Gregory J. Markopoulos: Programme 2

Date: 30 March 2009 | Season: Gregory Markopoulos 2009 | Tags: Gregory Markopoulos, London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

GREGORY J. MARKOPOULOS
London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2009
Monday 28 March 2009, at 8:45pm
London BFI Southbank NFT3

EROS, O BASILEUS
Gregory J. Markopoulos, USA, 1967, 16mm, colour, sound, 45 min
with Robert Beavers
Markopoulos’ invocation of Eros merges classical and contemporary imagery by placing the male god of love in an artists’ loft. The sole protagonist, predominantly naked, appears in a series of tableaux surrounded by icons of creativity, including paintings, books and filmmaking equipment. This sculptural study of the human form is energised by flash frames, stylised fades, and Strauss’ tone-poem ‘Ein Heldenleben’. Eros is portrayed by the young filmmaker Robert Beavers, who had recently moved to New York after seeing films by Markopoulos and other New American Cinema pioneers. Both soon left America for Europe, where they remained together until Markopoulos’ death in 1992.

THROUGH A LENS BRIGHTLY: MARK TURBYFILL
Gregory J. Markopoulos, USA, 1967, 16mm, colour, sound, 15 min
The life of painter, dancer and poet Mark Turbyfill, seen in his 70th year, is evoked through traditional portraiture and personal objects.

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