Presents (1981): cast, story & where to watch
1981 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1981, Presents is a notable film directed by Michael Snow.
What it’s about. The apparent vertical scratch in celluloid that opens Presents literally opens into a film within the film. When its figure awakens into a woman in a 'real' unreal set, the slapstick satire of structural film begins. It is not the camera that moves, but the whole set, in this first of three material 'investigations' of camera movement. In the second, the camera literally invades the set; a plexiglass sheet in front of the dolly crushes everything in its sight as it zooms through space. Finally, this monster of formalism pushes through the wall of the set and the film cuts to a series of rapidly edited shots as the camera zigzags over lines of force and moving fields of vision in an approximation of the eye in nature. Snow pushes us into acceptance of present moments of vision, but the single drum beat that coincides with each edit in this elegaic section announces each moment of life's irreversible disappearance.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, Presents has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Presents page.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Presents (1981)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Presents change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Presents worth watching?
- Presents holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10. Most viewers rate it highly.