My favorite would also be Dog Star Man, if for no other reason than that’s how I was introduced to him. As far as a best—I’m not sure it’s entirely possible to objectively choose a best film by Brakhage—alas, I won’t.
Eh, generalized rejection of terms aside, for me it’s all about The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes . The explanation is in the title.
—DiB
I’d either have to go with The Act of Seeing With One’s Own Eyes, Mothlight, or Window Water Baby Moving.
“Best” and “favorite” pretty much mean the same thing when it comes down to the wire.
Unfortunately the only one I’ve seen is The Act of Seeing With One’s Own Eyes, which was amazing and one of the most uncomfortable watches of my life at the same time.
The Act of Seeing With One’s Own Eyes for me
I never tire of MOTHLIGHT.
I find Window Water Baby Moving very touching. I’ve only seen four of Brakhage’s films to this point (the others being The Riddle of Lumen, Mothlight, Desistfilm), but I was very moved by Window Water Baby Moving, more so than the others by a considerable degree.
I feel like most of his “films” are pointless shit, but The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes is pretty good.
Well, Jim, they are experimental films.
My favorite is Window Water Baby Moving, but I would like to see his entire filmography before I pick out his best.
At the risk of sounding overly antagonistic, I think the very title of the thread points to the absurdity of trying to designate what is his “best”, especially if such a judgment is primarily being based off his previous (or forthcoming) dvd release…
The Dante Quartet, the first (I think) of his “painted” films.
The Dante Quartet.
I’m in the middle of working my way through the second anthology, and so far I most responded to The Wonder Ring.
One thing that I have found enhances my viewing experience of Brakhage’s films is viewing them while playing Ghosts I-IV (the Nine Inch Nails album) on shuffle. Some might argue that that is not how the filmmaker intended his films to be viewed, that Stan intended his films to be silent. (except for the sparse soundtrack he applies to films such as Boulder Blues and Perils) Though I find that the two complement each other very well. Both are abstract non-narrative works of art, one occupying the auditory senses the other occupying the visual senses, that take place on a timescale and exploit the common aspects of rhythm, and tone.
Window Water Baby Moving is one of the best films I have ever seen. So, so, so overwhelmingly moving.
Scenes from Under Childhood, followed closely by The Act of Seeing With One’s Own Eyes, Black Ice, 23rd Psalm Branch, The Dante Quartet, Dog Star Man, and Window Water Baby Moving.
Erik Villasenor
Whats your favorite film by Brakhage, then which do you think is the best?
Favorite:Dog Star Man
Best:23rd Psalm