Film Fest Gent - Videodroom 2025: Lee Ranaldo x 'Quick Billy'

Experience a truly unique cinematic event: Film Fest Gent - Videodroom 2025 presents Lee Ranaldo x 'Quick Billy.' Returning to the venue where Sonic Youth once captivated audiences (their iconic, well-loved piano still stands as a testament to that history), legendary musician Lee Ranaldo creates a mesmerizing dialogue between his signature off-kilter guitar work and Bruce Baillie's groundbreaking film, *Quick Billy*. This co-production with the Curtas Festival in Porto promises an evening of profound artistic connection. *Quick Billy*, a "horse opera in four parts," is a poetic and visually stunning meditation on life, death, and the transition between them. Part Eastern philosophy, part gunslinger Western, Baillie’s masterpiece—praised by Jonas Mekas as a film that allows us to project "so many unfinished parts of ourselves"—blends abstract cinema with lyrical documentary, creating an unprecedented exploration of emotion, from overwhelming beauty to unexpected humor. Baillie’s astonishing and almost unbelievable transitions between images dissolve the boundary between abstraction and representation, resulting in a truly unforgettable experience. Lee Ranaldo, best known as co-founder of the influential band Sonic Youth, is also a celebrated visual artist and writer. Beyond his musical legacy, he continues to push creative boundaries with immersive sound and light shows like *Contre Jour* and the intimate acoustic piece *In Virus Times*. Prepare to witness an extraordinary collaboration between two artistic visionaries, a truly special event for the prepared and fortunate few.