Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Free Radicals" is a 1958, 4.5-minute short film by Len lye from new Zealand. And even if this one is also almost 60 years old, it was Len Lye's penultimate work and he wasn't a prolific artist at this point anymore. Nonetheless, this one here is definitely a contender for his most known and best-received work. Other people moved on from color to black-and-white, but Lye, who already used color in his early works made this one here in black-and-white, so he went against time basically. I am not sure if this metaphor was his intention though. Maybe he was just in the mood for something different. The animation is nothing special as in most of his other films. To me, the music has always been the highlight and it is in this one as well. The melody of the drums is nice to listen to. However, a record can give me the same experience. I do not need to watch an experimental film for that sensation. Not recommended and I believe in terms of what we see this is certainly among Lye's weaker versions. I guess a lot of his creativity had already vanished at this point and new ideas were rare.

le_animale This is absolutely essential viewing for anyone into experimental film. I cannot believe it is 50 years old, it is absolutely timeless and suggests that we haven't progressed much since. I have never seen music and images work so well together, it's like the drums are fused with the visuals to create a new medium altogether. Stunning creativity and attention to detail, a beautifully 'simple' idea perfectly executed. To think of old Len visualising his then diligently scraping away film emulsion to the beats in his head is very exciting indeed (to me, at least). If you haven't seen this and are into experimental film, track it down - it's as essential as your By Brakhage Criterion DVD.

tavm Along with A Colour Box and The Peanut Vendor, Free Radicals is another highly exciting experimental animated short by Len Lye. Seeing chalk white lines constantly moving on a black background with African drums playing throughout makes for one of the most unique experiences I've ever seen in animation history. How is it I've never even heard of this guy until today when I looked up Cartoon Brew and there was an item about The Peanut Vendor (an early experimental stop-motion from the early thirties) that depicted a monkey and various uses of his tail. The item took me to YouTube which also had Free Radicals and A Colour Box and I was blown away by all three shorts! To anyone with a taste of the unusual, I suggest you seek all them out!

kemieg it seems simple, almost too simple. white scratches on black film, abstract lines that move to the rhythm of african drums. yet this film is captivating. the lines seem to become three-dimensional and jump out at you, and combine with the beat to dance. worth seeing if you get the chance.