Salinas and Zamira Saunders.

THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, (aka LE CHARME DISCRET DE LA BOURGEOISIE), 1972

Dir. Luis Buñuel, starring Delphine Seyrig, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Bulle Ogier, Milena Vukotic, Paul Frankeur, Stephane Audran and Fernando Rey.

PINK NARCISSUS, 1971

Dir. James Bidgood,  starring Bobby Kendall and Don Brooks.

LUMINOUS PROCURESS, 1971

Dir. Steven Arnold, starring Pandora, Steve Solberg and Ronald Farrell.  

EL TOPO, 1970

Dir. Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky and José Legarreta.

VALERIE AND HER WEEK OF WONDERS (aka VALERIE A TYDEN DIVU), 1970

Dir. Jaromil Jires, starring Jaroslava Schallerova, Helena Anýzová and Petr Kopriva.

THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES (SAYAT NOVA), 1969

Dir. Sergei Parajanov, starring Sofiko Chiaureli, Melkon Alekyan and Vilen Galstyan.

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, 1968

Dir. Stanley Kubrick, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood and William Sylvester.

WAVELENGTH, 1967

Dir. Michael Snow, features Hollis Frampton, Lyne Grossman and Naoto Nakazawa.

PERSONA, 1966

Dir. Ingmar Bergman, starring Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson.

PRIVATE IMAGINGS AND NARRATIVE FACTS, 1966

Dir. Edward Owens

THE CHELSEA GIRLS, 1966

Dir. Andy Warhol, starring Brigid Berlin, Randy Borscheidt and Christian Päffgen.  

DAISIES, (aka SEDMIKRASKY), 1966

Dir. Vera Chytilová, starring Jitka Cerhova and Ivana Karbonova.

I AM CUBA (aka SOY CUBA/YA KUBA), 1964

dir. Mikhail Kalatozov, starring Luz Maria Collazo, Sergio Corrieri, Salvador Wood and José Gallardo.  

SCORPIO RISING, 1963

Dir. Kenneth Anger, starring Ernie Allo, Bruce Byron and Frank Carifi.

8 1/2, 1963

Dir. Federico Fellini, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anouk Aimée and Claudia Cardinale.

LA JETEE, 1962

Dir. Chris Marker, starring Jacques Ledoux, Étienne Becker, Jean Négroni(voice) and Hélène Chatelain.

LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD, (aka L’ANNEE DERNIERE A MARIENBAD), Delphine Seyrig, Giorgio Albertazzi, 1961

Dir. Alain Resnais, starring Delphine Seyrig and Giorgio Albertazzi.

GUNS OF THE TREES, 1961

Dir. Jonas Mekas starring Ben Carruthers, Argus Speare Julliard, Adolfas Mekas, Frances Stillman and Ben Carruthers.

BREATHLESS, 1960

Dir. Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg and Daniel Boulanger.

THE SEVENTH SEAL, 1957

Dir. Ingmar Bergman, starring Bengt Ekerot, Max von Sydow and Gunnar Björnstrand.

RASHOMON, 1950

Dir. Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshiro Mifune and Machiko Kyo.

INAUGURATION OF THE PLEASURE DOME, 1954

Di. Kenneth Anger, starring Samson De Brier, Marjorie Cameron and Joan Whitney.

MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON, 1943

Dir. Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid, starring Maya Deren.

RAINBOW DANCE, 1936

Dir. Len Lye starring Rupert Doone.

THE BLOOD OF A POET, (aka LE SANG D’UN POETE), 1930

Dir. Jean Cocteau, starring, Enrique Rivero, Elizabeth Lee Miller and Pauline Carton.

THE MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA, 1929

Dir. Dziga Vertov, starring Mikhail Kaufman and Elizaveta Svilova.

UN CHIEN ANDALOU, (ANDALUSIAN DOG), 1929

Dir. Luis Buñuel, written by Salvador Dalí and starring Pierre Batcheff, Simone Mareuil and Luis Buñuel.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF 9413 — A HOLLYWOOD EXTRA, 1928

Dir. Robert Florey and Slavko Vorkapich, starring Jules Raucourt, Voya George and Robert Florey.

ENTR’ACTE, 1924

Dir. René Clair, starring Jean Börlin, Inge Frïss and Francis Picabi.

RETURN TO REASON (Le Retour à la raison), 1923

Dir. Man Ray, starring Kiki of Montparnasse

SUSPENSE, 1913

Dir. Lois Weber, starring Lois Weber, Val Paul and Douglas Gerrard.

A TRIP TO THE MOON, 1902

Dir. Georges Méliès featuring Georges Méliès, Victor André and Bleuette Bernon.

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What are the Best Experimental Films of All Time?

It's time to check out the other side of filmmaking..

Endless Poetry by Jodorowsky

Sometimes I get so caught up in narrative cinema that I forget there's a whole realm of artists out there doing beautiful and interesting work on the experimental side of things. Experimental film is so much fun. It's a place where all artistic representation matters, and it's somewhere I go when I want to be challenged.

If you've never fully indulged in the weirder, artsier side of cinema—or are already a fan and want to celebrate it—I want to take you through the world of experimental movies, with some history and characteristics, and dig into some of the greatest to ever grace our screens.

Sound good?

Let's dive in.

What is Experimental Film?

The experimental genre in film and TV refers to productions that deviate from the traditional narrative structure and style of mainstream entertainment.

These productions often challenge viewers to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas and perspectives.

It is characterized by its willingness to take risks and push boundaries, whether through abstract visuals, innovative storytelling techniques, or unconventional editing styles

The Characteristics of Experimental Film

Many experimental films use other disciplines like painting, dance, literature, and poetry.

What I love about this is is that its art that's being created mastering other art. And as new artistic endeavors arise, we often see that added into experimental outputs.

Key Characteristics:

• Non-linear Narrative: Experimental films often lack a traditional plot or linear narrative structure. They may be abstract, fragmented, or entirely devoid of a storyline.
• Visual and Sound Experimentation: These films often experiment with visual and sound elements, using techniques like collage, montage, superimposition, slow motion, and distorted or manipulated sounds.
• Exploration of Themes: Experimental cinema can explore a wide range of themes, including the subconscious, dreams, memory, perception, identity, and social and political issues.
• Personal Expression: Many experimental films are deeply personal works, reflecting the filmmaker's unique vision and artistic expression.

Experimental Film Techniques:

• Found Footage: Using pre-existing film or video footage in a new context.
• Direct Animation: Scratching or painting directly onto film strips.
• Structural Film: Focusing on the material properties of film, such as light, movement, and time.
• Expanded Cinema: Combining film with live performance, installation art, or other multimedia elements.

A Brief History of Experimental Film

film-grab.com

The roots of experimental cinema can be traced back to the early days of filmmaking, with filmmakers like Georges Méliès experimenting with visual effects and trick photography in the late 19th century.

However, it was during the early 20th century, with the rise of Dadaism and Surrealism, that experimental cinema truly began to flourish. These art movements, with their emphasis on challenging conventions and exploring the subconscious, found a natural expression in the medium of film.

In the 1920s and 1930s, filmmakers like Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí created surrealist films that shocked and bewildered audiences with their dreamlike imagery and unconventional narratives.

These early experiments paved the way for a wave of avant-garde filmmakers in the postwar era, who pushed the boundaries of cinema even further.

The 1960s and 1970s saw a surge in experimental filmmaking, with filmmakers like Stan Brakhage, Maya Deren, and Kenneth Anger exploring new techniques and pushing the limits of what was considered possible in film.

These filmmakers often worked outside of the mainstream film industry, creating films that were personal, challenging, and often deeply political.

The Impact of Experimental Film Across the Globe

Experimental cinema challenges viewers to rethink their expectations of what a film can be. It encourages critical thinking, provokes emotional responses, and opens up new possibilities for artistic expression.

These films have often been at the forefront of social and political movements, challenging dominant ideologies and giving voice to marginalized communities.

While experimental films may not always be commercially successful or widely seen, they have a significant impact on the world of art and culture.

They have influenced mainstream filmmakers, inspired new artistic movements, and sparked important conversations about the nature of reality, perception, and human experience.

Artistic Influence:

• Mainstream Cinema: Experimental film techniques and aesthetics have been adopted and adapted by mainstream filmmakers. For example, the use of montage, slow motion, and fragmented narratives can be traced back to early experimental films.
• Music Videos: The music video industry is a direct beneficiary of experimental film. The use of visual metaphors, rapid editing, and unconventional storytelling in music videos often draws inspiration from experimental cinema.
• Visual Arts: Experimental film has had a profound impact on visual artists. The use of found footage, collage, and manipulation of film stock has inspired many artists to experiment with new forms and techniques.
• Other Art Forms: The influence of experimental film extends beyond the visual arts. Its impact can be seen in dance, theatre, and literature, where artists have embraced non-linear narratives, fragmentation, and experimentation with form.

Cultural and Social Impact:

• Challenging Conventions: Experimental film has always challenged societal norms and conventions. It has often tackled taboo subjects, questioned authority, and given voice to marginalized communities.
• Political Activism: Experimental filmmakers have often used their work as a tool for social and political activism. They have shed light on social issues, challenged oppressive regimes, and advocated for change.
• Global Dialogue: Experimental film festivals and screenings provide a platform for filmmakers from around the world to share their work and engage in dialogue. This cross-cultural exchange of ideas and perspectives has enriched the global film community.

Specific Examples of Global Impact:

• Latin America: The Third Cinema movement in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s was heavily influenced by experimental film. Filmmakers used cinema as a tool to challenge political oppression and social injustice.
• Japan: The Japanese avant-garde film movement in the 1960s and 1970s produced a wealth of experimental films that challenged traditional Japanese aesthetics and explored new forms of expression.
• Europe: European experimental film has a long and rich history, with filmmakers pushing boundaries and experimenting with new technologies. The European avant-garde has inspired filmmakers around the world.
• Africa: African experimental filmmakers have used film to document social and political struggles, challenge stereotypes, and express unique cultural identities.

The Best Experimental Films

So, what are the best experimental films of all time?

The following list showcases 50 of the most groundbreaking and influential experimental films of all time, spanning various eras and styles.

There is so set order, just a bunch of ones I think everyone should check out.

• Un Chien Andalou (1929) - Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí
• Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) - Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid
• Entr'acte (1924) - René Clair
• Man with a Movie Camera (1929) - Dziga Vertov
• L'Age d'Or (1930) - Luis Buñuel
• A Movie (1958) - Bruce Conner
• Wavelength (1967) - Michael Snow
• Dog Star Man (1964) - Stan Brakhage
• The Blood of a Poet (1930) - Jean Cocteau
• Scorpio Rising (1963) - Kenneth Anger
• Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) - Kenneth Anger
• Flaming Creatures (1963) - Jack Smith
• Rose Hobart (1936) - Joseph Cornell
• Mothlight (1963) - Stan Brakhage
• La Jetée (1962) - Chris Marker
• Fuses (1964) - Carolee Schneemann
• The Dante Quartet (1987) - Stan Brakhage
• Line Describing a Cone (1973) - Anthony McCall
• Light Is Waiting (2007) - Michael Snow
• The Flicker (1966) - Tony Conrad
• Ballet Mécanique (1924) - Fernand Léger
• The Seashell and the Clergyman (1928) - Germaine Dulac
• Anemic Cinema (1926) - Marcel Duchamp
• Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927) - Walter Ruttmann
• Emak Bakia (1926) - Man Ray
• Ritual in Transfigured Time (1946) - Maya Deren
• At Land (1944) - Maya Deren
• A Study in Choreography for Camera (1945) - Maya Deren
• The Very Eye of Night (1958) - Maya Deren
• Window Water Baby Moving (1959) - Stan Brakhage
• Bridges-Go-Round (1958) - Shirley Clarke
• Serene Velocity (1970) - Ernie Gehr
• Zorns Lemma (1970) - Hollis Frampton
• The Act of Seeing with One's Own Eyes (1971) - Stan Brakhage
• The Girl Chewing Gum (1976) - John Smith
• Report (1967) - Bruce Conner
• Reassemblage (1982) - Trinh T. Minh-ha
• Tongues Untied (1989) - Marlon Riggs
• Handsworth Songs (1986) - Black Audio Film Collective
• Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One (1968) - William Greaves
• The Clock (2010) - Christian Marclay
• The Grand Bizarre (2018) - Jodie Mack
• Leviathan (2012) - Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel
• Sans Soleil (1983) - Chris Marker
• Decasia (2002) - Bill Morrison
• Blue (1993) - Derek Jarman
• Last Year at Marienbad (1961) - Alain Resnais
• Persona (1966) - Ingmar Bergman
• Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) - Shinya Tsukamoto
• Eraserhead (1977) - David Lynch

This list barely scratches the surface of the vast and diverse world of experimental cinema.

Each film on this list represents a unique and daring exploration of the medium, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in film and leaving a lasting impact on the world of art and culture.

But maybe I left off your favorite. If so, I want to hear about it.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

• How Can You Get Narrative Ideas From Watching Non-Narrative Films? ›
• Charlie Cole's Experimental Short 'Waterfall' Reminds Us of The Importance of Form ›
• Experimental Filmmaking for Dummies (Part 1): Why You Should Be Making Experimental Films ›
• Where is a good online place for new experimental film/video? - Quora ›
• 50 Avant Garde and Experimental Cinema Gallery ›
• What are some good experimental films? : r/flicks ›

How Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Movie Got Sony to Custom Design a Camera With a Detachable Sensor

Check out this cool custom-designed sony camera that is able to detach from its sensor to fit into the tiny confines of a race car..

While it’s nothing new for a camera company to work with big-budget feature films to customize their cameras and gear for the needs of the production, this is still a cool example of how talented DPs and camera technicians can work together to come up with creative solutions to interesting shooting problems.

In this case, we have the Oscar-winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda behind the lens of the Joseph Kosinski-directed new F1 movie which stars Brad Pitt. Working directly with members of the Sony team, Miranda and Kosinski were able to develop a custom Rialta system rig that was able to effectively untether the body of the camera from the sensor so that it could be mounted inside a Formula One race car.

A Custom Solution for a Tight Problem

In a recent interview with Variety , we get all the details about this custom camera and how it was used for the upcoming F1 movie featuring the Formula One World Championship and created in collaboration with the FIA, its governing body.

A similar solution was used for shooting footage in the tight cockpits in Top Gun: Maverick , however according to Miranda in the interview with Variety, the need for shooting in a Formula One race car was even more extreme as “the actors didn’t fly the aircraft. On Formula One, the actors were driving the cars … So we needed to have a small enough camera system where we could make sure that [Pitt] could drive and see while we get the shots we want.”

We don’t have any cool behind-the-scenes images to share of this unique camera setup just yet but are quite intrigued to check them out as the film nears closer to release. No word from Sony or anyone involved with the project if this custom camera will become available to all of us non VIP-shooters yet either.

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Ten Masterpieces of Experimental Cinema

The following list by Justin Remes, author of Motion(less) Pictures: The Cinema of Stasis and the forthcoming Absence in Cinema: The Art of Showing Nothing , considers ten canonical experimental films. You can also watch the films below.

•  •  •  •  •  •

“I don’t like experimental films.” 

“What experimental films have you seen?”

“Well, I’m not sure I’ve ever really seen one, but…”

I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count.

While almost everyone has seen avant-garde paintings by Picasso and Pollock, few have ever had the opportunity to see an avant-garde film by Buñuel or Brakhage. Those who are interested in exploring this cinematic terrain might want to check out one or more of the following films, listed in chronological order. Since experimental films are often difficult to find, I have only included works that can currently be seen in high-quality versions online. 

Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí, Un Chien Andalou ( An Andalusian Dog ) (1929) (16 minutes) (NSFW)

In his autobiography, My Last Sigh , the great Surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel wrote, “I’ve tried my whole life to simply accept the images that present themselves to me without trying to analyze them.” This is precisely how one should approach the bizarre and irrational images of Un Chien Andalou : an eyeball being sliced open by a razor, ants swarming out of a hole in a man’s hand, two corpses buried in sand on a beach. Buñuel and Dalí pair these bewildering images with a soundtrack that includes a couple of sensual tangos, as well as the magisterial “Liebestod” (or “love death”) from Wagner’s opera Tristan and Isolde . Un Chien Andalou is disturbing, disorienting, and startlingly original. Those who see it never forget it.

Walter Ruttmann, Wochenende ( Weekend ) (1930) (11 minutes)

To create this odd intermedia experiment, the German filmmaker Walter Ruttmann wandered through the streets of Berlin and recorded his surroundings with a camera without ever removing the lens cap. In other words, Wochenende features a complex sound collage of voices, marching bands, and sirens, but it is completely devoid of images. Instead, spectators are free to imagine whatever content they like on the blank cinema screen before them. In the words of the Dada artist Hans Richter, Wochenende is “a symphony of sound, speech-fragments, and silence woven into a poem.”

Joseph Cornell, Jack’s Dream (c. 1938) (4 minutes)

American artist Joseph Cornell was a pioneer of found footage filmmaking (that is, creating films by reworking content from preexisting films), and Jack’s Dream is one of his most compelling cinematic remixes. As one listens to the gorgeous strains of Debussy’s Clair de Lune , one sees a number of apparently disconnected images: a puppet show, seahorses, a sinking ship. Like many actual dreams, Jack’s Dream is ephemeral and enigmatic.

Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid, Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) (13 minutes)

Albert Einstein once wrote, “The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science.” It is hard to think of a more mysterious film than Meshes of the Afternoon , a dreamscape that is replete with haunting and cryptic images: a flower that transforms into a knife, a woman who pulls a key out of her mouth, a hooded figure with a mirror for a face. Deren influenced just about every American experimental filmmaker who came after her, prompting Stan Brakhage to call her “the mother of us all.”

Note: When Meshes of the Afternoon was originally released, it was completely silent, but in 1959 a musical score by Deren’s third husband, Teiji Ito, was added. The silent version of the film is more compelling than the sound version, however, so if the version you are watching has sound, I would encourage you to mute it.

Stan Brakhage, Window Water Baby Moving (1959) (12 minutes) (NSFW)

The filmmaker Marjorie Keller once mused, “I don’t know that there could be an avant-garde filmmaker in America that is not in some way indebted to Stan Brakhage, has not studied his films, has not thought about them and taken them seriously.” While Brakhage made over 350 films, one of his most memorable and influential is Window Water Baby Moving , a work that documents the birth of Stan and Jane Brakhage’s first child, Myrrena. Brakhage uses rapid nonlinear editing, out-of-focus shots, reverse motion, and jump cuts to capture just how frenetic and disorienting childbirth can be.

Kenneth Anger, Scorpio Rising (1963) (28 minutes) (NSFW)

In the early 1960s, pop artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol were revolutionizing the art world by appropriating images from popular culture: comic book characters, Hollywood celebrities, cans of Campbell’s soup. Kenneth Anger brought a similar sensibility to his film Scorpio Rising , a heady brew of religion, drugs, motorcycles, Nazis, and homoerotic sadomasochism. At a time when most filmmakers used classical music for their soundtracks, Anger used only contemporary pop songs, like Elvis Presley’s “You’re the Devil in Disguise” and Bobby Vinton’s “Blue Velvet.” Scorpio Rising is also populated with images drawn for popular culture: comic strip panels, gay pornography, and appropriated images of James Dean, Marlon Brando, Jesus, Dracula, and Hitler. One of Anger’s many acolytes, Martin Scorsese, confessed that when he first saw Scorpio Rising , he was “astonished”: “Every cut, every camera movement, every color, and every texture seemed, somehow, inevitable.”

Joyce Wieland, Cat Food (1967) (14 minutes)

Spectators of Cat Food hear crashing waves while watching Wieland’s insatiable cat, Dwight, voraciously eat fish. Whenever one fish starts to be consumed, another seems to miraculously appear. The film has a mythic quality, bringing to mind the New Testament story of Jesus feeding a crowd with only five loaves of bread and two fish, as well as the ancient Greek story of Prometheus, whose liver was eaten out by an eagle every day, only to regenerate and be eaten again. Films like Cat Food prompted Hollis Frampton to opine, “The thought of some Purgatory wherein I might be deprived of seeing Joyce Wieland’s films makes me regret my every sin and dereliction.”

Hollis Frampton, Carrots and Peas (1969) (5 minutes)

Carrots and Peas is a cinematic still life in which images of the titular vegetables are paired with the voice from an exercise film played in reverse. Early in the film, Frampton manipulates the imagery by flipping it upside down, adding a color filter, and painting the filmstrip itself. As the film continues, however, the interventions cease, and the viewer ends up staring at a single static image of carrots and peas for a prolonged period of time. Once this happens, one begins to notice details of the shot had originally escaped one’s attention: the indentations on individual peas, for example—or the way one carrot slice seems to be hiding from the others. Carrots and Peas is so odd and inexplicable, it makes me giggle with glee.

Norman McLaren, Synchromy (1971) (7 minutes)

To create this exuberant abstract film, McLaren photographed striated cards with colorful lines on them and placed them onto the film’s soundtrack to produce a series of specific pitches. McLaren then placed these same cards onto the film’s visual track, thus creating a precise synchronization of sound and image. The result is an orgy of color and sound, an exhilarating experiment in cinematic synesthesia.

Naomi Uman, removed (1999) (7 minutes) (NSFW)

Uman erases the women from an old pornographic film using nail polish and bleach, and the result is a provocative and playful deconstruction of cinema’s representational codes. Uman invites viewers to do whatever they want with these “holes.” One can attempt to “peek” at the women who are being erased (since they occasionally become visible, in whole or in part, for a split second). One can enjoy the absences as absences, taking pleasure in the film’s shimmering voids. Or one can fill in the blanks with one’s own desiderata. In the words of Claire Stewart, “The hole in the film becomes an erotic zone, a blank on which a fantasy body is projected.”

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The 13 Best Movies About Scientists and Experiments

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Scientific exploration represents the intellectual pursuit of the unknown. It's a quest for knowledge that has driven many to obsession or even madness, especially when failure looms increasingly overhead.

All kinds of films have been made about enigmatic characters who dedicate their lives to science and experiments. Such films tend to be sci-fi thrillers, but there are also compelling dramas and hilarious comedies that bring fresh energy to the premise.

Here are my picks for the best movies about scientists and their experiments, spanning the gamut of genres but all still worth watching for their own special reasons.

13. Junior (1994)

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Emma Thompson

Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi (1h 49m)

4.7 on IMDb — 39% on RT

Directed by one of the best comedic directors in history, Junior is a cautionary tale of scientific experimentation if there ever was one.

Our story finds two scientists, Dr. Alex Hesse (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Dr. Larry Arbogast (played by Danny DeVito), who have created a new pregnancy drug to cure infertility.

Unfortunately, bureaucratic red tape threatens to derail the duo's experiment: due to ethical reasons, they can't test the drug on real human subjects. So, Alex decides to take the drug himself—and despite precautionary measures, even he couldn't predict what happens next.

Yes, that's right: we're kicking off this list with a movie about Arnold Schwarzenegger impregnating himself! Don't worry, as most of the other films on this list will be more serious. But if you're looking for an easy-to-watch comedy, don't let Junior 's poor critical reception deter you.

12. The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Directed by Robert Wise

Starring James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne

Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller (2h 11m)

7.2 on IMDb — 67% on RT

Directed by Robert Wise, The Andromeda Strain is a classic film to watch if you're interested in movies about scientific experiments.

Dr. Jeremy Stone (played by Arthur Hill) is tasked with leading a team of scientists to contain the spread of an extraterrestrial organism that lands on Earth. However, it soon becomes clear throughout their experiments that they're way out of their depth...

Based on the phenomenal novel by sci-fi extraordinaire Michael Crichton, the film adaptation was lauded for its suspense and its creative use of split-screens long before it was widely used.

11. I Origins (2014)

Directed by Mike Cahill

Starring Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey

Drama, Mystery, Romance (1h 46m)

7.3 on IMDb — 52% on RT

PhD student Ian Gray (played by Michael Pitt) is studying the evolution of the human eye. One day, while attending a college party, he meets a woman with the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen.

Later, several years in the future, what begins as a purely scientific study turns into something much more: an experimental investigation into the origins of the human soul.

Directed by the unconventionally meditative Mike Cahill, I Origins is an underrated sci-fi drama that's well worth your time.

10. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly

Biography, Drama (2h 15m)

8.2 on IMDb — 74% on RT

Directed by Ron Howard, A Beautiful Mind follows the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. (played by Russell Crowe), who was a real person and commonly known as John Nash.

Demonstrating himself to be a brilliant scientist and economist, Nash not only gains the attention of the CIA, but eventually starts working there to help advance the field of cryptography.

However, paranoid delusions gradually start to blur the lines between his personal life and reality. Russell Crowe went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for A Beautiful Mind .

9. The Nutty Professor (1996)

Directed by Tom Shadyac

Starring Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Coburn

Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi (1h 35m)

5.7 on IMDb — 64% on RT

The second (and last) comedy on our list is another terrific adaptation of a classic piece of literature: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , which was written by Robert Louis Stevenson back in 1886.

Exactly 110 years after publication, Stevenson's novella was given a comedic spin with The Nutty Professor .

In a bid to win the heart of his dream woman, Sherman Klump (played by Eddie Murphy) is desperate to lose weight. So, he conducts an experiment using his vast knowledge of biochemistry.

While he does successfully lose an enormous amount of weight, it comes at a terrible cost... The Nutty Professor stars Eddie Murphy in an impressive seven roles, and it's a laugh-out-loud affair.

8. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Directed by Rupert Wyatt

Starring James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow

Action, Drama, Sci-Fi (1h 45m)

7.6 on IMDb — 82% on RT

Planet of the Apes started as a novel in 1963, which was turned into a film series in 1968, then rebooted into another film series in 2011 starting with Rupert Wyatt's acclaimed Rise of the Planet of the Apes .

Will Rodman (played by James Franco) is a chemist who's experimenting on chimpanzees with an innovative new serum that's one step closer to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, the serum has unforeseen effects on the primates...

Featuring Andy Serkis as ape leader Caesar using revolutionary performance capture technology, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is one of the best cautionary tales of science gone awry.

Remaking this iconic franchise was a risky decision given that there was a previous reboot attempt in 2001 with Planet of the Apes , which went nowhere due to all kinds of production difficulties. Fortunately, Wyatt pulled it off and the resulting series is just fantastic.

7. Hidden Figures (2016)

Directed by Theodore Melfi

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe

Biography, Drama, History (2h 7m)

7.8 on IMDb — 93% on RT

Directed by Theodore Melfi, Hidden Figures is a biographical film that brings us an incredible story that should've been told long ago. Fortunately for us, we get to experience it now.

The narrative follows three women scientists: Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia Spencer), Katherine Goble Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), and Mary Jackson (played by Janelle Monáe).

Despite their instrumental contributions to America's success during the Space Race, these women were buried and remained unrecognized for years. Why? Simply for being African-American.

Hidden Figures is the tough but inspiring journey of how these women worked to gain the respect that they deserved without ever giving up even in the face of constant discrimination and harassment.

6. The Theory of Everything (2014)

Directed by James Marsh

Starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior

Biography, Drama, Romance (2h 3m)

7.7 on IMDb — 80% on RT

Stephen Hawking is a man who needs no introduction, but in case you've been living under a rock for the past several decades, suffice it to say that he was one of the most brilliant minds of modern science.

In The Theory of Everything , we get to see his genius on display as he excels at the University of Cambridge, where he published all kinds of groundbreaking works on theoretical physics.

However, perhaps more interestingly, we're given insight into his tumultuous personal life and the challenges he faced as a victim afflicted by ALS (a neurodegenerative disease that affects muscle control).

With a heart-melting score and stunning performances from Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything truly encapsulates the human desire to understand the world we're born into.

5. Contact (1997)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Starring Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi (2h 30m)

7.5 on IMDb — 68% on RT

Based on the 1985 novel by Carl Sagan, Robert Zemeckis adapted the grounded sci-fi drama to great success.

Dr. Eleanor "Ellie" Arroway (played by Jodie Foster) is a SETI scientist who makes a breathtaking discovery: an alien transmission.

After establishing contact with extraterrestrials using radio waves, Arroway leads an experiment to create a machine according to the instructions of said extraterrestrial communicators.

While Contact is mostly interesting for its thought experiment of a premise than its characters, the result is still one of the most intriguing movies about a scientific experiment. If you're in search of a realistic take on sci-fi concepts, you can't miss this one.

4. Annihilation (2018)

Directed by Alex Garland

Starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson

Adventure, Drama, Horror (1h 55m)

6.8 on IMDb — 88% on RT

When writer-director Alex Garland is at the helm of a film, you know you're in for an experience unlike any other. He's had his ups and downs, but when he's hot, the results are unforgettable.

Annihilation follows a group of women scientists of varying fields who are tasked with investigating the origins of a supernatural entity that has arrived on Earth. The thing is, previous explorers either haven't returned or have come back changed in some way...

Starring Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh, they venture into the enigmatic quarantined zone called "The Shimmer" to collect data and uncover what's causing the mutation of plants and animals.

With Annihilation , Alex Garland successfully crafted another worthy entry into his filmography and the cosmic horror canon.

3. The Imitation Game (2014)

Directed by Morten Tyldum

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode

Biography, Drama, Thriller (1h 54m)

8.0 on IMDb — 90% on RT

Cryptanalyst Alan Turing is well-known today as the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, but that wasn't always the case. In fact, he was ostracized while he was alive for being gay.

In this superb film directed by Morten Tyldum, we get to see the fantastic legacy he left behind, as well as his role in ending one of the most gruesome conflicts in history: World War II.

During WW2, the Nazis communicated using messages that were encrypted by their Enigma machine. Alan Turing was approached by British intelligence officers in 1939 and hired to break the Enigma codes, as he was the only one with enough expertise to do it.

Benedict Cumberbatch's performance as the man who almost single-handedly decided the fate of World War II with his brilliant brain is both insightful and gut-wrenching.

2. Awakenings (1990)

Directed by Penny Marshall

Starring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner

Biography, Drama (2h 1m)

7.8 on IMDb — 84% on RT

Penny Marshall's drama Awakenings isn't just well-written, well-acted, and emotionally affecting—it's based on a true story.

Dr. Malcolm Sayer (played by Robin Williams) is a neurologist studying catatonia. When he begins implementing a new treatment of L-DOPA in coma patients, he's initially disappointed by the results. However, there's eventually a breakthrough when one patient suddenly wakes up.

For the first time in years, Leonard Lowe (played by Robert De Niro) is able to see the world through his own eyes again.

As Dr. Sayer uncovers the reason behind Leonard's sudden awakening, the two of them fear that this experiment may not last. In fact, it may very well be a race against the clock. In the end, Awakenings is an underrated gem that will absolutely have you in tears.

1. Oppenheimer (2023)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon

Biography, Drama, History (3h)

8.5 on IMDb — 93% on RT

Why is Oppenheimer at the top of this list? Maybe it's recency bias. Or maybe it's the massive cult-like following the film had pre-release. Or maybe it's the glowing reviews that came after its release.

All combined, Oppenheimer still sticks out in my mind as the best film about a scientist and his experiments.

J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) is a brilliant theoretical physicist who's headhunted to lead a team of scientists tasked with creating the world's first atomic bomb.

Oppenheimer is tense and suspenseful as director Christopher Nolan employs his trademark nonlinear narrative style to create total immersion in Oppenheimer's race against time and persecution.

The film is doubly effective as a cautionary tale, which is why I'm ranking it at number one. Oppenheimer is cinema's best depiction of a scientist haunted by his greatest achievement and tormented by his own legacy.

Oppenheimer's most impressive experiment came at massive cost: the fate of the entire world. Few films have managed to establish stakes so monumental and deliver a climax worthy of said stakes.

5 Best Experimental Films: A Showcase of Cinematic Innovation and Artistry

Experimental movies are a type of film that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling and filmmaking techniques. These films often eschew conventional narrative structures and use innovative approaches to explore themes and ideas.

Experimental movies can be challenging and unconventional, but they also offer unique and thought-provoking experiences for viewers.

These films are often made by independent filmmakers who are interested in exploring new ways of telling stories and expressing themselves through the medium of film.

In this article, we will be discussing some of the best experimental movies ever made, including works from some of the most innovative and groundbreaking filmmakers in history.

Best Experimental Movies

These films range from abstract and avant-garde to deeply personal and emotional, and they all offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of experimental cinema.

1. Celine and Julie Go Boating (1974)

“Celine and Julie Go Boating” is a French film directed by Jacques Rivette and released in 1974. The film follows the story of two young women, Celine and Julie, who become friends and begin to experience strange occurrences while living in Paris.

The film’s narrative is full of surreal twists and turns, as the two women begin to enter each other’s dreams and change the course of each other’s lives.

The film is notable for its unconventional storytelling techniques, including long takes, improvisation, and a fragmented narrative structure that is both playful and mysterious.

“Celine and Julie Go Boating” was praised by critics for its innovative approach to narrative and its playful exploration of female friendship and identity. It has since become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of the French New Wave.

• Celine and Julie Go Boating 2-DVD Set ( Céline et Julie vont en bateau ) ( Phantom Ladies Over...
• Celine and Julie Go Boating 2-DVD Set
• Céline et Julie vont en bateau
• Phantom Ladies Over Paris
• Dominique Labourier, Philippe Clévenot, Juliet Berto (Actors)

2. The Tree of Life (2011)

The Tree of Life is a 2011 drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick. The film tells the story of a Texas family in the 1950s, centering on the relationship between a strict father (Brad Pitt) and his young son Jack (Hunter McCracken).

The film also features Sean Penn as an older version of Jack, reflecting on his life and the loss of his brother.

The Tree of Life is notable for its ambitious and poetic storytelling, which blends family drama with cosmic themes and stunning visuals of nature and the universe.

The film was praised for its cinematography, music, and ambitious scope, and won the Palme d’Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

While some critics and audiences found the film’s nonlinear structure and philosophical themes challenging, it has also been praised as a unique and visionary work of art that explores fundamental questions about life, death, and the human experience.

• Brad Pitt, Sean Penn (Actors)
• Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

3. Wax, or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees (1991)

“Wax, or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees” is an experimental film directed by David Blair and released in 1991. The film combines live-action footage with animation, stop-motion, and computer-generated imagery to create a surreal and dreamlike world.

The story follows Jacob Maker (played by Juan Carlos Hernandez), a beekeeper who discovers that his bees have developed a television system within their hive. As he begins to explore this strange phenomenon, he finds himself drawn into a bizarre world of conspiracy and espionage.

The film’s themes include the relationship between technology and nature, the power of mass media, and the nature of reality itself. Its unique visual style and nonlinear narrative structure have made it a cult classic among fans of avant-garde cinema.

Overall, “Wax, or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees” is a fascinating and thought-provoking film that defies easy categorization. Its blend of science fiction, fantasy, and experimental filmmaking makes it a truly one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

4. Dogville (2003)

“Dogville” is a 2003 drama film directed by Lars von Trier. The movie is set in the fictional town of Dogville, Colorado during the Great Depression and follows the arrival of a woman named Grace, played by Nicole Kidman.

Grace is on the run from gangsters and seeks refuge in the town, which is inhabited by a small community of people who agree to offer her shelter in exchange for her labor.

As Grace becomes more involved in the town’s affairs, she begins to uncover its dark secrets and the true nature of its residents.

The film is shot entirely on a sound stage with minimal set pieces, emphasizing the idea of the town as a construct and exploring themes of power, morality, and the human condition.

“Dogville” was praised by critics for its innovative approach to storytelling and cinematography, as well as its thought-provoking themes. The film also features a strong ensemble cast, including Lauren Bacall, Paul Bettany, and Stellan Skarsgård.

• Multiple Formats, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned
• English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)

5. Mulholland Drive (2001)

“Mulholland Drive” is a psychological thriller film directed by David Lynch and released in 2001. The film tells the story of an aspiring actress named Betty Elms who arrives in Los Angeles and meets a woman suffering from amnesia.

The two women then embark on a quest to uncover the mystery behind the amnesiac woman’s true identity, which leads them down a dark and surreal path.

The film is known for its complex and surreal storytelling, its exploration of themes related to identity, reality, and memory, and its striking visuals and soundtrack.

The film’s nonlinear narrative structure and dreamlike sequences challenge the viewer’s perception of reality and create a sense of disorientation and confusion.

“Mulholland Drive” has received critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling, powerful performances, and stunning visuals. It won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival, including the Best Director award for Lynch.

Overall, “Mulholland Drive” is a thought-provoking and haunting film that offers a unique and unforgettable viewing experience. Its complex characters, surreal visuals, and intricate plot make it a must-see for fans of psychological thrillers and avant-garde cinema.

• Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux (Actors)
• David Lynch (Director)
• English (Subtitle)
• English (Publication Language)
• Audience Rating: R (Restricted)

6. Dreams That Money Can Buy (1947)

Dreams That Money Can Buy is a surrealist film released in 1947, directed by artist and filmmaker Hans Richter.

The film follows Joe, a man who starts selling dreams to people for money. Joe uses his clients’ dreams as material for his own artistic creations, but soon finds himself trapped in a world where reality and dreams blur together.

One of the most unique and groundbreaking aspects of Dreams That Money Can Buy is its use of various avant-garde artists and their works.

The film features segments directed by six different artists, each bringing their own distinct style and sensibility to the film.

These segments range from abstract animation to surrealistic live-action sequences, creating a dreamlike and otherworldly atmosphere throughout the film.

Dreams That Money Can Buy has been praised for its innovative use of art and cinema, as well as its exploration of themes such as the nature of creativity and the relationship between art and commerce.

The film’s experimental style and use of surrealism have influenced many filmmakers and artists over the years, making it a significant work in the history of cinema.

• Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters (Actors)
• Bruce Beresford (Director) - Bruce Beresford (Writer)
• Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)

7. La Jetée (1962)

“La Jetée” is a French experimental film directed by Chris Marker and released in 1962. The film is notable for its use of a series of still images to tell the story rather than traditional motion picture footage.

The film tells the story of a man who is sent back in time from a post-apocalyptic future to find a solution to the problems of his own time.

He falls in love with a woman he sees in a photograph, and the film explores themes of memory, time, and the nature of love.

“La Jetée” is considered a landmark of the experimental film genre, and its influence can be seen in many films that followed.

Its use of still images to tell a story creates a dreamlike atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful, and its themes of time and memory are universal and deeply resonant.

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Hélène Chatelain;Davos Hanich (Actor)
• Chris Marker (Director)
• English (Playback Language)

8. Gummo (1997)

“Gummo” is an American independent film written and directed by Harmony Korine, released in 1997.

The film is set in a small Ohio town in the aftermath of a devastating tornado, and follows a group of disaffected youth as they go about their daily lives in a surreal and chaotic world.

The film is notorious for its graphic and often disturbing imagery, as well as its fragmented and nonlinear narrative structure.

The characters in the film are portrayed as outcasts and misfits, engaging in a variety of strange and often unsettling activities.

Despite its controversial subject matter, “Gummo” has gained a cult following among fans of independent cinema, and is often praised for its bold and unconventional approach to filmmaking.

The film has been cited as an influence by numerous filmmakers and artists, and has been the subject of academic study and analysis.

• Nick Sutton, Jacob Sewell, Lara Tosh (Actors)
• Harmony Korine (Director) - Harmony Korine (Writer)

9. Marketa Lazarová (1967)

Marketa Lazarová is a 1967 Czechoslovak historical drama film directed by František Vláčil. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Vladislav Vančura and tells the story of a fierce and violent conflict between two rival medieval clans, the Kozliks and the Lazars.

The film is noted for its atmospheric black-and-white cinematography and its unconventional, nonlinear storytelling. It explores themes of violence, power, and the clash between pagan and Christian beliefs.

The film’s characters are complex and morally ambiguous, and the film does not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of medieval life.

Marketa Lazarová is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Czechoslovak cinema and a landmark in European art-house filmmaking. It has been praised for its visual style, its powerful performances, and its unflinching portrayal of the brutality and complexity of human nature.

The film has influenced numerous filmmakers and is considered a must-see for fans of world cinema.

• Josef Kemr, Magda Váäáryová, Naďa Hejná (Actors)
• Frantiäek Vlácil (Director) - Frantiäek Vlácil (Writer) - Josef Ouzky (Producer)
• (Playback Language)

10. Window Water Baby Moving (1959)

“Window Water Baby Moving” is a short experimental film directed by Stan Brakhage and released in 1959. The film documents the home birth of Brakhage’s second child, Myrrena, and is shot entirely from the perspective of Brakhage’s wife, Jane, as she gives birth.

The film is notable for its intimate and unflinching depiction of childbirth, as well as for its innovative use of visual abstraction and poetic imagery.

Brakhage experimented with various techniques such as scratching, painting, and manipulating the film stock to create a highly expressive and impressionistic style.

The film is also significant for its feminist subtext, as it foregrounds the experiences and perspectives of the mother rather than the father, which was highly unusual for the time.

“Window Water Baby Moving” challenged conventional notions of documentary filmmaking and paved the way for later works that would explore the personal and subjective dimensions of filmmaking.

Overall, “Window Water Baby Moving” is a groundbreaking work of experimental cinema that continues to influence filmmakers and artists today. Its exploration of the human body, childbirth, and the creative potential of the film medium make it a powerful and enduring work of art.

11. First Name: Carmen (1983)

“First Name: Carmen” is a 1983 French film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. The movie is a modern retelling of the story of Carmen, a famous opera by Georges Bizet.

The plot follows a young woman named Carmen who, together with a group of criminals, plans to rob a bank. Carmen becomes romantically involved with one of the hostages, Joseph, who falls in love with her.

However, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as Carmen becomes more unpredictable and dangerous.

The film is known for its unconventional style, including long takes, jump cuts, and a nonlinear narrative structure. It also features a mix of drama, romance, and satire, as well as commentary on contemporary French society.

“First Name: Carmen” was a critical success and received numerous awards and nominations. The film is also considered a landmark in French cinema and one of Godard’s most innovative works.

• Maruschka Detmers, Jacques Bonnaffe, Myriem Roussel (Actors)
• Jean-Luc Godard (Director)

12. The Color of Pomegranates (1969)

“The Color of Pomegranates” is an experimental biographical film directed by Sergei Parajanov and released in 1969.

The film is a poetic and visually stunning interpretation of the life of the 18th-century Armenian poet and troubadour Sayat-Nova.

Rather than following a conventional narrative structure, the film is composed of a series of tableaux vivants, or living pictures, that depict various moments and events from Sayat-Nova’s life.

The film is highly symbolic and uses richly textured images, music, and poetry to create a dreamlike and immersive experience for the viewer.

The film has been praised for its innovative and highly personal approach to biographical storytelling, as well as its stunning cinematography and use of color.

However, its unconventional style and emphasis on visual symbolism have also made it a challenging and polarizing work for some viewers.

Overall, “The Color of Pomegranates” is a unique and visionary work of cinema that offers a highly poetic and visually stunning exploration of the life of a beloved Armenian cultural figure.

Its blend of biography, poetry, and experimental filmmaking has made it a highly influential work in the history of world cinema.

• Factory sealed DVD
• Sergei Parajanov, Sofiko Chiaureli, Melkon Aleksanyan (Actors)
• Ron Holloway (Director) - Sayat Nova (Writer)
• Spanish (Publication Language)

13. Je Tu Il Elle (1974)

Je Tu Il Elle is a 1974 experimental film directed by Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman. The film follows a young woman named Julie, who spends most of the film confined to her small apartment as she struggles to overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The film is notable for its minimalist style and its exploration of themes such as gender identity, desire, and emotional connection.

One of the most striking aspects of Je Tu Il Elle is its use of long, static shots to convey a sense of stillness and emptiness. The camera often lingers on Julie’s face or on objects within her apartment, emphasizing the monotony and isolation of her daily routine.

Despite its slow pace and lack of action, the film manages to create a sense of tension and unease through its intense focus on Julie’s inner thoughts and emotions.

Je Tu Il Elle has been praised for its experimental style and its exploration of unconventional themes, as well as its feminist perspective on sexuality and desire.

The film’s frank portrayal of female sexuality and its rejection of traditional narrative structures have made it a significant work in the history of feminist and avant-garde cinema.

14. 2 or 3 Things I Know About Her (1967)

“2 or 3 Things I Know About Her” is a French experimental film directed by Jean-Luc Godard and released in 1967.

The film is a study of a woman who works as a prostitute to support her family and explores themes of capitalism, consumer culture, and the dehumanization of modern life.

The film is shot in a highly stylized and experimental manner, with long tracking shots and unconventional camera angles. It also includes voiceover narration and intertitles that comment on the action and provide context for the viewer.

“2 or 3 Things I Know About Her” is considered one of Godard’s most challenging and thought-provoking works, and it remains a key film in the history of experimental cinema.

Its use of unconventional narrative techniques and its exploration of complex themes make it a fascinating and rewarding viewing experience for those interested in experimental film.

15. The Hart of London (1970)

“The Hart of London” is a Canadian experimental film directed by Jack Chambers and released in 1970. The film is a poetic meditation on life and death, using a montage of images to explore the natural beauty of the Canadian landscape and the human condition.

The film is structured as a series of visual and aural collages, incorporating footage of wildlife, industry, and everyday life. The film’s imagery is often abstract and fragmented, emphasizing the fleeting and transitory nature of existence.

“The Hart of London” is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Canadian avant-garde cinema.

The film has been praised for its stunning visuals, its innovative use of sound, and its ability to evoke a sense of transcendence and wonder in the viewer.

It has been studied and analyzed by scholars and filmmakers alike, and remains a seminal work in the history of experimental film.

• Audio CD – Audiobook
• Audio Vaults (Publisher)

16. Prelude: Dog Star Man (1962)

Prelude: Dog Star Man is a 1962 experimental film directed by Stan Brakhage. The film is a meditation on the human experience, using a series of abstract images and sounds to explore themes of life, death, and rebirth.

The film is divided into five parts, each exploring a different aspect of the human condition. The imagery ranges from the microscopic to the cosmic, with Brakhage using a variety of techniques such as painting directly on the filmstrip, hand-processing, and rapid editing.

Prelude: Dog Star Man is considered one of Brakhage’s most significant works and a landmark in avant-garde cinema.

The film’s abstract imagery and unconventional editing challenged traditional notions of narrative and meaning in film. It has influenced generations of experimental filmmakers and is regarded as a masterpiece of the genre.

While the film can be challenging to watch for those not familiar with experimental cinema, it is a powerful and deeply personal exploration of the human condition that continues to inspire and provoke audiences today.

17. Notre musique (2004)

“Notre musique” is a film directed by Jean-Luc Godard and released in 2004. The film is divided into three parts, “Hell,” “Purgatory,” and “Paradise,” and explores themes of war, violence, and reconciliation.

The first part, “Hell,” is a series of images of war and violence, including footage of the Holocaust and the bombing of Hiroshima.

The second part, “Purgatory,” follows a group of writers and intellectuals who have gathered at a literary conference in Sarajevo, where they discuss the role of art and literature in responding to war and violence.

The final part, “Paradise,” takes place in the imaginary city of Jerusalem, where an Israeli filmmaker and a Palestinian poet meet and discuss the possibility of peace and reconciliation.

Through its nonlinear structure and poetic imagery, “Notre musique” presents a meditation on the human condition and the struggle for peace in a world torn by conflict.

The film is deeply philosophical, and raises important questions about the nature of art, the role of memory and history, and the possibility of transcending violence and hatred.

Overall, “Notre musique” is a powerful and thought-provoking film that invites the viewer to reflect on some of the most pressing issues of our time. Its innovative style and profound insights make it a landmark work of cinema.

• Part poetry, part journalism, part philosophy, master filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard's Notre Musique is a...
• Sarah Adler, Nade Dieu, Rony Kramer (Actors)
• Jean-Luc Godard (Director) - Jean-Luc Godard (Writer)

18. 88:88 (2015)

“88:88” is a 2015 independent film directed by Isiah Medina. The movie is a nonlinear, experimental documentary that explores the director’s personal experiences and struggles with poverty and mental illness.

The film features a mix of footage shot by Medina, found footage, and computer-generated images. It also includes voiceovers, music, and sound effects, all of which contribute to its abstract, dreamlike atmosphere.

“88:88” has been praised for its innovative approach to documentary filmmaking and its use of multiple media formats to create a unique, immersive experience. The film has also been noted for its commentary on social inequality and the challenges faced by those living in poverty.

Despite its experimental style, “88:88” has resonated with audiences and has been screened at several film festivals around the world.

• Christopher Lloyd, Michael Ironside, Kyle Schmid (Actors)
• April Mullen (Director)

19. Weekend (1967)

“Weekend” is a French art film directed by Jean-Luc Godard and released in 1967. The film is a darkly comic and surreal satire that critiques bourgeois society and capitalism through the story of a young couple’s journey through the French countryside.

The film follows Corinne and Roland, a wealthy, bourgeois couple who set out on a weekend trip to the French countryside.

Along the way, they encounter a series of bizarre characters and situations, including a traffic jam caused by a deadly car crash, a group of hippie revolutionaries, and a cannibalistic family.

The film is known for its innovative visual style, which includes jump cuts, freeze frames, and long tracking shots. It also features elements of Brechtian theater, with characters breaking the fourth wall to address the audience directly.

Overall, “Weekend” is a highly experimental and challenging work of cinema that combines social critique with surrealism and black humor.

Its unconventional storytelling and style have made it a landmark film in the history of French New Wave cinema and a major influence on avant-garde and independent filmmakers.

• Mireille Darc, Jean Yanne (Actors)

20. F for Fake (1973)

F for Fake is a 1973 experimental documentary film directed by Orson Welles.

The film is a playful examination of the nature of art and forgery, featuring interviews with famous art forger Elmyr de Hory and biographer Clifford Irving, who famously wrote a fraudulent biography of Howard Hughes.

One of the most notable aspects of F for Fake is its unconventional structure, which incorporates elements of fiction and autobiography into its documentary format.

The film features a series of interwoven stories and interviews, which are presented in a non-linear fashion and often blur the lines between truth and fiction.

F for Fake has been praised for its inventive style and its exploration of themes such as authenticity and illusion.

The film’s use of multiple narrative threads and its blurring of fact and fiction have influenced many filmmakers over the years, making it a significant work in the history of experimental cinema.

21. Synecdoche, New York (2008)

“Synecdoche, New York” is an American experimental film directed by Charlie Kaufman and released in 2008. The film is a complex and surreal exploration of life, art, and the nature of reality.

The story follows a theater director named Caden Cotard, who is given a grant to create a new play. As he becomes increasingly obsessed with his work, his personal life begins to unravel, and the lines between reality and fiction become increasingly blurred.

“Synecdoche, New York” is a challenging and deeply philosophical film that explores complex ideas about identity, consciousness, and the nature of existence.

Kaufman’s signature style of mixing surreal and fantastical elements with grounded realism is on full display, and the film rewards repeat viewings with its dense and layered storytelling.

Overall, “Synecdoche, New York” is a fascinating and deeply moving film that will appeal to fans of experimental cinema and those interested in exploring the complexities of the human experience.

• Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams (Actors)
• Charlie Kaufman (Director) - Charlie Kaufman (Writer) - Anthony Bregman (Producer)

22. Outer Space (1999)

“Outer Space” is an experimental film directed by Austrian filmmaker Peter Tscherkassky and released in 1999.

The film is a montage of found footage from an old Hollywood horror film, with Tscherkassky manipulating and re-editing the footage to create a new, abstract work of cinema.

The film’s imagery is heavily distorted and fragmented, creating a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere.

Tscherkassky uses a variety of techniques to manipulate the footage, including scratching and hand-painting the film stock, as well as layering multiple images on top of each other.

“Outer Space” is widely regarded as a groundbreaking work of experimental cinema, and has been praised for its innovative use of found footage and its exploration of the subconscious mind.

The film has been the subject of extensive academic study and analysis, and has been screened at film festivals around the world.

• Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Nick Tate (Actors)
• Charles Crichton (Director)

23. Out 1: Spectre (1972)

Out 1: Spectre is a 1972 French film directed by Jacques Rivette and co-written by Rivette and Suzanne Schiffman.

The film is a sprawling and complex work that follows the lives of a group of Parisians, including actors, con artists, and bohemians, as they engage in a series of interrelated intrigues and conspiracies.

Out 1: Spectre is known for its unconventional structure and its lengthy running time, which exceeds 12 hours in total.

The film was originally intended to be a television series, but was re-edited and released as a feature film due to its length. The film is divided into eight episodes, each of which focuses on a different character or group of characters and their various schemes and machinations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzlLbWpgm-E&pp=ygUdT3V0IDE6IFNwZWN0cmUgKDE5NzIpIHRyYWlsZXI%3D

The film has been praised for its intricate plot, its improvisational performances, and its vivid portrayal of Parisian bohemia in the 1970s.

It has also been noted for its influence on later filmmakers, particularly those working in the fields of independent and experimental cinema.

While Out 1: Spectre can be challenging to watch due to its length and complex structure, it is considered a landmark work of French cinema and a key example of the New Wave movement.

• Out 1 (Noli me tangere / Spectre) - 5-DVD Box Set ( Out 1: Noli me tangere / Out 1: Spectre ) ( Out
• Out 1 (Noli me tangere / Spectre) - 5-DVD Box Set
• Out 1: Noli me tangere / Out 1: Spectre
• Out One - Don't Touch Me
• Jean-Pierre Léaud, Michael Lonsdale, Michèle Moretti (Actors)

24. Chelsea Girls (1966)

“Chelsea Girls” is a film directed by Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey and released in 1966. It is a unique and groundbreaking film that is considered a seminal work of avant-garde cinema.

The film consists of twelve reels, each featuring a different segment of footage shot in various locations around New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. The reels are projected simultaneously on two screens, with the sound alternating between the two screens.

The film features a cast of characters, mostly played by Warhol’s Factory regulars, who engage in conversations and various activities such as drug use, lounging in bed, and discussing their experiences and relationships.

The segments are largely improvised, and the film has a raw, unscripted feel.

“Chelsea Girls” is notable for its experimental style, which includes split-screen images, slow-motion footage, and disjointed editing. It also has a distinctive aesthetic, with its black and white photography and grainy texture.

The film is often interpreted as a commentary on the bohemian lifestyle and culture of the time, as well as an exploration of themes such as sexuality, identity, and the nature of celebrity. It is also considered a landmark work of the “underground” cinema movement of the 1960s.

Overall, “Chelsea Girls” is a fascinating and challenging film that pushes the boundaries of traditional filmmaking and offers a unique glimpse into a particular time and place in American culture.

• English, Italian (Subtitles)

25. Out 1 (1971)

“Out 1” is a French film directed by Jacques Rivette and released in 1971. It is a monumental work of experimental cinema that clocks in at a staggering 13 hours in length, divided into eight episodes.

The film centers around a group of actors and artists in Paris who become embroiled in a complex and mysterious conspiracy.

The characters form various alliances and relationships, and the plot weaves together elements of theater, philosophy, politics, and art.

“Out 1” is known for its improvisational approach to filmmaking, with many scenes featuring extended, unscripted dialogue and interactions between the characters.

The film also includes elements of the avant-garde and surrealism, as well as a fragmented narrative structure that challenges the viewer’s understanding of the story.

Despite its length and challenging style, “Out 1” has become a cult classic and has been praised for its innovative approach to cinema.

It is considered a landmark work of French New Wave and experimental cinema.

• Out 1 (Noli Me Tangere/ Spectre/ Out 1 And Its Double/ The Mysteries Of Paris (LIMITED EDITION DELUX
• Alain Libolt, Bernadette Lafont, Bernadette Onfroy (Actors)
• Jacques Rivette (Director)

3 Characteristics of Experimental Movies

Experimental movies are a diverse category of films that often break with traditional narrative structures, stylistic conventions, and production methods. Here are three characteristics that are often found in experimental movies:

Non-linear narratives: Many experimental movies abandon the traditional linear narrative structure of beginning, middle, and end, and instead use a fragmented or circular approach to storytelling.

Unconventional filmmaking techniques: Experimental movies often use unconventional techniques, such as extreme close-ups, jump cuts, long takes, or montage to create an emotional or intellectual impact on the viewer.

Non-traditional subject matter: Experimental movies may explore unconventional or abstract themes, or use imagery that is unfamiliar or even disturbing to the viewer.

These films may also challenge traditional ideas of genre, blending elements of drama, documentary, and avant-garde cinema in new and unexpected ways.

3 Reasons To Watch Experimental Movies

Creativity and innovation: Experimental movies often push the boundaries of conventional filmmaking, using unconventional techniques and styles to explore new forms of storytelling.

Watching experimental movies can expose you to new ideas and approaches to filmmaking that you might not have encountered before.

Emphasis on visuals and sound: Many experimental movies focus heavily on visuals and sound, using innovative techniques to create striking and immersive cinematic experiences.

This can be particularly engaging for viewers who appreciate the technical aspects of filmmaking, such as cinematography, editing, and sound design.

Challenge to traditional narratives: Experimental movies often subvert or challenge traditional narrative structures, opting instead for more abstract or non-linear approaches to storytelling.

This can be a refreshing change of pace for viewers who are tired of formulaic Hollywood films and are looking for something more intellectually stimulating.

Additionally, experimental movies can offer unique perspectives on social issues or personal experiences, providing a more nuanced and complex understanding of the world.

Best Experimental Movies – Wrap Up

In conclusion, experimental movies push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking and offer a unique viewing experience that can challenge and inspire audiences. The films discussed in this series range from the surreal to the philosophical, exploring complex ideas about identity, reality, and the human experience.

Some of the best experimental movies include “La Jetée,” a groundbreaking French science-fiction film that uses still images to tell its story; “2 or 3 Things I Know About Her,” a poetic.

Deeply personal meditation on life in 1960s Paris; and “Synecdoche, New York,” a surreal and philosophical exploration of art, identity, and the nature of existence.

Experimental movies may not be for everyone, but for those willing to explore new and unconventional forms of cinema, these films offer a rich and rewarding viewing experience.

They challenge us to think differently about the world around us and offer new perspectives on the human condition.

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The 20 Best Movies About Human Experiments

A relatively common trope in horror films and psychological thrillers, the concept of human experiments is truly horrific due to the realities of their existence. From World War II Nazi experiments to the birth of psychology field testing, the implantation of testing humans has resulted in a lot of suffering, but also a lot of knowledge about human behavior.

Therefore, the of human experimentation often results in two sides – that the overall good of knowledge counterbalances anything bad that can come out of the experiment, which is the mentality commonly seen in the experimenter, and the counterargument that nothing good can come out of anything bad is generally led by the subjects or victims.

From 1930’s Frankenstein to 1960’s French science fiction to today’s exploitation of horror films as seen in the “Saw” and “Human Centipede” franchises, the theme has had a long tradition.

20. Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1975)

Don Edmonds’ endeavour into the nazisploitation genre follows Ilsa (Dyanne Thorne), a Kommandant of a Nazi prison camp. She conducts sadistic scientific experiments to fellow women in order to prove to the higher ranked officers that women are more capable of enduring pain than men are, and therefore should be allowed to fight in the German armed forces, since the Nazi military are in dire need of reinforcements.

Besides torturing women, every night she chooses male prisoners and rapes them and after she finishes with them, she castrates and kills them.

Even though the film is not for the light-hearted and extremely exploitative (hence nazisploitation), the sex-addicted sadist Ilsa is patterned after real-life murderous female Nazi camp personnel Ilse Koch and Irma Grese.

Before the film begins, there is a notice saying: “The film you are about to see is based on documented fact. The atrocities shown were conducted as ‘medical experiments’ in special concentration camps throughout Hitler’s Third Reich.

Although these crimes against humanity are historically accurate, the characters depicted are composites of notorious Nazi personalities; and the events portrayed, have been condensed into one locality for dramatic purposes. Because of its shocking subject matter, this film is restricted to adult audiences only. We dedicate this film with the hope that these heinous crimes will never happen again.”

The film was followed by three sexploitation sequels, Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (1976), Ilsa, the Wicked Warden (1977) and Ilsa, the Tigress of Siberia (1977).

19. Re-Animator (1985)

Stuart Gordon’s science fiction horror comedy loosely based on the H. P. Lovecraft episodic novella “Herbert West–Reanimator” follows Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs), a medical student, as he successfully brings his dead professor back to life, but finds that there are horrible side-effects which end up re-killing Gruber.

West moves away to continue his experiments with the help of fellow medical student, Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott), as they try convince the University’s Dean, Dr. Alan Halsey (Robert Sampson), about the possibilities of reanimation of the dead.

Originally, Gordon was going to adapt Lovecraft’s story for the stage, and then planned to make a half-hour television pilot, and then reformatted the pilot and the twelve episodes which were planned to follow to be maximized to an hour.

Eventually they decided on making a standard film since the majority of the horror fan bases were found to watch films more than television. Gordon and his writers, Dennis Paoli and William Norris, also intended it to be a period piece at the beginning of the 20th Century, but found it to be too over-budget and hence landed on adapting it to modern-day Chicago.

The fast pace, deadpan humour and bloody special-effects led to the integration of B-grade thrillers, surrealist art and 80s comedy and to an overall cult classic.

18. The Boys from Brazil (1978)

Franklin J. Schaffner’s British-American science fiction thriller based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin follows young Barry Kohler (Steve Guttenberg) and retired Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier) as they track down a secret organization of Third Reich war criminals, including the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele (Gregory Peck), the infamous Auschwitz doctor, who are, themselves, tracking down 94 seemingly random men in different countries, including Austria, Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, the United States, and kill them.

Lieberman follows Kohler’s leads and begins travelling to investigate the suspicious deaths of these men. He meets their widows and is astonished to find an eerie resemblance in their adopted, black-haired, blue-eyed sons, who all have similar mannerisms despite being from different places and speaking various languages.

Lieberman also discovers strange similarities with regards to the assassinated men’s cold attitudes towards the boy, the mother’s affectionate bond, and the ages of the parents during the time of adoption. The reason behind the uncanny resemblance is astoundingly chilling as Schaffner utilises iconic actors to tell an original tale that reimagines history and questions the “what if” attitudes of World War II.

The film gained three Academy Award nominations in the following categories – Best Actor (Laurence Olivier), Film Editing (Robert Swink) and for Original Score (Jerry Goldsmith). Gregory Peck was also recognised at the Golden Globes, earning a nomination for Best Actor is a Drama.

17. The Sylvian Experiments (2010)

Hiroshi Takahashi’s Japanese horror follows two sisters, Miyuki and Kaori, who are daughters of two neurosurgeons, Etsuko Ōta and Yukio. They all see a documentary of a secret experiment where the Japanese, Manchu, and Russian subjects’ temporal lobes are electrified until the subjects are strangely able to project a blinding white light.

Years later, Etsuko plans on conducting a similar experiment and recruits her daughter, Miyuki, as well as others to commit mass suicide assisted by Etsuko’s assistant, Hattori, as part of their initiation into the experiment. Miyuki wakes up inside a facility and is told that she has died and is currently astral projecting.

After having lost contact with her sister for six months, Kaori tracks down her last movements as she sees and talks to her in her dreams. Soon, her mother takes Kaori to the facility to learn about the experiment.

Etsuko reveals that she and Kaori have always wanted to become enlightened by the true reality beyond the current one in order to achieve a spiritual evolution. Takahashi, known as a screenwriter of “Ring”, once again utilises the source of thought through video since the documentary they initially saw sparked off their quest for enlightenment through experimentation.

16. Exam (2009)

Stuart Hazeldine’s psychological thriller, set in a parallel version of present-time United Kingdom, follow eight candidates as they sit for an employment assessment exam for the company, DATAPREV.

The Invigilator explains that the exam is 80 minutes and consists of only one question, but there are three rules that if broken, lead to disqualification. They must not talk to him or the armed guard at the door, they must not “spoil” their paper, and they must not leave the room. Each desk contains a question paper with the word “candidate”, followed by a number, from one to eight.

Set in real time, the exam begins and it is revealed that the papers are blank. One candidate is immediately disqualified, leaving the remaining seven – nicknamed Black, White, Brown, Dark, Blonde, Brunette, and Deaf – referring to their skin and hair colours, to realize that they can talk to each other and work together.

“White”, who is arrogant and rude, takes control of the group as they try to figure out how to reveal any hidden questions on the paper. The group manipulates tricks and uses each other in hopes of their disqualification. The scenario soon becomes dangerous, but they cannot talk to the armed guard or the invigilator for help.

Nominated for a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut, Hazeldine’s film makes incredible use of a single location, a few actors, and a tense countdown clock to the end of the exam, and subsequently, the end of the film. With multiple twists and turns, one wonders what job could be so important for such a chillingly claustrophobic interview, and Hazeldine does not disappoint.

15. Dead Ringers (1998)

David Cronenberg’s psychological thriller based on the lives of Stewart and Cyril Marcus and on Bari Wood and Jack Geasland’s novel “Twins”, follow Elliot and Beverly Mantle (both played by Jeremy Irons) who are identical twins and gynecologists who specialise in female fertility treatment.

The more confident and cynical of the two, Elliot, seduces women patients and when he eventually gets bored of them, passes them off to the shy and passive Beverly, without the women even realising that they have switched.

However, soon Beverly gets a girl by himself, Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold), who realises the difference between the two brothers.

The two become close, but she soon leaves town for work, sending Beverly into a depressive episode and leading him to abuse prescription drugs, become slave to paranoid delusions and see “mutant women” with abnormal genitalia. He must “fix” these women and commissions metallurgical artist Anders Wolleck to create a set of strange gynecological instruments specifically for operating on these fictional, mutant women.

Cronenberg, who is a master of body horror, is no stranger to graphic imagery and psychological dishevelling. Another film of his which could fall under this list is “The Fly” (1986), which follows Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), an eccentric scientist who has just successfully managed to create a teleportation device, and is anxious to use it himself.

5 Great Experimental Films Everyone Should See

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There's nothing quite like the jolt of seeing something truly out there on the big screen that truly shakes an audience member to the core. Experimental filmmaking has been a trend throughout the history of cinema, and many filmmakers have taken a stab at it with varying levels of success. When it's done well, an experimental film can truly transcend the boundaries of the genre and deliver a singular and unforgettable experience.

What defines a film as experimental can be a bit broad; it's usually characterized by a bold, avant-garde, and unconventional approach towards narrative and structure. The following films take the experimental label to the highest level, resulting in some of the most memorable entries in the subgenre to date. Take a look at what makes these experimental films five of the most unforgettable and uncompromising of the subgenre.

5 Enter The Void

This 2009 psychological thriller is the epitome of a head-trip. Enter the Void , from unorthodox filmmaker Gaspar Noé, follows an American drug dealer named Oscar who is shot and killed near the beginning of the film, initiating an out-of-body experience that allows him to recall moments from his past and hover over reality with a God's eye view. The film defies traditional narrative to place us directly in Oscar's head and depicts the metaphysical experience in a truly unique and artistic approach.

The film utilizes a neon-soaked Tokyo atmosphere to add texture and mood, and its cinematography is inspired by psychedelics like DMT, contributing to the distorted nature of the film. Enter the Void is a purely sensory experience that immerses us in our protagonist's confusion and delivers some truly breathtaking and chaotic imagery in the process.

Enter the Void drew a mixed reception upon release but has developed its fair share of ardent fans, and is considered a 21st century cult classic by many for its imaginative storytelling, visual style, and abstract take on the concepts of grief, loss, spirituality, and death. It's certainly one of the most accomplished experimental films of the past decade and continues to resonate with audiences, still being considered one of the most hypnotic films ever made.

Ingmar Bergman has subverted the modern traditions of filmmaking numerous times throughout his career, and his landmark film Persona is a more than strong showcase for his talents and for experimental cinema in general. The film follows a young nurse caring for a former actress who has gone mute; in the process the two form a symbiotic relationship that ends up leading to obsession. The film draws on the surreal perspective of its protagonists to create an air of tension and unease throughout, and Bergman's black and white visuals are consistently haunting and surreal.

Related: Here Are Some of the Most Visually Stunning TV Shows Ever Made

Persona defies linear narrative and visually and thematically plays with themes of identity, motherhood, and reality. Featuring an astounding, extended sequence of truly haunting, avant-garde images and filmmaking techniques, Persona has since gone on to be considered one of the greatest films ever made and has been analyzed frequently by critics and scholars. Persona is considered a textbook example of an experimental film, with its endless meanings and ambiguous nature towards its own storytelling.

3 Holy Motors

The French film Holy Motors takes the idea of double roles to an artful and experimental extreme, and consequently creates an incredible meditation on the art of acting and cinema itself. Leos Carax's film follows a man named Mr. Oscar who takes on the form of several individuals living out moments in their daily lives, as he careens through city streets in his limousine. The ever-shifting narrative makes for some dynamic storytelling and filmmaking, and each segment represents a particular cinematic style or aesthetic. The juggling narratives and tonal shifts ensure that Holy Motors is an evolving cinematic experience, one that at times purely defies convention to deliver some imaginative visuals and wonderful musical sequences.

The film never settles for a straightforward or traditional narrative and is consistently challenging its audience with its dense yet thought-provoking storytelling. Holy Motors was met with critical acclaim upon release and has been lauded for its unapologetic originality and abstract themes and presentation. The film competed for the Palme d'Or prize at Cannes and has since earned itself a cult following in the years since. As a piece of filmmaking, Holy Motors is gloriously experimental, and one of the most distinct visual experiences in modern cinema.

2 Mulholland Drive

Experimental filmmaking is something David Lynch is no stranger to, and his 2001 masterpiece Mulholland Drive is no exception. Mulholland Drive defies the norms of genre and convention through its tale of murder, romance, and obsession set against the backdrop of Hollywood. Mulholland Drive, like many of David Lynch's movies , is full of surreal sequences that combines genres to deliver a memorably unpredictable experience.

Related: Here's What Makes Mulholland Drive One of the Greatest Fantasy Films Ever Made

The film is full of ambiguous plot threads and themes that, in true Lynchian fashion, are never neatly resolved or addressed, but leave fans engaged nonetheless. Mulholland Drive has long been open to speculation over its themes and plot, and has the kind of ending which should be watched twice . Considered one of the most influential films of the past few decades, Mulholland Drive set the bar for experimental filmmaking this century with a high benchmark that continues to inspire and captivate viewers.

1 The Holy Mountain

Master of the midnight movie , Alejandro Jodorowsky is accustomed to creating surreal cinematic experiences, and The Holy Mountain reigns chief among them. The film is a surrealist experience involving a strange and spiritual journey among seven individuals to a territory known as the Holy Mountain. The film lacks a clear-cut presentation or story beyond that, but manages to deliver rich symbolism, haunting visuals, and imaginative filmmaking in the process.

Jodorowsky's psychedelic and subversively twisted perspective is deeply captivating, and while it's hard to take in all of its subtext at once, The Holy Mountain is pure cinema through and through. The film has steadily earned its admirers and followers throughout the years and for some is considered Jodorowsky's masterpieces. While it may not always get the attention of some of his other films such as El Topo , The Holy Mountain is still a powerful, insightful, and complex work of art that continues to draw viewers in with its mysteries, and is now an established part of the experimental filmmaking canon.

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What is Experimental Film — History, Examples & Movements

W hat is an experimental film? This elusive and niche genre can be difficult to define, and there are many common misconceptions about experimental filmmaking, but we’ll be sorting through the fact and the fiction to provide a comprehensive overview of what it means for a film to be “experimental”. We’ll get started with a definition, then dig deeper into experimental filmmaking as a genre, and finally close things out by taking a look at some notable examples.

Avant garde film definition

First, let’s define experimental film.

There are many film terms and phrases that could use simple definitions, and we’ve compiled them all in our ultimate guide to filmmaking terminology . You can also look up definitions for every genre of film in our ultimate guide to movie genres .

EXPERIMENTAL FILM DEFINITION

What is an experimental film.

An experimental film is a project bucks the trends of conventional cinema and pushes the medium of film in unexplored ways. The spectrum of experimental films is extremely broad; this genre encompasses a great many types of projects of varying lengths, styles, and goals.

There are experimental feature films, though more experimental projects have shorter runtimes. This is due in part to many experimental films being made for low budgets and/or the fact that the majority of experimental films are never intended for mainstream appeal or traditional distribution.

AVANT GARDE FILM CHARACTERISTICS

• Can be any length
• Niche and often artsy
• Pushes boundaries and tries new things

Experimental filmmakers

Digging deeper into experimental film.

Let’s dig a little deeper into what it means for a project to be classified as an experimental film. There is a modicum of debate over what exactly constitutes an experimental film, and some projects blur the line between traditional cinema and experimental filmmaking by including elements of each. Experimentation can be found in the editing, in the filming, in the subject matter, or in the manipulation of the camera and celluloid’s chemical and mechanical processes.

A beginner’s guide to experimental cinema

There are many misconceptions about what experimental filmmaking is, so let’s dispel a couple. One common belief is that experimental films have no story. While some experimental films certainly lack anything that could be considered a traditional narrative, that does not hold true for all experimental films.

Another commonly held notion is that experimental films are weird for the sake of being weird or that they are simply filmed nonsense. This is quite a reductive stance to take on the entire genre, but it is an opinion shared by many. The audience for experimental films can be extremely niche, and experimental filmmakers are aware of this. They are not made for everyone.

Surreal = experimental is another common misconception. Containing an element of surrealism does not automatically make a project experimental in nature. However, there is an intrinsic linkage between surrealism and experimental cinema, so the misconception is understandable. Let’s clarify this point with an example.

Sexy Beast  •  dream sequence

This dream sequence from the gangster flick Sexy Beast is undoubtedly surreal yet there is nothing experimental at play. The surrealism is conjured through traditional filmmaking means only. So, while surrealism and experimental cinema often go hand-in-hand, surrealism alone is not enough to constitute a film being labeled as experimental; the filmmaking methods and the pushing or warping of boundaries play important roles as well.

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The history of experimental cinema

Experimental filmmaking over the years.

Since the first camera was invented , artists have been experimenting with the tool. At the dawn of cinema, everything was an experiment. It was only through the intervention of time that certain techniques and methods became standard.

While many of the techniques used in Voyage dans la Lune seem antiquated by modern filmmaking standards, they were absolutely boundary shattering way back in 1902. Radical experimentation was necessary to pull off so many things that had never before been seen or created in the medium of film.

A Trip to the Moon

As cinematic techniques improved and became seen as standards, there were still filmmakers willing to experiment and push the envelope. 1929’s Un Chien Andalou was an early masterpiece of both surrealism and experimental filmmaking. Many of the techniques used in Un Chien Andalou were experimental at the time but have since been integrated into more standard filmmaking techniques as the decades have passed. Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel were two master surrealists and played an important role in the common linkage between surrealism and experimentation through their boundary pushing methods.

Un Chien Andalou

By the 1940s, surrealism and experimental filmmaking were further linked through the work of Maya Deren. Over time, she has proven to be one of the most influential experimental filmmakers of all time. She created a number of experimental short films, the first of which, Meshes of the Afternoon , is often credited as a turning point for experimental and avant garde cinema. The short remains a highlight of the genre more than 70 years after it was first released.

If you are interested in making your own short films, check out our how to make a short film guide first.

Meshes of the Afternoon  •  Maya Deren

Andy Warhol is a name well known in the pop art world, but he made numerous contributions to the experimental film world as well. Warhol made nearly 150 experimental short films throughout his lifetime, and a number of them made throughout the 1960s were considered important contributions to the form. Below is a compilation of six of Warhol’s shorts made between 1964 and 1966.

Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests

David Lynch is perhaps the most well-known filmmaker to consistently experiment in his films. He earned a spot on our list of the best directors of all time . Some Lynch projects explore a blend between experimental cinema and traditional filmmaking, while other Lynch projects comfortably fall into the “wholly experimental” category. Since his debut feature in 1977 with Eraserhead , Lynch has continued to employ experimental techniques in his feature films to this day. A significant degree of Eraserhead’s experimentation can be found in the atmospheric sound design . Listen closely to the trailer below.

Eraserhead  •  trailer

Now that we’ve explored a brief history of experimental filmmaking, let’s see if we can sort experimental films into a few distinct categories.

Experimental film examples

Types of experimental films.

Though experimental films in general can be a bit difficult to categorize as they defy convention by their very nature, there are a few common types we can examine from a bird’s eye view . The first type is: experimental films that challenge the form of filmmaking . This includes projects that defy the expectation of what a film is and manipulate the creation process, like Stan Brakhage’s Dog Star Man .

Dog Star Man  •  complete

This piece of experimental filmmaking was originally produced as four shorts before being compiled as a singular project. Dog Star Man is often hailed as an experimental masterpiece and was made through various manipulations to the film stock, experimenting with different exposure types, and radical editing techniques.

Another film that lands in the “challenges the form” category is Derek Jarman’s Blue . This one-hour-19-minute experimental film features just a single, unchanging visual for the entire duration: a solid blue screen. An intricately orchestrated audio track underscores the static visual, and the two combine to form a highly emotional experience.

Blue  •  Derek Jarman

Our next type of experimental film is the experimental documentary . Check out our list of the best documentaries to set a baseline for traditional documentary filmmaking before we jump into the experimental side of the genre. This experimental category encompasses projects like the nearly century old Soviet-produced Man With a Movie Camera . The full documentary is available to watch below.

Man With a Movie Camera

Another experimental documentary found in this category comes from none other than Orson Welles with For for Fake . This documentary, essay-film hybrid blurs the lines between fact and fiction in a fascinating way.

F for Fake Video Essay

Experimental Animation is a tried and true category of experimental filmmaking with many worthwhile and envelope pushing entries. Again, you can set a baseline for the non-experimental side of this genre by checking out our list of the best animated films ever made . As for the experimental side of the medium, first, we can return to David Lynch for his contribution to the category.

Six Men Getting Sick

The above short film, Six Men Getting Sick , was David Lynch’s very first foray into filmmaking. He began his journey into the arts as a painter, and you can see him bridging the gap with this painted filmmaking experiment.

For further examples of experimental animation, we can look to the Quay Brothers. Their shorts utilize a dreamy blend of stop-motion animation and puppetry. A number of their shorts are in the criterion collection; here is a highlight reel for four of their shorts.

Criterion teaser for the Quay Brothers

And for one last example of experimental animation found in a recent film, we can look to 2018’s German-Chilean production La Casa Lobo . Sculpture, stop-motion, traditional animation, and other artistic techniques were blended together in jaw dropping fashion that utilized life-size sets and dizzying camerawork. This experimental production pushes the boundaries of animation and accomplishes things never before seen in the medium. It gives the absolute best stop-motion films a run for their money.

The Wolf House  •  trailer

Experimental filmmaking remains alive and well in the modern filmmaking age. As long as there are boundaries left to push, filmmakers will continue to experiment.

What Was Dogme 95?

If you’re interested in experimental filmmaking, the Dogme 95 cinematic vow of chastity makes a fascinating case study into a radical filmmaking experiment. Learn about the movement, why and how it was created, the films that comprise it, and more, up next.

Up Next: What was Dogme 95? →

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By Amelia Ames

April 17, 2017

After MoMA's Bruce Conner retrospective this past summer and the Whitney's celebrated "Dreamlands: Immersive Cinema and Art" survey, experimental film finally seems to be back on the New York art world's agenda. But for a long time, film was the thorn of art history after that thing called "Hollywood" came along, which threatened the avant-garde film's separation from mainstream cinema.

Experimental or avant-garde film can be traced all the way back to canonical artists like Marcel Duchamp and Many Ray , but what happens post-Hollywood? Here's a quick guide to postwar experimental film in the United States, ranging from Expanded Cinema of the '60s to the origins of underground queer cinema with artists like Jack Smith. We've got the critics and the crucial texts you need to read (each essay has been linked) and the artists you need to know.

Expanded Cinema of the '60s

Critic to Know: GENE YOUNGBLOOD Seminal Text to Know: Expanded Cinema (1970)

Gene Youngblood was a crucial theorist of media arts and alternative cinema during the 1960s and '70s. He was the first to consider video an art form, folding computer and media art into the genre. His seminal book Expanded Cinema was the first to define one of the most heterogeneous movements in film history. As you can probably guess from term, “expanded cinema” refers to cinema that expands beyond the bounds of traditional uses of celluloid film, to inhabit a wide range of other materials and forms including video, television, light shows, computer art, multimedia installation and performance, kinetic sculpture, theater, and even holography. Mixing psychedelic consciousness and Marxist theory, Youngblood explains “when we say expanded cinema we actually mean an expanded consciousness.” So if you’re still confused after seeing Stan Vanderbeek’s immersive psychedelic Movie Drome (1965) at the Whitney’s Dreamlands exhibition this year, take a look at the first chapter of Youngblood’s Expanded Cinema (the entire book is available on the PDF link above).

ARTISTS TO KNOW: Stan Vanderbeek, Carolee Schneemann , Malcom Le Grice, Mark Leckey

Found Footage Film

Critic to Know: CRAIG BALDWIN Seminal Text to Know: From Junk to Funk to Punk to Link : A survey of found-footage film in San Francisco Bay Area

Any narrative of postwar experimental film has to begin in California. Reacting against the expansion of Hollywood, experimental film was, in essence, a form of cinema that radically opposed the aesthetics and politics of mainstream media. The rise of psychedelic light shows, beatnik films, and alternative outdoor venues like Canyon Cinema (a filmmakers cooperative started by Bruce Baillie that exhibited independent, non-commercial film) all lead the Bay area to become an epicenter of avant-garde film in the second half of the century. Experimental filmmaker Craig Baldwin’s essay “From Junk to Funk to Punk to Link” is a must-read for anyone interested in a short genealogy of found footage film, seen in likes of Bruce Conner and Gunvor Nelson's work. A pioneer of found-footage himself, Baldwin remains in San Francisco to this day where he continues to program content for Artist’s Television Access, which broadcasts art films on Public-access television. For more on experimental film in the Bay Area click here to see the Berkeley Art Museum’s catalogue, “Radical Light: Alternative Film and Video in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1945-2000.”

ARTISTS TO KNOW: Bruce Conner , Craig Baldwin, Robert & Gunvor Nelson, Chick Strand

Structuralist Film

Critic to Know: PETER GIDAL Seminal Text: "Introduction" of Structural Film Anthology (1976)

Structuralist or Materialist film is what Minimalism was to sculpture in the 1960s. In his paradigm book Structural Film Anthology (1976), English theoretician and filmmaker Peter Gidal writes frankly that "Structural/Materialist film attempts to be non-illusionist" in its attempt to "demystify the film process." Structuralist film, like Minimalist objects, doesn't actually represent anything. Instead, it exposes the relations between the camera and the way an image is presented, and explores the characteristics specific to the medium—spotlighting elements like flatness, grain, light, and movement. Tony Conrad's film The Flicker (1966), exemplary of the movement, consists purely of rapidly alternating black and white frames, achieving a kind of strobe light effect. If you're hesitant to submit yourself to the full fifteen minutes of Flicker (we don't blame you), then take a look at Gidal's introduction in the Structural Film Anthology to get a better idea about what this strange movement was really about.

ARTISTS TO KNOW: Tony Conrad, Hollis Frampton, Michael Snow

Feminist Film

Critic to Know: LAURA MULVEY Seminal Text: Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema (1975)

Laura Mulvey is a British feminist film theorist, currently teaching film and media studies at Birbeck, University of London. Drawing from psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, Mulvey’s seminal essay “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” (1975) was crucial in inaugurating the intersection of film theory, psychoanalysis, and feminism. Mulvey was the first to term what has come to be known as the “male gaze.” In the essay, she argues that classic Hollywood cinema inevitably positioned the spectator as a masculine and active voyeur, and the passive woman on screen as object of his scopic desire. The essay challenged conventional film theory and paved the way for an entire era of feminist artist’s work on the male gaze (think Cindy Sherman’s Untitled film stills.). After reading “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” you’ll never look at a Hitchcock or John Wayne the same.

ARTISTS TO KNOW: Peggy Ahwesh, Barbara Hammer, Laurie Simmons

Camp & Queer Cinema

Critic to Know: SUSAN SONTAG Seminal Text: "Notes On Camp" (1964)

Susan Sontag was one of the most revered writers, filmmakers, political activists, and critics of her generation. Sontag wrote extensively about photography, culture and media, AIDS, and the Vietnam War. Sontag’s most well known essay, “Notes on Camp,” is crucial for anyone interested in the legacy of queer filmmakers like Jack Smith, who is most known for his banned film Flaming Creatures (1963) that right-wing politician Strom Thurmand mentioned in anti-pornography speeches. Although Sontag does not define camp, she writes that the essence of a “camp” sensibility lies in “its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.” For anyone interested in the kitschy, exotic films of Jack Smith and underground Queer Cinema, Sontag’s “Notes on Camp” is a must.

ARTISTS TO KNOW: Jack Smith, Andy Warhol , Isaac Julien

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A Critical Guide to Understanding Experimental Film

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Experimentation in Film / The Avant-Garde

History and development of film

Advent of Cinema

Experimentation with Sound

Documentary and Propaganda

By the early 1920s, film production was flourishing in America, Europe, and Australia, and technological advancements coupled with bigger budgets allowed filmmakers to release increasingly ambitious films. But the people involved in producing, writing, directing, and acting were considered entertainers more than artists and creators, and film itself was not thought of as an art form. Arguments began emerging that film should be considered a new and distinctly modern art, reflective of the industrial and entrepreneurial context from which it arose. While these debates were taking place, independently minded filmmakers working outside of the studio system, as well as enterprising visual artists, were approaching motion picture technology with different visions—and making art.

In Paris in the 1920s, artists like Man Ray, Fernand Léger, and Marcel Duchamp brought film into the fold of the avant-garde . They focused on form , making freewheeling, semi-abstract films from assembled images and snippets of text. Around the same time in Germany and the Soviet Union, painters and filmmakers were experimenting with techniques like montage , fracturing and collaging scenes and sequences into hallucinatory visions. Soviet director Dziga Vertov took an especially radical approach, declaring, “We proclaim the old films, based on romance, theatrical films and the like, to be…mortally dangerous! Contagious!” In this spirit, he deconstructed the process of filmmaking itself in work that revealed the gamut of camera and editing tricks used to craft convincing filmic worlds and that argued for the superiority of the camera over the human eye.

As the decades progressed, Hollywood increasingly set the standard for how films were made. Some avant-garde artists and filmmakers reacted against Hollywood conventions, using montage and assemblage to develop narratives with a complexly layered and shifting sense of time, location, and action. They also disrupted narratives by intercutting still photographs or scenes shot in a different style or broke the illusion of reality altogether with dialogue, sounds, or images that jar viewers into awareness of film’s artifice. Hollywood has no bearing on the motivations of other artists and filmmakers, whose work takes a great variety of forms, including abstract studies of light and motion meant to play with perception.

6 works online

Fernand Léger Ballet mécanique 1924

Joseph Cornell Rose Hobart 1936

Maya Deren, Alexander Hammid Meshes of the Afternoon 1943

Jack Smith Flaming Creatures 1963

Yvonne Rainer Kristina Talking Pictures 1976

Bill Morrison Decasia: The State of Decay 2001

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Margaret qualley says husband jack antonoff “lied” to adam sandler to get her ‘happy gilmore 2’ role.

The actress is set to star in the Netflix sequel, which sees Adam Sandler return to his golfing ways.

By Carly Thomas

Carly Thomas

Associate Editor

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Margaret Qualley said she “can die happy now” after landing a role in Happy Gilmore 2 , however, her husband Jack Antonoff had to tell a little fib about her golfing experience to help get her the part.

During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , the actress called the original 1996 comedy starring Adam Sandler her “favorite movie” and its star her “first crush.” So when she learned about Netflix ‘s upcoming sequel, she was determined to do anything to appear in it.

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Host Jimmy Fallon then proceeded to show a text message conversation between Antonoff and Sandler, in which the Murder Mystery 2 star asked, “Does your wife golf at all?” The Bleachers frontman replied, “Yeah she’s actually good.”

However, that wasn’t necessarily the truth.

“What a good husband. And I can’t golf,” Qualley admitted. “He lied for the sake of the family. … I never golfed a day in my life. I’m terrible, actually.”

The Substance actress noted that she “took some lessons, but mostly, I’m still bad.”

Qualley added that the Happy Gilmore 2 role was “the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” even though it’s a “tiny part.” She continued, “I’m essentially deep background, but I can die happy now.”

The Kyle Newacheck-directed movie, which began production in New Jersey earlier this month, not only sees Sandler return but Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald are also reprising their roles for the sequel. Travis Kelce and Bad Bunny are also set to make appearances.

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Assessing the Significance of the Current Russian and Ukrainian Operations for the Course of the War

Riley Bailey, Christina Harward, Angelica Evans, Grace Mappes, Davit Gasparyan, and Frederick W. Kagan

August 17, 2024

The following is an excerpt from the Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment for August 17, 2024.

The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast and Russian offensive operations in eastern Ukraine are not in themselves decisive military operations that will win the war. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces lack the capability to conduct individual decisive war-winning operations and must instead conduct multiple successive operations with limited operational objectives that are far short of victory, but that in aggregate can achieve strategic objectives. It is too early to assess the outcomes and operational significance of the Ukrainian incursion into Russia and the ongoing Russian offensive effort in eastern Ukraine. The significance of these operations will not emerge in isolation, moreover, but they will matter in so far as they relate to a series of subsequent Russian and Ukrainian campaigns over time.

The scale of the war in Ukraine prevents either side from resolving the war in a single decisive campaign.  ISW recently published "Ukraine and the Problem of Restoring Maneuver in Contemporary War," wherein Dr. Frederick W. Kagan and Dr. Kimberly Kagan noted that Ukraine and Russia both have the ability to establish deep defensive positions and reserves that will prevent any single campaign from achieving strategic war aims before it culminates. [1]  Russia's and Ukraine's ability to generate enough combat power to man continuous defensive positions with no open flanks and establish tactical depth at significant points along the frontline has forced both sides to attempt penetration battles that are so costly that subsequent exploitation is often not feasible. [2]  (Ukraine, in fact, took advantage of a flank the Russians had left open in Kursk Oblast, but Russia has enough combat power to cover its frontiers if it so chooses at the cost of pursuing other objectives). Russia and Ukraine can usually establish defensive positions at some distance in the rear and sufficiently stabilize the frontline even in the event of a successful penetration and exploitation. [3]  Effective Ukrainian and Russian campaign design therefore requires forethought and planning for multiple successive operations that each set conditions for the subsequent operation. [4]  Rarely has either side been able to conduct successive operations without interruption, however, since operational pauses or decreased operational tempo have offered the other belligerent the opportunity to contest and seize the initiative. [5]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military command likely view maintaining the theater-wide initiative as a strategic imperative to win a war of attrition against Ukraine, and both the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast and the Russian offensive effort in eastern Ukraine will impact whether Russian forces can retain the initiative in the short-term.  Russian forces seized the theater-wide initiative in November 2023 and have since conducted consistent offensive operations throughout eastern and northeastern Ukraine as part of a campaign designed to stretch Ukrainian forces and prevent Ukraine from accumulating the resources necessary to contest the initiative. [6]  The Russian military has not pursued a new large-scale offensive operation in recent months in order to maintain a consistent offensive tempo in Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk Oblast, and Putin and the Russian military command have accepted that months of fighting will continue to result in marginal tactical gains. [7]  Putin has expressed a theory of victory in Ukraine that posits that Russian forces will be able to continue these gradual creeping advances indefinitely, however, while preventing Ukraine from conducting successful operationally significant counteroffensive operations. [8]  Putin likely assesses that as long as Russia can retain the initiative and prevent Ukraine from conducting operationally significant counteroffensive operations, Russia can inflict decisive losses on Ukraine over the long-term while outlasting Western security assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainian efforts to mobilize more of Ukraine's economy and population for the war effort. [9]

The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast has temporarily allowed Ukrainian forces to seize the battlefield initiative on one sector of the frontline and begin contesting Russia's theater-wide initiative. [10]  The Russian military appears to be attempting to maintain its offensive pressure in Donetsk Oblast, especially its offensive operation to seize Pokrovsk, and likely hopes that sustained offensive tempo in Donetsk Oblast will draw enough Ukrainian resources to defensive operations in the area to prevent Ukraine from contesting the battlefield initiative elsewhere by exploiting the theater-wide impacts of the incursion into Kursk Oblast. [11]  Just because Russian forces are prioritizing the offensive operation on Pokrovsk does not mean that Ukraine must decide to prioritize the defense of Pokrovsk over efforts elsewhere, however.

Putin and the Russian military command appear to measure success in eastern Ukraine in explicitly territorial terms and have likely pursued efforts to create wider operational pressures solely to support efforts to achieve stated territorial objectives.  Russian forces currently aim to seize all of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and the Russian military likely measures the success of Russian offensive operations in eastern Ukraine by how much closer they bring Russian forces to this goal. ISW has long assessed that the Russian efforts to seize Chasiv Yar or push Ukrainian forces off the east bank of the Oskil River in Kharkiv Oblast are pursuing operationally significant objectives, but Russian forces have instead increasingly prioritized the efforts to seize Pokrovsk and advance west and southwest of Donetsk City, an objective that is of relatively less operational significance. [12]  Russian forces may be focusing on advancing in these areas because these sectors of the front provide opportunities for greater territorial gains and because these areas allow Russian forces to advance closer to the borders of Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces have sought to create theater-wide pressures on Ukrainian forces similar to the ones that Ukraine is now inflicting on Russia with the incursion in Kursk Oblast, but Putin and the Russian military command have only sought to leverage these pressures to pursue limited territorial objectives and have forgone pursuing more operationally significant objectives or wider attempts to generate more significant theater-wide effects.

Ukrainian officials have indicated that Ukraine's operation in Kursk Oblast does not have long-term territorial objectives but instead aims to generate theater-wide operational and strategic pressures on Russian forces.  Ukrainian officials have publicly stated that Ukraine is not interested in holding territory in Kursk Oblast over the long term and aims in part to protect itself from Russian strikes while forcing Russian forces to redeploy forces from elsewhere in the theater and complicating Russian logistics. [13]  There are no discernable operationally significant territorial objectives in the area where Ukraine launched the incursion into Kursk Oblast, and Ukraine has not committed the resources to the operation necessary to pursue actual operationally significant territorial objectives further into Kursk Oblast, such as seizing Kursk City. The success of the Ukrainian incursion should thus not be evaluated in terms of Russian territory seized by Ukrainian forces.

The Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast has already generated theater-wide operational and strategic pressures on Russian forces, and subsequent phases of fighting within Russia will likely generate even greater pressures on Putin and the Russian military.  The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast has prompted the Russian military to redeploy up to 11 battalions from within Kursk Oblast and four Russian force groupings elsewhere in the theater to the frontline in Kursk Oblast so far. [14]  US officials reportedly told the  New York Times  in an article published on August 15 that Russia has committed reserves to Kursk Oblast that it otherwise would have committed to grinding offensive operations in eastern Ukraine in the coming months. [15]  The redeployment of Russian forces and the commitment of elements of operational reserves has allowed Russian forces to slow initially rapid Ukrainian gains in Kursk Oblast and start containing the extent of the Ukrainian incursion. [16]  Containment is only the first and likely least resource-intensive phase of the Russian response in Kursk Oblast, however. Putin and the Kremlin will almost certainly endeavor to retake Russian territory in Kursk Oblast that Ukrainian forces have seized, as persisting Ukrainian occupation of Russian territory would be a strategic blow to Putin's decades-long effort to cement a legacy of Russian stability, security, and geopolitical resurgence. [17]

A Russian counteroffensive operation to retake territory seized by Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast will very likely require even more manpower, equipment, and materiel. Russian sources have claimed that Ukrainian forces are consolidating their positions within Kursk Oblast and building fortifications, although it is too early to assess how hard Ukraine forces will defend occupied positions within Russia against likely Russian counteroffensive operations. [18]  It is also too early to assess when Russian forces will stop Ukrainian advances in Kursk Oblast completely and seize the battlefield initiative to launch a larger counteroffensive operation. Russian forces have expended considerable combat power on the effort to seize Pokrovsk, which they began in mid-February 2024 after seizing Avdiivka, and have since advanced roughly 23 kilometers in the area over six months of the most intense fighting in Ukraine in 2024. [19]  The current Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast appears to be roughly 56 kilometers wide and up to 28 kilometers deep, although the area where Ukrainian forces are consolidating positions is likely smaller in size. Russian forces will likely have to conduct a prolonged counteroffensive effort to retake all of the territory seized by Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast unless they bring overwhelming force to bear, and the Russian military command will likely have to commit additional operational reserves and newly generated forces to sustain the effort.

The Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast has also forced a decision point on Putin about the long-term strategic requirements of defending the thousand-kilometer-long international border with northeastern Ukraine, and it is unlikely that Russia will conduct intensive counteroffensive operations to push Ukrainian forces back across the border only to neglect the international border area once again and leave it vulnerable to future Ukrainian incursions. [20]  Putin will likely order the Russian military command to consider the manpower and materiel requirements for defending the international border, although it is unclear how he will weigh these requirements against Russian military requirements in Ukraine. The Russian military will have to consider manpower and materiel requirements for defending the international border as part of its theater-wide campaign design, which will impose long-term operational planning constraints that Russia previously did not face. [21]

Russian forces will not be able to retain the initiative throughout eastern Ukraine indefinitely, and the culmination of Russian offensive operations will present Ukrainian forces with opportunities to contest the initiative further.  Russia's possession of the theater-wide initiative has allowed Russia to determine the location, time, intensity, and requirements of fighting in Ukraine, and Russian forces have leveraged these benefits to determine an offensive tempo in Ukraine that has allowed the Russian military to conduct more sustainable offensive efforts and largely avoid culmination. [22]  Russian forces pursued a prolonged effort to establish strategic and operational reserves ahead of Summer 2024 to support ongoing offensive efforts, and the Russian military has likely expended and committed many of these reserves to offensive operations throughout eastern and northeastern Ukraine in Spring 2024 and over the course of this summer. [23]  The Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast and the heightened Russian priority of maintaining the tempo of offensive operations in Donetsk Oblast will likely place greater strain on Russia's remaining operational reserves and likely begin to impact Russia's ability to sustain consistent offensive operations throughout the theater. Further Russian redeployments to Kursk Oblast would also further weaken Russia's ability to sustain offensive operations in northeastern and eastern Ukraine, although Russian forces are more likely to begin decreasing offensive activity on lower-priority sectors of the front than to do so equally throughout the frontline.

The Russian offensive operation to seize Pokrovsk is emblematic of the Russian approach to the war in Ukraine that embraces positional warfare for gradual creeping advances and seeks to win a war of attrition.  The Russian military command tasked the Central Grouping of Forces with identifying and exploiting weaknesses in Ukraine's defensive line following the Russian seizure of Avdiivka in mid-February 2024. [24]  Mechanized elements of the Central Grouping of Forces achieved a notable tactical breakthrough northwest of Avdiivka in mid-April 2024 by exploiting exhausted and poorly equipped Ukrainian forces, and the Russian military command continued to invest additional manpower from Russia's operational reserves to prevent offensive operations east of Pokrovsk from culminating for several months. [25]  Russian forces applied consistently intense offensive pressure all along the front east and southeast of Pokrovsk and opportunistically exploited weaknesses in Ukraine's defenses to advance in this direction, and the Russian military command has tolerated significant manpower losses in exchange for advancing roughly two square kilometers per day (roughly 406 square kilometers in total) in Pokrovsk Raion over the last six months. Russian forces in the Pokrovsk direction have focused on frontal infantry assaults from small village to small village in their gradual advance to Pokrovsk and have spent weeks at times trying to seize small villages in the area without attempting advance by maneuver.

The Russian military command appears to have abandoned its efforts to make rapid tactical gains in the Pokrovsk direction and embraced positional warfare. [26]  Putin's calculus that Russia can continue gradual creeping advances indefinitely during a prolonged state of positional warfare is predicated on Russia's manpower and materiel advantage. [27]  Russia's ongoing force generation rates have allowed Russian forces to sustain their current tempo of offensive operations throughout the frontline by generating roughly as many new forces as the Russian military loses in a given period. [28]  Russia's defense industry is reportedly capable of producing or refurbishing enough armored vehicles to sustain Russia's current rate of armored vehicle losses in Ukraine for at least two or three years. [29]  Putin's theory of victory rests on the assumption that Ukrainian forces cannot acquire and sustain the manpower and material required to prevent indefinite, gradual Russian advances or contest the initiative, and Ukrainian forces appear to be actively challenging this assumption in Kursk Oblast. [30]

Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast illustrates how Ukrainian forces can use maneuver warfare to offset Russian manpower and materiel advantages.  Russian forces have overall occupied 1,175 square kilometers of territory throughout the entire Ukrainian theater in the seven months from January and July 2024, as ISW recently assessed. [31]  In stark contrast, ISW has observed claims that Ukraine's operation in Kursk Oblast advanced roughly 800 square kilometers over six days from August 6 to 12 and advanced roughly 28 kilometers deep as of August 17. [32]  Again, the size of the area seized by Ukrainian forces is not an indicator of the success of that operation--it is offered here to show that restoring maneuver can produce much more rapid advances than positional warfare. The initial Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast attacked largely unprepared, unequipped, and unmanned Russian defensive positions along the border, but Ukraine has continued to leverage maneuver to make rapid advances in Kursk Oblast following the deployment of Russian reinforcements to the area. [33]  Ukraine's use of maneuver in Kursk Oblast serves as an example of how Ukrainian maneuver, coupled with operational surprise, can result in comparably sized gains in significantly shorter periods of time with less manpower and materiel. Prolonged positional warfare, in contrast, will only make Ukraine's resource disadvantages more pronounced and protracted war will increase the costs to Ukraine and its partners. [34]  Drs. Frederick and Kimberly Kagan noted that the challenge of restoring operational maneuver to the war remains the central problem for both sides at the operational level of war, and Ukraine's ability to achieve rapid maneuver in Kursk Oblast suggests that Ukrainian forces have internalized lessons from the past months of positional warfare that may help Ukraine leverage maneuver warfare in the future. [35]

It is simply too early to draw dispositive conclusions about the lasting effects that the two very different Russian and Ukrainian efforts will have on the course of the war.  ISW will continue to refrain from commenting on Ukrainian operational intent in Kursk Oblast or elsewhere in the theater beyond what Ukrainian officials themselves have said in order to protect Ukrainian operational security, but it is safe to conclude that the operational significance of the incursion in Kursk Oblast will depend on how Ukrainian forces leverage the theater-wide pressures the operation has created in subsequent operations that pursue operationally significant objectives. ISW also considers assessments about the operational significance of the possible Russian seizure of Pokrovsk to be premature given the possibility that Russian offensive operations throughout Donetsk Oblast will culminate in the coming weeks and months at yet-to-be-determined positions. The operational significance of Pokrovsk will likely depend on Russia's ability to leverage the seizure of the city in wider maneuver in Donetsk Oblast, which will be extremely difficult for Russian forces if offensive operations elsewhere in Donetsk Oblast culminate and in the absence of large operational reserves. It also remains unclear if Russian forces will be able to seize Pokrovsk before Russian forces culminate on this sector of the front.

ISW offers these observations about the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast and the months-long Russian offensive effort in eastern Ukraine to provide a balanced framework for assessing the significance of the current Russian and Ukrainian operations on the course of the entire war, which will remain uncertain for the foreseeable future.

Note: ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.

[1]   https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-and-problem-restoring-maneuver-contemporary-war  ;  https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20and%20the%20Problem%20of%20Restoring%20Maneuver%20in%20Contemporary%20War_final.pdf

[2]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-and-problem-restoring-maneuver-contemporary-war ; https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20and%20the%20Problem%20of%20Restoring%20Maneuver%20in%20Contemporary%20War_final.pdf  

[3]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-and-problem-restoring-maneuver-contemporary-war ; https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20and%20the%20Problem%20of%20Restoring%20Maneuver%20in%20Contemporary%20War_final.pdf 

[4]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-and-problem-restoring-maneuver-contemporary-war ; https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20and%20the%20Problem%20of%20Restoring%20Maneuver%20in%20Contemporary%20War_final.pdf   

[5]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-and-problem-restoring-maneuver-contemporary-war ; https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20and%20the%20Problem%20of%20Restoring%20Maneuver%20in%20Contemporary%20War_final.pdf   

[6]  https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/how-delays-western-aid-gave-russia-initiative-ukrainian-counteroffensive-kharkiv

[7]  https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/how-delays-western-aid-gave-russia-initiative-ukrainian-counteroffensive-kharkiv

[8]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar060724

[9]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar060724

[10]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081124

[11]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-15-2024

[12]   https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/how-delays-western-aid-gave-russia-initiative-ukrainian-counteroffensive-kharkiv  ;  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-winter-spring-2024-offensive-operation-kharkiv-luhansk-axis

[13]   https://isw.pub/UkrWar081324  ;

[14]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081124

[15]  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/us/politics/ukraine-incursion-russia-kursk.html  

[16]   https://isw.pub/UkrWar081624  ;  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-15-2024  ;  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081424  ;  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081324  ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar081224

[17]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar080824

[18]   https://isw.pub/UkrWar080824

[19]  https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/how-delays-western-aid-gave-russia-initiative-ukrainian-counteroffensive-kharkiv

[20]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081124

[21]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081124

[22]  https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/how-delays-western-aid-gave-russia-initiative-ukrainian-counteroffensive-kharkiv

[23]   https://isw.pub/UkrWar060824  ;  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-6-2024  ;  https://isw.pub/UkrWar032224  ;  https://isw.pub/UkrWar032124  ;  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-14-2024  ;  https://isw.pub/UkrWar020424  ;  https://isw.pub/UkrWar011924

[24]   https://isw.pub/UkrWar031324  ;  https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/how-delays-western-aid-gave-russia-initiative-ukrainian-counteroffensive-kharkiv

[25]   https://isw.pub/UkrWar031324  ;  https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/how-delays-western-aid-gave-russia-initiative-ukrainian-counteroffensive-kharkiv

[26]   https://isw.pub/UkrWar072624

[27]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar060724

[28]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar072424

[29]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar021324

[30]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar060724

[31]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081224

[32]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081224

[33]   https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-7-2024 ;  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-15-2024  ;  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081324

[34]  https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20and%20the%20Problem%20of%20Restoring%20Maneuver%20in%20Contemporary%20War_final.pdf

[35]  https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20and%20the%20Problem%20of%20Restoring%20Maneuver%20in%20Contemporary%20War_final.pdf

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Best Things To Do in Kursk, Russia

Have you ever visited a new place and felt ‘wow’ about it? For many visitors, it happens at Kursk.

Kursk may not be as popular as other cities in Russia, but don’t let that fool you. Kursk is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at Kursk.

If you have plans to visit Russia and are not sure if Kursk should be included in your itinerary, keep reading. In this list, we have put together some of the things to do in Kursk and around. We have a hunch that if you include this city in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.

Tourist Attractions in Kursk

Here is the list of things to do in Kursk and tourist attractions in city.

Kursk Vostochny Airport

Address: Kursk Vostochny Airport, Kursk, Russia Ulitsa Aeroporta, Kursk, Kurskaya oblast', Russia, 305040

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Dennis Quaid Is the Most Disgusting Movie Villain of the Year — And No, It's Not Reagan

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Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for The Substance.

Dennis Quaid ’s performance in his latest role as one of the sleaziest, more repulsive villains of the year totally blindsided audiences. And no, we're not talking about his turn as the titular U.S. President in this year's Reagan . We are, of course, referring to his role in Coralie Fargeat’ s satirical body horror The Substance . Quaid, whose career spans over 45 years with more than 70 roles , is usually known for his starring roles in action movies or as a handsome and charming romantic lead. He is typically remembered as the dad in the remakes of the 1960s movies The Parent Trap and Yours, Mine & Ours , paleoclimatologist in the 2004 cli-fi disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow , or for playing U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan. In The Substance , Quaid is definitely playing against type as the misogynistic slimeball network executive Harvey, which elevates his character’s villainy because of how unexpected the role is for him.

Dennis Quaid Goes For It in 'The Substance'

As the aptly named Harvey (we see what you did there, Fargeat), who was originally supposed to be played by Ray Liotta before his death in 2022 , Quaid leans all the way in and delivers a visceral performance that makes the viewer squirm in their seat. At times, his acting is so exaggerated and absurd that it is borderline campy , playing all the way into the satirical nature of his character. He is loud, foul, chauvinistic, and repugnant. Though there is not much substance behind his character (pardon the pun), Quaid is fantastic at playing the creep; he doesn't hold anything back, perhaps because he knows that he must subvert the expectations of the audience who recognize him from his previous roles.

'The Substance' Completely Flips a Stale Horror Trend on Its Head

This feminist body horror has got everyone talking.

It can be argued that Harvey is not technically the villain , because his intentions, while unsavory, are not necessarily evil or immoral, especially because they are a product of a system designed by and for men like him. The entertainment industry is built on a foundation of exploitation, and he is just a cog in the machine. It is Quaid's over-the-top performance that makes his character cartoonishly villainous. Quaid captures the potential for danger that women have a sixth sense of from men in positions of power. His characterization is deeply unsettling, and he feels like a dangerous person despite not actually doing anything violent or illegal. On a deeper level, the character of Harvey is the physical embodiment of the male gaze and represents the hypocritical nature of Hollywood’s unwavering beauty standards that are the catalyst for the events that later unfold in the movie .

Dennis Quaid's Crude Character Represents Hollywood

In an early scene, which Demi Moore playfully referred to as "the most violent scene in the whole movie," Harvey and Elisabeth ( Demi Moore ) are in a restaurant having lunch, where he chain-smokes cigarettes, is obnoxiously loud, and disgustingly slurps and munches on a plate of prawns through his yellowing teeth. Fargeat uses extreme closeups and a fisheye lens to bring the audience uncomfortably close to his face as pieces of half-masticated shellfish fly out of his mouth. The scene is revolting and hard to watch, especially because of the loudly exaggerated mouth sounds that accompany the disturbing visual . That, and the fact that he doesn't wash his hands when he uses the bathroom. The contrast between Quaid's crude and repulsive behavior and Moore's quiet poise in the scene is indicative of the movie's ethos: men and women are not held to the same standards of beauty and decorum because the standards are set by men. Harvey fires Elisabeth from her show on what happens to be her 50th birthday, and there is a rich and twisted irony in the fact that he is looking for someone fresh, young, and hot to replace her when he himself is none of those things.

After Elisabeth administers the Substance and Sue ( Margaret Qualley ) emerges as her replacement, Harvey pivots from being dismissive of Elisabeth because he no longer finds her sexually desirable, to be a slimy predatory creep toward Sue; two sides of the same misogynistic coin . Sue's youth and physical beauty, however, are not just fodder for the male gaze. As an executive, he knows that he can profit off of her and then dispose of her when she no longer serves his parasitic needs, just like he did to Elisabeth. Harvey and the other network executives, who are all older white men, perpetuate the impossible standards of youth and beauty that women internalize as self-hatred by sexualizing and infantilizing them.

For example, Fargeat's use of extreme closeups mimics the shudder-inducing feeling of when a man stands a little bit too close, exploiting their power and control in order to invade a woman's personal space, a feeling women know all too well. Similarly, the repetition of the phrase "pretty girls should always smile" is rage fuel for women, especially in a professional setting. Aside from the extreme body horror, the way the movie captures feelings of unease is what makes it so unsettling. It feels too close to home.

Dennis Quaid's performance as Harvey in Coralie Fargeat's The Substance is equal parts absurd and unsettling. Playing against type, Quaid leans into his character's crudeness and takes it all the way. Though the real villain of the movie is the concept of the patriarchal beauty standards that dictate women's value in society, Quaid's slimy and detestable characterization is a worthy embodiment of that insidious and intangible evil.

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