Trivia

Though his films were rarely seen outside the experimental film community, there is one bit of film that Brakhage is supposed to have made that practically everyone in America has seen -- the original shot of a Downy fabric softener bottle falling in slow motion into a plump pile of towels.

His students included Matt and Trey Parker, creators of South Park, and he appeared in their student film Cannibal! The Musical.

American avant garde experimental film maker, concerned more with technique than subject matter. He filmed many short subjects on 8mm or 16mm film. He often used blurred or out-of-focus shots, superimposed or distorted images, intentionally designed to emphasize subjectivity of vision.

Made nearly 380 films, each lasting between 9 seconds and 4 hours.

Was distinguished professor of film studies at the University of Colorado.

Dropped out of Dartmouth during his freshman year (1952).

Dartmouth College class of 1955.

Born in a home for unwed pregnant women. Adoptive mother named him James Stanley Brakhage.

Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945-1985." Pages 151-158. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988.