We’ve screened his films at ZXZW. Frans Zwartjes is a filmmaker, musician, violinmaker, drawer, painter and sculptor. Heavily involved in film since 1968, both as a filmmaker and as a teacher. In his films, actors are adorned with make-up and costumes and are put in a setting to enact a staged event. Sexuality, psychosis, cruelty, power and powerlessness are ever recurring themes in his films. The images are abstracted in ruthless black and white. The general idea of reality is broken down by brilliant camera work and neurotic editing to replace it with a personal and often disturbing reality. His films are available for free at ubuweb. Check them here.

Improv-guitar player Derek Bailey was one of the greatest musicians from the European free jazz scene, creating an unique language and method. He made a great documentary on the history of improvisation for Channel 4. And beware: it’s not only about jazz! Now you can see it at Ubuweb. If you like this, you should also buy or steal the book.