Directing
Tom Joslin
Born November 29, 1946 · Melrose, Massachusetts, USA
Died July 1, 1993 · aged 46
Joslin was born in Melrose, Mass. in 1946 and spent his youth in Lynnfield and Cumberland. He earned his B.A at the University of New Hampshire in 1972, and his MFA four years later from the Rhode Island School of Design. In addition to his filmmaking, he taught at Hampshire College and at the University of Southern California. Joslin began making short films in 8mm, at the age of 14. His work in…
Known For
The Milagro Beanfield War · 1988The Milagro Beanfield War
★ 6.61988
MovieComedyDrama
The accidental breakdown of an irrigation valve launches a hot confrontation between the mainly Latino farmers in a tiny New Mexico town and the real estate developers and politicians determined to acquire their land for a golf resort.
Blackstar: Autobiography of a Close Friend · 1976Blackstar: Autobiography of a Close Friend
★ 10.01976
MovieDocumentary
In this experimental, self-ethnographic documentary, Tom Joslin blends breathtaking, moving snapshots from the natural world, filmic cultural touchstones, and cutting (pseudo) cinéma vérité to dissect and reassemble his gay identity despite constant warnings to stay in the closet. Blackstar sees Joslin and partner Mark Massi fleshing out their enduring commitment and obvious love for one another amidst the insecurity that a self-conscious documentary lens instills. As interviews with Joslin’s mother, father, and brothers attempt to break down the legitimacy of Joslin and Massi’s romance, the pair use everything at their disposal, including inspiration from gay revolutionaries and painfully honest conversations, to hold up their “abnormality” as a point of pride rather than shame. – Shayna Warner
The Wizard of the Strings · 1985The Wizard of the Strings
★ 5.21985
MovieMusicDocumentary
Profiles Roy Smeck, a former vaudeville star known as "The Wizard of the Strings" because of his virtuoso talents on the guitar, banjo, ukelele and Hawaiian guitar, and who is shown to be still active, in his mid-80s, teaching students and giving occasional public performances.
Silverlake Life: The View from Here · 1993Silverlake Life: The View from Here
★ 5.81993
MovieDocumentary
An extraordinary video diary about living with AIDS documenting, with guts and humor, the love and dedication of longtime companions Tom Joslin and Mark Massi, from the emotional challenge of living with a fatal illness to the frustration of maintaining daily routines,.
Architecture Of Mountains · 2012Architecture Of Mountains
2012
MovieDocumentary
Prior to leaving Hampshire College in 1980, Tom was working on a 16mm film inspired by Jose Arguelles' book, The Transformative Vision: Reflections on the Nature and History of Human Expression. Shot in sync and MOS, the footage reflects Tom's interest in perception, human consciousness, and signaled his evolving interest in fusing non-fiction, experimental and dramatic genres. All the original materials for this unfinished film were stored at the LA home of Ken Levin, another Hampshire College alum who along with several other students, worked with Tom on this project, which he called the Architecture of Mountains.
Shooting At Work · 1976Shooting At Work
1976
Movie
An unused excerpt for Blackstar: Autobiography of a Close Friend. No sound copies are known to exist.
Atrapados · 1981Atrapados
★ 3.01981
MovieFantasyScience Fiction
Alba is a mystic who lives in an underground apartment. A plumber named Carlos is visiting her when a disaster causes the building to collapse, trapping both of them.
The Courier · 1966The Courier
1966
MovieCrimeThriller
Three Air Force men, a courier, a driver and a plain clothesman are assigned to pick up some important documents in Kingsbury Hall, UNH.
Filmography
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