Life Extended (2008, 58 min.) is Bigert & Bergström’s exploration of the human endeavor to control life and death. In this film, we meet the gerontologist who believes we will be immortal within a near future, the architects who construct spaces to slow down the ageing process, the monk who runs for 1000 days in order to strengthen his spirit for its immortal journey, the street kids who lives in the moment, and many more.  “Today ageing is subject to control” as one biochemist puts it. And the speed with which this biotechnological development is moving indicates that coming generations will live very long lives.  Opposíng the static image of the stairway of life, the film is constructed as a relay race where people move towards the viewer. Initiated as a work of art, the film envisions a contemporary memento mori for death itself, when death has become nothing but a memory.  Showing Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 2:30 pm in Miller 14.

Last Supper (2005, 58 min.) The last supper has been given to prisoners facing the death penalty as long as the punishment has existed. The tradition stems from funeral rites where the deceased person was given food on his deathbed to protect him on his journey to the afterlife. Today, the ritual of giving the last supper to the condemned person has been detached from its origin, and can be perceived to be as absurd as the punishment it accompanies.  Last Supper focuses on this discrepancy between historical "meaning" and contemporary use of a tradition that has lost its connection with the past.  The film mixes documentary material with sculptural installations and animated graphics.  The main character is the former death row chef Brian Price, who reconstructs one of the 200 final meals that he prepared during his time as inmate in Huntsville State Prison, Texas, US. Showing Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 pm in Lovejoy 208. http://www.bigertbergstrom.com/last_supper.html http://www.artesmundi.org/ebulletin/bulletin2007-02.htm