What Is This 1985
Dive into the avant-garde short film \"What Is This (1985)\" by visionary director Raphael Montañez Ortíz, a groundbreaking experiment in animation that redefines temporal storytelling.
Director: Raphael Montañez Ortíz
Frequently Asked Questions
What is What Is This (1985) about?
This experimental short film explores temporality by digitizing a videotape and then disrupting its playback. By scratching the tape forward and backward, director Raphael Montañez Ortíz creates a fragmented, mesmerizing visual experience that bends time and challenges conventional storytelling.
Who directed What Is This?
Raphael Montañez Ortíz directed What Is This. Known for his innovative work in digital art and experimental cinema, Ortíz crafted this piece using cutting-edge early computer technology.
Who stars in What Is This?
Cast details for What Is This are not publicly available.
Is What Is This (1985) worth watching?
As an unrated 9-minute experimental short, What Is This offers a unique viewing experience for fans of avant-garde cinema. Its innovative approach to animation and time manipulation makes it a standout piece, though its niche appeal may not suit all tastes.
How long is What Is This?
What Is This has a runtime of 9 minutes.
About What Is This (1985) — When Animation Meets Digital Time-Bending Chaos
Dive into the avant-garde short film \"What Is This (1985)\" by visionary director Raphael Montañez Ortíz, a groundbreaking experiment in animation that redefines temporal storytelling. Crafted using Rutgers University's Computer Department, this 9-minute piece transforms a digitized videotape by manipulating its playback—scratching it forward and backward to fracture and reassemble its narrative into something entirely unexpected. The result is a hypnotic, glitch-like journey where time dissolves, inviting viewers to question perception and the very nature of film itself.
Montañez Ortíz, a pioneer in digital art and experimental cinema, crafts an atmospheric experience that blends technology with raw creativity. Though the cast remains uncredited, the film's technical innovation steals the spotlight, making it a must-see for fans of unconventional cinema. With its minimalist runtime, striking visuals, and thought-provoking themes, \"What Is This\" stands as a testament to how limitations can spark revolutionary art, challenging audiences to engage in ways traditional films rarely dare.