Possible Films

Possible Films 2 comprises five new short films. An earlier collection, “Possible Films: Short Works by Hal Hartley 1994 – 2004” was released in 2004. This was a compilation of films Hartley had been commissioned to create at different times, in different places, and for different producers.

This new selection, Possible Films 2 (or “PF2”) is different in this regard and might usefully be called a “suite.” There are five separate films, but they were made practically at the same time over a few years, with a consistency of style and formal strategy that resembles something like a new album. The five films were made during when Hartley was living and working in Europe, and though clearly addressing different issues and initiated by separate concerns, they are linked by consistent preoccupations and formal creative strategies.

“Devotees of Hartley’s work are strongly encouraged to pick up this collection, along with anyone with an interest in modern experimental narrative.” —Pop Damage

“Exploring small ideas that couldn’t be fleshed out in feature form, Hartley creates intimate works that are honest and feel like they’re done by an artist doing it for the love of the craft, not looking for a quick buck. But would we think anything less from Hartley?” —Filmmaker Magazine

THE FILMS

A/MUSE (11:00)
An ambitious and idealistic young actress comes to Berlin to convince an American ex-pat filmmaker that she must be his next muse – the leading lady of his first great German film. Featuring: Christina Flick

IMPLIED HARMONIES (28:00)
Hartley’s conscientious assistant in Berlin receives weekly letters from her boss and sends him the books he needs as he struggles in Amsterdam to create the staging for Dutch composer Louis Andriessen’s opera, “la Commedia”. Featuring: Louis Andriessen, Christina Zavalloni, Claron McFadden, Jeroen Willems, Reinbert de Leeuw, Asko/Shoenberg Ensemble, Jordana Maurer

THE APOLOGIES (13:00)
A commercially realistic but artistically conflicted playwright lends his Berlin apartment to a young actress friend so she can rehearse her drama school audition while he goes off to save his doomed production in New York. Featuring: Nikolai Kinski, Bettina Zimmermann, Ireen Kirsch.

ADVENTURE (20:00)
Hartley and his wife, Miho Nikaido, travel to Japan to see her parents and reflect on 12 years of marriage, her career ambitions, and the adventures of growing older. Featuring: Miho Nikaido, Hal Hartley, the Nikaido Family, various friends…

ACCOMPLICE (3:08)
An artist-criminal far from home asks his assistant to pirate a rare videotape before the German Post Office Authorities come to confiscate it. Featuring: Jordana Maurer, DJ Mendel (voice), Professor David Poeppel (voice), Jean-Luc Godard, David Bordwell (voice).