With more than 100 films, El Paso experimental filmmaker Willie Varela evolved from a young artist emulating heroes like Stan Brakhage to a beloved, respected icon. His films have shown at the Whitney and are archived by UCLA’s Chicano Studies Research Center. Varela was mostly unknown in his hometown when he died at 74 on February 24, 2024. The Plaza Classic pays tribute with two programs at the El Paso Museum of Art, which is exhibiting some of his photography through the fall. The first runs 96 minutes and features 10 films, including silent Super 8mm shorts from the 1970s, mostly experiments with light and images such as Bent Light and Becky’s Eye, and longer videos with political themes, notably Fearless Leader and This Burning World. Also programmed: A Neon Crescent; The Last Look; Van Gogh; Ambien Series VII Duo; In Progress; and His Hidden Presence. — Doug Pullen
Warning: Contains some flashing images; some images may be disturbing.
