Messages, Messages

About This Movie

So, 'Messages, Messages' from 1968 is this wild dive into the unconscious, you know? It's got that dreamy, surreal vibe that really channels Dalí and Buñuel—definitely feels like it’s plucked from a different era of film. The pacing is, well, it’s not rushed at all, allowing you to really sink into these odd visuals and symbolism. The practical effects are quite charming in their own right, very much of that student film energy, but it works in this context. You can feel the influence of German expressionism in the shadows and contrasts, really sets the mood. It’s a distinctive piece that leaves you pondering long after it fades out.

This film has a somewhat niche following, partly due to its obscure director and the fact that it was created during the students' time at the San Francisco Art Institute. It was premiered at the St. Regis Hotel in New York, which adds a layer of mystique. Editions of the film are scarce, making it a point of interest for collectors who appreciate experimental cinema and its historical context.