All Films

Einmart

1981 • 14 min • East Germany

The very first images in the film set unprecedented standards in East German animated film: a Buñuelean eye that fills the entire screen, real-life sequences of fleeing animals and a sound collage running contrary to what is seen on the screen. This also extends to the protagonist of the film, a head on a foot without a body or arms who pads wearily through the depressing surroundings. Upon seeing various figures in the sky, he begins to copy their movements. To his surprise, he himself manages to grow wings and takes to the skies. But his attempt at flight ends in a sobering manner however, as it is revealed that flying creatures are just restricted in their range.

Moving Sculpture: Jean Tinguely

1981 • 14 min • Japan

Documentary about Jean Tinguely and his work.

Carolyn III

1981 • 25 min • France

The last part of the Carolyn Carlson cycle. Last look. Oversight. Irreversible erasure. The song is immersed. Blinded.

Mother For Baby Mammoth

1981 • 8 min • Soviet Union

Baby Mammoth is looking for his Mom.

John Denver with His Special Guest George Burns: Two of a Kind

1981 • 60 min

A variety special starring John Denver and special guest George Burns.

Cinema: Embaixador do Brasil

1981 • 20 min • Brazil

A Century of Struggle

1981 • 40 min

A Century of Struggle chronicles the hundred-year history of the NZ Seamen’s Union from its formation in 1879. Using original film and archive footage, it examines the working lives of seamen and the battles fought by their union from the sailing ships of colonial days to the modern turbine-powered container vessels. Because the Seamen’s Union was frequently at the forefront of working-class struggle in New Zealand, its story involves most of the crucial issues and events in the history of the union movement generally, including the great maritime strikes of 1890 and 1913 and the waterfront dispute of 1951.

K-9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend

1981 • 50 min • United Kingdom

Sarah Jane Smith arrives at the home of her Aunt Lavinia in the cozy village of Moreton Harwood, only to find that Lavinia is nowhere to be found and that the Doctor has left her a parting gift in K·9 Mark III. With the help of K·9 and Lavinia's young ward Brendan Richards, Sarah Jane starts investigating her aunt's disappearance. In the process, they discover that Moreton Harwood is home to a coven worshipping the pagan god Hecate and preparing for a human sacrifice...

My Name is Abbie

1981 • 31 min • United States of America

A countercultural icon, Hoffman is remembered as one of the greatest radicals of the civil rights and anti-war movements of the sixties. In this film, which documents the first interview he gave in 1980 when he decided to reveal his identity after spending seven years in hiding, he traces the evolution of political activism in America. "My name is Abbie... orphan of America."

That Will Do

1981 • 10 min • Soviet Union

About a braggart bunny who thought that all things can be done hastily without much effort.

Women's Hands

1981 • 23 min • Hungary

A man becomes acquainted with the mystery of female hands during a trip.

Exercises

1981 • 10 min • East Germany

The Pol Pot regime wanted to erase the 2000 year-old culture of Cambodia. Schools were destroyed, teachers and pupils kidnapped, tortured and killed. In September 1980, the School of Fine Arts reopens in Phnom Penh, in March 1981, there are 110 pupils, among them many orphans.

Erection

1981 • 5 min • Italy

Comic animation film by Guido Manuli.

Rough Justice

1981 • 40 min • United Kingdom

Portrait of a fractious Welsh village near Merthyr Tydfil. Life in the valley isn't what it was, there's no pit in Deri now, but the humour survives, and it's amazingly peaceful considering.

Songs for Swinging Larvae

1981 • 6 min • United States of America

The film, based on a true story, concerns a kidnapped child, and "poses ancient questions regarding home and heart".

Deafman Glance

1981 • 27 min • United States of America

A somber, menacing woman washes white dishes and a gleaming carving knife, pours milk into a glass, and then slowly attacks first one young boy and then another. Not a word of dialogue is uttered.

Circle & Square

1981 • 12 min • Japan, United States of America

The 1981 performance Circle & Square by Takahiko Iimura, New York-based Japanese film and video pioneer, evolved from the artist's interest in exposing the apparatus of projection and the materiality of image and light, which began in the mid-60s. The work commences with the projection of a long loop of black 16mm film leader suspended from the ceiling. The artist punches a hole on the film's surface and as it loops through the projector's gate, a single white circle of light pierces the darkness. With each subsequent punch the film builds before the viewer’s eyes into a cascade of white circles before reaching its abrupt and revelatory conclusion.

America Lost and Found

1981 • 58 min • United States of America

Composed entirely of archival material and narrated by actor Pat Hingle, this hour-long film documents the run-up to the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed. Made in the 1970s, the film carefully lays out major historical events, as with the stunning footage of the German Zeppelin Hindenburg bursting into flames over New Jersey in 1937. Powerful images such as this are both literal and metaphoric documents of the tragedies of the age. By relying on the old newsreels alone to depict the events, the filmmakers immerse us in the period in a way that would not have been possible had they interviewed a team of experts. Compared to some of the more freely associated assemblages presented in the series—and especially to Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?—this film seems stoic, contemplative. When left to speak for themselves, archival images can be most illuminating.

Hinterland

1981 • 25 min

The relationship between an embittered farm woman and her orphaned niece reaches a breaking point in this dark, psychological pastoral.

The Magic Garden Christmas Special

1981 • 49 min • United States of America

This once-lost 1981 holiday special has now become a WPIX holiday tradition!

Bugs Bunny: All American Hero

1981 • 24 min • United States of America

Bugs Bunny explains about the history of America to his nephew Clyde.

Canada Vignettes: Countdown

1981 • 1 min • Canada

This vignette illustrates the variety of professions, people and technical procedures required by the filmmaking process.

On Yer Bike!

1981 • 30 min

Four friends fancy a cycle trip to the country. It's unknown territory for them and Benny in particular looks forward to impressing the 'natives' with a new racing bike. But the experience affects the group in ways they hadn't foreseen.

Home on the Range

1981 • 54 min • Australia

Australian independent political documentary about the US installations in Australia at Pine Gap near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.