She is not the “greatest actor in the world” by a long shot. But I really respect and admire her work in terms of being to the forefront (mainstream), the independent/underground and forgotten cinema. She works so hard when doing her festivals too. Probably one of very few famous people to actually give a shit about film.
Are we going crazy with high-definition and 3D, and missing the point of cinema entirely?
The attention seems to be focused solely on image quality, rather than subject matter, story and any other real technique of filmmaking. It is a sad thing that people seem to want films to watch on their iPods and phones. More people want home cinema systems, to hide away and stop sharing the experience. Where are we going?
It won’t be long until there is a Spotify equivalent for film; where every film is available to watch online, legally. Mubi – for example – is one. But here’s what we shouldn’t forget: the power of the recommendation and the greatness of conversation.
In this great technical revolution (which, by the way, won’t last too long before it kills itself), don’t forget where the real films are. Those filmed with celluloid, telling stories that aren’t quick to cut to the next shallow image. Films which stay alive – not because they’re high-def – but because they’re high in intelligence and craft.
My question is this: Why have 3D when we can’t even understand what the last 100 odd years of cinema has been saying? Do I feel the themes of 2001: A Space Odyssey? You bet.
I like this debate. I think it’s healthy. I understand what you’re saying, but think that 3D isn’t in the hands of ‘artists’. I think I’d have a different attitude altogether if the whole 3D experience were more independent in nature, and not a huge mindless corporate machine. We need to have a balance somewhere and these strict conventions in place by the studios don’t help. In fact they just make the whole 3D thing more exclusive to rich ‘filmmakers’; as some sort of large, visual investment. I personally don’t enjoy seeing films made just for financial success.
The point I was trying to make with home cinema is that it’s okay to watch films at home, obviously. It’s just that when we stop sharing the experience. DVD and technology has improved many peoples film education. We can now get films from anywhere and not at the approval of authority. I understand your situation – being a film fan in Iran – but let me reassure you, the cinema in England isn’t too healthy either. Many people now rely on the internet and DVD to watch films; and rightly so. But we all know it shouldn’t be that way. It’s a sad place when our multiplexes close down the small indie cinema to show Harry Potter and Avatar 7 times a day. Where is our cinematic freedoms there?
I also agree with you that High-Definition is a fantastic evolution in image, I just hope that people also view the film with their minds and not just with their 5.1 separated ears and IMAXed eyes. You can’t go wrong with a good old Kubrick film either….
There are very few independent cinemas in the UK. For example there are none in my home city of Coventry. I think Birmingham has one and Nottingham has one. And obviously a few more in London and Bristol. But it is not as good as you may think.
There is a great Iranian filmmaker I like called Mohammad-Ali Talebi; in particular his films Kiseye Berendj (Bag of Rice) and Chakmeh (The Boot). Have you seen them? I am not sure how easy it is to view his films however.
Oh and yeah, I understand what you guys are saying about 3D. Give it time.
I like your reply Jesse. A reply Antonioni would relate to. I understand that my opinions may seem to be ‘regressive’, as A. Leonard puts it, but I feel we are trying to achieve too many technical achievements too soon. As Keyser Soze writes about the Chinese remaking classic films in 3D, I doubt many people still to this day understand what 2001: A Space Odyssey is about. In fact, I believe that remaking it into 3D will be the perfect reflection of the original point of the film. We simply feel the need to get bigger and better, without adapting mentally.
We are still in the early days of cinema; it is still a very young medium. It saddens me to think people aren’t watching The Bicycle Thieves or Last Year in Marienbad unless they’re sprinkled with this Blu-Ray magic. I love seeing the grain and dirt. Maybe it’s just my own personal tastes. I just think it reflects a shallow impression of the isolated times we live in. We may advance in many ways digitally, but we’ll still always live a lonely life.
What do you think of Tilda Swinton? about 2 years ago
She’s alright I suppose…
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What do you think of Tilda Swinton? about 2 years ago
She is not the “greatest actor in the world” by a long shot. But I really respect and admire her work in terms of being to the forefront (mainstream), the independent/underground and forgotten cinema. She works so hard when doing her festivals too. Probably one of very few famous people to actually give a shit about film.
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What do you think of Tilda Swinton? about 2 years ago
She is a really nice woman. Take it from someone who has spent 2 weeks in a mobile cinema with her!
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HOW TO PRONOUCE 'MUBI' about 2 years ago
I have no idea why the sudden change of name. I really liked ‘The Auteurs’ as that also gave a clear direction of the films listed.
Now it’s ‘MUBI’.
One question: does it rhyme with ‘Movie’ or with ‘Dubai’? I am guessing the first – but then why not write ‘MUBY’? Is that just too similar to ‘Moby’?
Does anyone know why the change?
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HOW TO PRONOUCE 'MUBI' about 2 years ago
Maybe my type-o in ‘Pronounce’ will start another topic!
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HOW TO PRONOUCE 'MUBI' about 2 years ago
It’s always Americans who say ‘British’ accent. There’s no such thing!
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ANTI-HIGH-DEF almost 2 years ago
Are we going crazy with high-definition and 3D, and missing the point of cinema entirely?
The attention seems to be focused solely on image quality, rather than subject matter, story and any other real technique of filmmaking. It is a sad thing that people seem to want films to watch on their iPods and phones. More people want home cinema systems, to hide away and stop sharing the experience. Where are we going?
It won’t be long until there is a Spotify equivalent for film; where every film is available to watch online, legally. Mubi – for example – is one. But here’s what we shouldn’t forget: the power of the recommendation and the greatness of conversation.
In this great technical revolution (which, by the way, won’t last too long before it kills itself), don’t forget where the real films are. Those filmed with celluloid, telling stories that aren’t quick to cut to the next shallow image. Films which stay alive – not because they’re high-def – but because they’re high in intelligence and craft.
My question is this: Why have 3D when we can’t even understand what the last 100 odd years of cinema has been saying? Do I feel the themes of 2001: A Space Odyssey? You bet.
Go to Comment
ANTI-HIGH-DEF almost 2 years ago
I like this debate. I think it’s healthy. I understand what you’re saying, but think that 3D isn’t in the hands of ‘artists’. I think I’d have a different attitude altogether if the whole 3D experience were more independent in nature, and not a huge mindless corporate machine. We need to have a balance somewhere and these strict conventions in place by the studios don’t help. In fact they just make the whole 3D thing more exclusive to rich ‘filmmakers’; as some sort of large, visual investment. I personally don’t enjoy seeing films made just for financial success.
The point I was trying to make with home cinema is that it’s okay to watch films at home, obviously. It’s just that when we stop sharing the experience. DVD and technology has improved many peoples film education. We can now get films from anywhere and not at the approval of authority. I understand your situation – being a film fan in Iran – but let me reassure you, the cinema in England isn’t too healthy either. Many people now rely on the internet and DVD to watch films; and rightly so. But we all know it shouldn’t be that way. It’s a sad place when our multiplexes close down the small indie cinema to show Harry Potter and Avatar 7 times a day. Where is our cinematic freedoms there?
I also agree with you that High-Definition is a fantastic evolution in image, I just hope that people also view the film with their minds and not just with their 5.1 separated ears and IMAXed eyes. You can’t go wrong with a good old Kubrick film either….
Thanks for the link Matt, I shall click it now!
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ANTI-HIGH-DEF almost 2 years ago
There are very few independent cinemas in the UK. For example there are none in my home city of Coventry. I think Birmingham has one and Nottingham has one. And obviously a few more in London and Bristol. But it is not as good as you may think.
There is a great Iranian filmmaker I like called Mohammad-Ali Talebi; in particular his films Kiseye Berendj (Bag of Rice) and Chakmeh (The Boot). Have you seen them? I am not sure how easy it is to view his films however.
Oh and yeah, I understand what you guys are saying about 3D. Give it time.
Go to Comment
ANTI-HIGH-DEF almost 2 years ago
I like your reply Jesse. A reply Antonioni would relate to. I understand that my opinions may seem to be ‘regressive’, as A. Leonard puts it, but I feel we are trying to achieve too many technical achievements too soon. As Keyser Soze writes about the Chinese remaking classic films in 3D, I doubt many people still to this day understand what 2001: A Space Odyssey is about. In fact, I believe that remaking it into 3D will be the perfect reflection of the original point of the film. We simply feel the need to get bigger and better, without adapting mentally.
We are still in the early days of cinema; it is still a very young medium. It saddens me to think people aren’t watching The Bicycle Thieves or Last Year in Marienbad unless they’re sprinkled with this Blu-Ray magic. I love seeing the grain and dirt. Maybe it’s just my own personal tastes. I just think it reflects a shallow impression of the isolated times we live in. We may advance in many ways digitally, but we’ll still always live a lonely life.
Go to Comment
ANTI-HIGH-DEF almost 2 years ago
Well then if people are idiots I guess I’ll just shut up and stop making films…
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