John Cage

John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, artist, and philosopher. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde.

2

John Cage (1966)

Experimental composer John Cage tours Europe with The Merce Cunningham Dance Company in 1966.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Klaus Wildenhahn
CAST:  John Cage  •  Merce Cunningham

Experimental composer John Cage tours Europe with The Merce Cunningham Dance Company in 1966.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Klaus Wildenhahn
CAST:  John Cage  •  Merce Cunningham

Mr. Hoover and I (1989)

Celebrated documentary filmmaker Emile DeAntonio discusses his comtempt for J Edgar Hoover, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and American political intolerance in general.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emile de Antonio
CAST:  Emile de Antonio  •  John Cage

Celebrated documentary filmmaker Emile DeAntonio discusses his comtempt for J Edgar Hoover, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and American political intolerance in general.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emile de Antonio
CAST:  Emile de Antonio  •  John Cage

John Cage Mushroom Hunting in Stony Point (1973)

"Filmic impressions of composer John Cage, mushroom hunting on his home ground of Stony Point, New York; visiting his home for the last time; radiating love towards his friends; and buying fruits and vegetables at the farm market before returning to New York City." ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jud Yalkut
CAST:  John Cage

"Filmic impressions of composer John Cage, mushroom hunting on his home ground of Stony Point, New York; visiting his home for the last time; radiating love towards his friends; and buying fruits and vegetables at the farm market before returning to New York City." ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jud Yalkut
CAST:  John Cage

One 11 and 103 (1992)

Avant-garde composer John Cage is famous for his experimental pieces and "chance music" but temporarily branched into video in 1992 with this art film about meaningless activity. The work is composed of two segments that are supposed to be played simultaneously: ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henning Lohner
CAST:  John Cage

Avant-garde composer John Cage is famous for his experimental pieces and "chance music" but temporarily branched into video in 1992 with this art film about meaningless activity. The work is composed of two segments that are supposed to be played simultaneously: ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henning Lohner
CAST:  John Cage

At Land (1944)

A woman lies on the sand, left there by the tides and waves (and in a pose that would be copied in From Here to Eternity). She reaches up across tree roots and makes a difficult climb. Only to discover herself climbing horizontally along a long dinner table as ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maya Deren
CAST:  Maya Deren  •  John Cage  •  Parker Tyler  •  Alexander Hammid

A woman lies on the sand, left there by the tides and waves (and in a pose that would be copied in From Here to Eternity). She reaches up across tree roots and makes a difficult climb. Only to discover herself climbing horizontally along a long dinner table as ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maya Deren
CAST:  Maya Deren  •  John Cage  •  Parker Tyler  •  Alexander Hammid

Uncle Howard (2017)

When Howard Brookner lost his life to AIDS in 1989, the 35-year-old director had completed two feature documentaries and was in post-production on his narrative debut, Bloodhounds of Broadway. Twenty-five years later, his nephew, Aaron, sets out on a quest to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Aaron Brookner
CAST:  Howard Brookner  •  Aaron Brookner  •  John Giorno  •  Jim Jarmusch

When Howard Brookner lost his life to AIDS in 1989, the 35-year-old director had completed two feature documentaries and was in post-production on his narrative debut, Bloodhounds of Broadway. Twenty-five years later, his nephew, Aaron, sets out on a quest to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Aaron Brookner
CAST:  Howard Brookner  •  Aaron Brookner  •  John Giorno  •  Jim Jarmusch

John Cage: Journeys in Sound (2012)

A sonic innovator or an expert on chance? This documentary by Oscar-winning director Allan Miller and Emmy-winner Paul Smaczny pays tribute to the most fascinating American avant-garde composer. Shot in America, Germany and Japan, 'Journeys in Sound' premieres rare ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Smaczny  •  Allan Miller
CAST:  John Cage

A sonic innovator or an expert on chance? This documentary by Oscar-winning director Allan Miller and Emmy-winner Paul Smaczny pays tribute to the most fascinating American avant-garde composer. Shot in America, Germany and Japan, 'Journeys in Sound' premieres rare ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Smaczny  •  Allan Miller
CAST:  John Cage

Merce Cunningham (1962)

The choreographer Merce Cunningham working with the musician John Cage and the painter Robert Rauschenberg.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jackie Raynal  •  Étienne Becker  •  Patrice Wyers
CAST:  Merce Cunningham  •  John Cage  •  Robert Rauschenberg

The choreographer Merce Cunningham working with the musician John Cage and the painter Robert Rauschenberg.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jackie Raynal  •  Étienne Becker  •  Patrice Wyers
CAST:  Merce Cunningham  •  John Cage  •  Robert Rauschenberg

Poetry in Motion (1982)

More than 20 contemporary North American poets recite, sing, and perform their work. Early in the film, Charles Bukowski talks about the energy of poets and of a poem. These poets are the children of Walt Whitman and of Charles Olson, incantatory and oratorical, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Mann
CAST:  Charles Bukowski  •  William S. Burroughs  •  John Cage  •  Jim Carroll

More than 20 contemporary North American poets recite, sing, and perform their work. Early in the film, Charles Bukowski talks about the energy of poets and of a poem. These poets are the children of Walt Whitman and of Charles Olson, incantatory and oratorical, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Mann
CAST:  Charles Bukowski  •  William S. Burroughs  •  John Cage  •  Jim Carroll

Four American Composers: John Cage (1983)

A television documentary produced for British Television directed by Peter Greenaway  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Greenaway
CAST:  John Cage

A television documentary produced for British Television directed by Peter Greenaway  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Greenaway
CAST:  John Cage

Good Morning, Mr. Orwell (1984)

In his book "1984", George Orwell saw the television of the future as a control instrument in the hands of Big Brother. Right at the start of the much-anticipated Orwellian year, Paik and Co. were keen to demonstrate satellite TV's ability to serve positive ends-- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emile Ardolino  •  Nam June Paik
CAST:  Peter Gabriel  •  Laurie Anderson  •  George Plimpton  •  Joseph Beuys

In his book "1984", George Orwell saw the television of the future as a control instrument in the hands of Big Brother. Right at the start of the much-anticipated Orwellian year, Paik and Co. were keen to demonstrate satellite TV's ability to serve positive ends-- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Emile Ardolino  •  Nam June Paik
CAST:  Peter Gabriel  •  Laurie Anderson  •  George Plimpton  •  Joseph Beuys

All Star Video (1985)

A compilation of avant-garde artwork and talent of the mid to late 20th century hosted by Ryuichi Sakamoto.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ryuichi Sakamoto  •  Nam June Paik  •  Paul Garrin
CAST:  Ryuichi Sakamoto  •  Allen Ginsberg  •  Charlotte Moorman  •  John Cage

A compilation of avant-garde artwork and talent of the mid to late 20th century hosted by Ryuichi Sakamoto.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ryuichi Sakamoto  •  Nam June Paik  •  Paul Garrin
CAST:  Ryuichi Sakamoto  •  Allen Ginsberg  •  Charlotte Moorman  •  John Cage

John Cage: I Have Nothing to Say and I Am Saying It (1990)

This 56-minute documentary on America's most controversial and unique composer manages to cover a great many aspects of Cage's work and thought. His love for mushrooms, his Zen beliefs and use of the I Ching, and basic bio details are all explained intelligently ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Allan Miller
CAST:  John Cage  •  Merce Cunningham  •  Yoko Ono  •  Laurie Anderson

This 56-minute documentary on America's most controversial and unique composer manages to cover a great many aspects of Cage's work and thought. His love for mushrooms, his Zen beliefs and use of the I Ching, and basic bio details are all explained intelligently ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Allan Miller
CAST:  John Cage  •  Merce Cunningham  •  Yoko Ono  •  Laurie Anderson

Concept tape 3 (Performance) (1991)

A compilation tape of performances including John Cage Performs James Joyce, Arakawa, and Iimura's first AIUEONN and As I See You You See Me shot mostly 1980s. All deals with the relationships of words and performance in image-making.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Takahiko Iimura
CAST:  John Cage

A compilation tape of performances including John Cage Performs James Joyce, Arakawa, and Iimura's first AIUEONN and As I See You You See Me shot mostly 1980s. All deals with the relationships of words and performance in image-making.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Takahiko Iimura
CAST:  John Cage

Trying to Describe Oneself (2005)

Trying to describe oneself is a movie about representation. How it is possible, through film, to describe oneself and describe others. With the camera as mirror and third eye. At first, a collage-like combination of letter-writing, investigation and journey, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Boris Lehman
CAST:  Mirèse Aerdts  •  Nathalie André  •  Evgen Bavčar  •  Christian Boltanski

Trying to describe oneself is a movie about representation. How it is possible, through film, to describe oneself and describe others. With the camera as mirror and third eye. At first, a collage-like combination of letter-writing, investigation and journey, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Boris Lehman
CAST:  Mirèse Aerdts  •  Nathalie André  •  Evgen Bavčar  •  Christian Boltanski

How to Get Out of the Cage (A year with John Cage) (2012)

2012 documentary on John Cage celebrating his 100th birthday in the form of a re-edit of partially unused film material shot for the film 'Time is Music’ in 1987. Includes interviews and recordings of performances with the influential zen composer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Scheffer
CAST:  John Cage

2012 documentary on John Cage celebrating his 100th birthday in the form of a re-edit of partially unused film material shot for the film 'Time is Music’ in 1987. Includes interviews and recordings of performances with the influential zen composer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Scheffer
CAST:  John Cage

Everybody's Cage (2015)

In “Everybody’s Cage”, German film artist Sandra Trostel turns John Cage and his approach to art into a tangible fascination, without giving in to explain just a single bit of it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sandra Trostel
CAST:  Francesco Tristano  •  John Cage  •  Bruce Brubaker  •  Brandt Brauer Frick

In “Everybody’s Cage”, German film artist Sandra Trostel turns John Cage and his approach to art into a tangible fascination, without giving in to explain just a single bit of it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sandra Trostel
CAST:  Francesco Tristano  •  John Cage  •  Bruce Brubaker  •  Brandt Brauer Frick

Sound?? (1966)

Although Rahsaan Roland Kirk and John Cage never actually meet in this film (Cage's enigmatic questions about sound are intercut with some of Kirk's more ambitious experiments with it) these two very different musical iconoclasts share a similar vision of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dick Fontaine
CAST:  Rahsaan Roland Kirk  •  John Cage

Although Rahsaan Roland Kirk and John Cage never actually meet in this film (Cage's enigmatic questions about sound are intercut with some of Kirk's more ambitious experiments with it) these two very different musical iconoclasts share a similar vision of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dick Fontaine
CAST:  Rahsaan Roland Kirk  •  John Cage

American Art in the 1960s (1972)

During this critical decade in American life, artists built on the styles of the 1950s. An explosion of artistic energy produced Pop Art, Minimalism, color-field painting, and hard-edged abstraction. Sculptors and painters on both coasts explored new methods and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  John Cage  •  Helen Frankenthaler  •  Jasper Johns  •  Roy Lichtenstein

During this critical decade in American life, artists built on the styles of the 1950s. An explosion of artistic energy produced Pop Art, Minimalism, color-field painting, and hard-edged abstraction. Sculptors and painters on both coasts explored new methods and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  John Cage  •  Helen Frankenthaler  •  Jasper Johns  •  Roy Lichtenstein

Global Groove (1973)

Global Groove was a collaborative piece by Nam June Paik and John Godfrey. Paik, amongst other artists who shared the same vision in the 1960s, saw the potential in the television beyond it being a one-sided medium to present programs and commercials. Instead, he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nam June Paik  •  John Godfrey
CAST:  John Cage  •  Russell Connor  •  Allen Ginsberg  •  Charlotte Moorman

Global Groove was a collaborative piece by Nam June Paik and John Godfrey. Paik, amongst other artists who shared the same vision in the 1960s, saw the potential in the television beyond it being a one-sided medium to present programs and commercials. Instead, he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nam June Paik  •  John Godfrey
CAST:  John Cage  •  Russell Connor  •  Allen Ginsberg  •  Charlotte Moorman
2