A peek at Volume 19: Michael Fisher's Widow

The Journal of Short Film's Volume 19 offers challenging insight into language and deception as the filmmakers present hypnotists and tricksters, tactillic interpretation and pantomimic representation of our world. Of the films that offer a narration, the words attempt to describe the abstract notions of God and metaphor, showing how easily language fails to communicate what is around us. Each film offers a photographic rather than cinematic style which creates a lingering effect over the details of each image.

Michael Fisher's Widow appears as a series of black and white photographs endowed with life to tell the story of an ending love affair between two Puritans. The suitor's hands linger on the ripped bark of trees, the widows eye stare widely as he approaches her door. The camera pauses on each face, each hand and footstep, as if to ponder the choices the lovers must make. Words are not exchanged as the suitor leaves the widow, the threshold is not breached. Not to bear a moment more of his absence, the widow considers a poisonous vile on her mantle. His regret and hesitation is apparent as he slowly walks away, then turns to look at the house over his shoulder. As the suitor steps back to the house, the widow's long hair slowly folds upon the bare wooden floor. His skin pulls tightly around his knuckle as he braces to knock her door communicating his presence...

Please, follow this link to see Widow by Michael Fisher in its original 16:9 format.

The Journal of Short Film Releases Volume 19

The Journal of Short Film is pleased to announce the upcoming release of volume 19 on July 23rd, 2010. Peer reviewed and to date publishing over 180 filmmakers from all over the globe, this volume explores the intimate relationship between abstract thought and the development of language. From still life to Chopin, each work contains meticulous visual and audio compositions. Roland Barthes argued that photography is a language, so we invite you to allow this collection of photographic short films to speak to you. But, as the proverb says, do not believe everything you hear. Prepare to be challenged visually and conceptually with deception lurking within the languages of sight and sound.

The Journal of Short Film Volume 19 Contents:

1. Infiltration - Charles Chadwick (2009, 4:53)
The film Infiltration is designed to induce a hypnotic state within which a lone figure is carried through deathly sites.

2. Hunger - Carolina Hellsgård (2009, 17:40)
The siblings Roland and Paul watch the deportation of their immigrant neighbors; afterwards they decide to enter the abandoned apartment.

3. Abstract? - Alexei Dmitriev (2009, 3:30)
An unhurried film dealing with the notion of the abstract.

4. Widow - Michael Fisher (2010, 5:30)
A Puritan suitor retreats from a courtship, unaware of his effect on the widow's bleak state.

5. Canyon Time - Richard O’Sullivan (2004, 15:35)
Canyon Time creates a contrast between the slow-turning time of the natural world and the fleetingness of the human moment.

6. Inner Klänge - Lemeh42 (2010, 10:00)
Inner Klänge is a personal homage made by Lemeh42 to Kandinsky’s homonymous work.

7. Kyrie - Michael A. Morris (2009, 14:30)
A consideration of heavenly bodies and learning by rote.

8. The Commoners - Jessica Bardsley and Penny Lane (2009, 12:30)
An essay film about Eugene Schieffelin's introduction of European Starlings to America in 1890, and what it means today.

9. Coyote - Robert Harris (1997, 17:07)
Coyote is an invocation of the many shady, shifting forms of Coyote -- wild dog, trickster, and smuggler -- told in a style that mimics his multifarious shape.

Volume 19 and subscription purchasing:

By Mail:	Pricing Information:
The Journal of Short Film Film Studies Program, Smith Laboratory Rm4108 174 W. 18th Ave Columbus, Oh 43210 USA By Phone: 614-292-6044	Volume 19: Individual: $10, Institution: $18 Yearly Subscription: Individual: $36, Institution: $72 Online: www.theJSF.org

A note on Volume 18

While I was preparing to write the press release for Volume 18, the most recent of the Journal of Short Film's publications, I watched the collection of works in sequence again and again. Each time the films revealed to me an even greater incite into its theme of communicating across space and time, and those areas of misinterpretation we all encounter in life. Each viewing I would return to the same piece, Rob Tylor's Color + Modulation 1. The film is the first in a collection of eight films on 16mm. Rather than shooting with the film, Tylor hand painted each frame with a spinning wheel of vivid colors and light, and provided a meditative soundtrack accompaniment. The piece is absent of dialog and human presence, although the artist's imprint is clearly visible as each frame is slightly different than the next. The effect is mesmerizing. The slight hissing and popping with the circular movements of the brushstrokes liken to a glowing vinyl, with colors so meticulously chosen they create retina burning compositions. The colors lift off of the screen in a neon electric glow and into the world outside of the monitor or screen.

I have always personally struggled with interpreting the abstract. As most humans, I seek that which fits into neatly categorized packages, seeking order in this life full of chaos. In this way Color + Modulation 1 challenges me with the questions posed by the encapsulating work of Volume 18, I Cannot Understand You by David Baeumler. How do we understand each other over so many differences? Can we learn to discover and accept those things that bind us as humans? Can we understand without using arbitrary names and calculation, but simply appreciate our language of expression without using a translator, accept the images of our world without a guide? We are all moved by and survive through the color and light of our experience.

The Journal of Short Film Releases Volume 18

The Journal of Short Film is pleased to announce the immediate release of volume 18. Peer reviewed and to date publishing over 180 filmmakers, this a collection of shorts films which explore how humans communicate across space and time. Through highly stylized techniques, the camera observes children and soldiers in the landscapes of Iraq, poetic compositions of nature in 19th century Manhattan, and an impressionistic stop motion animated look at a county fair, just to name a few destinations in this painterly collection of works.






The Journal of Short Film Volume 18 Contents:

Color + Modulation 1 - Rob Tyler (2008, 5:14) Hand painted and digitally manipulated 16mm film provides simple and clean compositions inspired by industrial design and graphic arts.

Sebastian - Ann Steuernagel (2007, 6:00) Sebastian, derived from found documentary footage, is a meditation on beauty, destruction and the unconscious.

Cateract - Sainath Choudhury (2005, 9:00) In part buddhist koan, in part urban love story, the film poses the question of unconditional love, and suggests that there may be an answer.

Winning the Peace - Eli Kaufman (2004, 18:00) An Iraqi-American Marine returns to Iraq to redeem his place of birth, only to destroy the people he hoped to save.

Tidal Wave - Salise Hughes (2005, 1:36) One man’s nightmares take physical shape in a rising tide that seems to be taking the form of each figure in the crowd.

Somewhere Never Traveled - Ben Garchar (2009, 5:30) Only one love, only one take, and then what?

Five County Fair - David Ellsworth (2008, 16:00) An impressionistic super-8 look at Farmville, Virginia’s annual Five County Fair.

The Commoners - Jessica Bardsley and Penny Lane (2009, 12:30) An essay film about Eugene Schieffelin’s introduction of European Starlings to America in 1890, and what it means today.

I Cannot Understand You - David Baeumler (2004, 5:44) Don’t fear life’s misunderstandings - let a philosophical tape recorder guide you through a world of fireworks, flowers and thrill rides.

Volume 18 and subscription purchasing:

Online: www.theJSF.org

By Mail:
The Journal of Short Film Film Studies Program,
Smith Laboratory Rm4108
174 W. 18th Ave Columbus, Oh 43210 USA

By Phone: 614-292-6044


Volume 18:
Individual: $10, Institution: $18

Yearly Subscription:
Individual: $36, Institution: $72