Last week was the start of the London Shorts Film Festival, with various venues around London hosting screenings and special events. Everything kicked off at the opening party at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts), Movements of a Nebulous Dawn.
As a first timer at the ICA, I wasn't sure what to expect. Being greeted by a pleasing display of books, magazines and journals at the shop and enjoying a drink (token came the ticket) in what looked like the shallowest abandoned swimming pool, that was not it. The night became stranger still, with the party taking place in the theatre through very busy bar area (the cafe part up a flight of stairs was most intriguing). In a pitch black room, the only light came from 3 projectors, a large screen featuring visuals of art and film and the gigantic white balloon suspended in the middle of the room. The balloon became the centre point when experimental films were screened on to it, accompanied by improvised music. At first I felt like I was starring at the dark crystal, so absorbed in the light, but as time I snapped out of it and focused more on what was actually shown.
An unusual experience which surprised me as I usually dismiss experimental film and new types of art, but this was fascinating, especially how everyone in the room was drawn to the giant balloon.
Continuing on with the festival, I got to see a favourite collective of mine, The Final Girls, present The Witching Hour, which featured two documentaries about witchcraft from the 70s.
Another first time in a cinema, this time the very elegant Regent Street Cinema, complete with wonderfully old fashioned looking auditorium complete yellowy green coloured seats. The Final Girls are a film collective who explore the intersection between horror film and feminism. Having gone to previous screenings and events hosted by them, I was intrigied by their next project.
The two documentaries focusing on witchcraft and the image of the witch. Secret Rites features the sacred ceremonies of witchcraft and discusses how the image of the witch has been sensationalised, depicting covens taking part in over the top orgies and blood sacrifices. Alex Sanders, King of the Witches, talks in surreal detail about witchcraft as a religion and how new members to the coven are chosen very carefully. The film follows a new witch as she explains why she wants to join and later her initiation ceremony into the coven. A few other ceremonies are also played out in a very matter of fact manner. The second film, Power of the Witch, described as a time capsule of the 60s and 70s, the height of witchcraft intrigue, is exactly this as well as an attempt to deleve deeper into the mythology, black magic and interviewing those who are practicing witches.
Two very fascinating films, both with some natural humour (mostly as the choice of angles used and the dead pan manner everyone speaks in) and interesting theories behind the craft. The Final Girls mentioned that this was the beginning of further screenings along the theme of witchcraft.
The London Short Film Festival ran from 12th - 21st January, take a look HERE for what was in the programme.