SINK OR SWIM

by Su FRIEDRICH
1990 / 16mm / b&w / sound / 1S / 48' 00

Through a series of twenty-six short stories, a teenage girl describes the childhood events that shaped her ideas about fatherhood, family relations, work and play. As the stories unfold, a dual portrait emerges: that of a father who cared more for his career than for his family, and of a daughter who was deeply affected by his behavior. Working in counterpoint to the forceful text are sensual black and white images that depict both the extraordinary and ordinary events of daily life. Together, they create a formally complex and emotionally intense film.

"SINK OR SWIM is the kind of non-commercial but accessible film that throws a new and startling light on familiar subject matter."
–Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times

"[A] personal chronicle about language, memory and Dad that strikes hard, and deep."
–Manohla Dargis, The Village Voice

"Much of the richness of this autobiographical film, whose honest engagement with essential human dilemmas proves immensely moving, stems from its refusal to make simple choices or settle into unambiguous positions."
–Fred Camper, Chicago Reader

3 PRINTS IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format 16mm
screen 1,37 - Standard (single screen)
speed 24 fps
sound optical sound
original language English
translation French (Separate subtitles file)
rental fee 169,00 €

distribution format Digital file on server (SD)
screen 4/3 (single screen)
speed 29,976 fps
sound sound
original language English
rental fee 169,00 €

distribution format DCP on USB stick (INTEROP 2K)
screen 4/3 (single screen)
speed 30 fps
sound sound
original language English
rental fee 169,00 €