ENO—Film Screening (with Special Guest Orian Williams)

Join us for an immersive cinematic experience as we present a rare screening of ENO at the esteemed Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, California in Dolby 7.1 surround sound. Rated PG. We will be joined by one of the film's producers, Orian Williams!

This screening is part of the series of immersive film screenings by the Hi-Desert Cultural Center’s Film Institute held at the center's state-of-the-art Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Doors (and bar) open at 5:30pm with a brief film discussion at 6pm, which is followed by the film screening at 6:30pm. The screening is Thursday, May 1, 2025. This film is rated PG.

Critical Accliam: Eno is a 2024 musical documentary film produced and directed by Gary Hustwit. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024. 18, 2024. The film draws from 30 hours of interviews with Brian Eno and 500 hours of footage from Eno’s archive, including footage of David Bowie, US, and many more artists produced by Brian Eno. The film that is shown uses a generative computer algorythm to select footage and edit the film so that a different version is shown each time it is screened.

About Brian Eno: (from author Glenn Kenny on Roger Ebert.com) ~ "Among other things, Brian Eno is a pioneer in what’s called “generative art.” His work in the field began when he was an art-rock star, playing in the band Roxy Music. While he made lots of skronky sounds on early synths with those fellas, his first instrument, as he says in this engaging documentary, was the reel-to-reel tape recorder. Futzing around with it, the ever-curious Eno came to understand you could do a lot more than just make recordings with it. He started ping-ponging the inputs and outputs of two side-by-side tape machines, which could create a long delay within the sound itself; these experiments formed the basis for his collaborations with guitarist Robert Fripp on the seminal 1973 album “No Pussyfooting.” Fripp dubbed these techniques “Frippertronics,” and he’s been using them — and their digital variations — ever since. But they’re only Frippertronics when Fripp is involved. Eno on his own used them to create Discreet Music, a pioneering work in what’s been called “Ambient” or even “New Age” music. Eno’s subsequent work in generative art extended into visuals as well, including a piece of software titled “77 Million Paintings,” which, over the course of time, will produce just that."

Our program of screenings is curated and presented by Matthew Caron, a film critic and reporter at the former Vice, and by Patricia Vernhes , the newly appointed programming director of the Hi-Desert Cultural Center. These Sunday 4pm film events are a part of the Institute’s upcoming film courses in our efforts to help preserve the history and art of filmmaking as well as technologies and skill sets that lay the foundation to its continuous evolution. The screening offers a perfect opportunity for film enthusiasts to come together and appreciate the art of filmmaking.

The Blak Box Theater, situated amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Joshua Tree, California, adds an extra layer of charm to the screening experience. Known for its state-of-the-art audio-visual setup, the theater ensures an unmatched experience.

Cash/Credit bar serving wine, beer, bottled water, and non-alcoholic beverages as well as snacks. No outside beverages of any kind permitted.

Mark your calendars for a memorable evening of cinema and camaraderie. We look forward to welcoming you!

Accessable seating is available, and if you require a different accomodation, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 760-366-3777 in advance to make a request for an accomodation. Please do not bring pets into the venue , trained service animals only.

Host or Publisher Hi-Desert Cultural Center