Sometimes I get so caught up in narrative cinema that I forget there’s a whole realm of artists out there doing beautiful and interesting work on the experimental side of things. Experimental film is so much fun. It’s a place where all artistic representation matters, and it’s somewhere I go when I want to be challenged.

If you’ve never fully indulged in the weirder, artsier side of cinema—or are already a fan and want to celebrate it—I want to take you through the world of experimental movies, with some history and characteristics, and dig into some of the greatest to ever grace our screens.

Sound good?

Let’s dive in.

What is Experimental Film?

Experimental film, often called avant-garde or underground cinema, is a mode of filmmaking that challenges and re-evaluates cinematic conventions.

It explores non-narrative forms, alternative storytelling techniques, and unconventional methods of working.

The Characteristics of Experimental Film

Many experimental films relate to arts in other disciplines like painting, dance, literature, and poetry.

What I love about this is is that its art that’s being created mastering other art. And as new artistic endeavors arise, we often see that added into experimental outputs.

Key Characteristics:

Non-linear Narrative: Experimental films often lack a traditional plot or linear narrative structure. They may be abstract, fragmented, or entirely devoid of a storyline. Visual and Sound Experimentation: These films often experiment with visual and sound elements, using techniques like collage, montage, superimposition, slow motion, and distorted or manipulated sounds. Exploration of Themes: Experimental cinema can explore a wide range of themes, including the subconscious, dreams, memory, perception, identity, and social and political issues. Personal Expression: Many experimental films are deeply personal works, reflecting the filmmaker’s unique vision and artistic expression.

Experimental Film Techniques:

Found Footage: Using pre-existing film or video footage in a new context. Direct Animation: Scratching or painting directly onto film strips. Structural Film: Focusing on the material properties of film, such as light, movement, and time. Expanded Cinema: Combining film with live performance, installation art, or other multimedia elements.

A Brief History of Experimental Film

The roots of experimental cinema can be traced back to the early days of filmmaking, with filmmakers like Georges Méliès experimenting with visual effects and trick photography in the late 19th century.

However, it was during the early 20th century, with the rise of Dadaism and Surrealism, that experimental cinema truly began to flourish. These art movements, with their emphasis on challenging conventions and exploring the subconscious, found a natural expression in the medium of film.

In the 1920s and 1930s, filmmakers like Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí created surrealist films that shocked and bewildered audiences with their dreamlike imagery and unconventional narratives.

These early experiments paved the way for a wave of avant-garde filmmakers in the postwar era, who pushed the boundaries of cinema even further.

The 1960s and 1970s saw a surge in experimental filmmaking, with filmmakers like Stan Brakhage, Maya Deren, and Kenneth Anger exploring new techniques and pushing the limits of what was considered possible in film.

These filmmakers often worked outside of the mainstream film industry, creating films that were personal, challenging, and often deeply political.

The Impact of Experimental Film Across the Globe

Experimental cinema challenges viewers to rethink their expectations of what a film can be. It encourages critical thinking, provokes emotional responses, and opens up new possibilities for artistic expression.

These films have often been at the forefront of social and political movements, challenging dominant ideologies and giving voice to marginalized communities.

While experimental films may not always be commercially successful or widely seen, they have a significant impact on the world of art and culture.

They have influenced mainstream filmmakers, inspired new artistic movements, and sparked important conversations about the nature of reality, perception, and human experience.

Artistic Influence:

Mainstream Cinema: Experimental film techniques and aesthetics have been adopted and adapted by mainstream filmmakers. For example, the use of montage, slow motion, and fragmented narratives can be traced back to early experimental films.Music Videos: The music video industry is a direct beneficiary of experimental film. The use of visual metaphors, rapid editing, and unconventional storytelling in music videos often draws inspiration from experimental cinema.Visual Arts: Experimental film has had a profound impact on visual artists. The use of found footage, collage, and manipulation of film stock has inspired many artists to experiment with new forms and techniques.Other Art Forms: The influence of experimental film extends beyond the visual arts. Its impact can be seen in dance, theatre, and literature, where artists have embraced non-linear narratives, fragmentation, and experimentation with form.

Cultural and Social Impact:

Challenging Conventions: Experimental film has always challenged societal norms and conventions. It has often tackled taboo subjects, questioned authority, and given voice to marginalized communities.Political Activism: Experimental filmmakers have often used their work as a tool for social and political activism. They have shed light on social issues, challenged oppressive regimes, and advocated for change.Global Dialogue: Experimental film festivals and screenings provide a platform for filmmakers from around the world to share their work and engage in dialogue. This cross-cultural exchange of ideas and perspectives has enriched the global film community.

Specific Examples of Global Impact:

Latin America: The Third Cinema movement in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s was heavily influenced by experimental film. Filmmakers used cinema as a tool to challenge political oppression and social injustice.Japan: The Japanese avant-garde film movement in the 1960s and 1970s produced a wealth of experimental films that challenged traditional Japanese aesthetics and explored new forms of expression.Europe: European experimental film has a long and rich history, with filmmakers pushing boundaries and experimenting with new technologies. The European avant-garde has inspired filmmakers around the world.Africa: African experimental filmmakers have used film to document social and political struggles, challenge stereotypes, and express unique cultural identities.

The Best Experimental Films

So, what are the best experimental films of all time?

The following list showcases 50 of the most groundbreaking and influential experimental films of all time, spanning various eras and styles.

There is so set order, just a bunch of ones I think everyone should check out.

Un Chien Andalou (1929) – Luis Buñuel and Salvador DalíMeshes of the Afternoon (1943) – Maya Deren and Alexander HammidEntr’acte (1924) – René ClairMan with a Movie Camera (1929) – Dziga VertovL’Age d’Or (1930) – Luis BuñuelA Movie (1958) – Bruce ConnerWavelength (1967) – Michael SnowDog Star Man (1964) – Stan BrakhageThe Blood of a Poet (1930) – Jean CocteauScorpio Rising (1963) – Kenneth AngerInauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) – Kenneth AngerFlaming Creatures (1963) – Jack SmithRose Hobart (1936) – Joseph CornellMothlight (1963) – Stan BrakhageLa Jetée (1962) – Chris MarkerFuses (1964) – Carolee SchneemannThe Dante Quartet (1987) – Stan BrakhageLine Describing a Cone (1973) – Anthony McCallLight Is Waiting (2007) – Michael SnowThe Flicker (1966) – Tony ConradBallet Mécanique (1924) – Fernand LégerThe Seashell and the Clergyman (1928) – Germaine DulacAnemic Cinema (1926) – Marcel DuchampBerlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927) – Walter RuttmannEmak Bakia (1926) – Man RayRitual in Transfigured Time (1946) – Maya DerenAt Land (1944) – Maya DerenA Study in Choreography for Camera (1945) – Maya DerenThe Very Eye of Night (1958) – Maya DerenWindow Water Baby Moving (1959) – Stan BrakhageBridges-Go-Round (1958) – Shirley ClarkeSerene Velocity (1970) – Ernie GehrZorns Lemma (1970) – Hollis FramptonThe Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes (1971) – Stan BrakhageThe Girl Chewing Gum (1976) – John SmithReport (1967) – Bruce ConnerReassemblage (1982) – Trinh T. Minh-haTongues Untied (1989) – Marlon RiggsHandsworth Songs (1986) – Black Audio Film CollectiveSymbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One (1968) – William GreavesThe Clock (2010) – Christian MarclayThe Grand Bizarre (2018) – Jodie MackLeviathan (2012) – Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna ParavelSans Soleil (1983) – Chris MarkerDecasia (2002) – Bill MorrisonBlue (1993) – Derek JarmanLast Year at Marienbad (1961) – Alain ResnaisPersona (1966) – Ingmar BergmanTetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) – Shinya TsukamotoEraserhead (1977) – David Lynch

This list barely scratches the surface of the vast and diverse world of experimental cinema.

Each film on this list represents a unique and daring exploration of the medium, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in film and leaving a lasting impact on the world of art and culture.

But maybe I left off your favorite. If so, I want to hear about it.

Let me know what you think in the comments.