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The Last Supper

http://thelastsupper.fr

Jean Genet

Un Chant d’Amour
1950, Runtime: 25 minutes

Un Chant d’Amour is French writer Jean Genet’s only film, which he directed in 1950. Because of its explicit (though artistically presented) homosexual content, the 26-minute movie was long banned and was also disowned by Genet later in his life.

The plot is set in a French prison, where a prison guard takes voyeuristic pleasure in observing the prisoners perform masturbatory sexual acts. In two adjacent cells, there are an older Algerian-looking man and a handsome convict in his twenties. The older man is in love with the younger one, rubbing himself against the wall and sharing his cigarette smoke with his beloved through a straw.

The prison guard, apparently jealous of the prisoner’s relationship, enters the older convict’s cell, beats him, and makes him suck on his gun in an unmistakably sexual fashion. But the inmate drifts off into a fantasy where he and his object of desire roam the countryside. In the final scene it becomes clear that the guard’s power is no match for the intensity of attraction between the prisoners, even though their relationship is not consummated.

Genet does not use sound in his film, forcing the viewer to completely focus on closeups of faces, armpits, and semi-erect penises. Originally produced as a porn movie of sorts, the film with its highly sexualized atmosphere has later been recognized as a formative factor for works such as the films by Andy Warhol.

Hans Richter

Marcel Duchamp – Anemic Cinema

Derek Jarman

A Journey to Avebury (1971)

Journey to Avebury beautifully reflects Derek Jarman’s fascination with ancient history, paganism, and Celtic traditions.

Derek Jarman is often said to be a painter rather than a movie director. Indeed, with his films he makes pictures that seem to be more important than the plot (which is usually unclear or missing at all). But those pieces of art he creates using camera are beautiful and astounding.

A JOURNEY TO AVEBURY, his 1971 silent short movie, is a literal journey that we can experience. We are being taken to Avebury and given the chance to admire it for 10 minutes. The shots are incredibly beautiful, as we see a huge stone or trees bathed in orange light of sunset.

The film lacks a plot and sound and should be treated as a collection of images rather than a movie. If you like Jarman’s art – you’ll be pleased with this one. If you like beauty – you’ll love it. But if you’re looking for action or amusement, better walk around it because these 10 minutes might just be too long for you.

Garden of Luxor (1972)

William S. Burroughs

Bill and Tony
1972, UK, 5′ 11″, Color
Cinematography: Antony Balch
Screenplay: William S. Burroughs
Cast: Antony Balch, William S. Burroughs

Ghost at n°9 (Paris)
1963-1972, UK, 45′ 7″, Color / Black & White
Cinematography: Antony Balch

The Cut-Ups
1966, UK, 18′ 45″, Black & White
Cinematography: Antony Balch
Screenplay: William S. Burroughs
Cast: William S. Burroughs, Brion Gysin