Medford, Oregon (PRWEB) October 13, 2015
Chicago-born visionary filmmaker Rolf Forsberg’s eccentric and often mind-boggling short films were seen by millions on the big screen, in classrooms and in churches during the 1960s and 70s. Many recall Forsberg’s films for their audacity, stark images and often Fellini-esque surrealism.
Now, friends and associates of the very independent filmmaker are restoring and reissuing his iconic short films in 2 volumes. Still active and writing at 91, Mr. Forsberg recently went in front of the camera to film fresh introductions and commentaries for some of his best known films, including: Parable, The Antkeeper, Ark, One Friday, Stalked, Peace Child, King of the Hill, Remember Eden and The Jesus Roast.
Forsberg’s early creative work was rooted in the theatrical world as a writer/director. His life and career took a radical turn when he was commissioned to create a motion picture for the Protestant and Orthodox Pavilion of the 1964 New York World's Fair. The result was the controversial "Parable," an allegorical film that imagined the world as a circus redeemed by a Christ-like figure portrayed as a clown. Officials tried vigorously to ban the film from being shown, but Parable prevailed with daily screenings to appreciative audiences and substantial critical acclaim. In 2012, Parable was added to the National Film Registry, which annually honors "Distinguished achievements in filmmaking considered of enduring importance to American culture."
In 1966 Forsberg ventured deeper into allegory and impressionism with "The Antkeeper" by presenting mankind as a colony of ants overseen by a gardener and his son and challenged by a witch-like antagonist. In his prophetic film "Ark" (1970) Forsberg shows a world on the verge of extinction due to man-made pollution and climate change, amid one man's perilous quest to preserve life. In "One Friday" (1973) a devastating all-out race war erupts in the suburbs of L.A., as seen through the eyes of a toddler who wanders among the mayhem.
Producer Scott Brown and director of photography Ian Campbell just completed filming Forsberg’s introductions and commentaries for 9 of the filmmaker’s many films. Producer Brown: “Rolf is thrilled to see his body of film work once again being appreciated and made available to the public. His ability to recall details and experiences making each of his films is amazing and sure to delight his many fans and newcomers to his work."
Original plans were to release the first volume of Forsberg’s films in January. However, production is far enough along that producers have launched an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign to raise completion and packaging funds: http://tinyurl.com/qza9jcb. This will permit a “soft” release of the first volume to Amazon and a handful of other outlets by mid-November, and while Mr. Forsberg is still in sufficient health to fully enjoy the rediscovery of his life's work and well deserved acclaim.
For more on the filmmaker and clips from his films, visit the website: http://www.rolfforsberg.com/
Rolf on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rolfforsberglegacycollection?fref=ts