Self Song / Death Song

16mm, color, silent, 5 min
scans not available
SELF SONG documents a body besieged by cancer. The amber glow of narrowly focused, minuscule, layers of flesh and skin suggests both victory and submission to death. The warm colors of the flesh and textures ...
Rental format: 16mm

About

SELF SONG documents a body besieged by cancer. The amber glow of narrowly focused, minuscule, layers of flesh and skin suggests both victory and submission to death. The warm colors of the flesh and textures of the skin seemingly suggests a body which is very much alive. Yet, there is always an impending darkness. Blackness surrounds the image and, occasionally, takes it over altogether. Furthermore, the complex grooves and patterns of the flesh struggle to maintain their focus, suggesting the obscuring and dissolving effects of cancer. In DEATH SONG the response to death is certainly more positive. The film begins with a smooth palate of blue hues. The blue returns toward the end of the film as a rigid and structurally organized screen, which suggests the permanent aspect of death. But initially it serves to contrast a blinding sequence of overexposed yellow frames. Within these images are drowning microscopic organisms. Their structure and energy is laid bare for us. However, these images are constantly being 'washed out' by a 'grubby' whiteness, which seeks to dissolve the image entirely. In this respect, we might view the purity of whiteness as being 'soiled' and encompassing. The all-encompassing nature of death is modified or tainted by cancer – organs and living systems are in a frantic trauma, trying not to be 'washed out'. By the end of the film, the image has shifted to the blue screen. The gentle layers of blues and greens suggests a comfortable and smooth, despite rigid, aspect of death. It is a space in which the dirty whiteness should not pierce. Yet, this vision is too idyllic in Brakhage's mind, and thus he allows the blueness to bleed from the side of the frame, opening the 'blinds' to the cancerous light. – Andre Munoz, 1997

Films

  • Other films by this artist in our catalogue

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    Gnir Rednow
    Experimental

    Gnir Rednow
    Stan Brakhage

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    Desistfilm
    Experimental

    Desistfilm
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 7 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    In Between
    Experimental

    In Between
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, sound, 9.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
  • Read More
    Reflections on Black
    Experimental

    Reflections on Black
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 12 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Way to Shadow Garden
    Experimental

    The Way to Shadow Garden
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 10 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Wonder Ring
    Experimental

    The Wonder Ring
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 4 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Loving
    Experimental

    Loving
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 4 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Nightcats
    Experimental

    Nightcats
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 8 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Daybreak & Whiteye
    Experimental

    Daybreak & Whiteye
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 8 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Anticipation of the Night
    Experimental

    Anticipation of the Night
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 40 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Window Water Baby Moving
    Experimental

    Window Water Baby Moving
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 12 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Body
    • Biography / Autobiography
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    Wedlock House: An Intercourse
    Experimental

    Wedlock House: An Intercourse
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, silent, 11 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Sirius Remembered
    Experimental

    Sirius Remembered
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 10.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Cat's Cradle
    Experimental

    Cat's Cradle
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 6 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Spiritual / Mystical
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    The Dead
    Experimental

    The Dead
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 11 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Centuries of June
    Experimental

    Centuries of June
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 10 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Landscape / Architecture
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Thigh Line Lyre Triangular
    Experimental

    Thigh Line Lyre Triangular
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 9 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Prelude: Dog Star Man
    Experimental

    Prelude: Dog Star Man
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 25 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Films by Stan Brakhage: An Avant-Garde Home Movie
    Experimental

    Films by Stan Brakhage: An Avant-Garde Home Movie
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Blue Moses
    Experimental
    Narrative

    Blue Moses
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 10.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Spiritual / Mystical
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    Dog Star Man: Part I
    Experimental
    Narrative

    Dog Star Man: Part I
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 30 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Philosophical
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Dog Star Man: Part II
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man: Part II
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 5.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
    • Arts / Artists
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    Mothlight
    Experimental

    Mothlight
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 4 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
    • Hand-Processed
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    Oh Life—A Woe Story—The A Test News
    Experimental

    Oh Life—A Woe Story—The A Test News
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, silent, 5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Dog Star Man (Complete)
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man (Complete)
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 75 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Philosophical
    • Landscape / Architecture
    • Environment / Nature
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
    • Family
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    Dog Star Man: Part III
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man: Part III
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 7.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
    • Family
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    Dog Star Man: Part IV
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man: Part IV
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 6 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • History
    • Philosophical
    • Spiritual / Mystical
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    3 Films: Blue White/Bloodstone/Vein
    Experimental

    3 Films: Blue White/Bloodstone/Vein
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 8 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • History
    • Children / Youth
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    Black Vision
    Experimental

    Black Vision
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 2.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Psychology / Mental Health
    • Philosophical
    • Environment / Nature
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Fire of Waters
    Experimental

    Fire of Waters
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 10 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Pasht
    Experimental

    Pasht
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
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    Two: Creeley/McClure
    Experimental

    Two: Creeley/McClure
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Philosophical
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Zone Moment
    Experimental

    Zone Moment
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, sound, 3 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 1
    Documentary
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 1
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 24.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Psychology / Mental Health
    • Philosophical
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
    • Children / Youth
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    My Mountain: Song 27
    Experimental

    My Mountain: Song 27
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 24.25 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Horseman, The Woman And The Moth
    Experimental

    The Horseman, The Woman And The Moth
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 19 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Hand-Processed
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    My Mountain: Song 27: Part 2: Rivers
    Experimental

    My Mountain: Song 27: Part 2: Rivers
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 32.75 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 2
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 2
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 40 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 3
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 3
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 27.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Weir-Falcon Saga
    Experimental

    The Weir-Falcon Saga
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 29 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Animals of Eden and After
    Experimental

    The Animals of Eden and After
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 35 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Eyes
    Experimental

    Eyes
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 35.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Machine of Eden
    Experimental

    The Machine of Eden
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 11 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 4
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 4
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 46 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Sexual Meditation: #1 Motel
    Experimental

    Sexual Meditation: #1 Motel
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 7 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Door
    Experimental

    Door
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3.75 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Fox Fire Child Watch
    Experimental

    Fox Fire Child Watch
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Sexual Meditation: Room with View
    Experimental

    Sexual Meditation: Room with View
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3 min
    Rental format: 16mm