Experimental Rituals

These films represent a diverse range of voices and experimental approaches that push the boundaries of storytelling, exploring the complexities of womanhood, identity, and personal transformation. Through innovative uses of symbolism, surrealism, and poetic imagery, the filmmakers reimagine how female protagonists grapple with their inner worlds—struggling with guilt, desire, and societal expectations—while crafting narratives that blend the intimate with the universal. This selection underscores the Cooperative’s ongoing influence in expanding the language of cinema to explore more nuanced and marginalized experiences.

Each film in this program reflects a distinct, bold approach to experimental filmmaking, weaving together personal, cultural, and historical contexts. Whether engaging with themes of spiritual obsession, daily ritual, or self-reflective critique, these works challenge conventional narratives by offering deeper meditations on the female experience. By embracing abstraction, surrealism, and non-linear storytelling, the filmmakers create a space where emotion, identity, and transformation take center stage.

Curator Emily Singer, and filmmakers Jeremiah M. Carter and Sarah Viviana Valdez, will be in attendance!

Program:

1. Who Do You Think You Are, Mary Filippo, 1987, 16mm, 10 minutes
2. She Drank Vinegar from the River, Jeremiah M. Carter and Sarah Viviana Valdez, 2023, HD/digital, 25 minutes
3. Woman of Fireworks, Chick Strand, 1976, 16mm, 15 minutes
4. Still Life of Woman and Four Objects, Lynne Sachs, 1986, 16mm, 4 minutes
5. Tides, Amy Greenfield, 1982, 16mm, 12 minutes and 25 seconds
6. From the Ladies, Holly Fisher, 1978, 16mm, 20 minutes

Total Run Time: 96.5 minutes.

Doors at 7:00pm. Films begin at 7:30pm.