History of 1970s Experimental Film

This comprehensive historical account demonstrates the rich diversity in 1970s British experimental filmmaking, acting as a form of reclamation for films and filmmakers marginalized within established histories. An indispensable book for practitioners, historians and critics alike, it provides new interpretations of this rich and diverse history.

“The artist and historian Patti Gaal-Holmes’ book takes this reductive characterisation to task and proposes an alternative reading of the decade. … serves as a valuable overview of a broad and complex topic, and could be extracted by teachers for classroom use. … Holmes’ text is to be commended for paying sustained attention to some neglected works and directors, and for setting in motion an important political debate about the ways in which the history of experimental cinema is written.” (Glyn Davis, BUFVC, Issue 102, March, 2016)"Patti Gaal-Holmes's book offers a comprehensive, informative and readable survey of the creative innovations of experimental filmmakers working in Britain in the 1970s which places their work in key historical, political and socio-cultural contexts. What is particularly impressive here is the balance between Gaal-Holmes's passionate love of experimental film as an artist/filmmaker and her scholarly attention to detail." - Paul Newland, Aberystwyth University, UK

Patti Gaal-Holmes was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to German and Hungarian immigrants. She lived/travelled in various countries before settling in the UK and studying for a BA (Hons) and AHRB-funded MA Painting at Winchester School of Art. In 2006 she took up an AHRC-funded research scholarship in film at the University of Portsmouth as part of the '1970s Cinema' project. She is Reviews Editor for the journal, Transnational Cinemas, and currently resides in Southsea, UK.