"Very Nice, Very Nice" filmmaker remembered on Bravo! -- Remembering Arthur

World Television Premiere – September 24 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT

“In terms of understanding the power of sound and picture relationships, there’s no one better than Arthur Lipsett.” – George Lucas

August 31, 2006 -- Filmmaker Arthur Lipsett’s close friend, Martin Lavut, explores the influence of the eccentric Oscar-nominated film genius in this one-hour documentary produced by Gizmo Films Inc., in association with Bravo!, celebrating the life of one of Canada’s greatest creative minds. Remembering Arthur, fresh from a run at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, makes its world television premiere on Bravo! September 24 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.

In 1961, Arthur Lipsett, a budding filmmaker with the National Film Board of Canada, released Very Nice, Very Nice, an innovative short film using discarded sound bytes of other films and still photographs. His innovative juxtaposition of images and sound earned the avant-garde filmmaker an Oscar nomination and allowed him creative freedom on future projects. The 1960s were Lipsett’s greatest period of creativity, productivity and professional recognition, but he would struggle to re-create the glory of Very Nice, Very Nice. Behind Lipsett’s charming and elegant exterior lurked an overwhelming sadness, which began to manifest itself in his later films. As the neurosis dominated his life, Lipsett’s self-punishment worsened and, after multiple attempts, the genius of dark images succeeded in killing himself.

Lipsett’s sister Marian Arnold, former girlfriend Judith Sandiford, collaborator Henry Zemel and filmmaker Guy Maddin, among others, share their memories and high regard for Lipsett. With his best friend at the helm, Remembering Arthur is a sentimental look at this influential, yet little known filmmaker from those who loved and knew him best.

Bravo!, a division of CHUM Television, is a rest stop in the television universe where viewers make a regular appointment with the arts (www.bravo.ca). A proud supporter of the Canadian independent production community, Bravo! funds approximately 100 hours of independently produced documentaries and performing arts specials a year. Bravo! has been a major contributor to such productions as Godiva’s, Detective Murdoch Mysteries and Gemini award-winning Camp Hollywood.

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For artwork and/or screening copies:
Laura Hughes, Publicist, 416-591-7400 X2746, laurah@bravo.ca

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