Avant-garde movie experts! Need some help please

[kay1864]

Back in 1975 or so I heard about a short that was just a camera tracking slowwwly through a room (like a cheap boardinghouse room). It takes 30 min to reach the opposite wall. During this time, a man comes in, has a heart attack and dies, and falls on the floor. And still the camera tracks past him, unfeelingly.

That's all I remember of the description, and I've always wanted to see it.

This is one case where imdb.com doesn't help. Can you?

[edbermac]

1. Any other info?

I see a lot of indie stuff, but that one doesn't ring a bell. If it's back before 1975, then it sounds like an Andy Warhol film.

[kay1864]

2. I don't think it's Warhol

There's a good chance it's B&W, but then all I have to go on is my memory of the synopsis, and my memory of a still from it--so it might be color, who knows. The thrust was the verrrry slow movement of the camera (30 minutes to go 15-20 feet) and how it doesn't care about the events in the room.

Sorry I don't remember more than that. Back then I didn't think to write things down, since I was a teenager. Plus back then there weren't even VHS tapes of movies, much less DVD's. :P

[edbermac]

3. Warhol did shoot B&W films.

He made a film called Sleep in the 1960's in B&W in which he filmed some guy sleeping...for FIVE hours! That's what made me think he was responsible for the film you are asking about.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

4. Sounds very much like "Wavelength" by Michael Snow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavelength_(1966_film)

There's a very crappy VHS rip floating around the web which I have, but couldn't suffer through (the quality was just too distracting). I think this torrent is for that copy (although I don't remember it being that large so maybe it's a better one):

http://www.greylodge.org/gpc/?p=373

edit -- there is a better rip out there. It's 700megs and the screengrabs are infinitely better than the copy I have, although it's still from video and has an Italian TV logo in the top corner. Unfortunately the only place I can find it is Karagarga.net which is a bugger to join -- I think it's become exclusively invite only & I can't help you out there, sorry.

[kay1864]

5. That definitely sounds like it, thanks very much!