This newish short is best described as a brief, affectionate exploration of the aesthetics of ‘countdown’ leaders, focusing on films (and one famous TV show) with ‘love’ in their titles. It began as a pitch to the estimable Dan Streible, NYU Cinema professor and founder of the Orphan Film Symposium. For the 11th iteration of this wonderful event, he chose the enduring theme of Love.
[Due to music licensing issues, this film has been retired.]
LOVE LEADERS (2018) is the second in a planned trilogy of experimental shorts based on my research into film leaders. The first was Academy / Society / Universal: 3 Handwritten Leader Standards (2016).
Naturally enough, LOVE LEADERS premiered at the Orphan Film Symposium (Museum of the Moving Image, NYC, 2018). Other screenings include ATA/OtherCinema (San Francisco, May 2018), and Engauge Experimental Film Festival (Seattle, Nov 2018).
Sincere thanks to Margaret Compton (Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection), Paul Gordon (Library & Archives Canada), Philippe Spurrell (Cinéclub Film Society, Montreal), Dan Streible (NYU), Craig Baldwin, and Caryn Cline. Digital transfers by Frame Discreet (Toronto).