New Frontier’s second documentary offering takes a trip through time and space: SAM KLEMKE’S TIME MACHINE, by returning filmmaker Matthew Bate.
Sundance Program Description:
In 1977, 17-year-old American Sam Klemke, fascinated by film’s ability to capture time, decided to record and narrate his life. In the same year, NASA launched the Voyager spacecraft into the outer reaches of space with Golden Records of what was modestly referred to as the complete history of humanity’s accomplishments in music, art, and science. As that highlight reel of mankind hurtled through space, Klemke continued filming his life in decidedly lowlight “TMI” glory.
Through the nacho binge eating and foreign wars, his never-realized goals, and presidential elections, Klemke makes a record of his life that is both narcissistic and touching. Now in his fifties and with a roomful of hundreds of hours of tape, what exactly has been the point of it all? From Matthew Bate, the director of SHUT UP LITTLE MAN! AN AUDIO MISADVENTURE (2011 Sundance Film Festival), comes one of the most bizarre, gross, moving, and awe-inspiring films about living a life on Earth today.
Some Background:
This mark’s Matthew Bate’s follow up to his debut, SHUT UP LITTLE MAN. He works once again with producer Sophie Hyde, who also directed and produced last year’s fiction film 52 TUESDAYS and the New Frontier installation MY 52 TUESDAYS. 52 TUESDAYS’ producer Rebecca Summerton also produces here. The film’s editor, Bryan Mason, also counts SHUT UP, 52, and MY 52 among his credits.
Why You Should Watch:
As he did with the infamous audio recordings at the core of his previous film, Bate has once again taken footage which in other hands might be viewed as a mere curiosity and located instead deeper levels of poignancy. The result is a work of ever-increasing fascination, a fair amount of humor, and, ultimately, a celebration of humanity, with all its flaws.
More Info:
For more information, visit the film’s Facebook page. As they become available, I’ll link to upcoming features, such as Sundance’s Meet the Artists profile. For screening dates and times at Sundance, click the link in the first paragraph.
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