DIRECTORS’ CUP 2011 VOTING, ROUND 2, MATCH 12: Jafar Panahi (The Circle) vs. Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story)
A great double feature on the troubles women face in two very different cultures, and (no hyperbole) the hardest decision of the Cup for me so far. This is my first encounter with both films, and I give them both 5 stars.
But in the end, I find Haynes’s film more unique and inventive. I got won over by its pastiche, pleasantly untethered from having to stick with one formal approach, and it’s stayed with me longer.
Circle 0 – Superstar 1
The Circle 0 – Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story 1
Long ago, and oh so far away …
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) 1 — Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) 0
I mentioned my preference in the Voting Secrets thread, but to reiterate, I find Superstar’s unique approach interesting and surprisingly effective, but it’s not quite in the same class as The Circle, a masterpiece. Panahi’s ability to intimately capture the travails of his protagonists using a documentary style realism while employing a more formal structure to suggest a greater, pervasive reality constantly undermining their lives and dreams is astonishing.
RUS says:
Jafar Panahi (The Circle): 1 —vs— Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story): 0
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) 1 — Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) 0
This time, I managed to get through Superstar. It wasn’t as bad as I had made it out to be the other times I tried to watch it. It was actually kind of like a fun art project. Of course, it was no match for Panahi’s masterpiece. From the films that I have seen from both directors (all of Panahi’s, 4 of Haynes’), I wouldn’t vote for any Haynes film over any Panahi film, even though I am quite fond of Haynes’ work.
I would just like to bring up a question, though. As most of you know, this film was essentially banned after Richard Carpenter sued (or whatever it was that he did). It seems that the reason was that he felt that it was disrespectful to his sister’s memory. I can absolutely understand that, as most of us would have the same reaction if we found out an all-doll version of a deceased family member is being made. However, do you think that the film was disrespectful or exploitative in any way? In the long run, do you think that Richard’s decision was a correct decision?
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) 1 vs. Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) 0
wee-hoo. it seems more gawping at suffering women is inescapable in this match. but panahi makes me forget my irritation.
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) 1 Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) 0
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) 1 Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) 0
Tough one but The Circle is a better film. My first Panahi, I skipped round 1, and he has a very interesting style! I’m glad I took the time to watch these two films.
Anyone know which of Panahi’s films are on dvd?
2-6 Panahi
The Circle 1 Karen Carpenter Story 0
The Circle 1 – Karen Carpenter Story 0
Karen Carpenter story is a great film, with a very inventive approach, but it’s up against a film few could compete with. Both in terms of it’s content and it’s structure, the way it switches between main characters at unforeshadowed moments.
@Shakha
I understand Richard Carpenter being upset, but there’s no excuse to ban a film just because a person is upset about it. Imagine if that got taken up as a precedent: Every time a person is bothered by somebody’s portrayal in a film, they make a phone call and it gets banned. Suddenly your free speech is limited to things that bother people who can’t afford to sue.
So, no, I don’t blame Richard Carpenter. I blame the people who let him get his way.
@Patapon
I know for a fact The Circle is on DVD, because last week I walked into a store and bought it.
The Circle (1) – Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (0)
Ooh, it looks like we’re headed for an ‘All 4 directors are 1-1’ situation in this group. If these major leads both hold, it will be:
Panahi and Mekas win: Mekas advances
Panahi and Haynes win: Panahi advances
Ghatak and Haynes win: Haynes advances
Ghatak and Mekas win: Ghatak advances
Is there a working link for The Circle? Can someone PM it to me?
Man, I have it uploaded but I can’t seem to get the subs right. I had them hardcoded but when I broke the file into 12 minute chunks they only appeared on the first chunk. I’m more than happy to finish this process if anyone can lend a little advice.
I would like to point out that The Circle is actually playing on MUBI in most of the world…not the US or Canada, sadly, but in Europe/the UK.
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) – 1 vs. Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) – 0
Superstar is a great film. I might say that it’s probably one of the most inventive films ever made. But, of course, I’ll will always side with the politics of Panahi. What a perfect film The Circle is.
The Circle 1 Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story 0
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) – 1 vs. Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) – 0
2-12 Panahi
The Circle – 1 vs. Superstar – 0
Superstar was a surprise but not up to Panahi.
The Circle (1) // Superstar (0)
The Circle stands along this abridged list of rare films that keep you breathless and completely revolted at the end of it’s running time, and it’s perhaps thanks to the power of it’s subject and the artistry of the message delivering that made a difference .. Which is incomparable with the forgettable, somewhat trite Superstar.
Superstar (1) vs The Circle (0)
Superstar is not entirely sucessful but the premise has enough merit to hold interest.
The Circle, far too brief glimpses into problems, everything feels incomplete and some stories are far more powerful than others. One is better off reading Necessary Targets.
Poor Jafar Panahi (and manager HoL)… I love both films in competition from him, but I still have to go with the competition. ‘Superstar’ is one of my all-time favorites, and one of the best examinations of celebrity ever.
The Circle – 0, Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story – 1
love both, voting for the one got lesser votes
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) – 0 vs. Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) – 1
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) – 1 vs. Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) – 0
Both are very good, but my vote has to go for Happy Panahi
Jafar Panahi (The Circle) 1 – Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story) 0
Haynes’s presentation of Superstar is inimitable, but Panahi’s masterful film easily wins my vote.
The Circle-0, Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story-1
The Circle 1 Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story 0
My conservative side triumphs.
House of Leaves
The extended voting period for this match lasts until 7:00 pm BST (6:00 pm GMT) on Friday, June 17, which means that users will have over 48 hours in order to publish their votes. The world map which lists all current time zones can be found on www.worldtimezone.com, so that everyone can be up to date about how much time is left.
After the voting period is over the votes will be counted and the results published. The next match will begin before 7pm BST (6pm GMT) on Thursday, June 16.
Each user can vote on any match as long as he/she has watched both films that are lined-up against each other. An explanation for the preference in each case would be greatly appreciated. Managers are not allowed to vote on matches that their director participates in. The voting should be handled like this:
Film A 1 (or 0) – Film B 0 (or 1)
Please mark the winning film/score in large or heavy print.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT NAME BOTH FILMS IN YOUR POST YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED
The match (managers in parentheses) you´re going to vote for on this thread is:
Jafar Panahi (House of Leaves) The Circle vs. Todd Haynes (Stefan) Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story
If you have not seen these films and are not able to access them on your own then pm me and I may be able to give you access to the streaming links.