T,O,U,C,H,I,N,G (1969)

Name: T,O,U,C,H,I,N,G
Genre: Drama
Released: 1969-06-17
Rating: 6

/ 10

1 User Ratings

12m

Running Time

Plot.

T,O,U,C,H,I,N,G uses flickering frames of solid color juxtaposed with positive and negative still images of a man—sometimes cutting off his own tongue with glitter-covered scissors, sometimes suffering a series of glitter-stained fingernail scratches across the face. Other rapidly alternating still images of eye surgery and a couple in the midst of intercourse. The soundtrack is a continuous looped recording of the word "destroy" over the entire length of the film.

Where to Watch.

No streaming offers found

Cast & Crew.

David Franks

Paul Sharits

Director

Media.

Details.

Release Date
June 17, 1969

Status
Released

Running Time
12m

Genres
Drama

Last updated: 2025-02-11

Wiki.

T,O,U,C,H,I,N,G is a 12-minute short film directed by Paul Sharits in 1968. It uses many of the strategies characteristic of the structural film movement, including a static frame, flicker effects, flash frames and continual audio and visual repetition. The audio track consists exclusively of the filmmaker uttering the word "destroy" over and over until the word begins to lose its meaning and creates the impression of different combinations of words being spoken.

Unlike many clearly algorithmically-driven films of the structural film movement, T,O,U,C,H,I,N,G does not simply follow a sequence of mathematical transformation, but deploys combinations of audio and visual effects to elicit emotional and psychological responses in viewers.