Film Lens
Signals Through the Flames is a documentary focused on Julian Beck and Judith Malina, the founders of The Living Theatre. The film features first-person interviews with both artists and archival footage from their performances and street actions, particularly highlighting events from the late 1960s. A significant portion of the film centers on the 1968 Paris performance called Paradise Now and the occupation of the Odeon Theatre, illustrating the political engagement of the theater during that era.
Directed and edited by Sheldon Rochlin, the documentary includes excerpts from notable productions such as The Brig by Kenneth H. Brown and The Connection by Jack Gelber. Produced by Mystic Fire Video, the film has maintained relevance over the years, with institutions like the Segal Theatre Center and the Yale School of Drama continuing to screen it for public audiences more than thirty years after its release.
Why Watch
- •See Julian Beck and Judith Malina in candid interviews.
- •Find out about the 1968 Odeon Theatre occupation.
- •Watch archival footage of The Living Theatre's performances.
Did You Know
•The film was produced by Mystic Fire Video, a now-defunct bookstore.
•Signals Through the Flames was released in 1983 and runs for 97 minutes.
•The archives of The Living Theatre, including this film, were acquired by Yale School of Drama.
Perfect For
Theater history enthusiastsPolitical performance art1960s cultural movements