Watch A Walk into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory

A Walk into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory is a documentary film from 2007 that explores the life and mysterious disappearance of Danny Williams, a promising artist and filmmaker who once worked closely with Andy Warhol during the heyday of the Factory. Produced and directed by Esther B. Robinson, a filmmaker and film historian who is also Williams' cousin, the documentary blends archival footage, interviews, family photos, and Williams' own experimental films to paint a vivid picture of a young man whose talents and ambitions were cut short by unknown circumstances.

The film opens with images of a desolate beach, as if to foreshadow the melancholy tone that pervades the rest of the film. Robinson then introduces us to Williams, a handsome and charismatic young man who moved to New York City in the early 1960s to pursue his dreams of becoming a filmmaker. He soon found himself drawn to the eccentric and eclectic world of Andy Warhol, who was then on the brink of creating his own art empire with the Factory. Williams became a key member of Warhol's entourage, not only as a filmmaker but also as a friend and confidant to many of the other artists and performers who passed through the Factory's doors.

As the documentary progresses, Robinson intersperses interviews with former Factory members, such as Brigid Berlin, Mary Woronov, and Billy Name, who share their insights and memories of Danny Williams. Through their anecdotes, we get a sense of how integral Williams was to the Factory's creative output, and how his films and ideas helped to shape Warhol's own artistic vision. At the same time, however, we also begin to sense a darker undercurrent to Williams' story. He was known to be moody and introspective, often retreating into his own thoughts and obsessions. He also struggled with issues of identity and sexuality at a time when such things were not openly discussed or accepted. And he became increasingly disillusioned with Warhol and the Factory as the 1960s wore on, feeling that his own artistic aspirations were being stifled by Warhol's relentless pursuit of fame and fortune.

The heart of the film, however, is the mystery surrounding Williams' disappearance in 1966. Williams had been living in a rented cottage in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he had been working on a new film project. One day in August, he vanished without a trace, leaving behind only his wallet and his keys. Despite a massive search and investigation, no evidence of foul play was ever found. Some speculated that Williams had simply walked into the sea and drowned, while others suggested that he might have faked his own death or been the victim of a drug deal gone wrong. Robinson explores these various theories and also delves into the personal relationships that may have played a role in Williams' disappearance. She interviews several of Williams' family members, who share their own memories and suspicions about what might have happened.

One of the strengths of A Walk into the Sea is its use of Williams' own films to tell his story. Williams was a gifted filmmaker in his own right, and he created several experimental works that were highly regarded by his peers. Some of his films were collaborations with other Factory members, such as Mary Woronov and Gerard Malanga, and they provide a window into the creative process that was so vital to the Factory's output. Other films were more personal, such as his haunting underwater footage of a submerged tree, which is interpreted by some as a metaphor for Williams' own submerged psyche. By including this footage alongside interviews and other archival material, Robinson creates a multifaceted portrait of Williams that is both poignant and enigmatic.

Overall, A Walk into the Sea is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant documentary that sheds light on a little-known chapter of art history. It is a testament to the creative spirit of Danny Williams and the many other young artists who were inspired and shaped by the Factory. At the same time, it is a cautionary tale about the price of fame and the toll that the artistic life can take on one's mental health and well-being. By the end of the film, viewers are left with a sense of both wonder and sadness, a feeling that they have been privy to something special and tragic all at once.