British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Riddles of the Sphinx

Synopsis
Laura Mulvey and Peter Wollen’s 1977 film is a landmark moment in British avant-garde filmmaking which fuses feminist theory with formal experimentation to create an elliptical narrative exploring issues of female representation, the place of motherhood within society and the relationship between mother and daughter. Composed of a number of discrete sections, many of which are shot as continuous circular pans, the film takes place in a range of domestic and public spaces.

The British Film Institute’s Dual format Blu-Ray DVD edition features bonus material, including a newly-recorded feature-length commentary by Laura Mulvey, Mulvey and Wollen’s film PENTHESILEA: QUEEN OF THE AMAZONS (1974), and a video interview with Laura Mulvey in conversation with the University of Breman’s Winfried Pauleit. Also included is an extensive booklet with new essays and complete film credits.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of release
2013
Notes
Dual format Blu-Ray DVD edition - reviewed in VF94
Subjects
Film studies
Keywords
avant-garde film & video; experimental film & video; film theory

Credits

Director
Laura Mulvey; Peter Wollen
Music
Denys Irving; Mike Ratledge

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL, Blu-Ray DVD
Price
£19.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
92 minutes
Year
2013

Distributor

Name

BFI Video

Email
video.films@bfi.org.uk
Web
http://www.bfi.org.uk External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7957 8957
Fax
020 7957 8968
Address
21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN

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