An Interview with Albie Thoms

This precious interview had been planned by Albie Thoms and Kriszta Doczy since the beginning of 2012. During the year Albie was battling with his illness and using every drop of his energy to finish his book "My Gen" about the Sixties alternative underground film makers and artists in Sydney. Finally, just three weeks before he passed away Albie sat down with Kriszta and they started the conversation they had planned for so long. The interview was cut short, the book had to be finished and sent to the printer, and Albie was hoping to attend his last party, the launch of his book.

The interview covers a wide range of topics: Albie Thom's early theatre experiments with absurd plays, the starting of film making, the UBU experimental film group's work, government politics, rebellion, and the emerging of Sydney's counterculture among others. He speaks about the why and the how of being an 'experimental' artist and the bravery needed to not belong to the mainstream.

It is not intended as a full and comprehensive account of the time but it is a touching brief from a once rebellious artist, illustrated with original photos, film clips, excerpts of performances and, most importantly, with selected clips from Albie's experimental films.

November 2012