I Died for Beauty

Set in a factory in Asia during an undefined celebration event, Europeans in suits are seen in long wandering shots as they greet one another, shake hands discreetly, and look about themselves expectantly. Further into this ambiguous opening, and propelled by classical Western opera and symphonic orchestrations, Asian workers are observed putting finishing touches of paint and polish onto gleaming surfaces of what will soon be on display in motorbike showrooms. The images and music are sharply punctuated by the abrupt and raw intrusions of live factory sounds that conclude in a jarring visual exclamation, exhuming the verses of an Emily Dickinson poem and laying them out in a contemporary and globalized context.

Fifth Cinema (2018, 56 minutes) is presented on e-flux Video & Film alongside I Died for Beauty (2012, 8 minutes) as the August 2022 edition of Staff Picks, featuring filmmaker Nguyễn Trinh Thi.

For more information, contact program@e-flux.com.