A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory

Danny Williams was a member of the Warhol set who disappeared mysteriously in 1966. This film by his niece tries to uncover something of his life. As Warhol's boyfriend for a time he was given the unheard of privilege of borrowing Andy's Bolex camera with which he made a series of 20 stylish films which record the Factory scene.

Reminiscence by family members and an impressive range of Factory regulars such as Paul Morrissey, Billy Name, Brigid Berlin and Gerard Malanga build up a picture of an elusive character. But his films are given pride of place. They capture the glory days of The Factory at its height but are also haunting evocative experiments with in-camera editing and lighting effects, beautifully set here to the music of T. Griffin.

The film is fascinating both for its rediscovery of a minor figure and its insights into the casual brutality of the Warhol circle.

Brian Robinson