Klonaris/Thomadaki's Corporeal Cinema Examined in New Publication

A new book titled 'Collectif Klonaris/Thomadaki, Le cinéma corporel' has been published by Éditions l'Harmattan, coordinated by Cécile Chich. The subtitle 'Corps sublimes / Intersexe et intermédia' frames an in-depth study of the duo's experimental film work, which began with 'Double Labyrinthe' and 'L'Enfant qui a pissé des paillettes' in 1977. Their baroque, 'initiatory' films explore themes of identity, the double, androgyny, and intersexuality, notably in the 'Cycle des Hermaphrodites' (1982-90). Klonaris and Thomadaki practice a 'cinéma-installation' blending theater, cinema, and visual arts, using the female body as artistic material. Their work spans super8, video, and digital formats, often involving travestissements and metamorphoses, referencing cosmic myths and archaic goddesses. They advocate a 'Régime Nocturne de l'image' featuring moon, serpent, circularity, and labyrinth motifs, as seen in the 'Tétralogie corporelle' (1975-79) and 'Cycle de l'Umheilich' (1977-82). Their films incorporate manifestos for a 'different' cinema and are presented as expanded cinema performances with texts, sounds, slides, and bodily interventions. Since the 1980s-90s, their concept of 'intrasexe' evolved into 'intra-intermédia,' leading to monumental multi-screen installations that create immersive, polysensory environments. The book is authored by Louis-José Lestocart.