Color Cry (1952)

In 1944 Lye moved to New York City, initially to direct for the documentary newsreel The March of Time. He settled in the West Village, where he mixed with artists who later became the Abstract Expressionists, encouraged New York’s emerging filmmakers such as Francis Lee, taught with Hans Richter, and assisted Ian Hugo on Bells of Atlantis. Color Cry was based on a development of the “rayogram” or “shadow cast” process, using fabrics as stencils, with the images synchronized to a haunting blues song by Sonny Terry, which Lye imagined to be the anguished cry of a runaway slave. —Harvard Film Archive

Director: Len Lye
Genre: Animation
Runtime: 3 min
Release Date:
Music: Sonny Terry
Country: United States of America
Language: No Language
Original Language: en

Keywords

abstract, short film, paint on film, experimental

More Films by Director: Len Lye
More Films in Genre: Animation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Color Cry about?
In 1944 Lye moved to New York City, initially to direct for the documentary newsreel The March of Time. He settled in the West Village, where he mixed with artists who later became the Abstract Expressionists, encouraged New York’s emerging filmmakers such as Francis Lee, taught with Hans Richter, and assisted Ian Hugo on Bells of Atlantis. Color Cry was based on a development of the “rayogram” or “shadow cast” process, using fabrics as stencils, with the images synchronized to a haunting blues song by Sonny Terry, which Lye imagined to be the anguished cry of a runaway slave. —Harvard Film Archive
Who directed Color Cry?
Color Cry was directed by Len Lye.
How long is Color Cry?
Color Cry has a runtime of 3m (3 minutes).
What genre is Color Cry?
Color Cry is a Animation film.
Where was Color Cry produced?
Color Cry was produced in United States of America.