The Essay Film After Fact and Fiction

412 Pages·2018·8.99 MB·English

by  Nora M. Alter

The Essay Film After Fact and Fiction
NORA M. ALTER
THE ESSAY FILM
AFTER FACT
AND FICTION
FILM AND CULTURE SERIES
FILM AND CULTURE
A series of Columbia University Press
Edited by John Belton
For a full list of titles in this series, see pages 395–97
THE ESSAY FILM
AFTER FACT
AND FICTION
NORA M. ALTER
Columbia University Press
New York
Columbia University Press
Publishers Since 1893
New York Chichester, West Sussex
cup.columbia.edu
Copyright © 2018 Columbia University Press
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Alter, Nora M., 1962– author.
Title: The essay film after fact and fiction / Nora M. Alter.
Description: New York : Columbia University Press, 2017. |
Series: Film and culture | Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017028033 (print) | LCCN 2017041800 (e-book) |
ISBN 9780231178204 (cloth : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780231178211 (pbk. : alk. paper) |
ISBN 9780231545983 (e-book)
Subjects: LCSH: Experimental films—History and criticism. |
Documentary films—History and criticism.
Classification: LCC PN1995.9.E96 (e-book) |
LCC PN1995.9.E96 A455 2017 (print) |
DDC 791.43/611—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017028033
Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent
and durable acid-free paper.
Printed in the United States of America
Cover image: © Smoking Dogs Films ; Courtesy Lisson Gallery
Cover design: Lisa Hamm
FOR ARIELLE AND ZOË

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ix
INTRODUCTION(cid:2)1
1. BEGINNINGS(cid:2)31
2. SPEAKING ESSAYS OR INTERRUPTIONS(cid:2)57
3. THE ESSAY FILM AS ARCHIVE
AND REPOSITORY OF MEMORIES, 1947–1961(cid:2)91
4. THE ESSAY FILM AS THE FOURTH ESTATE(cid:2)143
5. THE ARTIST ESSAY: EXPANDING THE FIELD
AND THE TURN TO VIDEO(cid:2)195
6. NEW MIGRATIONS: THIRD CINEMA
AND THE ESSAY FILM(cid:2)239
VIII(cid:2)CONTENTS
7. BEYOND THE CINEMATIC SCREEN:
INSTALLATIONS AND THE INTERNET(cid:2)289
Notes 323
Bibliography 359
Index 385
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
M
y explorations of the essay film began two decades ago when few
people knew exactly what I was talking about. From the outset
I received support and encouragement from many individuals
who in varied ways provided me with invaluable assistance. This included
providing access to films, suggesting useful texts to reference, putting me
in contact with others in the field, or more generally engaging in conver-
sations about the topic. In writing this book, I have traversed continents
and participated in events at several institutions.
This book would not have been possible without research fellowships
from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Alexander von
Humboldt Foundation, and the Howard Foundation; this invaluable
assistance enabled me to spend critical time abroad carrying out archival
research. Invitations to speak and present my ideas and receive feedback
came from the Academy of Arts in Vienna, Bryn Mawr College, Carpenter
Center, Dartmouth College, Emory University, Free University of Amster-
dam, Free University of Berlin, Massachusetts Institute for Technology,
Miami University, Migros Museum in Zurich, Neue Berlin Kunstverein,
New School, New York University, Northwestern University, San Francisco
Art Institute, Slought Foundation, Swarthmore College, Tate Modern,
University of Lüneberg, University of Maryland, University of Penn-
sylvania, University of Washington, Vanderbilt University, Washington
University, Yale University, as well as annual conferences of the American