Blue Moses

About This Movie

So, Blue Moses is this fascinating piece from 1962, you know? It's a bit of a departure for Brakhage since it actually has spoken dialogue and a character at the center. The whole thing feels like a sly critique, almost mockingly pitting this actor—who could also be seen as a poet or director—against an audience you never see. The pacing is a bit erratic, which adds to the tension, and there's this undercurrent of bitterness that really lingers. It's preserved well by the Academy Film Archive in 2007, which is great because this film tends to be overshadowed but it has a distinctiveness that’s hard to shake off. Definitely a unique piece in Brakhage's oeuvre.

Blue Moses is a bit elusive in terms of availability, not a film that pops up often in collector circles. Its preservation by the Academy Film Archive has helped maintain its visibility, but the unknown director and lack of a clear genre make it a curiosity. Collectors often appreciate the complexity and the way it diverges from Brakhage's more experimental works, so there’s a niche interest here for those who enjoy digging deeper into his catalog.