This compilation of 10 short films, created by Vancouver filmmakers between 1967 and 1981, was curated by Richard Martin. As a Vancouver youth in that era, it was the work of these artists that inspired him to become a filmmaker, creating a body of experimental work as well as directing features and other projects in the film industry.
The package of 10 experimental shorts is 92 minutes in length and includes films by David Rimmer, Al Razutis, Sturla Gunnarsson, Gary Lee-Nova, Chris Gallagher, Tom Braidwood, Patricia Gruben, Peter Lipskis, Kirk Tougas and the late Michael McGarry. It was produced by Acme Motion Pictures Inc. and Moving Images Distribution, through assistance from the Initiatives program of The Canada Council for the Arts.
It is available for public presentation (inquire for rates) and a documentary directed by the curator, BACKBONE: Vancouver Experimental Cinema 1967-1981, is also available to situate the work in context, with comments from the artists on their work and the social and artistic milieu in which it was created.
The 10 experimental short films include:
Lumière's Train (arriving at the station) / 1979 / Al Razutis
Canadian Pacific I /1974 / David Rimmer
A Day Much Like the Others / Sturla Gunnarsson /1977
In Black and White / 1979 / (the late) Michael McGarry
Steel Mushrooms / 1967 / Gary Lee-Nova
Seeing In the Rain / 1981 / Chris Gallagher
The Central Character / 1977 / Patricia Gruben
Backbone / 1972 / Tom Braidwood
Eclipse / 1979 / silent / Peter Lipskis
Far From Quebec (Loin du Québec) / 1971 / Kirk Tougas
