Free popcorn is offered alongside a screening with a renowned movie director
On the 26th of September, No Name Cinema in Santa Fe will host a retrospective of the works of experimental nonfiction filmmaker Greta Snider. This microcinema, operating out of a 50-seat warehouse space akin to a blackbox theater, has been showcasing avant-garde films since 2021.
The retrospective will feature nine short films made by Snider over the past 36 years. The journey begins with "Hard Core Home Movie" from 1989, a documentary capturing a hardcore punk concert and featuring interviews with people on the street about their views on punk rock.
One of the highlights of the retrospective is "A Small Place" (2019), a film that delves into the experience of solitary confinement. Partially based on the book "Hell Is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement" (2017), this film's visual style starts abstractly and gradually reveals text and found-footage images. Snider found the experiences depicted in "A Small Place" to be emotional and cathartic.
Audiences at the No Name Cinema retrospective will also have the opportunity to watch seven other rarely-screened films by Snider. Her films can serve as a source of inspiration for those who enjoy making things or understanding how things are made, with many viewers finding the process behind her films intriguing and sometimes attempting to replicate them.
Greta Snider's films often employ unconventional processes, such as chopping up found footage or painting directly on film negatives. This approach provides an opportunity for viewers to engage with the filmmaking process and brings a unique flavour to her work.
The retrospective will culminate with a live post-screening Q&A session with Greta Snider herself. Free popcorn will be provided throughout the event, making for a charming and engaging cinematic experience.
Other notable filmmakers featured in Greta Snider's No Name Cinema Retrospective include Jonas Mekas, Maya Deren, and Peter Kubelka. The events at No Name Cinema are donation-based, further emphasising the communal and inclusive atmosphere of this unique film event.
Snider values the physicality of filmmaking and the invitation for audiences to bring their own experiences to her work. Discussing "A Small Place" was initially difficult for her due to its emotional impact, but she remains committed to sharing her vision and encouraging meaningful conversations around important topics.
