All Films

Ombres-ailes

1980 • 25 min • France

A nocturnal "offside". Pascal Martin and the celluloid bather summon us to a strange magical rite that refers to the ambiguous games of childhood.

The Enigma

1980 • 60 min

When John Fielding, MP, disappeared on the way home to his country estates he was, perhaps, cracking the first good joke of his life. Sergeant Jennings, left to pursue the investigation, finds little humour or help amongst Fielding's friends or family. Only Isobel could believe that Fielding might have wanted to disappear.

Buscando tréboles

1980 • 8 min • Colombia

Moving and poetic images of the daily lives of blind children at a school in Medellín.

John Prine: Live on Soundstage

1980 • 59 min • United States of America

Grammy Award-winning folk singer John Prine performs his early classics such as "Angel from Montgomery" and "Hello in There" in this 1980 concert filmed for the PBS series "Soundstage," featuring special guest Billy Lee Riley. Interviews with Prine as he tours his Maywood, Ill., hometown and his acoustic versions of "Paradise" and "How Lucky" punctuate live stage performances of songs from his "Bruised Orange" and "Pink Cadillac" albums.

Infinity

1980 • 9 min • United States of America

A cosmic experimental film by Jordan Belson, set to music by Iasos.

Día incompleto

1980 • 55 min • Mexico

Mexican feature film

Farewell, First Love Day

1980 • 4 min

8mm film made in 1980 by the Bunkyo University Film Research Club.

The Big Wheel

1980 • 29 min • United States of America

During the 1980 exhibition of Burden's monumental kinetic sculpture The Big Wheel at Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, New York, Burden and Feldman were interviewed by art critic Willoughby Sharp. Burden articulates the process of creating The Big Wheel, a 6,000-pound, spinning cast-iron flywheel that is initially powered by a motorcycle, and discusses its relation to his earlier performance pieces and sculptural works. Addressing his motivations and the meaning of this potentially dangerous mechanical art object, Burden discusses such topics as the role of the artist in the industrial world, "personal insanity and mass insanity," and "man's propensity towards violence."

Reasons to Be Glad

1980 • 3 min • United States of America

I made this film while experimenting with a home made rotoscope. It was drawn on index cards. It's a sort of valentine to film, to life and to Xavier Cugat too. The original 16mm negative was lost when my lab at the time closed suddenly. Boy, I don't miss film at all. (JS)

The Monarch Butterfly

1980 • 30 min • Soviet Union

A young biophysicist, dreaming of spiritual and physical immortality, makes an experiment on himself: by radioactive irradiation he violates the genetic code, as a result of which he passes into another biological substance and becomes immeasurably more perfect than his fellows on Earth.

Fountain/Car

1980 • 1 min • United States of America

XTC at the Manor

1980 • 60 min • United Kingdom

A documentary on the recording of the song "Towers of London" and a brief behind-the-scenes look at the making of the "Generals and Majors" video. Recorded at Richard Branson's mansion, August 1980.

Foods and Fun: A Nutrition Adventure

1980 • 13 min • United States of America

A little orange bird needs to build up his strength to fly south for he winter, so he consults a wise old owl who teaches him about nutrition.

The Sky Is Gray

1980 • 46 min • United States of America

From Ernest J. Gaines, author of "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," comes a deceptively simple, yet emotionally complex tale of a young boy's discovery of what it's like to be black in Louisiana during the 1940's. James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (played by Emmy-winner Olivia Cole), accompanies James to town on an eye-opening odyssey where the boy gains valuable insights into poverty, racism - and his own sense of pride. With an exciting musical score by Webster Lewis, this multi-award winning film explores a child's discovery that the world is a complicated place... where things are never truly black or white... only shades of gray.

Yan Ki Made in Hongkong

1980 • 45 min

Documentary about the working poor in Hongkong.

Wild Rice

1980 • 11 min • Canada

This short documentary explores how the First Nations staple of wild rice is exported as a luxury food thanks in part to bush pilots. Follow the families of the Pauingassi band as they comb the reedy shores with brooms, paddles and baskets for manomim (wild rice).

The Trouble with Miss Switch

1980 • 42 min • United States of America

When Rupert and his friend Amelia find the new substitute teacher doing odd things, they discover that she is actually a witch with a magical talking cat who sought them out in order to stop an evil coven of witches from destroying her.

Step by Step

1980 • 49 min • Netherlands

Offers a disconcerting glimpse behind the scenes of the ballet school at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. In her graduation film, Marijke Jongbloed did not present a romantic impression, but a world full of venom, grimness and brutal rivalry.

The Snow Child

1980 • 20 min • China

A young rabbit is rescued from disaster by the snowman he makes with his mother.

Ann, a Seaman's Wife

1980 • 14 min • Yugoslavia

About a woman waiting for her sailor husband, and when he returns, "she continues to wait". It's a story of transience, and the deeper meaning of happiness. It's about all that's beautiful in this transient world.

Billy

1980 • 18 min • United States of America

A portrait of South Philadelphia singer Billy Ruth.

Angel Dust

1980 • 25 min • United States of America

A documentary exploring the effect of PCP on both the user and society, with particular focus on a Los Angeles salesperson named Jack's recreational usage of the drug.

Dinosaurs!

1980 • 30 min • United States of America

Everyone in Philip’s science class has a great idea for a report - everyone, that is, except Philip. That evening, he listens to a song playing on his boombox, and it provides him with inspiration: DINOSAURS! The next day at the museum, Philip discovers that the search for the truth about these magnificent animals and their astonishing 160-million-years success on the Earth is the most fascinating mystery tale he’s ever heard. What follows is an exciting collection of established theories and fascinating speculation. Philip’s report captivate viewers of all ages, just as it captivates Philip’s classmates. The Kingdom of the Dinosaurs comes to life through animation, live action, and a special Claymation feature by Will Vinton Productions. A short educational Claymation film about dinosaurs. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Swedish Rooms

1980 • 11 min • Sweden

Three Swedish living rooms, under three different stages of life.