FILM, VIDEO, DVD: ALPHABETICAL LISTINGS
A B C D E F G H I J K L MN O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Film, Video, DVD: U
Un Chien Andalou/Land Without Bread WA-535
16 min/27min / b&w / 1929/1932 / IN / VHS
College through adult
The notorious Un Chien Andalou (An Andalusian Dog) is considered the first truly Surrealist film. Spaniards Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalì collaborated on this amalgamation of dream imagery and nonsense surreal gags. While Dalì went on to concentrate on his painting, Buñuel continued his filmmaking in the surreal vein. Buñuel’s Land Without Bread is an offbeat documentary of an actual region in Spain where the people are caught hopelessly in a treadmill of primitive ways and poverty. For mature audiences.
Uncommon Images: James Van Der Zee WA-288
22 min / color / 1979 / FL / 16mm / VHS / DVD
Middle school through adult
Uncommon Images provides a nostalgic look at the life and work of James Van Der Zee (1886-1983), the renowned Harlem photographer. Van Der Zee began photographing at age 14, and by 1916 had established his first photo studio. This prolific photographer documented the places and faces of Harlem over many decades, but his work did not become known outside his own community until the last 15 years of his life. His warm, understanding photographs have become an important part of America’s art and history.
Under the Covers WA-109
11 min / color / 1976 / PFP / 16mm
Middle school through adult
People find great satisfaction in creating things with their own hands. Quilting began out of poverty and necessity, and today is recognized as a fine art form. This imaginative film surveys patterns and stitches, colors and shapes, focusing on the historical importance and homespun vitality of American quilts.
Understanding and Appreciating Painting ED-386
19 min / color / 1993 / Lucerne / VHS
Elementary school through adult
An artist’s vision is depicted through life experiences and how those experiences are expressed. By manipulating the different elements of art, such as line, form, texture, color, and scale, an artist can create a composition unique to his experience. Endlessly varied, an artist’s vision enriches and defines humanity. Two key concepts in art-representation and abstraction-are discussed by looking at works that incorporate them. Examples include works by Renaissance masters as well as contemporary artists. This is an excellent program to introduce beginners to the world of the artist.
Up and Down the Soo Locks ED-115
4 min / color / 1979 / PS / 16mm
Elementary school through adult
Through the magic of time-lapse photography, large freighters and ocean liners travel through the Soo Locks, between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, at unbelievable speeds. In a sequence that takes minutes instead of hours, drawbridges open and close in the blink of an eye. William Blanchard’s amusing film provides an absurd look at the real world.
Up, Down, All Around the Art Institute of Chicago WA-469
22 min / color / 1994 / AA / VHS
Elementary school
Designed to prepare fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students for a first visit to an art museum, this video is an entertaining introduction to the world of art. A core group of 5 children from different backgrounds who live in the Chicago area go on a treasure hunt at the Art Institute. They discover an African mask, a Japanese print, a box by Joseph Cornell, and a sketchbook by Paul Cezanne. These works give specific instructions on viewing the vast collection of the Art Institute. Each child’s ability to describe, compare, and interpret what he or she sees suggests ways for viewers of all ages to explore the power and meaning of works of art.
Urashima Taro ED-244
12 min / color / 1979 / BARR / VHS
Elementary school through adult
The ancient Japanese folktale of Urashima Taro, a young fisherman whose meager catch barely feeds him and his elderly parents, is told in a beautiful animated film. One day, Urashima Taro gives a fish to 2 boys to stop them from torturing a sea turtle. As a reward, the turtle’s mother takes him to the fabled Dragon Palace at the bottom of the sea. Urashimo’s further adventures are related, including his receipt of a mysterious gift and how his curiosity is rewarded.
Suggested Classroom Activities: Discuss with students the many important symbols of Japanese life shown in the film (Tortoise: old age. Dragon: power. Garden of Seasons: the stages of life.) Have students think of some symbols in our own culture (Elephant: old age. Owl: wisdom. Fox: trickery. Lion: bravery). Have students write and illustrate a folktale using contemporary symbolism.
USSR Art WA-338
53 min / color / 1990 / DC / VHS
High school through adult
July 7, 1988: Sotheby’s holds an auction in Moscow; glasnost has come to the Soviet art world. This program presents a fascinating overview of Soviet art and artists in transition, of a society struggling with its first flirtations with commercialism. Through interviews with many leading artists who, until recently, were forced to work underground-as well as viewing a large sampling of their works-USSR Art provides a window on the swift, dramatic changes taking place in the international art world. Recommended for classes in art history and social studies.
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