Vertical Features Remake 1978
Peter Greenaway's experimental debut *Vertical Features Remake* (1978) dives into the playful deconstruction of cinema itself.
Director: Peter Greenaway
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vertical Features Remake (1978) about?
*Vertical Features Remake* follows a mock-academic institute as they reconstruct raw footage of vertical landscapes into a film, guided by the notes of an eccentric ornithologist. The project is a tongue-in-cheek take on structuralist film theory, where mundane subjects become the basis for cinematic experimentation.
Who directed Vertical Features Remake?
The film was directed by Peter Greenaway, a British filmmaker known for his visually striking and often provocative works.
Who stars in Vertical Features Remake?
The cast includes Colin Cantlie, the lone credited actor in this experimental short.
Is Vertical Features Remake (1978) worth watching?
As a 45-minute avant-garde comedy, it's a niche but rewarding experience for fans of Greenaway's unique style. Its dry humor and structuralist themes may appeal more to cinephiles than casual viewers, but its brevity makes it an easy deep dive into experimental cinema.
How long is Vertical Features Remake?
The runtime is 45 minutes.
About Vertical Features Remake (1978) — Peter Greenaway's Experimental Short Film Explained
Peter Greenaway's experimental debut *Vertical Features Remake* (1978) dives into the playful deconstruction of cinema itself. The film follows a fictional Institute of Reclamation and Restoration as they meticulously reassemble raw footage shot by ornithologist Tulse Luper, transforming ordinary vertical frames—trees, posts, and other upright elements in the English countryside—into a structuralist film experiment. Blending dry humor with academic rigor, Greenaway crafts a short but dense meditation on perception, order, and the arbitrary rules of filmmaking. Shot in striking black-and-white, the movie thrives on its deadpan precision and unexpected wit, offering a wry commentary on how we assign meaning to images.
At just 45 minutes, *Vertical Features Remake* is a niche yet fascinating artifact for cinephiles drawn to avant-garde cinema. Its playful subversion of narrative conventions and thematic obsession with verticality make it a quirky standout in Greenaway's early work. While not for mainstream audiences, the film's unique blend of absurdity and intellectual curiosity lingers long after the credits roll.