Staff Favorites: Books on Film
Here are some of our favorite film books currently in stock at Artbook @MoMA PS1. What they share is a rich, contextual overview of each filmmaker's career.
Derek Jarman's Jubilee was a seminal film for many, though he's perhaps better known for Edward II, Sebastiane, and Blue. This book explores his diverse work, from experimental Super 8 films to queer painting and activism, with essays and photos accompanying each body of work. While their focus and mediums differ, Cao Fei’s work also features heavy social commentary and surrealism, evoking the feeling of entering a dreamlike world. In Fei’s case, she blurs the lines between the virtual and real as she explores the impact of globalization and internet culture on China. 'I Watch That Worlds Pass By' examines 3 major projects from her career, all delving into these themes. Hito Steyerl’s work also critiques the global capitalist system, with an emphasis on surveillance. In 'Broken Windows' (published alongside her exhibition of the same name) she teaches AI to recognize the sound of breaking glass, which feels especially timely as AI becomes more present. In contrast to 'Broken Windows', the protagonist in 'Memoria' struggles to recreate a sound that no one else seems to hear. While Weerasethakul’s meditation on memory feels spiritual, cyclical, and timeless, Steyerl’s work interrogates how the past is mediated through the digital archive. Weerasethakul is known for 'Uncle Boonmee', which won the Palme d'Or 2010. 'Memoria', was based off his own experience with Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)—a condition where individuals hear loud noises in their sleep. Weerasethakul found the experience strange and dreamlike, and while making the film in Colombia, his symptoms mysteriously disappeared. This book offers a rare glimpse into his personal sketchbook as he explores a new country and makes this film. What unites these filmmakers’ works, for me, is their profound intersections between technology, memory, and identity.
Each of these books would be a happy addition to any film book collection.
