On Wednesday, June 14, from 15:30 - 19:00, the 4-part documentary Las Vegas: Life in Neon Shadows (1986) by director and retired Film Team member, Bruce Gray, will be screened at the University of Amsterdam Theater (Nieuwe Doelenstraat 16). The original tapes have recently been digitized for exhibition as part of Gray’s work at BuzzHouse's digitization studio in collaboration with student volunteers. Presented by UvA's AMIA chapter, the screening will be introduced by Gray and followed a conversation with him moderated by Preservation & Presentation of the Moving Image MA student Errol Tyson. Gray will also share his past photography work on Las Vegas. The screening is free of charge and open for all to join.
Las Vegas is a relatively young city. Founded in 1905, the city has had a history of architectural facelifts. There are hardly any historical buildings left in the city and even the newest buildings are conceived under the idea of “planned obsolescence.” This constant destruction of the old has created a city almost devoid of historical tradition. In addition, Las Vegas has been experiencing dramatic growth in the past ten years. Spurred on by the fast growth, various Las Vegans have been trying to establish a respect for the past. This remarkable development is apparent on many different levels, from the jails to the schools, from the hotels to the old folks homes. It has much to do with what Las Vegans regard as the high quality of life in their city. They fear the quality is becoming tainted, and many of them wish to do something about it. What motivates people to live in a city of such outspoken character? In order to answer this question the documentary explores many different aspects of “the other side” of the city. One aspect is the workaday world of people who have taken advantage of the availability of jobs. While dependent upon gambling for their incomes they often have little to do with that industry outside of working hours. “Leisure” time is filled with activities unique to the region: digging for dinosaur bones, managing outdoor weddings, and guiding tourists around area ghost towns, to mention a few.
In November 1986, UvA staff member Bruce Gray embarked upon his documentary Las Vegas, billed as A Four-Part Television Documentary Emphasizing the History of the City, Its People, Culture, and Business Life. Working on behalf of Netherland Broadcasting Company and alongside his collaborator Frans van Barschot, Gray was charged with extensively covering the city for European television. As a former Las Vegan, Gray seemed like a fit for the project, which was intended to focus on ‘sportsbetting, entertainment, and history’ but expanded to include elements of local culture and a section on the area’s prisons. The film circulated via showings in Las Vegas and a few special screenings. The original tapes have been digitized for exhibition as part of Bruce’s work at the UvA digitization studio in collaboration with student volunteers.
Program:
15:30 introduction by director Bruce Gray
15:40 Las Vegas Parts 1 & 2
17:00 Break
17:20 Las Vegas Parts 3 & 4
18:40 Q&A Session with Bruce Gray moderated by Errol Tyson
19:00 End
