Every week, Kristopher Pollard from Milwaukee Film and Radio Milwaukee’s Dori Zori talk about movies — because that’s what you do when you’re Cinebuds.
“Experimental” can be an intimidating word in just about any realm. It implies that whatever you’re about to encounter will challenge you, demand that you think more deeply and, in general, ask more from its audience.
Experimental films certainly carry that loaded — and incorrect — notion. The reaction of your average moviegoer is to back away slowly and go back to the safe haven of superheroes and streaming services (not that there’s anything wrong with those!). Fortunately, we invited a couple guests to this episode of Cinebuds who are the ideal guides into this surprisingly accessible and moving world.
Michael Wendt is the programming director of Woodland Pattern, an all-art-encompassing space in Riverwest that presents more than 400 activities and programs every year. One of them is aCinema, a monthly exhibition that screens works from the global community of moving-image artists. Takahiro Suzuki started the series, along with Janelle VanderKelen, to give a stage (or screen) to films and filmmakers who might not have access to the bigger experimental festivals.
Dori invited Suzuki and Wendt for a chat that takes the intimidation out of these films. Wendt helpfully takes the role of audience surrogate and reflects on his own introduction to more experimental works via the film department at UW-Milwaukee.
“One just sort of exploded my mind, like, ‘Wow, people can do this.’” he recalled. “But also there was something that was sort of surprising and delightful about it.” He went on to point out how these films can be as funny as they are moving while tapping “into the same part of me that also loves going to a megaplex and seeing whatever blockbuster.”
You can hear more from Wendt and Suzuki (and Dori!) in the full episode via the player at the top of the page or wherever you get your podcasts. And, if your interest is piqued, aCinema’s next installment is coming up July 18-20 at Woodland Pattern, with six different programs for you to check out.
