BAMcinématek to Present the Theatrical Run of STATIONS OF THE ELEVATED

From Friday, October 17 through Thursday, October 23, BAMcinématek presents the US theatrical premiere run of Manfred Kirchheimer's Stations of the Elevated (1981) in a new restoration. The earliest filmed document of graffiti, Manfred Kirchheimer's richly chromatic city symphony-originally shot in 1977 on 16mm color reversal film and now remastered in high definition - sets images of New York City to a soundtrack that interweaves ambient city noises with the gutbucket gospel squall of jazz titan Charles Mingus and Aretha Franklin's transcendent rendition of "Amazing Grace." Regarded by cinephiles and hip-hop heads as a cult masterpiece since its premiere at the 1981 New York Film Festival, Stations of the Elevated is a celebration of a quintessentially urban art form at a time when it was largely dismissed as vandalism. With lyrical shots of tagged trains, desolate rail yards, and other details of the urban landscape, it remains a priceless portrait of a bygone era of New York City culture. Back by popular demand after a sold-out screening at this year's BAMcinemaFest, Stations will be presented in its US theatrical premiere run alongside Kirchheimer's Claw (1968), a poetic, deeply critical examination of urban renewal. Kirschheimer will appear in person for Q&As on October 17 and 18.

An Artists Public Domain/Cinema Conservancy release | 1981 | 45min | In English | Color | DCP

Stations of the Elevated and Claw (30min) screen Fri, Oct 17-Thu, Oct 23: Fri & Sun at 2, 4, 6, 7:45*, 9:45pm; Sat at 7*, 9:15pm, Mon-Thu at 4:30, 6:15, 8:00, 10:00pm *Q&A with director Manfred Kirchheimer on Fri, Oct 17 at 7:45pm and Sat, Oct 18 at 7pm