A Woman’s Touch (1983) by Warren Sonbert
Thursday, December 15, 1983, 8:00 pm
Warren Sonbert
A Woman’s Touch, 1983, 23 min., color; Rude Awakening, 1975, 36 min., color
Warren Sonbert’s involvement with avant-garde film has spanned nearly 20 years, during which time he has produced a remarkable body of personal films as well as many articles and lectures elucidating aspects of film history and theory. Filming on location around the world, Sonbert edits to create multiple meanings and nuances between seemingly disparate shots. He has written, “These films are accumulations of evidence. The images must be read: not only for what narrative connotations are given off by representational imagery as regards both language and figure-engaged activity, but also the constructive signposts of point-of-view, exposure, composition, color, directional pulls and textural overlay. In film the solo image is akin to an isolated chord; the kinetic thrust emerges with montage… It is specific and directed placement that provides film with both its structure and its freedom.” Sonbert has been living in San Francisco for several years, and was recently given a comprehensive retrospective of his films by the Whitney Museum. He will speak on his work in between the two films.