Currently, I am finishing the book ‘Letters’ – composed of hundreds of letters written by Fancois Truffaut before his untimely and premature death.
I began thinking about all things New Wave and how Mr Truffaut had evolved as a filmmaker over his career. I then found myself asking the question: “What kind of films (if any) would he have made in today’s Cinematic Culture?”.
I am ambivalant about them to be honest. Some are just pointless and blatantly rubbish (anyone else thinking of the mega-blockbusters released summer 09?), yet, there are the exceptions to the rule that continue the story of a character or themes that deserve more time on our screens.
I read that a proposed ‘Eastern Promises’ sequel has been suggested – with Cronenberg, Mortensen and Steve Knight all involved.
Now, I loved the first ‘Eastern Promises’. For me it had authenticity and integrity and focused on a seldom seen criminal element.
I am really looking forward to this. How does everyone else feel?
Where else but ‘The Auteurs’ could I start a topic like this?
Abel Ferrara – one of the most interesting, inexplicable, and downright unpredictable filmmakers out there. I love him. I love his films. Strangely I do not care for much of his ouvre prior ‘King of New York’ but all works subsequent to 1989 warrant discussion, collection and multiple viewings. He really discovered his vision around this point and has continued to be one of my favourite filmmakers since.
Puzzlingly, he is largely ignored by the critics and (most annoyingly) distributors. I have to search his films out from all over the place.
Anyone else perplexed by this attitude in regards to Mr Ferrara? And what do we think of his works?
I’m starting this topic as I watched ‘Antichrist’ recently and it moved me in an emotional way like no film has for a while.
What I want to pose is the question: should a film like ‘Antichrist’ be justified for its existance by its maker?
This comes about as I watched the extras on my DVD and the one short docu extra about the film premiering at Cannes 09 featured the press conference from the event. A gentleman (didn’t really pay much attention to his name) from The Daily Mail (!) posed the same question to Lars. When Lars refused to answer the question the gentleman became quite abrasive in his insistance that his question be answered.
My stand on this is that no artist should have to justify his work. Full stop. If we didn’t have challenging, controversial and ambiguous films (and other art forms), wouldn’t the world be a dull place. We’d all end up at the mercy of the Michael Bay machine of culture evolution (anyone noticing my downright loathing for this man), and that would be a very sad development.
Yeah, I own both of those books. I think what I would like to see is a Ferrara on Ferrara edition in the Faber Directors series. I love those publications and own them all. For me they are the best books out there that deal with their chosen subject.
Have you seen his last 3 films? Mary, Go Go Tales and Chelsea on the Rocks?
I can only find Mary on DVD in Spain (apparently the french edition is out there somewhere) but the other two have yet to see the light of day as in the way of a general release…
Something to kick-tart the New Year. A short tantalising topic that should delight and frustrate in equal measure.
I’m interested in hearing, from you guys out there, which Filmmaker(s) are currently working at the top of their game at the moment? The person (or persons) you think are consistently delivering challenging, entertaining, quality pieces of work.
Do not preoccupy yourself with legendary status, nor temporary critical lionisation, just let your preferences spew forth. Writers, Directors, Actors, Producers, Filmmakers, anyone you like. Do not feel the need to justify your choices.
Mine (for what they are worth) are:
Michael Haneke
Nicolas Wingding Refn
Lars Von Trier
I’ll add more later, but these spring to mind as I am typing this.
Wow… this topic has sparked some passionate debate, with wildly contrasting opinions. Excellent result.
I’ve been pondering adding more filmmakers, so here we are:
Mike Leigh
Pedro Almodovar
Gasper Noe
And, I have to say Martin Scorsese! He may not be making the raw, humanistic cinema of the 70s (nor the masterpieces of Goodfellas and Casino), but he is undoubtedly working at the top of his skills.
Filmmakers that are coming through that interest me (one, maybe two good films showing lots of promise)…
Steve McQueen
Yorgos Lanthimos
Pablo Giorgelli
Simon Rumley (I know he’s been making films for over a decade, but ‘Red, White and Blue’ is something special)…
Come on, let’s be fair, besides Haneke, the Dardennes have been the most consistent filmmakers of the last 10 years!
And, by consistent, I do not mean predictable and boring, resting on their laurels and well-deserved award status! They have honed a collective vision that binds their cinema and gives it strength, depth and integrity.
I echo Mr Peadbody’s sentiments on this being a fun thread. But, let’s remember, preference and inclination are totally subjective, so it’s enjoyable just to see what filmmakers are connecting with a globally diverse audience.
Artist to the end, I enjoy even the most challenging and abstract of his works. He’s an innately complicated man, and even now, pushing 82, he still puts out works that demand the audience to use a little bit of intelligence when viewing them.
I haven’t seen ‘Film Socialisme’ yet, but will.
My thoughts are, has JLG marginalized himself too much though (during what has to be the twilight of his career), for his works to reach large global audiences? Are they too inaccessible for the cineastes? Or, ultimately, does Mr Godard not care?
Francois Truffaut - today? over 2 years ago
Currently, I am finishing the book ‘Letters’ – composed of hundreds of letters written by Fancois Truffaut before his untimely and premature death.
I began thinking about all things New Wave and how Mr Truffaut had evolved as a filmmaker over his career. I then found myself asking the question: “What kind of films (if any) would he have made in today’s Cinematic Culture?”.
Any thoughts good people of The Auteurs?
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Eastern Promises 2??? over 2 years ago
So… what do we think of sequels?
I am ambivalant about them to be honest. Some are just pointless and blatantly rubbish (anyone else thinking of the mega-blockbusters released summer 09?), yet, there are the exceptions to the rule that continue the story of a character or themes that deserve more time on our screens.
I read that a proposed ‘Eastern Promises’ sequel has been suggested – with Cronenberg, Mortensen and Steve Knight all involved.
Now, I loved the first ‘Eastern Promises’. For me it had authenticity and integrity and focused on a seldom seen criminal element.
I am really looking forward to this. How does everyone else feel?
Go to Comment
What is the worst movie ever (2000-2009) over 2 years ago
Absolutley ANYTHING made by Michael Bay! The man is an embarrassment to the art of filmmaking!
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Eastern Promises 2??? over 2 years ago
I agree with Den on the comment of Crash. That is truly a piece of challenging filmmaking.
It’s one of two films I have seen in my entire cinema going life where people walked out in outrage.
The other – Irreversible. But, that’s another story…
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Abel Ferrara - genius or degenerate? over 2 years ago
Where else but ‘The Auteurs’ could I start a topic like this?
Abel Ferrara – one of the most interesting, inexplicable, and downright unpredictable filmmakers out there. I love him. I love his films. Strangely I do not care for much of his ouvre prior ‘King of New York’ but all works subsequent to 1989 warrant discussion, collection and multiple viewings. He really discovered his vision around this point and has continued to be one of my favourite filmmakers since.
Puzzlingly, he is largely ignored by the critics and (most annoyingly) distributors. I have to search his films out from all over the place.
Anyone else perplexed by this attitude in regards to Mr Ferrara? And what do we think of his works?
Go to Comment
ANTICHRIST - should it be justified? over 2 years ago
I’m starting this topic as I watched ‘Antichrist’ recently and it moved me in an emotional way like no film has for a while.
What I want to pose is the question: should a film like ‘Antichrist’ be justified for its existance by its maker?
This comes about as I watched the extras on my DVD and the one short docu extra about the film premiering at Cannes 09 featured the press conference from the event. A gentleman (didn’t really pay much attention to his name) from The Daily Mail (!) posed the same question to Lars. When Lars refused to answer the question the gentleman became quite abrasive in his insistance that his question be answered.
My stand on this is that no artist should have to justify his work. Full stop. If we didn’t have challenging, controversial and ambiguous films (and other art forms), wouldn’t the world be a dull place. We’d all end up at the mercy of the Michael Bay machine of culture evolution (anyone noticing my downright loathing for this man), and that would be a very sad development.
Go to Comment
WHO IS / WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM ACTRESS EVER? over 2 years ago
Easy… easy… Emmanuelle Beart – simply beautiful. She was, is, and always will be a vision.
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Abel Ferrara - genius or degenerate? over 2 years ago
Hey Matt
Yeah, I own both of those books. I think what I would like to see is a Ferrara on Ferrara edition in the Faber Directors series. I love those publications and own them all. For me they are the best books out there that deal with their chosen subject.
Go to Comment
Abel Ferrara - genius or degenerate? over 2 years ago
Hey Matt
Thanks for the link. Makes good reading.
Have you seen his last 3 films? Mary, Go Go Tales and Chelsea on the Rocks?
I can only find Mary on DVD in Spain (apparently the french edition is out there somewhere) but the other two have yet to see the light of day as in the way of a general release…
Cheers
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NAME A DIRECTOR & HIS/HER "MUSE" over 2 years ago
Currently… Woody Allen and Scarlett Johansson…
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Who is working at the top of their skills at the moment? 5 months ago
Something to kick-tart the New Year. A short tantalising topic that should delight and frustrate in equal measure.
I’m interested in hearing, from you guys out there, which Filmmaker(s) are currently working at the top of their game at the moment? The person (or persons) you think are consistently delivering challenging, entertaining, quality pieces of work.
Do not preoccupy yourself with legendary status, nor temporary critical lionisation, just let your preferences spew forth. Writers, Directors, Actors, Producers, Filmmakers, anyone you like. Do not feel the need to justify your choices.
Mine (for what they are worth) are:
Michael Haneke
Nicolas Wingding Refn
Lars Von Trier
I’ll add more later, but these spring to mind as I am typing this.
Go to Comment
Who is working at the top of their skills at the moment? 5 months ago
Wow… this topic has sparked some passionate debate, with wildly contrasting opinions. Excellent result.
I’ve been pondering adding more filmmakers, so here we are:
Mike Leigh
Pedro Almodovar
Gasper Noe
And, I have to say Martin Scorsese! He may not be making the raw, humanistic cinema of the 70s (nor the masterpieces of Goodfellas and Casino), but he is undoubtedly working at the top of his skills.
Filmmakers that are coming through that interest me (one, maybe two good films showing lots of promise)…
Steve McQueen
Yorgos Lanthimos
Pablo Giorgelli
Simon Rumley (I know he’s been making films for over a decade, but ‘Red, White and Blue’ is something special)…
Let me think…
Go to Comment
Who is working at the top of their skills at the moment? 5 months ago
Two more from me…
Jacques Audiard
The Dardenne Brothers
Come on, let’s be fair, besides Haneke, the Dardennes have been the most consistent filmmakers of the last 10 years!
And, by consistent, I do not mean predictable and boring, resting on their laurels and well-deserved award status! They have honed a collective vision that binds their cinema and gives it strength, depth and integrity.
I echo Mr Peadbody’s sentiments on this being a fun thread. But, let’s remember, preference and inclination are totally subjective, so it’s enjoyable just to see what filmmakers are connecting with a globally diverse audience.
Let it run and run people…
Go to Comment
Jean Luc Godard - escoteric or still relevant? 4 months ago
I love Jean Luc Godard. There I said it.
Artist to the end, I enjoy even the most challenging and abstract of his works. He’s an innately complicated man, and even now, pushing 82, he still puts out works that demand the audience to use a little bit of intelligence when viewing them.
I haven’t seen ‘Film Socialisme’ yet, but will.
My thoughts are, has JLG marginalized himself too much though (during what has to be the twilight of his career), for his works to reach large global audiences? Are they too inaccessible for the cineastes? Or, ultimately, does Mr Godard not care?
Looking forward to your thoughts people.
Go to Comment