Peter Gidal

Peter Gidal is an English film writer, theoretician, and filmmaker. Born in 1946. Gidal studied theatre, psychology and literature at Brandeis University, Massachussets, 1964-68, and the University of Munich from 1966-7. He studied at the Royal College of Art from 1968-71 where he went on to teach Advanced Film Studies until 1984. He was an active member of the London Film-makers' Co-operative since 1969, and Cinema Programmer there from 1971-4. Co-founder of the Independent Film-makers' Association, 1975, he served as a member of the British Film Institute Production Board, 1978-81.

His films have been screened nationally and internationally, including the Tate Gallery, the Hayward Gallery, and yearly since 1969 at the Edinburgh Film Festival and the National Film Theatre. Gidal has had retrospectives of his films at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1983, Centre George Pompidou, Beaubourg, Paris, 1996, amongst others. International screenings include several each at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Royal Belgium Film Archive and Cinematheque, Documenta, Arte Inglesi Oggi, X-Screen, etc. He is the recipient of the Prix de la Recherche, Toulon 1974.

Gidal is renowned as a writer and theorist, in particular for his highly influential publication 'Structural Film Anthology' (BFI 1976), other books include 'Andy Warhol: Films and Paintings' (Studio Vista, 1971, Da Capo NY reprint. 1991) and 'Materialist Film' (Routledge, 1988). Gidal's writings have been published extensively in journals including Studio International, Screen, October and Undercut. He is also known for his research and writings on Samuel Beckett, including 'Understanding Beckett: Monologue and Gesture' (Macmillan, 1986).

Filmography

• 2003 Volcano
• 1997 No Night No Day
• 1997 Assumption
• 1992 Flare Out
• 1988 Guilt
• 1986 Denials
• 1983 Close Up
• 1980 Action at a Distance
• 1978 Untitled
• 1978 Fourth Wall
• 1977 Silent Partner
• 1977 Kopenhagen/1930
• 1975 Condition of Illusion
• 1974 C/O/N/S/T/R/U/C/T
• 1973-4 Film Print
• 1973 Room Film 1973
• 1973 Photo/graph/film
• 1972 Movie No 2
• 1972 Movie No 1
• 1971 Focus
• 1971 Bedroom
• 1971 8mm Film Notes on 16mm
• 1969 Heads
• 1969 Clouds
• 1968-9 Hall
• 1968 Still Andy
• 1968 Loop
• 1968 Key
• 1967-72 Upside Down Feature
• 1967 Room (Double Take)

Bibliography

• Andy Warhol: Films and Paintings (Studio Vista, London, 1971)
• Structural Film Anthology, includes introductory essay: 'Theory and Definition of Structural / Materialist Film' (British Film Institute, London, 1976-reprint 1978)
• Theory and Definition of Structural/Materialist Film (Routledge, London, 4 vols)
• Understanding Beckett: A Study of Monologue and Gesture in the Work of Samuel Beckett (Macmillan, London; St. Martins Press, NY, 1986; paperback 1988; reprint with new Introduction 1996).
• Materialist Film (Routledge, London & Boston, 1989; reprint 1990)

External links

• Artist's page at Luxonline
• Essay by Ian White
• Films watchable online at Ubuweb