Index 20 : Which Way to CA?

What does it mean to recognize a documentary gesture in Kren's films? What is being documented? The documentary images that Kren uses in his works do not arise out of a plan, but instead, come from the right moment, a coincidence, a momentary observation, or a seized opportunity. (Michael Palm)

Called the 'father of postwar European avant-garde cinema' and regarded in some circles as the continental equivalent of America's Stan Brakhage, Kren began making experimental short films in 8mm in the early 1950s, moving up to 16mm in 1957. His subjects were everyday objects — walls, trees, people — but manipulated according to amusingly elaborate diagrams and charts that showed a sensibility both rigorous and whimsical. 'Which Way to CA?' collects 18 films from 1968-1990. Includes 26/71: Cartoon: Balzac and the Eye of God and No Film among others. 

18/68 VENECIA KAPUTT 1968, 0:20 min,

22/69 HAPPY-END 1969, 4:02 min,

23/69 UNDERGROUND EXPLOSION 1969, 5:07 min,

24/70 WESTERN 1970, 2:54 min,

26/71 ZEICHENFILM BALZAC UND DAS AUGE GOTTES 1971, 0:31 min,

27/71 AUF DER PFAUENINSEL 1971, 1:21 min,

29/73 READY-MADE 1973, 12:20 min,

30/73 COOP CINEMA AMSTERDAM 1973, 3 min,

33/77 KEINE DONAU 1977, 8:16 min,

34/77 TSCHIBO 1977, 1:58 min,

39/81 WHICH WAY TO CA? 1981, 3:18 min,

40/81 BREAKFAST IM GRAUEN 1981, 3:13 min,

41/82 GETTING WARM 1982, 3:22 min,

42/83 NO FILM 1983, 0:03 min,

43/84 1984 1984, 1:43 min,

44/85 FOOT–AGE SHOOT–OUT 1985, 3:03 min,

46/90 FALTER 2 1990, 0:30 min,

50/96 SNAPSPOTS (for Bruce) 1996, 4:12 min,

SPECIAL FEATURE: HANS SCHEUGL: KEINE DONAU - Kurt Kren und seine Filme 1988, 55 min