From: Mark Toscano (email suppressed)
Date: Sat Aug 30 2008 - 16:23:57 PDT
Hi folks,
Has anyone here ever heard of, or actually seen VENICE PIER (1976) by Gary Beydler (he's best known for PASADENA FREEWAY STILLS and HAND HELD DAY)?
I'm working on its restoration, and it's amazing. I'm just curious if, in its extremely limited public showings in 1976-78, any folks here saw it, and if so, what you thought of it, especially if you went to its initial premiere at the Gargosian Gallery in L.A. Any reminiscences or thoughts?
thanks much,
mark t
p.s. As soon as there are new prints from the restoration, the film will be able to circulate, and Gary's excited about the idea that people will finally be able to see it. He says it was met with indifference at its initial showings, which helped discouraged him from producing more films. This seems crazy to me - the film is fantastic.
p.p.s. For those of you who can make it, the restored print will show in Vienna at the Austrian Filmmuseum, I believe on October 15, as part of a series of programs curated by Thom Andersen alongside the Viennale. They'll also be showing the restored print of Pasadena Freeway Stills in this program. Stateside, I should be showing both in a program of Academy-restored L.A. artists' films at UCLA's Billy Wilder Theater in October or November.
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