Ornette: Made in America
Shirley Clarke
15
85 mins
1986
USA
English
Ornette Coleman, Prime Time, John Giordano, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Ed Blackwell, William Burroughs
Director of Photography: Edward Lachman
Editor: Shirley Clarke
Produced by: Kathelin Hoffman
Music: Ornette Coleman
Sound Production: Danny Michael
Director Bio
Shirley Clarke
Director Bio
Shirley Clarke (1919–1997) was an American experimental and independent filmmaker. She started her artistic career as a dancer in the New York modern dance movement before making her first film, Dance in the Sun, in 1953. She is known for The Connection (1961), The Cool World (1963) and Portrait of Jason (1967).
A portrait of legendary free jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman by EIFF favourite Shirley Clarke, pioneering director of such classics as The Connection (1961), The Cool World (1963) and Portrait Of Jason (1967). Exploring avant-garde musician Coleman’s fascinating life and work, Clarke cleverly employs her daring experimental filmmaking techniques to enhance the experience. It’s one of her finest works and features contributions from a selection of luminaries, including William S. Burroughs, Don Cherry, Yoko Ono and Robert Palmer.