Stephen Broomer
@stephenbroomer.bsky.social
filmmaker & writer. video essayist. host of art & trash. publisher, black zero. programmer, ad hoc. sessional lecturer, cinema studies institute, university of toronto. he/him.
Screening last night in CMPF207 - my studio course in collage filmmaking. 1. A La Mode (Stan Vanderbeek, 1961). 2. Very Nice, Very Nice (Arthur Lipsett, 1961). 3. Aleph (Wallace Berman, 1958-1976). 4. Odds and Ends (Jane Conger Belson, 1959).
January 24, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Screening last night in CMPF207 - my studio course in collage filmmaking. 1. A La Mode (Stan Vanderbeek, 1961). 2. Very Nice, Very Nice (Arthur Lipsett, 1961). 3. Aleph (Wallace Berman, 1958-1976). 4. Odds and Ends (Jane Conger Belson, 1959).
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
A special short film gets some love from @stephenbroomer.bsky.social in this month's NORTHERN LIGHT. I think I first saw it projected onto a wall on Winnipeg's Main Street, where it is set.
New episode of @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's NORTHERN LIGHT went live on Spectacular Optical today! This month the spotlight is on Leonard Yakir's 1972 Winnipeg documentary MAINSTREET SOLDIER: spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
WAR AT HOME: MAINSTREET SOLDIER AS ANTI-EPIC
Spectacular Optical Media is a Canadian small-press publisher of film and pop culture books and independent film producer/distributor.
spectacularoptical.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:32 AM
A special short film gets some love from @stephenbroomer.bsky.social in this month's NORTHERN LIGHT. I think I first saw it projected onto a wall on Winnipeg's Main Street, where it is set.
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
New episode of @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's NORTHERN LIGHT went live on Spectacular Optical today! This month the spotlight is on Leonard Yakir's 1972 Winnipeg documentary MAINSTREET SOLDIER: spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
WAR AT HOME: MAINSTREET SOLDIER AS ANTI-EPIC
Spectacular Optical Media is a Canadian small-press publisher of film and pop culture books and independent film producer/distributor.
spectacularoptical.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:26 AM
New episode of @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's NORTHERN LIGHT went live on Spectacular Optical today! This month the spotlight is on Leonard Yakir's 1972 Winnipeg documentary MAINSTREET SOLDIER: spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Next on @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's Northern Light: WAR AT HOME: MAINSTREET SOLDIER AS ANTI-EPIC: "Broomer situates Leonard Yakir’s celebrated short film in the context of CanLit’s disillusioned anti-heroes, and the tensions of performance in cinema verité." Jan 1 @ spectacularoptical.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Next on @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's Northern Light: WAR AT HOME: MAINSTREET SOLDIER AS ANTI-EPIC: "Broomer situates Leonard Yakir’s celebrated short film in the context of CanLit’s disillusioned anti-heroes, and the tensions of performance in cinema verité." Jan 1 @ spectacularoptical.com
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Never sleep on a Derek Jenkins screening. He and Eugenia Zuroski have made my favourite film of 2025!
December 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Never sleep on a Derek Jenkins screening. He and Eugenia Zuroski have made my favourite film of 2025!
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
THE TRAGEDY OF THE VIKING
The new video essay in @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's monthly series NORTHERN LIGHT focused on Canadian classics, hits and misfits. Now live at spectacularoptical.com
The new video essay in @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's monthly series NORTHERN LIGHT focused on Canadian classics, hits and misfits. Now live at spectacularoptical.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
THE TRAGEDY OF THE VIKING
The new video essay in @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's monthly series NORTHERN LIGHT focused on Canadian classics, hits and misfits. Now live at spectacularoptical.com
The new video essay in @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's monthly series NORTHERN LIGHT focused on Canadian classics, hits and misfits. Now live at spectacularoptical.com
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
NEW episode of @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's video essay series NORTHERN LIGHT is up! This one exploring the tragic tale of George Melford and Lewis Varick Frissell’s The Viking (1931)
spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
THE TRAGEDY OF THE VIKING
Spectacular Optical Media is a Canadian small-press publisher of film and pop culture books and independent film producer/distributor.
spectacularoptical.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
NEW episode of @stephenbroomer.bsky.social 's video essay series NORTHERN LIGHT is up! This one exploring the tragic tale of George Melford and Lewis Varick Frissell’s The Viking (1931)
spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
One of the things I'm proudest of is this restoration and its presentation on this disc: a video essay, a speculative reconstruction of a lost film, an audio commentary, and a bonus 'sequel' film. I'm so glad I've been able to share this genuinely original and imaginative film.
Our first release was Palace of Pleasure (1967), the only existing film by Canadian underground filmmaker John Hofsess. It is presented as a therapeutic treatment, to heal the soul through the eyes... Available now in our online store, in a special limited edition!
November 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
One of the things I'm proudest of is this restoration and its presentation on this disc: a video essay, a speculative reconstruction of a lost film, an audio commentary, and a bonus 'sequel' film. I'm so glad I've been able to share this genuinely original and imaginative film.
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
NEW on Spectacular Optical: NORTHERN LIGHT - a monthly video essay series on the classics, hits and misfits of Canadian cinema hosted by @blackzerodisc.bsky.social 's Stephen Broomer. First episode "The Invasion Will Be Televised" now online at spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
November 13, 2025 at 1:34 AM
NEW on Spectacular Optical: NORTHERN LIGHT - a monthly video essay series on the classics, hits and misfits of Canadian cinema hosted by @blackzerodisc.bsky.social 's Stephen Broomer. First episode "The Invasion Will Be Televised" now online at spectacularoptical.com/video-essays...
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
TRUTH & SOUL: A ROBERT DOWNEY SR. READER now available. 23 essays, 332 pages, full colour! spectacularoptical.com/product/trut...
TRUTH & SOUL
Spectacular Optical Media is a Canadian small-press publisher of film and pop culture books and independent film producer/distributor.
spectacularoptical.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
TRUTH & SOUL: A ROBERT DOWNEY SR. READER now available. 23 essays, 332 pages, full colour! spectacularoptical.com/product/trut...
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
A film about coercion that is itself coercive, 'In the Dark' (2000) draws on imminent cultural anxieties as a young woman accepts a challenge from an unknown Master of Games. Read the latest October Horror piece from @stephenbroomer.bsky.social!
'In the Dark' (2000): Temptation and the Willing Victim - Split Tooth Media
A film about coercion that is itself coercive, 'In the Dark' draws on cultural anxieties as a woman accepts a challenge from a Master of Games
www.splittoothmedia.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A film about coercion that is itself coercive, 'In the Dark' (2000) draws on imminent cultural anxieties as a young woman accepts a challenge from an unknown Master of Games. Read the latest October Horror piece from @stephenbroomer.bsky.social!
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
The Way Things Go is a work of absolute machined precision. Check out our video essay about it. Below is an excerpt!
October 2, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The Way Things Go is a work of absolute machined precision. Check out our video essay about it. Below is an excerpt!
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
At Black Zero, we rely on Canada Post for all of our shipping needs. As of September 25, 2025, Canada Post has gone on strike. As a result, we must pause all shipments until their operations resume.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and support.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and support.
September 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM
At Black Zero, we rely on Canada Post for all of our shipping needs. As of September 25, 2025, Canada Post has gone on strike. As a result, we must pause all shipments until their operations resume.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and support.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and support.
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Next Thursday, September 11, at Innis Town Hall, as part of the ongoing Ad Hoc programming - our new restoration of Larry Kardish's Slow Run! With the filmmaker in person. Don't miss this hidden gem of the New York Underground. Discs will be for sale at the launch.
September 3, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Next Thursday, September 11, at Innis Town Hall, as part of the ongoing Ad Hoc programming - our new restoration of Larry Kardish's Slow Run! With the filmmaker in person. Don't miss this hidden gem of the New York Underground. Discs will be for sale at the launch.
If you are in the U.S. and want some Black Zero discs, order them by Wednesday 5PM! I am not at all sure how long we will be pausing but it might be for a while.
August 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
If you are in the U.S. and want some Black Zero discs, order them by Wednesday 5PM! I am not at all sure how long we will be pausing but it might be for a while.
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Hard at work on my newest series, Northern Light, on Canadian cinema. It’ll be my most traditional and straightforward series yet - but by these standards, that means, get ready for near-death experiences, docudramas about nude cults, and Lacanian interpretations of hoser/loser masterpieces.
August 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Hard at work on my newest series, Northern Light, on Canadian cinema. It’ll be my most traditional and straightforward series yet - but by these standards, that means, get ready for near-death experiences, docudramas about nude cults, and Lacanian interpretations of hoser/loser masterpieces.
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
ESSENTIAL VIEWING: Filmmaker and @blackzerodisc.bsky.social founder @stephenbroomer.bsky.social just posted a very timely and disturbing video essay for Canada Day on Rob Fothergill's 1970 film COUNTDOWN CANADA: youtu.be/57oCoeb9mYw
The Invasion Will Be Televised: Countdown Canada as Anticipatory Docudrama
YouTube video by artandtrash
youtu.be
July 2, 2025 at 2:46 AM
ESSENTIAL VIEWING: Filmmaker and @blackzerodisc.bsky.social founder @stephenbroomer.bsky.social just posted a very timely and disturbing video essay for Canada Day on Rob Fothergill's 1970 film COUNTDOWN CANADA: youtu.be/57oCoeb9mYw
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Out this June: "Secret Museums: The Films of Arthur Lipsett", by @stephenbroomer.bsky.social . Pub. Wilfrid Laurier University Press expcinema.org/site/en/book...
Secret Museums: The Films of Arthur Lipsett
Arthur Lipsett’s first film was nominated for an Academy Award in 1962, marking the arrival of an influential new voice. The film’s dark humour and dancing rhythms had captured the spirit of his times...
expcinema.org
May 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Out this June: "Secret Museums: The Films of Arthur Lipsett", by @stephenbroomer.bsky.social . Pub. Wilfrid Laurier University Press expcinema.org/site/en/book...
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
A video essay on the films and videos of contemporary Canadian experimental media artist Christine Lucy Latimer.
Fragile Systems: The Media Hybrids of Christine Lucy Latimer
YouTube video by artandtrash
youtu.be
December 4, 2024 at 2:25 AM
A video essay on the films and videos of contemporary Canadian experimental media artist Christine Lucy Latimer.
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Keith Lock’s Everything Everywhere Again Alive. Available now on Blu-Ray Disc from Black Zero! #canadiancinema #canadianfilm #experimentalfilm #cinema #environmental #physicalmedia
April 2, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Keith Lock’s Everything Everywhere Again Alive. Available now on Blu-Ray Disc from Black Zero! #canadiancinema #canadianfilm #experimentalfilm #cinema #environmental #physicalmedia
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Join us next Thursday, April 3rd at 8pm for AD HOC #73. Lulu Faustine with filmmaker @stephenbroomer.bsky.social. Free and open to all!
March 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Join us next Thursday, April 3rd at 8pm for AD HOC #73. Lulu Faustine with filmmaker @stephenbroomer.bsky.social. Free and open to all!
Reposted by Stephen Broomer
Tonight’s Stan Brakhage screening is a sellout! The people love Stan Brakhage!!!
March 7, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Tonight’s Stan Brakhage screening is a sellout! The people love Stan Brakhage!!!
Stan Brakhage for the people! A program tonight at Ad Hoc at Innis College, on 16mm - Eyes and Unconscious London Strata!
March 7, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Stan Brakhage for the people! A program tonight at Ad Hoc at Innis College, on 16mm - Eyes and Unconscious London Strata!
On Thursday night at Ad Hoc, I presented four documentaries on art by Jim Davis. You can watch the whole programme, intro and films, at @artandtrash.bsky.social’s Patreon and YouTube channels. The Dynamic Arts: Documentaries by Jim Davis
youtu.be/LrA9if2cthA
youtu.be/LrA9if2cthA
February 24, 2025 at 4:25 AM
On Thursday night at Ad Hoc, I presented four documentaries on art by Jim Davis. You can watch the whole programme, intro and films, at @artandtrash.bsky.social’s Patreon and YouTube channels. The Dynamic Arts: Documentaries by Jim Davis
youtu.be/LrA9if2cthA
youtu.be/LrA9if2cthA