Deep Dive: FLicKeR (2009)
Film Lens
FLicKeR is a Canadian documentary directed by Nik Sheehan, based on John G. Geiger's book Chapel of Extreme Experience. The film focuses on artist Brion Gysin and his invention, the Dreamachine, which uses a 100-watt light bulb and a rotating cylinder to create visual experiences for users with closed eyes. Gysin believed this device could provide a drugless high and transform human consciousness.
The documentary features interviews with notable figures from the beat movement, including Iggy Pop, Marianne Faithfull, and Genesis P-Orridge, who discuss their experiences with the Dreamachine and Gysin's ideas. Premiering at the 2008 Hot Docs festival in Toronto, FLicKeR won awards for Best Canadian Feature Documentary and Best Film on International Art at the 2009 Era New Horizons Film Festival in Poland.
Why Watch
- •Meet Iggy Pop and other beat icons discussing Gysin's work.
- •Find out how the Dreamachine creates visual experiences.
- •See the impact of Gysin's ideas on human consciousness.
Did You Know
•FLicKeR won the Best Canadian Feature Documentary award at Hot Docs 2008.
•The film features interviews with 12 prominent figures from the beat movement.
•Brion Gysin's Dreamachine uses a 100-watt light bulb and a rotating cylinder.
•The film was nominated for a 2009 Gemini Award for Best Performing Arts Program.
Perfect For
Beat Generation enthusiastsExperimental art loversFans of Iggy Pop