Public Television

About This Movie

Public Television is a fascinating piece of student film from UCLA, encapsulating a unique moment in the late '70s landscape of experimental cinema. The multi-camera setup, with its voyeuristic overhead angle, creates an intriguing dissonance, as it captures the absurdity of everyday interactions in a fast food joint. The blend of a white British man's intrusive request for a cigarette and fries with the stoic presence of a Black American couple resonates with themes of cultural clumsiness and social tension. The pacing feels almost erratic, mirroring the unpredictability of life itself, while the performances are raw and unfiltered, adding to that 'theater of the absurd' feel. It's an intriguing artifact of its time, preserved by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, and it stands out for its experimental approach and social commentary.

Public Television is relatively scarce, especially in the collector market, primarily because it remains a student project that didn’t receive wide distribution. The preservation efforts by the UCLA Film & Television Archive have made it more accessible for research and screenings, but original formats are hard to come by. Collectors interested in experimental cinema or UCLA's film history should pay attention, as this film offers a unique glimpse into the era's artistic exploration.