What is Breathdeath?
Breathdeath is a 1963 experimental collage-animation directed by Stan VanDerBeek and realized with Johanna Vanderbeek. Based on fifteenth-century woodcuts of the dance of the dead, the film deals with the photoreality and surrealism of life by cutting up photos and newsreel film and reassembles them into a mixture of unexplainable fact and inexplicable act.
- Type
- Film
- Year
- 1963
- Release date
- Dec 28, 1963
- Genres
- Animation
- Updated
At a glance
- Rating
- ★ TMDB users: 4.9/10
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Breathdeath is a 1963 experimental collage-animation directed by Stan VanDerBeek and realized with Johanna Vanderbeek. Based on fifteenth-century woodcuts of the dance of the dead, the film deals with the photoreality and surrealism of life by cutting up photos and newsreel film and reassembles them into a mixture of unexplainable fact and inexplicable act.
The film functions as a black comedy and a parabolic parable that mocks death. Available through archive platforms and streaming sites such as Vimeo and Open Culture, it runs for fifteen minutes and presents viewers with striking juxtapositions, such as Harpo Marx playing a harp in the middle of a battlefield.
Should you watch it?
“A surrealistic collage-animation fantasy based on fifteenth-century woodcuts of the dance of the dead.”
- It is a surrealistic fantasy based on fifteenth-century woodcuts of the dance of the dead.
- It utilizes a collage-animation technique that cuts up photos and newsreel film and reassembles them.
- It functions as a black comedy and a fantasy that mocks death.
- It is an experimental film that deals with photoreality and surrealism rather than a traditional narrative.
Watch it if you are interested in experimental collage-animation and surrealistic fantasies that mock death.
It is an experimental black comedy and surrealistic fantasy utilizing a collage-animation style.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I stream Breathdeath?
The film is available on platforms such as Vimeo and Open Culture.
Is Breathdeath worth watching?
It is a recognized experimental collage-animation by Stan VanDerBeek that mocks death through a surrealistic fantasy framework.
What is the binge duration for Breathdeath?
The film has a runtime of fifteen minutes.
What are the essential episodes of Breathdeath?
Breathdeath is a standalone short film rather than a series with episodes.
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