My FILMS
Through experimental portraits of Earth, dreamlike explorations of human creativity, and lyrical celebrations of early cinema, BJA Samuel’s films blend archive, imagery, and music into immersive and engaging cinematic journeys.
JG Ballard:
The Unlimited
Dream Company
This found footage documentary assembles decades of interviews and archive material to paint a striking portrait of J.G. Ballard -one of the most imaginative and provocative writers of the 20th century. Through an experimental collage of imagery and sound, the film exposes the origins of Ballard’s obsessions, the eeriness of his predictions, and the strange beauty of the worlds he created. A bold, immersive exploration of a mind that continues to shape our cultural imagination.
The Magic Lantern
The Magic Lantern is a celebration of the wonder and magic of early cinema, The film showcases the imaginative spirit of the silent film era - a time when experimentation and creativity were the very lifeblood of the medium. It captures the excitement of an era when the possibilities of film seemed endless and every frame was a discovery.
Featuring clips ranging from Eadweard Muybridge’s pioneering motion studies to early animated experiments by Émile Cohl, as well as the fantastical works of Georges Méliès and Segundo de Chomón, the film takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey through the origins of cinematic imagination. Set to evocative music by composers such as Carl Orff and Camille Saint-Saëns, The Magic Lantern is a dazzling, family-friendly exploration of creativity and visual storytelling. A treat for families and those with a passion for the history of cinema.
Reviews from X formerly Twitter:
"A charming half hour of the surreal and dream-like. Lovely idea beautifully executed. Really brings home the effect this early cinema onslaught of the fantastical must've had on minds at the time."
"The Magic Lantern is just beautiful!"
"Excellent. The vivid imagination and ingenuity are mind blowing, all artfully done. Who needs dialogue? Enjoy these tributes to early cinema. No one does them better."
"Thank you for sharing this wonderful film adventure. I enjoyed every second of it...You’re keeper of a treasure trove."
VIEW FILM HERE
For copyright reasons this film is passord protected the passord is:
bjasamuel
Earth Symphony
Experimental documentary film using drone footage sourced from multiple camera operators from around the world to create a view of the Earth in our time. Taking place over 24hrs the film journeys across the varied terrain of the Earth, from mountains to cites to deserts and oceans. We see the human world as a small part of a larger whole. With music from multiple composers.
"Contemplating the place of our species in the universe right now? This will be the film for you. A beautiful film with a divine score. It's almost as if drone cameras have given up on humans and gone in search of beauty."
Ewan Morrison, author of Close Your Eyes and Nina X.
"Earth Symphony holds its own amongst previous city symphony and environmental films by using drone cinematography not just to present stunning images but to also provide an elevated perspective that reveals the world's awe-inspiring symmetries."
Tico Romao Independent film scholar.
"BJA Samuel has produced a film of exemplary beauty. One that defies classification because in the strict sense of the word it is not a documentary. It is more an epic and visual airborne poem to the planet that we not only inhabit but have constructed for ourselves"
Juan Toledo, Perro Negro Magazine
"The music choices flow so well with the expansive vistas in the digital photography. Many of the shots were edited to highlight or track towards the horizon-the camera taking the viewer on a pilgrimage."
Rose Marie, Associate Professor of Humanities and Media Studies, Lecturer in Film Studies
"..stunning aerial photography from around our planet, across 24 hours. Plenty of 'wow!' moments and a great soundtrack!"
Celebrating Film
"I've watched Earth Symphony twice and will watch again (and again)."
A Mind on Fire @AMindOnFire
"I’m speechless this is so breathtaking.... truly spectacular."
Lauren @clmediaarts