About the Films

DEATH OF THE GORILLA
1965-66, 16 minutes
 A sight/sound combine of exotic imagry shot semi-randomly in superimposition off a TV and then cut to make a fast moving but extremely ambiguous "story.”  Prize at Ann Arbor Film Festival, 1967.  GORILLA is in the catalog of the Pompidou   A sight/sound combine of exotic imagry shot semi-randomly in superimposition off a TV and then cut to make a fast exhibit of 2006, “Los Angeles: 1955-1985.”
   
THE STAR CURTAIN TANTRA
1965-69, 18 minutes
A trance film originally released in 1966 as THE STAR CURTAIN, about the settling and relaxation of the senses after a climax. "Sentences" of cosmic imagry were added in 1969 to form the vision glimpsed in the trance.  TANTRA played at the San Francisco Film Festival of 1970.



LIGHT SHOW
1970, 4 minures
The SINGLE WING TURQUOISE BIRD was active in Los Angeles from 1968-73.   Initially the house light show for rock concerts at the Shrine, we developed it further in various locations, backed by Sam Francis.  In 2005 the film was in the Visual Music exhibitions at MOCA  and the Hirshhorn.
 




DARK ISLAND
2006-2009, 24 minutes
This film, three years in the making, is an exploration of an imaginary dark island of the mind.  Made as unconsciously as possible, it might be about  religious activity in the  jungle.  Featuring King Kong (as the GORILLA), the Buddha, Siva and Shakti, and a tree spirit.

To view a 3-minute clip of Dark Island, click here.

About Peter Mays

Peter Mays grew up in Los Angeles and attended UCLA where he majored in painting and minored in mathematics.  He made his first experimental film while in graduate school, for which he constructed a printer and developing tank.  Pat O’Neill was on a similar course in the design division.

He made several experimental shorts in 16mm in the middle 60’s.  This was a very exciting period for the avant-garde film.   Inspired by the emerging counter-culture, Mays shot a feature film in 1967.  For several years he taught photography at Mt. St. Mary’s, edited films in the industry, collaborated in a light show, and slowly completed his epic film.

In 1975 Sister Midnight premiered at the Fox Venice, but Mays could not find a distributor.  He promoted and opened new films at the Fox, and with the punk movement in brief ascendancy and in association with Ed Pressman and the Doors, he tried to buy North American rights to “The Great Rock and Roll Swindle” with the Sex Pistols.   This deal fell through and with it his film career.

Mays reinvented himself in the early 80s.  Seeking a compelling subject, he began portraying large chapters of history through computer animation of geography.  Today he has four “experimental” educational films with Discovery Education.  He made several long avant-garde films, which now had a strong emphasis on the track and on meaning.

In 2001 he had a retrospective at the Anthology Film Archives.  In 2005 Death of the Gorilla was in the catalogue of the Pompidous exhibition “Los Angeles: 1955-1985.”   His recent short DV films explore ancient cultures to express spiritual/political meanings.

About Cinematheque108

Cinematheque108 is an alternative screening series sponsored by Critical Studies at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.  For more information please call (213)-740-3334, or e-mail cinematheque108@cinema.usc.edu for a schedule. All events are free and open to the public, and are on Thursday evenings in Lucas 108 unless otherwise noted. Please note that there will be no food, drink, or gum allowed inside the theater.

About Parking

The USC School of Cinematic Arts is located at 900 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007. Parking passes may be purchased for $8.00 at USC Entrance Gate #5, located at the intersection of W. Jefferson Blvd. & McClintock Avenue. We recommend parking in outdoor Lot M or V, or Parking Structure D, at the far end of 34th Street. Please note that Parking Structure D cannot accommodate tall vehicles such as SUVs. Metered parking is also available along Jefferson Blvd.

Contact Information

Name: Benjamin Miller
Email: bmmiller@usc.edu
Phone: (213)740-3334