Screening

Experimental Rituals

La lumière collective, 7080 Rue Alexandra #506, Montréal, QC H2S 3J5, Canada
Official program poster by La lumière collective.

On Thursday, November 7th, at 7:30pm, La lumière collective presents a program of lesser-seen avant-garde works from the collection of the Film-Makers' Cooperative, dealing with rituals and women's experiences, curated by FMC Board President Emily Singer.

TICKETS

Curator Emily Singer, and filmmakers Jeremiah M. Carter and Sarah Viviana Valdez, will be in attendance!

These films represent a diverse range of voices and experimental approaches that push the boundaries of storytelling, exploring the complexities of womanhood, identity, and personal transformation. Through innovative uses of symbolism, surrealism, and poetic imagery, the filmmakers reimagine how female protagonists grapple with their inner worlds—struggling with guilt, desire, and societal expectations—while crafting narratives that blend the intimate with the universal. This selection underscores the Cooperative’s ongoing influence in expanding the language of cinema to explore more nuanced and marginalized experiences.

Each film in this program reflects a distinct, bold approach to experimental filmmaking, weaving together personal, cultural, and historical contexts. Whether engaging with themes of spiritual obsession, daily ritual, or self-reflective critique, these works challenge conventional narratives by offering deeper meditations on the female experience. By embracing abstraction, surrealism, and non-linear storytelling, the filmmakers create a space where emotion, identity, and transformation take center stage.

Program:

  1. Who Do You Think You Are, Mary Filippo, 1987, 16mm, 10 minutes
  2. She Drank Vinegar from the River, Jeremiah M. Carter and Sarah Viviana Valdez, 2023, HD/digital, 25 minutes
  3. Woman of Fireworks, Chick Strand, 1976, 16mm, 15 minutes
  4. Still Life of Woman and Four Objects, Lynne Sachs, 1986, 16mm, 4 minutes
  5. Tides, Amy Greenfield, 1982, 16mm, 12 minutes and 25 seconds
  6. From the Ladies, Holly Fisher, 1978, 16mm, 20 minutes

Total Run Time: 96.5 minutes.

Doors at 7:00pm. Films begin at 7:30pm.