Guy Debord

Situationism on DVD

Guy Debord (1931–1994) was the most influential figure of the Situationist International, the now infamous group that played a key role in catalyzing the May 68 revolt in France. The impact of his writings has been profound. His films however — following him, anti-films rather — have been much less well known. Until last year, they were scarcely accessible. His first film had a very brief yet scandalous impact in the 50’s. The next three were shown somewhat more extensively in Paris throughout the 70s and early 80s, but few people elsewhere ever had a chance to see them. In 1984 Debord’s friend and publisher Gérard Lebovici (who had also financed his last three films) was assassinated. Angered by the response of the press, which spread rumors about Lebovici’s supposed “shady associates” and in some cases even hinted that Debord himself might have had something to do with his friend’s murder, Debord withdrew all of his films from circulation. Victory is always bitter suggests Mishima: the very fact that the complete works of Debord, words and images, are now for sale, may be the doubtless signal that he has become part of this ‘entertainment’ he criticized so vividly. His products — solely books until recently — have peacefully found their place on Amazon.com. He stands as a definitive central figure of late 20th century philosophy now that he is dead. A fashionable figure too, as some Situationist esthetics (graphics, play on words) are now quite common, and notably used within the advertising industry (just as Malcolm Mc Laren used them to build the “Sex Pistols” project some 30 years before). The bravest will get to the essential content of his writings and they will make it through the dense films. All this seems to be easily absorbed by the logics of the market. The guts and essential critical stance of his thinking remain on the edge, offensive and as current as ever. Very hostile and highly stimulating. (Gaumont Vidéo)

— Pierre Doze

featured in Issue 9







		Guy Debord Situationism on DVD Guy Debord (1931–1994) was the most influential figure of the Situationist International, the now infamous group that played a key role in catalyzing the May 68 revolt in France. The impact of his writings has been profound. His films however — following him, anti-films rather — have been much less well known. Until last year, they were scarcely accessible. His first film had a very brief yet scandalous impact in the 50’s. The next three were shown somewhat more extensively in Paris throughout the 70s and early 80s, but few people elsewhere ever had a chance to see them. In 1984 Debord’s friend and publisher Gérard Lebovici (who had also financed his last three films) was assassinated. Angered by the response of the press, which spread rumors about Lebovici’s supposed “shady associates” and in some cases even hinted that Debord himself might have had something to do with his friend’s murder, Debord withdrew all of his films from circulation. Victory is always bitter suggests Mishima: the very fact that the complete works of Debord, words and images, are now for sale, may be the doubtless signal that he has become part of this ‘entertainment’ he criticized so vividly. His products — solely books until recently — have peacefully found their place on Amazon.com. He stands as a definitive central figure of late 20th century philosophy now that he is dead. A fashionable figure too, as some Situationist esthetics (graphics, play on words) are now quite common, and notably used within the advertising industry (just as Malcolm Mc Laren used them to build the “Sex Pistols” project some 30 years before). The bravest will get to the essential content of his writings and they will make it through the dense films. All this seems to be easily absorbed by the logics of the market. The guts and essential critical stance of his thinking remain on the edge, offensive and as current as ever. Very hostile and highly stimulating. (Gaumont Vidéo) — Pierre Doze featured in Issue 9