Asia Argento, Nick Knight and Emma Forrest

Don't Bother To Knock

Actress and director Asia Argento created this mesmerising series of film shorts exclusively for SHOWstudio over the course of October 2006. The vignettes, drawing on an ad-hoc 'video diary' aesthetic but in fact painstakingly directed, intertwine reality with fantasy thanks to a script devised by Emma Forrest that confuses fiction with reality.

About

Actress and director Asia Argento created this mesmerising series of film shorts exclusively for SHOWstudio, presented as a 'video diary' with films uploaded at 12:00, 18:00 or 00:00 GMT each day between 16 and 25 October 2006. These shorts, captured during Argento's London promotion of the feature film Marie Antoinette, draw on DIY reportage aesthetics but are actually painstakingly directed by Argento and Nick Knight.

The films intertwine reality with fantasy, sometimes following a script devised by author Emma Forrest and hence blurring the line between fiction with reality. Interspersed amongst the narrative are films exploring the theme of 'Twenty-three words beginning with 'F',' sparking monologues on everything from fetish to Florence and allowing a tantalising and candid insight into Argento's mind (or perhaps not).

Originally presented as entries on the SHOWstudio blog, the comments made by SHOWstudio users are displayed alongside the films here, forming a narrative in themselves of viewers perceptions of Argento's actions and the suspension of disbelief as they follow the fiction/fact narrative of this unique film series.

Please note: A selection of the original 2006 films have become corrupted and cannot be shown. They are represented by stills and the original viewers' commentary from the SHOWstudio blog.

Credits / Contributors

Screenplay

Emma Forrest, with contributions from A.C.A.B, acnelac, aerialbold, al.w product, ampersand, Benjamin Seroussi, beyourdog, Billy 23, bunnies, charlie 7, christophechemin, chicca&sax, cinema, clam, Ctaylor, detlev, f:lux, friend, girl, Gysette, harley, Josh Baker, Kristen Leigh, la, lafawnduh, Landon, lie, utz, Ma, Marianna, maria n, marito.coma, masok, Mr.45, niagara river, nono, partymonger, passenger, MatrickMM, Pietro Maggioni, purple absinthe, Raist79, rock's an, salwa, Se'an O'Brien, Serbastian Tabernacle, Scallywagger Alex, SheSmokesDiamonds, silvergem, starchild, QOELET, queenoftarts, van, vicb, viorica, volja, warm gun, yours!, 11:11, -1call-, 23

Film

Direction: Nick Knight and Asia Argento
Performance: Asia Argento
Styling (womenswear): Francesca Burns
Styling (menswear): Mark McMahon
Hair: Sam McKnight
Make-up: Val Garland
Production: Sharmin Nordien
Sound: Ian Sands
Set Design: Janine Trott
Photographic Assistance: Simon Thistleton and Ruth Hogben
Hair Assistance: Peter Lux
Make-up Assistance: Karina Woodruff
Film Edit: Harry Hanrahan
Production Assistance: Karina Aloupi
Set Design Assistance: Andy Knight, Sophie Rook, Mark Righo, Meryl Davies, Rhea Thierstein, Louisa Thoughton

Music

Cat Power - Werewolf
Santo & Johnny - Sleepwalk

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