Today’s blast from the past comes from 1966.

In this 33-minute short film, we watch as Edie Sedgwick appears to have a conversation with herself.  She’s not, of course.  Instead, she’s sitting next to a television monitor that is showing a video of Edie having a conversation with an off-screen someone who was to the right of her.  Meanwhile, the “live” Edie is having a conversation with an unseen person who is sitting to the left of her.  This creates the illusion of the two Edies having a disjointed conversation with each other whereas, in reality, we’re really not sure who either Edie is talking to or what they’re even talking about.  As was typical with Andy Warhol’s Factory films, the soundtrack is notably muddy.  As well, the video below is actually a film of the film, which I think Warhol perhaps would have appreciated as long as he got paid.

Okay, it’s not for everyone.  Obviously, if you’re not a fan of Warhol’s films, this experimental piece is not going to change your mind.  In fact, it’ll probably make you a little bit angry.  But, for me, it’s a fascinating time capsule, a true product of the era from which it came.  Warhol’s experiments might not seem spectacular today but that’s because we’ve grown use to experimentation.  Experimentation has become a mainstream concept.  Warhol, on the other hand, was making his underground films at a time when the term “underground” actually meant something.

As well, this film features Edie at the height of her fame.  It’s a bit sad to watch now, knowing how fleeting her obvious happiness would be.  Warhol’s films always framed Edie as being just slightly out of reach, from both the viewers and the filmmaker.  With the muddy soundtrack, one watches the multiple Edies in this film and wonders what is going through their mind,  This is a film that embraces the enigma of existence and image.