Globe (1969)
A bold experimental short by Ken Jacobs that turns a still suburban photograph into a living 3D world through the power of stereoscopic perception.
Globe - Movie Information
- Original Title: Globe
- Release Year: 1969
- Directed by: Ken Jacobs
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 22m
- Original Language: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1969 (UM)
- Alternative Titles: Adjacent Perspectives (US)
Globe - Plot
Flat image (of snowbound suburban housing tract) blossoms into 3D only when viewer places Eye Opener before the right eye. (Keeping both eyes open, of course. As with all stereo experiences, center seats are best. Space will deepen as one views further from the screen.) The found-sound is X-ratable (not for children or Nancy Reagan) but is important to the film's perfect balance (GLOBE is symmetrical) of divine and profane.. - K.J.
Where to Watch Globe
Looking for where to watch Globe?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Globe - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ken Jacobs
Globe - FAQs
What is Globe (1969) about?
Globe is a short experimental film by Ken Jacobs in which a flat photograph of a snowbound suburban housing tract transforms into a vivid 3D image when viewers use an Eye Opener device over one eye. The film is symmetrically structured, weaving together the divine and the profane through found sound.
Who directed Globe (1969)?
Globe was directed by Ken Jacobs, a pioneering figure in American avant-garde and experimental cinema. Jacobs has been exploring the boundaries of film perception, stereoscopy, and found footage since the 1950s, and Globe stands as a fascinating example of his inventive approach to the moving image.
How does the 3D effect work in Globe?
The 3D effect in Globe is achieved by placing a simple Eye Opener device in front of the right eye while keeping both eyes open. This low-tech stereo technique causes the otherwise flat image to blossom into perceived depth. Ken Jacobs recommends center seating for the best spatial experience.
When was Globe released?
Globe was released on January 1, 1969. It is also known under the alternative title Adjacent Perspectives in the United States. The film runs approximately 22 minutes and represents one of Ken Jacobs's early experiments with stereoscopic and perceptual cinema.
What is the significance of the found sound in Globe?
Ken Jacobs himself described the found sound in Globe as X-ratable and not suitable for children. Far from being gratuitous, the audio is central to the film's carefully balanced structure. It creates a deliberate tension between the sacred and the profane, which Jacobs considers essential to the film's perfect symmetry.
Is Globe considered an avant-garde experimental film?
Absolutely. Globe is a quintessential work of American avant-garde cinema. Ken Jacobs uses minimal means — a still photograph, a rudimentary optical device, and found sound — to challenge how audiences perceive depth, space, and image. It reflects his lifelong fascination with the materiality and perceptual possibilities of film.
What does the alternative title Adjacent Perspectives mean?
The US alternative title Adjacent Perspectives hints at the film's core concept: two slightly different viewpoints placed side by side to generate the illusion of depth. It reflects the stereoscopic principle at the heart of Globe, where the juxtaposition of perspectives — visual and thematic — creates a richer, more dimensional experience.
What are some films similar to Globe?
If Globe's experimental spirit appeals to you, you might enjoy EO (2022), a visually inventive and unconventional film, or Problemista (2024), which shares a similarly offbeat creative sensibility. The Voyeurs (2021) also plays with themes of perception and voyeurism that echo Globe's interest in how we look at images.
More About Globe
Explore further details and databases for Globe (1969).