Jeff Keen began making films at the age of 37 when his art school film society needed things to show. And so began over forty years of unique, imaginative, irrepresible filmmaking. This release contains over 9 hours of films and videos by the visionary filmmaker from his 60s beatnik movies to the apocalyptic beauty of his multi-layered videos of the 90s - a criminally overdue opportunity to explore the alternative cinematic world of one of Britain's most important experimental filmmakers.
More detailed specs:
That's literally all I know for the moment.GAZWRX: The Films of Jeff Keen
Explore the explosive cinematic world of visionary filmmaker Jeff Keen, on BFI DVD and Blu-ray, and on the big screen at BFI Southbank and around the UK.
“It went right over my head and seemed a little threatening, but I’m all for it.” Ken Russell on the trilogy Cineblatz, Marvo Movie and White Lite
Born in 1923 and a soldier in World War Two, artist Jeff Keen – now aged 85 – began making films at the age of 37 when his local art school film society needed things to show. And so began over forty years of unique, imaginative, irrepressible filmmaking that has outlived the various scenes in which it has thrived: the 60s counter-culture, punk and beyond.
On 23 February, the BFI releases GAZWRX: The Films of Jeff Keen; an audacious 9 hours of restored and re-mastered titles by this visionary filmmaker on a 4-disc DVD and 3-disc Blu-ray. On 17, 19, 25 and 27 February, BFI Southbank presents four special screening events including Early Jeff Keen Films and Dr G’s Home Movies and a touring programme will be shown at cinemas around the UK.
Films like Marvo Movie, Mad Love and others look like post-apocalyptic home movies and point to the sublime subversion of Jack Smith and Kenneth Anger, to Keen’s experiences in WW2 and to the trashy pop culture of B movies and comics.
Presented within a series of punchy programmes on DVD and Blu-ray are 45 films which reveal an astonishingly tireless talent and a unique individual not afraid to grapple with sex and war and to experiment with multiple screens, visceral noise soundtracks and animation. Massively inspiring, characters Silverhead and The Cat Woman and films like Blatzom and Victory Thru Film Power have been kept from view for far too long.
Progressing through various film stocks, though always preferring 8mm – more oppositional, more disposable, less of a sell-out – this self taught artist and pioneer of independent film impresses his very personal and highly individual stamp upon all his work.
This major BFI project, curated by William Fowler of the BFI National Archive, offers a new and criminally overdue opportunity to explore the alternative cinematic world of Brighton’s very own, Dr. Gaz.
BFI DVD and Blu-ray release date: 23 February 2009
DVD Cat no BFIVD775 (4-disc set) RRP £34.25
Blu-ray Cat no BFIB1008 (1 Blu-ray & 2 DVD disc set) RRP £34.25
Special features
· Brand new interview with Jeff Keen
· Art Flies Free (2000) – experimental documentary by Ian Helliwell
· Jeff Keen Films (1983) – documentary with interview
· 96-page booklet featuring paintings, drawings and collages by Jeff Keen plus articles by Tony Rayns, Ray Durgnat and Jack Sargeant