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*CORPUS CALLOSUM
(2002, Michael Snow)
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*Corpus Callosum reflects Michael Snow’s ongoing passion for formal play. In a series of staged scenes reminiscent of his 80s opus Presents, *Corpus Callosum twists, pulls and bends screen space and the hapless performers in it. But this time it’s all done digitally. The tape is named for the bridge between the brain’s two hemispheres, and it’s appropriately cerebral. But it also drops in shameless sight gags, and goofs on the director’s controlling hand. Snow’s experiment can feel exhaustingly thorough, but it ends with a brilliant stroke that throws his themes back to a bit of animation he made in 1956.
This screening is a benefit celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre. The CFMDC’s vast and deep archive is where people go for the collected Stan Brackage, the early work of Bruce McDonald or new indie stars. The collaboration with Snow is apt: he made his landmark film Wavelength the same year the CFMDC was born. (Friday, May 24, Bloor) CAMERON BAILEY
