The Abyss is the Foundation of the Possible: Writing On and Through Film, 2007-2018

by M. Kitchell

Over a decade's worth of M Kitchell's writing on film. The collection includes the novella Paul Garrior in Jacques Riverrun's "The Abyss is the Foundation of the Possible", a formalist collage story about the vampiric pull of the filmed image, the creative process, and the human voids of isolation and loss. The accompanying film essays that follow all expand cogently on Kitchell's vision, often locating alienation and isolation in seemingly utilitarian genre fare of the 80s and early 90s, erotica from Japan's pink cinema or the bloody edges of outsider horror films. As a whole, this collection explores the territory between desire and obsession, absence and presence, and the expression of what is often deemed inexpressible.

Genres: Film

184 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2021

Reviews

[Bill Hsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

M and I have a fair number of overlapping preoccupations (horror movies, porn, uncanny architecture, abstract film/narratives and sound design...) The opening 100-page short novel/essay hybrid explores a number of these, spilling out of kind of a "lost film" frame, in short sections that are ostensibly storyboards, reviews, conversations, or incantations. I'm sure I'm missing more than half of the references, but it's as fascinating as his earlier texts. And as in his other books, the design and layout, with occasional blank pages, give the novel a spaciousness and a leisurely, deliberate rhythm.

I admit, with some of these films, I enjoy reading Kitchell's notes more than actually watching the films themselves. But I do plan on checking out some of the items from the short reviews. (Not that it seems easy to track down some Brehm or Fotopoulos. Great name, the last!)

[Nate D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first long-form work from M I ever had the pleasure of reading was the novella included here, back in original publication in a long-lost journal. It's just as good a decade later. The extremely compelling blurb above was drawn from the introduction I had the honor of composing for this, so I'll just let that stand for my more detailed reflections.

[Cleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novella good, capsule reviews less compelling.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's so striking about Kitchell's work, is that how grounded it is in the pleasure of sex. Would the abyss be as much an interest without it? You need both, however you deviate from one.
I'm also glad this pairs his fiction with his criticism, since his work is more of a continuous exploration, and seeing the links between mediums is so rewarding.