2012 MUBI World Cup - match announcements

No one submitted a film from Yemen

Match #46: Wednesday, July 11 – Saturday, July 14

Family Nest (1979) Hungary Original title: Családi tüzfészek Directed by: Béla Tarr Approximate runtime: 108 min Submitted by: Jirin

vs.

Playing Between Elephants (2007) Indonesia Original title: Bermain di antara gajah-gajah Directed by: Aryo Danusiri Approximate runtime: 87 min Submitted by: rajiv ibrahim

Excellent pick with Family Nest.

There’s no way I’m going to lose this match.

Which match is that?

Hungary vs. Indonesia

What do you mean when you say you aren’t going to lose it?

he’s not gonna lose Riss!!

I think he means “miss”. There is no way he will miss that match.

exactly

Oh. I was thinking in spanish at the time I posted that hehehehe :P sorry.

There’s no way I’m going to miss that match (O:

Match #47: Saturday, July 14 – Tuesday, July 17

Nothing Personal (2009) Ireland Original title: Nothing Personal Directed by: Urszula Antoniak Approximate runtime: 85 min Submitted by: Cat, Tommy

vs.

The World According to Ion B. (2009) Romania Original title: Lumea văzută de Ion B. Directed by: Alexander Nanau Approximate runtime: 61 min Submitted by: Brad S.

Nice. I’m glad I’m not alone on Nothing Personal.

I really appreciate those people who have submitted films to this event who have either commented on the film on the voting thread or done an intro thread for the film. This is most helpful in giving us some background or insight into why these films were submitted.

It is frustrating that so many seem to just think all they need do is submit a film, then never comment on it or participate on any level in the event. A lot of hard work goes into organizing these events and it requires time for anyone to view both films in a match. So, I think it imperative in future that some level of comment or participation should be required by anyone submitting films. We are all busy, so that isn’t an excuse for no participation at all if you are a submitter. Often, I’ve had to seek out information on a film on my own, because nothing was forthcoming from the submitter.

Those submitters who have commented or taken the time to do an intro are to be applauded. But what IS the excuse of those who have done nothing?

I was going to make a kind of gripe about the large number of documentaries in this event. I’m more of a feature film type person, just seeking out docs from a few filmmakers I like (like Errol Morris and Wiseman) or on subjects that interest me. But Kenji’s great intro thread to Sleep Furiously melted my cold, cold heart, So, I’ll refrain.. Besides, some good docs in the mix. But, I do traditionally prefer discovering an unknown feature to an animated short or doc. But, that’s just me. Curious that so many docs. have been chosen, though.

83 countries? I’m still at a loss how this will all work out, and how long it will take- will my life expectancy be reached before it finishes?

@Oxy

thank you for that. I’m pretty sure only one of the films i submitted will be chosen (SIX SHOOTER) and so far i have gone out of my way to extensively write about this film and it’s cinematic and cultural importance, while the film it is ‘competing’ against (ARAYA) has had none of it’s submitters so much as comment on it, merely vote for it. it is quite frustrating.

well you know it would be ideal if people who submit films were committed to following through but there are so many reasons they might not (kuxa eg would be doing a full time job, others became disenchanted at the outset and abandoned the cup altogether, people have all sorts of unforeseen dramas and commitments going on in their lives which result in an online movie comp being shuffled to a low priority and human nature is also often to be keyed up at the start of something then fade to black…) getting draconian about it at the outset would I think just put people off submitting films altogether.

Agreed Meg!!! I hope to write something about Araya but to do the film justice I need to view the film again….. I have actually just come off an operating table and dealing with pain is definitely interferring with my concentration to write anything!!! frustrating to say the least as I am sat on my arse trying to sum up the energy to watch some films!!!! I understand Brentos frustration though when time and effort is put into starting threads and then very few comments follow in the voting thread. I promise I will put together some reasons and thoughts together on Six Shooter and Araya.

i can’t watch any of the WC films right now because my laptop’s decided to die on me, those who know me know that i love participating in these events and i’m quite upset i can’t join in at the moment. maybe later on…

Must admit, that IS a good excuse, Kuxa. Seriously, hope all is well with you. Yeah, real life has its way of rearing its ugly head. In any case, you have defintely commented on several of your films already, so no need to feel guilty. Araya has some other submitters, too.

I didn’t mean to single anyone out. This is just a reminder that everyone does have a real life going on, but somehow people like Riss can still put tons of effort into keeping this thing going. I just think those who submit films should take the time – when and if the can – to tell us something about the reason they submitted the film for this event.

The non-participation issues have hit every version of the Cup. Often, people are all enthusiastic to get a film chosen for an event, promise to participate, and then are never seen or heard from again. It is distressing for those who are putting the effort out to vote and keep this going when you throw a party and then the guest of honor (in this case, the film submitter) doesn’t show up.

If someone does put the effort out there, it is appreciated, is the main point I would like to make. Hey, I never intended to really do this event this year, because of other commitments, but have been enjoying it enough to participate anyway. If one looks at this as a fun event, not really requiring a degree in film studies to comment, then it can be more worthwhile for all concerned.

noticed you weren’t around Cat, hope you’ll be all tech-ed up again soon….and Kuxa wishing you a speedy recovery ♥

@Oxy,

I am so greatful when people who submitted films come in and participate and post intro threads and all that too. That’s always been my goal. Last year we had a requirement that everyone submitting films voted in a certain number of matches and posted certain intro threads. I think the requirement helped some participation maybe. But it also took a lot of time from me tracking many people donw on a regular basis and harassing them to meet their quota. It was a lot of extra work, and wasn’t one extra thing I wanted to do. Also, last year a user could submit more films if the films they submitted earlier did well, so maybe their ws more incentive for them to promote their films. I don’t know. But I wanted to do it different this year so I could set everything up at first and then not have to to hound anyone else once it started. So knew there would probably a slide in participation.

Some people we see have had reasons they couldn’t participate as much like surgeries or loss of laptops. I know Blue is working on his film. I personally am planning a wedding and helping my fiancee with making her film. Some people I don’t know where they went like House or Apursansar. Some people pop up and disappear again now and then. Some people just left the site altogether like Stavrogin. And then sometimes we get new people joining discussions who didn’t submit any films.

I’m still greatful that we have as many particpants as we do. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get some more activity soon as the summer comes in the north hempisphere as we may have some students who will get a break from school work. But even if not, I’m glad for whatever participation we can get.

If I run another cup next year I will probably consider having much shorter segments where things change fundamentally regularly because people seem to get excited at first and then drift away pretty quickly once it starts.

@Kenji, you’ll see how it will work out. It’s going to be a different format at the end here for sure, and some people might not like it at first, but I think it will be a lot of fun. So we’ll see.

@Brentos, a secret revealed to you since you’ve been such a good participant. Six Shooter will NOT be the only film you submitted to be in the cup. There’s one more coming.

@Kuxa, get better! I’ll be praying for ya!

@Cat, we miss you bunches!!

Match #48: Tuesday, July 17 – Friday, July 20

The Land (1969) Egypt Original title: Al-ard Directed by: Youssef Chahine Approximate runtime: 130 min Submitted by: Angel

vs.

The Wayward Cloud (2005) Taiwan (Republic of China) Original title: Tian bian yi duo yun Directed by: Tsai Ming-liang Approximate runtime: 114 min Submitted by: Adam Cook

Thanks for your comments, Riss. Because you have been such a good sport all the way along, this has been a very pleasant event to participate in. I’ve seen a lot of films I never would have seen otherwise or even heard of before, so thanks to everyone who submitted a film. I completely understand that no one wants to ‘track down’ those submitting and not participating. Everyone has their reasons, so I will accept what we’ve got. Thanks, too, to Malkin for his timely intro thread to Good Riddance, which gave me some background on the film. One thing for sure – real life always trumps on-line life.

All the best to Riss for his forthcoming marriage. Very exciting times ahead! Good luck to Cat getting back into this – you have been missed.

It would be nice if some of the many thousands on this site just sitting back did maybe try a match or two. You might discover something you like. Who knows?

About Chahine’s The Land: I have a copy of the French DVD with French subtitles. The English fansubs you can find in SMz are sometimes out of sync and some lines length are inadequate. This is really unfortunate because the text is very important to follow the plot. Do you know if there is an improved version of the English subs out there (KG)?

It’s on KG and there don’t appear to be any comments about the subs being bad. I can download it later and take a look.

@Riss

WOO! i can’t wait to see which one it is. i honestly can’t even really guess.

Also, i am very excited on that IRELAND vs ROMANIA match. I love Nothing Personal—one of the best Irish films of the naughts.

Thanks, Risselada. Maybe I’m a bit fussy.

^Naw, that would bug the heck out me too!