Film as Film (HB)

Film as Film: The Collected Writings of Gregory J. Markopoulos
Edited by Mark Webber
The Visible Press, 2014

“This collection of writings by a key figure of the New American Cinema complements, illuminates and extends an incomparable body of work. Equal parts theory, criticism and mythical prose, the texts reflect the charisma and originality of its author – and his enduring romanticism. Brandished by the same absolutes and passion that fuel his films, Film as Film is a seminal addition to film scholarship and film history, and includes some of the most original writing on the art of cinema, not unlike that of Jean Cocteau and Pier Paolo Pasolini.”
—– Andréa Picard, Toronto International Film Festival

“For the first time the full depths of Gregory Markopoulos’ rigorous imagination can be fathomed, thanks to this marvellous anthology compiled by Mark Webber. Film as Film is an indispensable companion to Markopoulos’ unique cinema and a fascinating chronicle of his probing thoughts on filmmaking and his herculean efforts to realise the uncompromising, monumental dream of the eighty hour long Eniaios cycle of films.”
—– Haden Guest, Harvard Film Archive

“Gregory J. Markopoulos, one of the great visionary filmmakers of the 20th century, was an equally insightful writer on film aesthetics, theory, and criticism. This much anticipated volume of his collected writings is essential reading, offering easy entry into the mind of a poet and leading advocate for the creative potential of the filmic medium. Markopoulos’ call for an ideal cinema is one that remains highly relevant to us today, giving us direction and inspiration.”
—– Susan Oxtoby, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

“It feels apposite that the writings of Gregory Markopoulos be published now at a time when the very existence of film is so threatened. Nothing more should be needed as a convincing argument that film is still the important, autogenic magical medium for filmmakers today, as it was for Markopoulos, than his text “Correspondences of Smell and Visuals”. Here one bears witness to the exuberance of a work and a process in the making, brought about, as so often is the case, by both the glories and internal rigours of the medium of film itself. Exciting, too, to feel the fire in his writing, and experience through it a contemporary account of the establishment of the New American Cinema.”
—– Tacita Dean, artist

“Film as Film, with its contents ranging from critical essays to poetry – all part of an autobiography – is not just a great read for anyone interested in film as an art form … It’s also a double inspiration: for young artists who are beginning to test their respective tools, training their eyes, ears, hands and machines on the world to achieve something beyond imitation; and for those who have not yet seen enough of the films made by Gregory J. Markopoulos. To quote the title of one of his masterpieces: this book is the Galaxie of Markopoulos moments, ninety-one intense spotlights from the artist’s life as a writer.”
—– Alexander Horwath, Österreichisches Filmmuseum

“Gregory Markopoulos has been in my thoughts since his masterpiece Bliss inspired me to pick up a Bolex camera several years ago. This book collects many of Markopoulos’ strident and inspirational writings, providing a wealth of experiences and provocations for future filmmakers and scholars everywhere. This publication, as well as the monumental Temenos screenings in Greece, will help to establish Markopoulos as one of the single most important filmmakers of the American avant-garde.”
—– Luke Fowler, artist