April 20-21 Independent Berlin Cinema of the '80's

The Cinema Project has been bringing international experimental, independent and art films from other countries for some time. Tonight they join the artistic interchange between Portland and Berlin that has been pursued by Gallery Homeland, the Elizabeth Leach Gallery, PICA and others. Berlin was divided, East and West, between 1961 and 1989. At that time, artists and citizens were subsidized to live there, it was an experimental cultural stew. There was actually a TAZ, where the Wall deviated to East territory, leaving an area adjacent to the West, and contiguous, though legally East, without law. The wall was torn down in 1989 through a sequence of uprisings in Eastern Europe into which Soviet President Gorbachev refused to intervene, perhaps disenchanted with the Soviet Afghan War of 9 years, ending in early 1989. Curated by Stefanie Schulte-Strathaus of Kino Arsenal, who will personally present the films and answer questions, the program includes artist films, many on Super8. Tuesday are shorts, Wednesday, a full length piece. Full details at cinemaproject.org At the Clinton Street Theater 6:45PM Usually $7, cash only.