the goddess of 1967

I have recently watched the indie Australian roadmovie "The Goddess of 1967" (2000), the title of which refers to a car. That's right, a car. But it's not any car, it's the so-called goddess which is English for the French word déesse = DS = Citroen DS (nice play of words ;-).

The movie starts with a mysterious and eccentric Japanese buyer who flies to Australia to pick up the goddess, he had purchased online. This adventure is the context for following the car's and its owner's history back several generations. The main character of the movie is the actual car owner, a blind young woman, with a more than difficult past that will have to be explored.

I am not quite content with the directing by Macau-born Clara Law and husband Eddie Fong. The slow pace of the movie is not balanced and makes it seem draggy. Moreover some issues seem to be left unfinished, some choices unexplained, some scenes superfluous, some characters (like the Japanese man, or the young woman's mother) don't seem to develop and the flashbacks segment the narrative in an unfavourable way.

Nevertheless, the movie's strong points are amazing and make me recommend the movie without hesitation: the amazing cinematography (exquisite frame composition, beautiful colors), the strangeness/bizarreness (at least to me, reminiscent of Arizona Dream), the serious, almost distressing themes (death, coming of age, child abuse, revenge etc.), the focus on the female universe (even the car is a feminine entity) and the brilliant(!) performance by Rose Byrne.

Watch a "behind the scenes" documentary about the movie here: part1, part2, part3

I watched it since it was suggested by Scott in a comment to a post by Danica on Kitsune Noir and I loved the trailer (music: Walk Don't Run 64 by The Ventures), which is why I am sharing it here as well:

outside

I have recently watched a wonderful 15-minute documentary about Beijing and aspects of the life of its people, titled "Outside". The director, Sérgio Cruz, explains:

"In China, culture and the arts are very closely linked to people and their lives. The street life in Beijing is a 24-hour live show full of music, dance and sports. Over a period of month residence time (September 2007), I was observing Chinese life, collecting 'road images', documenting quotidian performances (...)"

But this beautiful piece of film, that portrays the fast-paced and busy life in the noisy and continually changing city, paradoxically manages to achieve a wonderful, tranquil effect by avoiding speech, creating beautiful transitions and using an overall slow pacing.

In my view, the film doesn not necessarily focus on the city itself or people's actions (be they dancing, performing or excercising) but rather on the context of these. And he manages to give the Western eye a glimpse of the interdependency and -connectedness of people in a collectivistic cultural frame.

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

beetle queen conquers tokyo

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo is a documentary about the fascination some Japanese have with insects. via Kitsune Noir

"Working backwards through history, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo explores the mysterious development of Japan’s age-old love affair with bugs. Using insects like an anthropologist’s toolkit, the film uncovers Japanese philosophies that will shift Westerners’ perspectives on nature, beauty, life, and even the seemingly mundane realities of their day-to-day routines."

up the yangtze

"Up the Yangtze" is a documentary film by Yung Chang, a young Chinese-Canadian director. The movie is about life in modern China in the Yangtze area. It mainly follows two characters, as they begin to work on board of a luxury cruise ship: a young, 16-year old girl, who comes from a modest family in a rural area and a young boy from a middle-class urban environment.

There are scenes that move the viewer by their cinematographic beauty, others are powerful due to the authenticity of the performances (my favrouites were: the prayer of the old lady, the father carrying the heavy closet up the hill, the young girl trying to proudly hold back her tears when her parents visit her on the ship). The luxury cruise ships were an opportunity for people to say goodbye to it, as it was slowly dissapearing as a consequence of the construction of the Three Gorges dam.

The Yangtze area has been subjected to immense change over the last years, due to the controversial Three Gorges dam project, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Its construction was not only extremely expensive, but it was aggressive and its necessity has been contested by many. The finalization of the project involved large transformations of the area, destruction and the relocation of over 2 million people.

To learn more about the film maker's inspiration, read this Q&A and/or watch this short interview.

Watch the trailer here:

I also recommend:

• having a look at Muge's photography, as he tried to document the changes along the Yangtze due to the dam project;
• reading "River Town", by Peter Hessler, who in 1996 had spent 2 years in Fuling, a small town on the Yangtze, and worked as an English Literature teacher. He delivers an extremely enjoyable and genuine portrait of the people and land of the famous Three Gorges area.

notre jour viendra - teaser

Romain Gavras is the son of acclaimed Greek/French filmmaker Costa-Gavras. Below is the mysterious trailer for his first feature film "Notre Jour Viendra (Our Day Will Come)", starring Vincent Cassel & Olivier Barthelemy.

Gavras' past directing efforts (DJ Mehdi - Sigantune, Justice - Stress & the controversial M.I.A. - Born Free) have channeled towards (violent and distressing) music videos, but these are traditionally long enough to make short films, with a strong narrative and almost seeming as if the music is used as a soundtrack to the moving picture. Considering this, the announcement of the feature film came as no surprise.

Originally titled "Redheads" (oh my! reference to the "Born Free" music video?) the movie deals with the following problematic:

What do you do when you're a red-haired teenage loser with no friends except for an older guy, your shrink? When everyone hates you, especially your family? When all your peers make fun of you and kick you around? The answer: you and your loser buddy blow all the cash you can get your hands on to buy a sportscar, you dress smart and you head for the land of redheads, Ireland. But what starts off as a search for an ideal, gradually escalates into a rampage of hate, violence and self-destruction.

I am looking forward to this movie but I have to say that the trailer itself is beautiful and has definetely caught my eye (and ear).

Offical movie website.

notre jour viendra - feature film trailer from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

eureka - review

Eureka (Yûreka), one of my favourite films, is a movie directed by Shinji Aoyama. Interestingly, as I was preparing this review, I have read that it is considered to be THE finest Japanese film of the last decade. It is a sepia-coloured, over 3 hours long, slow-paced film, with little dialogue and soundtrack. It is characterized by documentary - style long - shots and excellent cinematography, composition and editing. And indeed, even though it's long (I watched it in two sessions), there is nothing unnecessary about this movie and every second of it is essential for the entire whole.

The story evolves around the three survivors of a violent bus hijacking: a bus driver and two young siblings. This trauma will eventually mark their lives in various aspects. Two years later, the bus driver leaves his wife, is kicked out of his brother's home and is in search of a place to stay. Interestingly, he manages to find the two children, who had shared the unfortunate hijacking experience with him. But he finds them living alone, abandoned by their mother after the death of their father. These characters then embark on a journey and drive aimlessly in (ironically) a bus across the country. A series of murders complicates the plot and suggests a dark secret that will eventually be revealed towards the end. In short, it is a story about people, who help each other in their spiritual search of something they don't know they were looking for.

It would be too superficial to categorize the film as a draggy, pretentious art - film documentation of three people trying to overcome a deep trauma. In fact, even though slow-paced, this story has elements of a road movie, a drama, a slice - of - life comedy and a psychological thriller. Believe me when I say, it is worth sitting through its entire length and witnessing the characters' rediscovery of life.

I find it amazing how such intensity and complexity of feelings can be conveyed by such simplicity. It achieves what other movies may never be able to, it is moving without being pathetic. It is clean. It is elegant. It is one of the few movies of a very rare and powerful sensibility. And it definetely speaks a different language than anything else you've watched before.

Below is a taster for this wonderful film:

Read an interview with the director on Midnight Eye. Poster source

the white ribbon - review

***may contain spoilers***

Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon" was an unexpected find, like a breath of fresh air in a landscape of both mainstream movies and art films that have all forgotten what it's like to be subtle . "They don't make movies like this very often", my friend said. No, they don't.

The movie's strong points are: Incredibly authentic rendition of time, space and characters, wonderful framing and camera work, crushingly magnificent and intimidating dialogues, excellent performances and actor choices.

I did however feel, there were some inconsistencies in the plot (Why did Sigi never tell on the ones that harmed him, once he recovered? Why did the midwife never come back and where did the doctor's family dissapear to?).

But all in all, I believe that it might have been the director's intention to confuse, in order to help the viewer identify with the perspective of the school teacher, who was himself far from beeing the omniscient narrator, we have all been used to lately. Haneke's movie was not going to tell us "who" or "why", it's not about blame or motivation behind actions. It's simply about telling a story of a series of strange and violent events happening in a small rural village in the north of pre-WW I Germany.

And now, this might be my own personal opinion, but I strongly disagree with the idea that Haneke's village is to be seen as a microcosmos to reflect Germany as a whole and that his movie is about the depiction of the generation of children who would grow up into the fascist youth of WW II (you see, that would not be subtle at all). I believe that it stands for how, on a global level, a context of sexual and emotional repression, dogmatic religiosity, familial abuse, mistreatment and oppression of women, strong patriarchal values and social hierarchies can breed evil forces that will eventually exteriorize themselves.

I have found a user comment on imdb that I find quite appropriate:

"A powerful film, sharing so much information without any answers; it takes our mind into overdrive, trying so hard to find a reason for it all. But sometimes there are none; sometimes bad things just happen."

poster source. previously featured trailer. read an interview with Haneke here.

alice in wonderland - review

I've recently seen Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland in 3D and I have to say that I am deeply dissapointed.

There is little doubt nowadays that the 3D visuals are an enriching experience to any fantasy film. And even though I am both a huge Tim Burton and Alice fan, I was immensely let down by this film. The narrative was poor, the visuals mediocre (although a quite good character and set design) and all in all, I think that whoever knows and loves Lewis Carroll's "Alice" would have a hard time finding that character in Tim Burton's adaptation.

Although this movie was not mainly intended for a very young audience, throughout the time while I was watching it, my thoughts kept sending me back to Wolfgang Petersen's "Neverending Story". I kept wondering when they would make a 3D release of that fantastic tale. On second thought, you know what? Forget about the 3D. Somehow, movies back then had a whole lot more heart:

poster source

if i want to whistle, i whistle - preview

i'm here

'I‘m Here' is a 30-minute robot love story celebrating a life enriched by creativity and set in contemporary L.A. The film is written and directed by Spike Jonze. Andrew Garfield and Sienna Guillory are in the lead roles, and the soundtrack includes original music by Sam Spiegel and orginal songs by L.A.-based art musician Aska Matsumiya and other emerging musicians.

You can watch the entire short movie here.

tim burton on wearing striped socks

I have posted before on Tim Burton's restrospective at New York's MoMA, which features well over 700 paintings, drawings, photos, puppets, costumes, story boards, short films, and slideshows. Watch a video below, where the master himself shares with us some of his thoughts on drawing, movies, childhood, normality...and striped socks:

via Arrested Motion

urban media festival

If you happen to be anywhere near Cologne (Germany) in November, make sure to check out the Urban Media Festival: International crews made up of young media talents from France, UK, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain will develop statements on urban life together with their Cologne hosts. Watch, discuss, join and grab some ideas: From November 25th to 29th, the Urban Media Lounge at Alte Feuerwache Cologne will open doors for all young media afficionados. Starting from 14:00 CET, urban Gemütlichkeit will be re-defined here on a daily base. With snacks, drinks, workshops and exhibitions. And on Sunday, the „Film Makers‘ Coffee Circle“ invites movie makers and cineastes to cake, talk and freshly pressed video productions. From workshops on After Effects and digital graffiti to light tagging and sound design: There's a little bit of everything for everyone!

untitled-preview

"Untitled" is an indie movie on the defintion of art, starring Adam Goldberg. It is a satire that pokes fun of the nuanced world of the New York contemporary art scene through a pair of competitive brothers eclectic and self-important music composer Adrian and commercially successful painter Josh. The music was written by Pulitzer Prize winning compose David Lang

100 to watch

100 to watch - Directory of Contemporary Romanian Artists

"The creative scene in Romania is one of the most vibrant and exciting in Europe. This directory was put together to illustrate what makes it so special. A listing of 100 of the most talented artists in Romania today, from conceptual art to contemporary dance, literature and theatre to music and fashion, it’s a snapshot of an entire generation – the Romanian New Wave. Every single artist between these pages is part of the reason why Romania is such an exciting place to be right now. It’s indicative of just how much talent there is in the Romanian New Wave." via please hide

astro boy?

Here comes the Americanized 3D version of the popular series: Astro Boy, produced by Imagi Animation Studios. It was a Japanese manga series first published in 1952 and later an anime television program that began broadcasting in Japan in 1963. The story follows the adventures of a fictional robot named Astro Boy and a selection of other characters along the way. Creator Dr. Osamu Tezuka (1928 - 1989) was a Japanese manga artist, animator, producer and medical doctor. He is often credited as the "Godfather of Anime", or the "God of Manga" (picture via shanghaiist).

And now it has apparently become time for Astro Boy to become three dimensional. When looking at the new trailer it seems obvious that once again we will see an animated blockbuster based on the same format, the same jokes and the same predictable Hollywood storytelling that way too often gets free rein these days.

There is something almost repulsive in hearing Japanese manga figures speaking with a thick American accent, and just reading about the movie´s "Dubbing into Japanese", feels like a knife in the heart. And, why in god´s name have they brushed off Astro´s beautiful long eye lashes? To make him less androgynous and sweet - to turn him into a norm fitting masculine stereotype? Makes one wonder, where in all this did the original Astro Boy vanish?

afghanistan film festival

The second edition of the "Afghanistan Filmfestival" will take place at the Filmhaus in Cologne, Germany from the 23rd to the 31st of october. This year's edition, "Panorama Hindukusch" offers, apart from one week of movies from Afghanistan, also a diversified program (talks, discussions, concerts, a party and an art exhibition).

"Instead of ignoring the problems the country faces, the Afghan Film Festival offers the possibility to gain insight into Afghan society and it’s difficulties. The Afghan Film Festival is meant to be a place and event focused on creativity, exchange, encounters and encouragement. It hopefully brings people closer together, breaks down prejudices and supports cultural approaches."

I especially look forward to the movie "Afghan Star" (poster source):

control

"Existence. Well...what does it matter? I exist on the best terms I can. The past is now part of my future. The present is well out of hand." - "Heart and Soul" by Joy Division

After decades of acclaimed rock-and-roll photography and music videos, it's not surprising that Anton Corbijn's first feature film is about a musician. "Control" is one of the best movies I have seen this year. It chronicles the life of Ian Curtis, lead singer and lyricist of Joy Division, who suffered from epileptic seizures and who committed suicide at the young age of 23, on the eve of the band's first American tour.

It's a huge challenge to tell the story of a life (albeit a short one) in only about two hours. That said, I believe Corbijn did a great job with this movie. Curtis is portrayed as a weak person, a troubled young father, tormented both by agonizing depression and his worsening physical condition. Control, as the above lyrics of their song "Heart and Soul" express, was something, he felt was missing. Sam Riley does a wonderful job as Curtis and I also liked the movie's visual style and how it managed to capture the music of Joy Division.

But above all, I loved how it was actually able to convey a genuine feeling of involvement, of total exposure, solitude, anguish and regret, how it was able to tear me (along with the main character) between wanting and having to. All though it was in black and white, it managed to show that everything there is in life is actually neither one nor the other.

Watch the trailer:

(poster source).

Note: Herbert Grönemeyer, German singer, song-writer and actor plays a small part ;)

the white ribbon - preview

Another story about the darkness of human nature. So looking forward to this one!

THE WHITE RIBBON BY MICHAEL HANEKE (TRAILER) PALME D'OR
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the warrior and the wolf - preview

"The Warrior and The Wolf" is a movie about human nature, based on a short story by Japanese writer Yasushi Inoue. The story takes place in an unspecified dynasty, as the Chinese Empire takes on the rebellions tribes at its borders. Celebrated Chinese Fifth Generation director Tian Zhuangzhuang launches into a series of metaphors leading to other metaphors and flashbacks within flashbacks, hence trying to underlie the fact that humans are bound to fall prey to their own instincts (source).

Watch the trailer with English subtitles:

Honestly, the movie seems quite promising with respect to several aspects (fight scenes, special effects, scenery, camera work), but I don't think it will be a big hit as it might be too much of a blockbuster (international cast and all) while still trying too hard to be sophisticated. I will definetely watch it though, as Joe Odagiri, my favourite Japanese actor, is in it. When it comes to Odagiri that is reason enough... :)

home

"Home" is an original and fresh debut film from French-Swiss director Ursula Meier, written by Antoine Jaccoud and Olivier Lorelle, and starring Isabelle Huppert and Olivier Gourmet. It is "a portrait of a family under siege". I do not want to reveal any more of the plot and would advise you not to watch any trailers (there is a more serious version and a less serious version of it), since they couldn't possibly convey the depth and complexity of the movie and might easily give off a wrong impression.

Even though it was draggy at times, some scenes are stuck forever in my mind, like impressive picture stills. The performances were amazing, and the story is highly metaphorical and leaves both a bitter aftertaste and room for hope. I especially liked the character's chemistry, the superb camerawork of Agnès Godard, the fact that the story seems to pop out, out of nowehere: the viewer doesn't know anything about the family's history or their motivations (thus enhancing its impact), and the way the film depicts how low people must fall in order to get back up. poster source