List of avant-garde films of the 1950s

This is a list of avant-garde and experimental films released in the 1950s. Unless noted, all films had sound and were in black and white.

TitleDirectorCastNationNotes
1950
The Adventures of JimmyJames BroughtonJames BroughtonUnited StatesMusic by Weldon Kees.[1]
Un chant d'amour Jean Genet Java, André Reybaz France Genet's only film[2]
Eaten Horizons Wilhelm Freddie, Jørgen Roos France Surrealist film
Orphée Jean Cocteau Jean Marais France
Rabbit's MoonKenneth AngerAndré Soubeyron, Claude RevenantFranceColor[3]
SwainGregory Markopoulos, Robert C. Freeman, Jr.Gregory Markopoulos, Mary ZellesUnited StatesBased on Hawthorne, only a drastically shortened version exists; 24 minutes of 50[4]
Tłum (The Crowd)Walerian BorowczykPoland[5]
1951
Divertissement RococoHy HirshUnited StatesAbstract animation[6]
Ensemble for SomnambulistsMaya DerenCanada[7]
Le film est déja commence? Maurice Lemaître France Lettrist film[8]
Le mort du cerf Dimitri Kirsanoff France
A Treatise on Venom and EternityIsidore IsouIsidore IsouFranceLettrist film[8]
1952
L'anti-concept Gil J. Wolman France Lettrist film[8]
Approaches and LeavetakingsWeldon Kees, Jurgen RueschUnited States[9]
Bells of Atlantis Ian Hugo
Come CloserHy HirshUnited StatesColor, abstract animation in 3-D[10]
Form Phases IRobert BreerUnited StatesColor, silent abstract animation.[11]
Hand-Mouth CoordinationWeldon Kees, Gregory BatesonUnited States[12]
Hotel ApexWeldon KeesUnited StatesStudy of the demolition of an old hotel[13]
Hurlements en faveur de Sade Guy Debord France Lettrist film
InterimStan BrakhageUnited StatesBrakhage's first film, scored by James Tenney[14]
1953
The Boy and the SeaStan BrakhageUnited StatesSilent, listed by Camper as "not available"[15]
Eaux d'ArtificeKenneth AngerCarmilla SalvatorelliItalyColor, added to the National Film Registry in 1993[16]
The EndChristopher MaclaineUnited StatesEarly Beat generation film[17]
EneriHy HirshUnited StatesAbstract animation[18]
Form Phases IIRobert BreerUnited StatesColor, silent abstract animation.[19]
Form Phases IIIRobert BreerUnited StatesColor, silent abstract animation.[20]
The Pleasure Garden James Broughton Lindsay Anderson, Hattie Jacques, John Le Mesurier United Kingdom
Statues Also Die Chris Marker, Alain Resnais France
Unglassed Windows Cast a Terrible ReflectionStan BrakhageUnited StatesSilent, listed by Camper as "not available"[21]
1954
DesistfilmStan BrakhageUnited States[22]
The Extraordinary ChildStan BrakhageUnited StatesListed by Camper as "not available"[23]
Form Phases IVRobert BreerUnited StatesColor, silent abstract animation.[24]
In BetweenStan BrakhageUnited StatesColor, music by John Cage[25]
Inauguration of the Pleasure DomeKenneth AngerSamson de Brier, Anaïs NinUnited StatesColor, edited into at least three distinct versions[26]
Un MiracleRobert Breer, Pontus HulténUnited StatesColor, collage animation.[27]
The Way to Shadow GardenStan BrakhageUnited States[28]
1955
Atelier de Fernand LégerWalerian BorowczykPolandFilmed at Fernand Léger's studio in Paris[29]
AviaryJoseph CornellUnited StatesSilent[30]
The BridgeWilliam HeickWeldon KeesUnited StatesPoetic study, based on Hart Crane[31]
Closed Vision Marc'O. France Lettrist film[8]
Dementia, aka Daughter of HorrorJohn ParkerAdrienne Barrett, Bruno VeSotaUnited StatesEssentially silent psychological horror film, music by George Antheil[32]
Une femme coquette Jean-Luc Godard Maria Lysandre, Roland Tolma France
Haitian Film FootageMaya DerenHaitiBegun in 1947; later posthumously edited into The Divine Horsemen[33]
Jesień (Autumn)Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimation[34]
Joanne, Union SquareJoseph CornellUnited StatesSilent[35]
Joanne, XmasJoseph CornellUnited StatesSilent[36]
Mosaik im Vertrauen (Mosaic in Confidence)Peter KubelkaAustriaWritten by Ferry Radax[37]
A Portrait of Ga Margaret Tait Scotland
ReflectionsMadeline TourtelotUnited StatesColor, two distinct versions[38]
Reflections on BlackStan BrakhageUnited States[39]
Sunday in Peking Chris Marker France
The Very Eye of NightMaya DerenUnited StatesDance film, choreographed by Antony Tudor[40]
The Wonder RingStan BrakhageUnited StatesColor, silent[41]
Żywe fotografie (Photographies Vivantes)Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimation[42]
1956
Centuries of JuneStan Brakhage, Joseph CornellUnited StatesColor, silent[43]
Flesh of MorningStan BrakhageUnited StatesRevised in 1986[44]
NightcatsStan BrakhageUnited StatesColor, silent[45]
RecreationRobert BreerNoël BurchUnited StatesColor, semi-abstract animation with narration.[46]
TogetherLorenza Mazzetti, Denis HorneEduardo Paolozzi, Michael AndrewsUnited KingdomExperimental semi-documentary[47]
Zone MomentStan BrakhageUnited StatesColor, silent[48]
1957
8 x 8: A Chess Sonata in 8 Movements Jean Cocteau, Marcel Duchamp, Hans Richter United States
A to ZMichael SnowCanada"Blue and white" color, silent[49][50][51]
AdebarPeter KubelkaAustriaEarly structural — or in Kubelka's terms, "metric" — film[52]
AngelJoseph CornellUnited StatesColor[53]
Był sobie raz (Once Upon a Time)Jan Lenica, Walerian BorowczykPolandCut-out animation[54]
Boy's GamesJoseph CornellUnited StatesSilent[55]
CappuccinoJoseph CornellUnited States[56]
ChildrenJoseph CornellUnited StatesSilent[57]
Cloche a Travers les Feuilles/Claude DebussyJoseph CornellUnited StatesRevised version of Nymphlight[58]
Daybreak and WhiteyeStan BrakhageUnited States[59]
Dni Oświaty (Education Days)Jan Lenica, Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimation[60]
A Fable for FountainsJoseph Cornell, Rudolph BuckhardtUnited StatesBegun in 1955; revised as "A Legend for Fountains" in 1965[61]
Glimpse of the GardenMarie MenkenUnited StatesSelected for addition to the National Film Registry in 2007[62]
GyromorphosisHy HirshFranceAbstract animation[63]
Nagrodzone uczucia (Requited Sentiments)Jan Lenica, Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimation[64]
Jamestown BaloosRobert BreerUnited StatesColor, semi-abstract combination of animation and live action.[65]
LovingStan BrakhageCarolee Schneemann, James TenneyUnited StatesColor, silent[66]
Strep-tease (Striptease)Jan Lenica, Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimation[67]
A Man and His Dog Out for AirRobert BreerUnited StatesAbstract animation, shown with Last Year at Marienbad in its first New York run.[68]
The Man Who Invented GoldChristopher MaclaineUnited StatesPartly filmed by Jordan Belson[69]
NymphlightJoseph CornellUnited StatesColor[70]
1958
Anticipation of the NightStan BrakhageUnited States[71]
BeatChristopher MaclaineUnited States[72]
Défense d'afficherHy HirshFranceAbstract animation[73]
Dom (House)Jan Lenica, Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimation; Winner of 1958 Belgium International Experimental Film Competition[74]
Double JamHy HirshFranceAbstract animation[75]
Free Radicals Len Lye United Kingdom
Une histoire d'eauJean-Luc Godard, François TruffautCaroline Dim, Jean-Claude BrialyFranceSemi-improvised, proto-Nouvelle vague short[76]
A MovieBruce ConnerUnited StatesIconic collage film.[77]
SchwechaterPeter KubelkaAustria"Metric" beer commercial[78]
Szkoła (School)Jan Lenica, Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimated photographs[79]
SpatiodynamismeTinto Brass, Nicolas SchöfferFranceColor, silent. A visual document of Schöffer's CYSP-1, the first cybernetic sculpture.[80]
Sztandar młodych (Banner of Youth)Jan Lenica, Walerian BorowczykPolandAnimation[81]
1959
Les astronautesWalerian Borowczyk, Chris MarkerFranceAnimated[82]
Chasse des TouchesHy HirshFranceAbstract animation[83]
Cat's CradleStan BrakhageUnited StatesColor, silent[84]
Diary of an Unknown Soldier Peter Watkins United Kingdom
EyewashRobert BreerUnited StatesColor, silent mixture of abstract animation and live action; exists in two versions.[85]
Hiroshima mon amour Alain Resnais Eiji Okada, Emmanuelle Riva France Written by Marguerite Duras[86]
Monsieur TêteJan LenicaFranceAnimation[87]
Odds and Ends Jane Belson United States
Pull My DaisyRobert Frank, Alfred LeslieAllen Ginsberg, Gregory CorsoUnited StatesBeat Generation film, written by Jack Kerouac[88]
The Running Jumping and Standing Still Film Richard Lester United Kingdom
Scotch HopChristopher MaclaineUnited States[89]
Season of StrangersMaya DerenUnited StatesUnfinished; made as part of Haiku Film Project at Woodstock[90]
Shadows John Cassavetes Ben Carruthers, Lelia Goldoni, Hugh Hurd United States
Sirius RememberedStan BrakhageUnited StatesColor, silent[91]
Wedlock House: An IntercourseStan BrakhageUnited StatesSilent[92]
Window Water Baby MovingStan BrakhageUnited StatesColor, silent[93]

References

  1. ↑ Kees Kino program
  2. ↑ "Un chant d'amour". Wikipedia. 2017-08-05.
  3. ↑ Lewis, David. "Rabbit's Moon". Allmovie. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ Markopoulos filmography
  5. ↑ Culture.pl Borowczyk profile
  6. ↑ Moritz, William. "Hy Hirsh Biography". iota. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  7. ↑ Lewis, David. "Ensemble for Somnambulists". Allmovie. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Situationist Archive". Situationist Archive. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  9. ↑ Kees Kino program
  10. ↑ iota center, Hy Hirsh Biography Archived 2013-07-31 at Archive.is
  11. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  12. ↑ Kees Kino program
  13. ↑ Kees Kino program
  14. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  15. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  16. ↑ Electric Sheep; Interview with Kenneth Anger
  17. ↑ Bioskop entry
  18. ↑ iota center, Hy Hirsh Biography Archived 2013-07-31 at Archive.is
  19. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  20. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  21. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  22. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  23. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  24. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  25. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  26. ↑ Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome’s Surreal Ritual
  27. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  28. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  29. ↑ Culture.pl Borowczyk profile
  30. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  31. ↑ Kees Kino program
  32. ↑ "Yes! I am Here!"
  33. ↑ In the Mirror of Maya Deren presskit Archived 2013-06-06 at the Wayback Machine.
  34. ↑ Culture.pl Borowczyk profile
  35. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  36. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  37. ↑ Rotterdam Film Festival entry
  38. ↑ The Flaherty Seminar, "The Flaherty Preservation Initiative"
  39. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  40. ↑ In the Mirror of Maya Deren presskit Archived 2013-06-06 at the Wayback Machine.
  41. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  42. ↑ Culture.pl Borowczyk profile
  43. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  44. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  45. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  46. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  47. ↑ BFI screenonline entry
  48. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  49. ↑ Austrian Film Museum: 1 Snow Sound and Silence
  50. ↑ Canyon Cinema entry
  51. ↑ CFMDC entry
  52. ↑ Kontraste Festival entry Archived 2013-12-19 at the Wayback Machine.
  53. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  54. ↑ Lenica profile at culture.pl
  55. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  56. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  57. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  58. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  59. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  60. ↑ Culture.pl Borowczyk profile
  61. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  62. ↑ The Plant Journal
  63. ↑ iota center, Hy Hirsh Biography Archived 2013-07-31 at Archive.is
  64. ↑ Lenica profile at culture.pl
  65. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  66. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  67. ↑ Lenica profile at culture.pl
  68. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  69. ↑ Fred Camper essay
  70. ↑ Jeanne Liotta: Joseph Cornell Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  71. ↑ Chicago Reader article
  72. ↑ Fred Camper essay
  73. ↑ iota center, Hy Hirsh Biography Archived 2013-07-31 at Archive.is
  74. ↑ Lenica profile at culture.pl
  75. ↑ iota center, Hy Hirsh Biography Archived 2013-07-31 at Archive.is
  76. ↑ notcoming.com entry
  77. ↑ A.V. Club, "Bruce Conner: The Art of Montage" review
  78. ↑ BeerVlog entry
  79. ↑ Culture.pl Borowczyk profile
  80. ↑ Letterboxd.com entry
  81. ↑ Lenica profile at culture.pl
  82. ↑ Culture.pl Borowczyk profile
  83. ↑ iota center, Hy Hirsh Biography Archived 2013-07-31 at Archive.is
  84. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  85. ↑ Harvard Film Archive: Robert Breer, Kinetic Poet of the Avant-Garde
  86. ↑ "Hiroshima mon amour". Wikipedia. 2017-01-29.
  87. ↑ Lenica profile at culture.pl
  88. ↑ Photo Eye-Magazine, "Is Pull My Daisy Holy? by John Cohen
  89. ↑ Fred Camper essay
  90. ↑ In the Mirror of Maya Deren presskit Archived 2013-06-06 at the Wayback Machine.
  91. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  92. ↑ Brakhage filmography
  93. ↑ Brakhage filmography
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