The Short Films of Ken Jacobs
This selection of Ken Jacob's early works, filmed on the Lower East Side not far from Metrograph's location at 7 Ludlow Street, offers a glimpse into the burgeoning American Underground of the 1960s, featuring characters including Jack Smith, and into the mind one of the most wildly creative and influential film artists and teachers in the history of the medium.
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Blonde Cobra
Directed by Ken Jacobs | 34 mins | 1963
In Blonde Cobra, dubbed “the masterpiece of Baudelairean cinema” by Jonas Mekas, Jacobs turns his camera on fellow underground icon Jack Smith. Screening as part of a selection of five experimental shorts from the Brooklyn-born Jacobs, one of the most wildl... -
Orchard Street
Directed by Ken Jacobs | 27 mins | 1955
Ken Jacobs documents the tradition of eager haggling and bargain hunting that once took place on the Lower East Side commercial thoroughfare of the title. Screening as part of a selection of five experimental shorts from the Brooklyn-born Jacobs, one of the... -
Window
Directed by Ken Jacobs | 12 mins | 1964
Jacobs, always interested in experiments in perception, uses his camera to contemplate the frame of a window and the exterior beyond, as he does conducting a scintillating experiment involving lenses and screens. Screening as part of a selection of five exp... -
The Whirled
Directed by Ken Jacobs | 19 mins | 2007
A collection of smaller silent segments by Brooklyn-born experimental filmmaker Ken Jacobs, made between 1956 and ’63. Screening as part of a selection of five experimental shorts from the Brooklyn-born Jacobs, one of the most wildly creative and influentia... -
Little Stabs at Happiness
Directed by Ken Jacobs | 15 m ins | 1963
A collection of smaller silent segments made between 1956 and ’63. Screening as part of a selection of five experimental shorts from the Brooklyn-born Jacobs, one of the most wildly creative and influential film artists and teachers in the history of the m... -
From 7 Ludlow: Ken Jacobs in Conversation
Metrograph | 16 mins | 2022
Legendary experimental filmmaker Ken Jacobs joins Metrograph for a Q&A following a screening of his short films.
