Cinema of Transgression
Encyclopedia
The Cinema of Transgression is a term coined by Nick Zedd
in 1985 to describe a New York City
, United States
based underground film
movement, consisting of a loose-knit group of like-minded artists using shock value
and humor in their work. Key players in this movement were Nick Zedd
, Kembra Pfahler
, Casandra Stark
, Beth B, Tommy Turner
, Richard Kern
and Lydia Lunch
, who in the late 1970s and mid 1980s began to make very low budget films
using cheap 8 mm cameras.
An important essay outlining Zedd's philosophy
on the Cinema of Transgression is the Cinema of Transgression Manifesto, published pseudonymously in the Underground Film Bulletin (1984–90).
Nick Zedd
Nick Zedd is an American filmmaker and author based in New York City. He coined the term Cinema of Transgression in 1985 to describe a loose-knit group of like-minded filmmakers and artists using shock value and black humor in their work...
in 1985 to describe a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
based underground film
Underground film
An underground film is a film that is out of the mainstream either in its style, genre, or financing.-Definition and history:The first use of the term "underground film" occurs in a 1957 essay by American film critic Manny Farber, "Underground Films." Farber uses it to refer to the work of...
movement, consisting of a loose-knit group of like-minded artists using shock value
Shock value
Shock value is the potential of an action , image, text, or other form of communication to provoke a reaction of disgust, shock, anger, fear, or similar negative emotions.-Shock value as humor:...
and humor in their work. Key players in this movement were Nick Zedd
Nick Zedd
Nick Zedd is an American filmmaker and author based in New York City. He coined the term Cinema of Transgression in 1985 to describe a loose-knit group of like-minded filmmakers and artists using shock value and black humor in their work...
, Kembra Pfahler
Kembra Pfahler
Kembra Pfahler is an American performance artist, rock musician and actress. As a performance artist she has been recognized on every "Top 10 List" published during the past quarter century. Her graphic depictions of the horror, repetition, degradation, and have been recognized as insightfully...
, Casandra Stark
Casandra Stark
Casandra Stark Mele is a New York City underground Icon, considered one of the "principal players in the Cinema of Transgression" ....
, Beth B, Tommy Turner
Tommy Turner
Thomas "Tommy" Turner is a Scottish former professional footballer.He was captain of the St. Mirren side that won the Scottish First Division in 1999-2000....
, Richard Kern
Richard Kern
Richard Kern is a New York underground filmmaker, writer and photographer. He first came to underground prominence as part of the underground cultural explosion in the East Village of New York City in the 1980s, with erotic and experimental films featuring underground personalities of the time...
and Lydia Lunch
Lydia Lunch
Lydia Lunch is an American singer, poet, writer, and actress whose career was spawned by the New York No Wave scene...
, who in the late 1970s and mid 1980s began to make very low budget films
No budget film
A no budget film is a produced film made with very little, or no money.Young directors starting out in filmmaking commonly use this method because there are few other options available to them at that point. All the actors and technicians are employed without remuneration, and the films are largely...
using cheap 8 mm cameras.
An important essay outlining Zedd's philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
on the Cinema of Transgression is the Cinema of Transgression Manifesto, published pseudonymously in the Underground Film Bulletin (1984–90).
External links
- Films from the Cinema of Transgression at UbuWebUbuWebUbuWeb is a large web-based educational resource for avant-garde material available on the internet, founded in 1996 by poet Kenneth Goldsmith. It offers visual, concrete and sound poetry, expanding to include film and sound art mp3 archives.-Philosophy:...
. - Official Myspace page for "Llik your idols", a documentary about the Cinema of Transgression