Although his influence on the history of photography has been nothing short of profound, Paul Strand (1890-1976) remains a curiously shrouded and paradoxical figure. While passionately devoted to humanity, he was happiest in the isolation of the dark room. A pioneer filmmaker (Manhatta, Native Land, Heart of Spain, The Wave), he found the process of collaboration painful. Strand established himself in New York in the 1920's as a master of light and structure, with his now famous photo of Wall Street inspired by the forms and movement of European modernist painters such as Matisse and Picasso. His closeup portraits and landscapes were equally profound. John Walker's Strand: Under the Dark Cloth is a documentary that is "beautifully crafted, thoroughly researched and intimately recounted" (Variety) with generous amounts of Strand's most famous photographs, clips from his films and fascinating interviews with friends and collaborators including Fred Zinnemann, Cesare Zavattini and Georgia O'Keeffle. It is a valuable and comprehensive introduction to the life and work of Paul Strand suitable for both art historians and general viewers alike.
G**M
I think you'll enjoy this video
If you appreciate the Photography of Paul Strand, I think you'll enjoy this video, which includes interviews with Strand, Georgia O'Keefe, Alfred Stieglitz and insight into his work from his first and second wives and others. It includes footage from several films Strand made and examples of some of his most famous photographs spanning his entire career. I highly recommend it.
B**.
About his life, not his work.
I was really disappointed by this DVD. It is very much about his life, especially his marital problems, more than any of his work. The greatest (and much too lengthy) emphasis on his achievements is his Mexican burial film.If you're expecting to learn anything about his techniques you also will be disappointed. The DVD seems to explain his work as just random shots taken at will that happen to look good when viewed in the right mood and perspective.Buy a good book instead of this.
E**N
Five Stars
Any want ta be photographer should watch this.
M**Y
An Outstanding Artist's Biography
I first watched this documentary about the same time that I was learning photography, and it changed the way that I saw photography as an art. Strand is one of the major american artists of the 20th century, as well as a defining modernist. I recommend this DVD to anyone interested in photography as an art form, to students of early 20th century American history, and anyone who appreciates a fine documentary.
W**I
All the ones about photographers contain great photos.
All these American Masters DVD's are so well done. All the ones about photographers contain great photos.
S**M
strand
I showed this dvd at a class at the local VA hospital where I have a Photo group of out patients.It gave them some insight on Paul Strands life.We had a group discussion on the material covered in the DVD about his life.Worked out fine.
R**I
The man behind the camera
Strand: Under the Dark Cloth is a Genie award (Canada's version of the Oscar) winning documentary about the photographer, Paul Strand. The film covers his life from his beginnings as an artist at the dawn of the 20th century, while under the influence of Alfred Steiglitz, to the point he took his very last photograph in his late eighties just before his death in 1976. Aside from showing his development as an artist it gives a real sense of who he was as a person and how his beliefs influenced the images he created. The documentary includes interviews with among others, Strand himself, Georgia O' Keefe, who knew Strand during the years he was under the influence of Steiglitz (her husband), as well as Strand's third wife, Hazel Strand. The highlight of the film is of course the haunting images Strand created. His unsuccessful foray into filmmaking is also covered and is the one section that might have been edited down a bit.This is a film that will hold appeal to admirers of Paul Strand as well as students of photography in general.
A**R
Birth of modern photography
If you are interested in the beginnings of 'modern' photography, this will be a good film for you. It includes Strand's classic photographs ("Wall Street") and some good interviews and soundbites. Unfortunately, it moves along painfully slow, as if they needed to stretch it out to 80 minutes.
P**O
Très bon documentaire sur Paul Strand
Très bon documentaire vidéo sur Paul Strand. Le seul existant. Avec le bonus du film de Starand, Manahatta, son premier film documentaire sur New-York tourné en 1921 avec Charles Sheeler.
