Two unearthly nights of esoteric audiovisual reflections!

Cinema—from kinein 'to move'—concerns that which moves. Mysticism—from myein 'to close', so that mystikos means a secret matter, something one's eyes cannot stand to see and one's mouth must not speak—concerns that which is hidden. The zone of cinemysticism then, is about the connection between what moves and what is hidden, and more specifically, how this link is found in the (secret) experience of movies. What are the hidden connections between cinema, consciousness, and the nature of vision? In what sense is film a medium of, or avenue towards mystical experience? How can movies in light of our deficient grasp of reality serve to lead one out of the cave of illusion?

17 June, 20:00 at Filmhuis Cavia
Jeffrey Babcock, "Headless Cinema: Underground Blood and its Connection to the Stars."
Nicola Masciandaro, "Cinema Decapitation, and the Sacred."

The first night of Cinemysticism weekend will be hosted by local underground cinema dweller Jeffrey, who will give an extended introduction, along with guest speaker Nicola Masciandaro, Professor of English at Brooklyn College (CUNY) and a specialist in Medieval literature, who has recently released SACER, a screenplay about cinema and mysticism.

Among many other things, this evening will touch upon the concepts and aesthetics of French philosopher Georges Bataille and his relation to cinema. The event will be scattered with bizarre short films and mysterious clips investigating themes of transgression, poetry and mysticism.

18 June, 20:00 at MixTree - OT301
Nicola Masciandaro, "The Eye of Mysticism."

Besides a lecture and movie clips, the second night of Cinemysticism will include experimentation with sound.

Cinemysticism.com