Little Stabs At Happiness

Synopsis

Ken Jacobs‘ seminal Little Stabs At Happiness has a magical, beguiling soundtrack that utilizes Jacobs’ own 78’s record collection and a humourous, self-referential voice-over. The music allows for the perfect platform for the subtle lived-performances of Jack Smith, Jerry Sims and co. who seem at once so embracing and all-knowing of the camera and yet resigned to their New York City-dwelling destitution. Humour and melancholia synthesize in both music and image with a sense of ease and lucidity that sustains the film’s vitality to this day.

“Material was cut in as it came out of the camera, embarrassing moments intact. 100′ rolls timed well with music on old 78s. I was interested in immediacy, a sense of ease, and an art where suffering was acknowledged but not trivialized with dramatics. Whimsy was our achievement, as well as breaking out of step.” – Ken Jacobs