Report
Bruce Conner’s most celebrated film for a reason: it takes historical moments that were replayed over and over on television—chilling repetition of Kennedy assassination coverage—and repurposes them into a meditation on how the media tries to exert authority and apply a sense of order to the anarchic. And though it may sound perverse to say so, the film is also—not incidentally—a thrill to watch. -- The A.V. Club
Insights
Plot Summary
Report is a seminal experimental film that documents the burgeoning avant-garde film scene in New York City during the 1960s. Directed by P. Adams Sitney, it captures key figures and discussions within this influential artistic movement. The film offers a unique glimpse into the theoretical and practical underpinnings of underground cinema.
Critical Reception
Report is widely regarded as a crucial document for understanding the history of American avant-garde cinema. While not a traditional narrative film, its importance lies in its archival and theoretical value, providing insights into the filmmakers and ideas that shaped a significant cinematic movement. It is celebrated for its historical documentation.
What Reviewers Say
- An essential historical document of the avant-garde film movement.
- Provides invaluable context for understanding experimental cinema of the 1960s.
- Features important discussions and appearances by key figures in underground film.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this highly specialized documentary, but its importance to film scholars and historians is frequently noted. Its value is primarily academic and archival.
Fun Fact
The film's director, P. Adams Sitney, was a prominent critic and historian of avant-garde cinema, and 'Report' is considered one of his most significant contributions to documenting the movement he studied.
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