Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) 0 – Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction) 1
I PLEAD WITH YOU FRIENDS, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE A MISTAKE WITH THIS VOTE!!!!
Reconstruction was such an amazing discovery for me here. The gap in my enjoyment of these films is larger than any pairing in the cup so far. I will be sad if Reconstruction does not go on to win.
What a delightful piece of satirical dark comedy. Almost a smaller scale Dr. Strangelove for me. The characters are all so enjoyable. I hate it when there are throwaway characters in a film with a single purpose (which I feel like I saw a lot of in Vivre Sa Vie). Reading the premise before watching the film, I knew the filmmakers had a wonderful idea, the fear was that it would be executed poorly. Luckily that was not the case. The idea of having two guys recreate their drunken brawl for a an educational film about the dangers of alcohol as retribution for their crime is just precious. Whoever thinks this would be a good idea is insane, but it’s hilarious because we know full well from seeing horrible educational films before that government and advocacy groups attempt these kinds of horrible ideas all the time. Having everyone getting into fights who aren’t even supposed to. And finally forcing people to drink and fight again because the idea behind the film is lost, and the obsession with just finishing the film has taken over is just fantastic. Oh and the girl in the bikini is pretty cute too.
I love the fact that the film starts with multiple takes of the fight scene made for the movie we are about to be watching, when putting together fight scenes for a movie is exactly the premise of the movie we are watching. We only realize what we were watching at the beginning later in the film. And we realize it right before the scene arrives. I thought all of the components of the film were great as well. Acting, composition, rhythm, and editing. It all worked for the intended satirical effect.
I saw Vivre Sa Vie on the Criterion Collection DVD and got a better understanding of what it was all about from watching the special feature with film critic Jean Narboni. However understanding it better did not give me more of an appreciation. Godard seemed to have multiple goals here. One is just presenting a simple portraiture of a woman. Well I did not find the woman that interesting or engaging, so that part didn’t do it for me. The next goal seemed to be presenting a discussion of different ideas about philosophy, particularly about the nature of language in who we are. How do we express ourselves through language. How does language dictate what we do and how we think. These are interesting ideas, but I felt like the discussion was too broad and shallow and needed a more engaging story behind it. Another goal of Godard’s seemed to be how many different ways he could film a conversation. I’ll admit he came up with some interesting compositions and techniques which I found amusing, but doing something just for the sake of being different is not enough to make me really love a movie. Jean Narboni may have had more to say but I was distracted by the fact that at one point he lit a cigarette, took one puff, and then never smoked it again while talking. He held and ashed it until it was almost gone though.
Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) — 0 vs Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction) — 1
Maybe I’m just not a Godard guy. I keep expecting to be blown away but it hasn’t happened yet. That being said, I like this film a whole bunch, and it really made me want to seek out The Passion of Joan of Arc. The central performance is great and it’s interestingly filmed, but I found the ending to be a little silly.
The Pintilie film, on the other hand, was fun through and through, working as effectively as a social commentary as it did as a commentary on the film-making process. I was enthralled by it and want to see it again.
An easy vote for me.
“I love the fact that the film starts with multiple takes of the fight scene made for the movie we are about to be watching, when putting together fight scenes for a movie is exactly the premise of the movie we are watching. We only realize what we were watching at the beginning later in the film. And we realize it right before the scene arrives. I thought all of the components of the film were great as well. Acting, composition, rhythm, and editing. It all worked for the intended satirical effect.”
quite so Risselada, it has to be known that Pintilie was thoroughly criticizing the social hypocrisy of his co-citizens, something very common in many corrupt-government countries throughout the years and his “reconstruction” of a common fight reflects the frisky madness of youth (it’s also notable that the high authorities of the film are all underlined pawns inside the state’s deformed nature)
Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) – 1 – Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction) – 0
One of my very favorite Godard films against a really mediocre film in my opinion. Uninteresting premise and characters and the ending couldn’t have been more contrived. Could care less about the political implications as well.
Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) – 1 / Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction) – 0
Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) vs Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction)
0 – 1
not exactly an easy vote but what distinguishes these two films is their free-style mood. while it’s definitely not my favorite Godard by a short distance, the tablets of a girl-next-door’s life are mingled with Parisian affair (on Godard’s behalf that is) and an elaborate tension between sexes, street-smarts and intelligentsia. (the faux one)
i’d still prefer Hail Mary and Alphaville though.
Reconstruction on the other hand is one of the top masterpieces of this Directors’ Cup so far made by a legendary Romanian, Lucian Pintilie whose work is criminally under-seen. one of the delightful insignias of extravaganza and perplexed youngsters, this might seem too drifting to some but open your minds you’ll discover a magnificent diamond which up against Vivre Sa Vie is a defiant work of art.
“Uninteresting premise and characters and the ending couldn’t have been more contrived.”
WHAT?? WHAT?? WHAT???!!!
Well I guess we all have to be interested in different things……
Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) – 1 VS Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction) – 0
thanks to this cup, i found some interesting ‘new’ films, and reconstruction is one of the best from them, very solid work, but i still prefer vivre sa vie, it’s one of my fave godard, it could have gone either way if the manager choose alphaville for this round
go Pintilie, you can do this!
Come on cheering section!
Chewin tobacco!
Chewin tobacco!
Spit on the wall!
Reconstruction
Is the best of em all!
“Chewin tobacco!
Chewin tobacco!
Spit on the wall!
Reconstruction
Is the best of em all!"
It isn’t even the best film called Reconstruction
(or more accurately a title translated as Reconstruction.)
I haven’t seen the Angelopolous one yet. I have seen the (German?) one from last year’s Cup.
the Danish one, hehehe ;)
Boe, Angelopoulos, Pintilie, so many Reconstructions…
but only one life to live?
i knew it wasn’t German. I should have just said European. or FOREIGN.
Vivre Sa Vie 0 – Reconstruction 1
My favourite find from this cup. And I won’t be a happy bunny if this one goes out. Reconstruction is beautifully filmed, cinema verite cinematography and great sound design: a real cinematic masterpiece. I want to see more by Pinitlie and by Rumanian directors before the big boom in the 2000’s. Easily the best film I have seen from this country so far……… What is it about films called Reconstruction, this one, the Greek one by Angelopoulos, and the Danish one by Boe are all amazing, altough it can be a bit confusing.
Love Godard,but really don’t care for Vivre Sa Vie. On first viewing I fell asleep, the second viewing I put some matchsticks in my eye socket to stop myself falling asleep! Unlike Rajav I would welcome Alphaville in a future round. Its very misunderstood. If Godard does get through lets be daring and see some Dziga-Vertov group stuff.
Vivre sa vie 1 – Reconstruction 0
4—4
Vivre sa vie 1 — Reconstruction 0
Vivre sa vie is one of my favorite films by Godard. Karina’s performance is excellent and I am a big fan of the ending. Reconstruction is very interesting and quite a unique story, but I wasn’t taken aback by any particular performances, nor did I find myself really connected with any of the characters during the film. That being said, I also enjoyed the end of Reconstruction, probably my favorite part of the film.
Reconstruction was not bad, just not the cup of tea I would choose if Vivre sa vie was also offered.
we’re still in the beginning. whoever wins here will be facing either Ferrara or Maddin.
I am able to vote after all (emailed Cecil that I might be out but I finished early and I dont think he has listed my vote yet)
Jean-Luc Godard Vivre sa vie (1)vs Lucian Pintilie Reconstruction (0)
one of Godard’s best against a movie that, aside from some acting work and a wonderful subway scene, I had no connection to.
Jean-Luc Goddard(Vivre Sa Vie) 1 – Lucian Pintile(Recontruction) 0
Vivre Sa Vie is one of my favorite Goddard films(consider that I love Goddard too much).I find it too be,altough it also has the usual philosophical elements,the games that Goddard is always playing with language and with the medium itself,one of his most simple,and therefore human and moving films.Karina is in top form in this one,giving maybe her finest performance.
Recontruction was another great discovery for me.Although at first I found a little odd(maybe that was Pentile’s intention of course),and I was ready for another self-indulgent,“difficult too understand”,typical art-house film,fortunately I was very wrong.Reconstruction is indeed a great,moving film,with well-developed characters,and works great as social criticism.The ending,although too dark and pessimistic,was perfect.
To sum up,I really liked Reconstruction,and I believe that it’s equal to Vivre Sa Vie.But my personal taste is leaning towards Goddard,and so my vote is going to him.Nevertheless,I would like it if Pintile makes it to the next round,in order to discover more great,obscure films by him.
What is it with this Directors’ Cup? It is starting to be full of my second favourites. The first match up starts off with my second favourite Hungarian film director called Zoltan, my second favourite Shimizu fell to my second favourite German director, and now my second favorite Reconstruction, and second favourite Romanian film faces off against my second favourite Godard. And how long did the decision take? Seconds.
Vivre sa vie 0 Reconstruction 1
7—5
it will be Godard vs Kobayashi in round 3…. [i come from the future] and a new law will be passed in the year 2012 requiring everyone to wear a snuggie at all times
Sekzee: Can you get me next week’s lottery numbers while you’re at it?
S, certainly ill send you a pm
I enjoy cinema verite, but that was really all Reconstruction had going for it for me and I’d still choose Raoul Coutard’s amazing cinematography over the best cinema verite cinematography any day.
what’s a snuggie?
Rich Uncle Skeleton
THE DIRECTORS’ CUP 2010 : ROUND 1, MATCH 8 VOTING
New participants are most welcome and allowed to vote in the match-ups
Match 7, Andrzej Wajda vs František Vláčil, will remain open for voting until 9 pm BST (8pm GMT) on Wednesday 9th June and can be voted on HERE
On this thread voting will be on Match 8, Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) vs Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction). The other matches in Round 1 will each be getting their own threads.
The extended voting period for this match lasts until 9 pm BST (8pm GMT) on Thursday 10th June, 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 at approximately 9 pm BST (8pm GMT) on Wednesday 9th June.
The current match-ups can be found on: http://www.lifeasfiction.com/auteurs/bracketwithfilms.html
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. Team managers are not allowed to vote on matches their own team 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 you´re going to vote for on this thread is
Jean-Luc Godard (Vivre sa vie) vs Lucian Pintilie (Reconstruction)
If you have yet to see Reconstruction it is available to watch HERE