Au Sud (To the south) (1991) dir. Sandra Davis

The specific colors and tones and rhythms of a place in the south of France. The dryness of gold, the rock of plateau, the cemetery of the sailors, the echoes of fishermen and artists, the memory of Paul Valery. And water everywhere. These works were conceived of as postcards to myself and songs to the passion of place. I noticed that the program in France called them “odes“ which is a lovely word that seems old-fashioned and quite precise, evoking a sense of both memory and presence. The films emerged quite unlike my other work, as little stories without narratives and recollections of a French appreciation for American jazz. Cinematography concentrates on the spectacular natural light of the places: the films were shot with no special filters, particular technical “effects“ or optical printing. I made a game for myself to edit them so that each could be shown separately, standing alone, and also be shown 1 - 2 - 3, as a trilogy form. I am indebted to poet Joanna McClure for her exacting and evocative reading of the vocal texts. (Sandra Davis)