Laura Mulvey, Peter Wollen
Riddles of the Sphinx
Institutions (universities, libraries, museums, cultural centres…) must add institutional rights to their order. Rates vary by region (North America, Europe & UK, Asia, Oceania).
Add rightsFormat DVD Interzone, Blu-ray Interzone
Original format 16mm
Year 1977
Language(s) English
Artist(s) Laura Mulvey, Peter Wollen
Subtitles English
Running time 91 min
Films
RIDDLES OF THE SPHINX (1977) 91'
Description
Riddles of the Sphinx, a visually accomplished and intellectually rigorous film, is one of the most important avant-garde films to emerge in Britain in the 1970s. The second collaboration between Laura Mulvey and Peter Wollen, both major figures in film theory, this film explores questions of female representation, the place of motherhood in society, and the mother-daughter relationship. Composed of numerous distinct sections, often filmed in long circular pans, it unfolds in various domestic and public spaces, notably in Malcolm LeGrice's kitchen and Stephen Dwoskin's bedroom.
The groundbreaking soundtrack, by Mike Ratledge of The Soft Machine, is created using synthesizers developed in collaboration with Denys Irving (founder of the controversial group Lucifer). Restored in High Definition, the film is presented here with numerous essential extras, including an extended audio commentary by Laura Mulvey, as well as Penthesilea: Queen of the Amazons, their first cinematic collaboration.