Short Films by William Greaves 1959-1974 (15)
Barbican CentreSilk Street, London
Thu 12 Nov · 18:30
About this event
From Cinema Verité docs and observational filmmaking, to public information films exploring Black history, this selection from the renowned filmmaker shows the versatility in his works and styles. Beginning with Emergency Ward , made during Greaves' time at Canada's NFB, where he learnt documentary filmmaking techniques, Greaves observed the staff and patients of a busy hospital ward over a single evening. He made films for the United States Information Agency (USIA), using this platform to explore Black history. In Wealth of a Nation , he questions the equality of the American Dream, and From These Roots , a historical piece told through images, explores the Harlem Renaissance . His The First World Festival of Negro Arts expands a news report into a fascinating documentary. Seen together, the films reflect Greaves' skill at creating inventive work, with a socially conscious vein, and inquisitive, independent manner, even whilst working for a governmental agency.
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