City of Angels Poster

City of Angels 1983

20 min📅 1983-01-01

Dive into Marina Abramović's hypnotic 1983 experimental short film *City of Angels*, a mesmerizing fusion of documentary, drama, and fantasy.

Director: Marina Abramović

Frequently Asked Questions

What is City of Angels (1983) about?

Marina Abramović's *City of Angels* is an avant-garde short film set against the Ayutthaya Ruins in Bangkok, where traditional Thai figures are captured in motionless poses. A narrator's voice weaves through the scenes, exploring themes of cultural preservation and the quiet tension between heritage and progress.

Who directed City of Angels?

Marina Abramović, the renowned performance artist and filmmaker, directed *City of Angels*.

Who stars in City of Angels?

The film features Thai locals dressed in traditional garb, whose identities are not credited in the available information.

Is City of Angels (1983) worth watching?

*City of Angels* is a niche but compelling watch for fans of experimental cinema and performance art. Its atmospheric storytelling and visual poetry may resonate with those drawn to unconventional narratives, though its abstract nature isn't for every audience.

How long is City of Angels?

The runtime of *City of Angels* is 20 minutes.

About City of Angels (1983) — A Haunting Experimental Short Film by Marina Abramović

Dive into Marina Abramović's hypnotic 1983 experimental short film *City of Angels*, a mesmerizing fusion of documentary, drama, and fantasy. Shot amid the crumbling grandeur of Bangkok's Ayutthaya Ruins, this 20-minute visual poem unfolds through six unbroken, painterly tableaux of Thai locals frozen in traditional poses. A woman's whispered narration drifts over the scene, contrasting serene rituals with an undercurrent of existential unease. Abramović crafts a haunting meditation on cultural identity and modernity, where stillness becomes a language of both beauty and alienation.

Blending performance art with raw documentary footage, *City of Angels (1983)* challenges viewers to see beyond the surface. The film's stark, dreamlike visuals invite reflection on tradition's fragility in a rapidly changing world. With its minimalist yet evocative approach, this short piece lingers long after the credits roll, offering a rare glimpse into Abramović's boundary-pushing artistry.