MoMA Presents a Complete Retrospective of the Films of Warren Sonbert in 16mm May 11-19
/The Museum of Modern Art presents The Experimental Narratives of Warren Sonbert, organized by Ron Magliozzi (MoMA) & Guest Curator and Sonbert archivist Jon Gartenberg (GME).
In a career that spanned the American experimental film world from New York City to San Francisco, filmmaker Warren Sonbert (1947–1995) was driven by the belief that “independent film…is the only avenue for those who want to take risks and satisfy their own self-imposed demands.”
Program 1. Sonbert's Whirl through Warhol's World
Program 2. Queer Identity
This retrospective of a seminal figure in experimental film encompasses Sonbert’s complete body of work from its beginning in 1966. Comprising seven programs screened almost entirely in 16mm, the series opens on the theme of queer identity, and goes on to focus on Sonbert’s early flirtation with Andy Warhol’s Factory scene, his travel diaries, the evolving styles, strategies, and poetics of his 16mm film work, and much more.
Program 3. From Mise-en-Scene to Montage
Program 4.Travel Diary
Jon Gartenberg, curator of Sonbert’s creative legacy, remarks, “Sonbert’s film CARRIAGE TRADE was first shown in 1971 in the MoMA Cineprobe series, and it has been nearly two decades since the last retrospective of his films in New York City. This series can be considered a capstone to Warren Sonbert’s creative career.”
Program 5. Narrative Strategies through Polyvalent Montage
Program 6. Poetics
Program 7. Silent Rhythms, Sound Symphonies
Filmmaker Warren Sonbert
The Estate of Warren Sonbert has previously named GME as the custodian of the legacy of experimental filmmaker Warren Sonbert (1947-1995). Since his untimely passing, GME has worked on an extensive project to preserve, distribute and curate career retrospectives of his films on an international basis, as well as publish original documents from the paper archive of his writings, which are now housed at Harvard University.
New, 1080p digital versions of the remaining 16mm releases of Warren Sonbert will soon be added to GME’s Warren Sonbert Collection.