Running Fence (1977)

Running Fence
Directed by Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin, and David Maysles
1977/US
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel

So put me on a highway
And show me a sign
And take it to the limit one more time – “Take It to the Limit” by Randy Meisner, Don Henley and Glenn Frey

So awe-inspiring seeing the mountains and ocean of Northern California through new eyes thanks to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s 24.5 mile fabric fence.

The documentary has no narration.  We watch as the artists struggle to get permission to use ranchers’ land to construct their fence and battle the hostility of environmentalists and local zoning official for permits.  Many of these people thought it would not be art.

Then we watch as battalions of workers put up the 18-foot high fence section by section in the roaring winds and heat.  When people looked at the result, even doubters could not deny it was beautiful.

The artists paid all the costs of the fence, took it down in two weeks as promised, and gave the poles and fabric to the ranchers.  They made their money through selling artists’ renderings and a book.

This documentary is the next best thing to seeing the fence, maybe better.The fence looks beautiful and different as the light changes and reveals the sinuous twists and turns of the dry Northern California hills before disappearing into the sea.  If you have the same affection for the California landscape as I do I would say it is a must see.  If you don’t, it is still a beautiful and inspiring documentary.

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