Nine Lives

(1987 • 7 minutes)
Music by Ken Field, Robert Moses and Ken Winokur

A fortune teller’s cards lead the viewer on a journey through time and collective memory, using the metaphor of a cat’s multiple lives.

“The cat of Karen Aqua’s episodic acts of legerdemain becomes a summary of possibilities for the human personality. Grace, wisdom, mystery and predation are all components in this masquerade of life.”

— George Griffin, Film Forum program notes

Awards:

Marin County Film Festival, 1987: 2nd Prize, Animation

Sinking Creek Film Celebration, 1987: Judge’s Award

ASIFA-East Animation Awards, NYC, 1988: 3rd Prize, Soundtrack

Big Muddy Film Festival, 1988: Honorable Mention

New England Film Festival, 1987: Honorable Mention

Bucks County Film Festival, 1987: Honorable Mention

Festivals:

Independent Filmmakers’ Exposition, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 1988

Zagreb World Festival of Animated Films, Yugoslavia, 1988

Shanghai International Animation Film Festival, China, 1988

Ottawa International Animation Festival, Canada, 1988

Black Maria Film & Video Festival, 1988: Touring Showcase

Ann Arbor Film Festival, 1988

Denver International Film Festival, 1987

Humboldt Film/Video Festival, 1988

Women in Film Festival, Los Angeles, 1987

Athens International Film/Video Festival, Ohio, 1987

Screenings:

“Streams of Consciousness: New American Animation” Film Forum, NYC, 1988

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1988

“Magic Movies: The Best of New Animation” Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, 1988

On Screen: A Celebration of Women in Film, San Francisco, 1988

Women in the Director's Chair, Chicago, 1988

Coolidge Corner Movie House, Boston, 1987: Festival of Women’s Animation

First Night, Boston, 1987

Boston Film/Video Foundation, 1987: New England Regional Fellowship Winners

Neighborhood Film/Video Project, Philadelphia, 1987

“Women's Animation in the 80’s” Seattle Art Museum, 1987

Television Broadcasts:

The Movie Channel/Showtime, 1987-88

“Image Union” WTTW, Chicago Public Television, 1987

Print Purchase:

Sinking Creek Film Celebration