from an article on rec.arts.movies, posted by Jim Pellmann ([log in to unmask]) ----- "Fear of Drowning by Numbers" published by: Dis Voir 9, rue Saint-Augustin 75002 Paris available in the US from: Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery 51 Greene Street New York, NY 10013 (212) 925-5157 paperback (6 x 8.5 inches), 152 pages, $20.00 (c) 1988 ISBN: 2-906571-07-5 Greenaway has written 100 short essays about the film "Drowning by Numbers", ranging from one sentence to several pages in length. Nearly every one contains an insight or explanation into the film that I didn't catch. Some examples: - the origin of the names of the 100 stars that the Skipping Girl counts, many references to other Greenaway films and other art works - the origin of each Cissie Colpitts character - the origin of the names of the seven Water-Tower Conspirators (all names uttered as part of the dying words of famous Englishmen!) - the complete rules of each of the games - the many running themes (insects, sheep, architecture) and their significance There are also black and white stills from the film, many of Greenaway's original sketches, and reproductions of the art works that inspired certain sets and scenes. This is a truly amazing insight into the mind of Greenaway and the amount of thought that goes into his films. Highly recommended. Text is in both English and French. --- -scott