I haven't posted in a long time mainly because I have been working on my other blog which will be a catalogue of all the films referenced throughout the seven seasons of Gilmore Girls. It is rather a large project but it will be worth it once it's done. Even if nobody else uses the list and even if I miss some references it will feel like an achievent in listmaking. I am not opening the blog up generally to readers until I get further along but it will be at Gilmore Girls Movies.
Otherwise I've been thinking a lot about film choice and how to make lists of films to see. I think sites like All Consuming are nice for recording what you see and Lists of Bests for what you may want to. But these still require a decision making process behind them. I spent the summer watching a variety of films and I found that I sometimes gained the most pleasure from films seen unintentionally or that were recommended by others. I think this idiosyncratic approach may be worth pursuing so I have developed some ideas for lists of films to see. Like 26 Films by directors whose initials are different letters of the alphabet, or film titles that make up a daily menu of foods. I'm going to put some to work on at my Lists of Bests and we'll see if I get more wide-ranging film enjoyment.
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Lifechanging Films
The Independent has a piece today with celebrities nominating the movies that changed their life. The results are quite interesting, especially Ali Smith who chooses Celine and Julie Go Boating and explains the effect it had on her writing. Yes I am biased because she chose my favourite film, but she also shows how meaningful it is in a very specific and personal way which most of the respondents did not. Gordon Brown claims his was The Chariots of Fire "because it's all about the potential of young people being realised", which is possibly the most political statement he could make. Despite that and some of the other banal comments I think it is really valuable to acknowledge the importance that particular films hold for us both personally and culturally. Which is rather the point of Film Club asking the questions as it functions to show films to children and encourage them to embrace film. This is one of many things happening at the moment to raise the profile of film as a valid cultural and educational medium and is part of a new FILM: 21st Century Literacy strategy which is really good news for culture and education in the UK.
In personal terms I am not sure that I can think of a particular single film that changed my life, not in the same meaning anyhow. My going to see Face by Antonia Bird changed my life in that it renewed a friendship, which led to me getting a job at the cinema, which resulted in my meeting my partner through a colleague there. But the content of the film didn't do this. However, there are so many films that can be seen as important in influencing who I am and how I view the world. I'm going to have to think about this further...
Saturday, 2 May 2009
April's Reviews
I read a lot of good film reviews last month and wanted to share some of my favourites. First there is Richard Herring who's annoyance at the sexism in The Boat That Rocked is detailed in a really funny way.
Secondly, Latoya Peterson's review of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency at Racialicious. I have read several dismissive reviews by middle class white women concerned the series is patronising and this is a refreshing change. Peterson doesn't ignore the politics (she has previously posted about ethnic characters written by white authors) but allows the series to be judged by itself as well. The comments too are well worth reading.
Next is Tiger Beatdown and a fascinating review of Dollhouse. The series hasn't been shown in the UK yet but I am intrigued by Sady's analysis of the way consent issues are pondered in the series. Also check out her piece on Twin Peaks, in fact all her writing is good.
Secondly, Latoya Peterson's review of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency at Racialicious. I have read several dismissive reviews by middle class white women concerned the series is patronising and this is a refreshing change. Peterson doesn't ignore the politics (she has previously posted about ethnic characters written by white authors) but allows the series to be judged by itself as well. The comments too are well worth reading.
Next is Tiger Beatdown and a fascinating review of Dollhouse. The series hasn't been shown in the UK yet but I am intrigued by Sady's analysis of the way consent issues are pondered in the series. Also check out her piece on Twin Peaks, in fact all her writing is good.
Friday, 24 April 2009
East End Film Festival
The East End Film Festival runs until 30th April and aims to raise the profile of London's East End as well as inform and inspire filmmakers and audiences across London and beyond. There are lots of interesting looking films and events but I am particularly drawn to Lucy Izzard's animated short film Tea Total which is being shown in a Tea bar. It's not often that my loves of tea and film are combined, and this looks ace. Tea Total is being shown throughout the festival and more details and full listings can be found on the East End Film Festival website.
In the Guardian Iain Sinclair writes about the mythology of the East End in cinema. However, it is not made clear what area is considered to be East End, I was always told you were there as long as you could hear the sound of the Bow bells. Perhaps it isn't crucial to be precise, especially when the heritage of the East End in film is so strong.
In the Guardian Iain Sinclair writes about the mythology of the East End in cinema. However, it is not made clear what area is considered to be East End, I was always told you were there as long as you could hear the sound of the Bow bells. Perhaps it isn't crucial to be precise, especially when the heritage of the East End in film is so strong.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Observe and Report
Observe and Report is released in the UK next week and there has been a great deal of discussion about its rape scene. Bitch Flicks have helpfully compiled a list of the best and worst writing on the film here.
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Defining Female Friendly Film: The Bechdel Test
There are many problems in trying to classify film as either feminist, female friendly, misogynist or whatever. What I aim to do in this series is to examine some strategies and policies that feminists across the blogosphere have devised for making these decisions. The first one I’ll be looking at is what we’ll call the Bechdel Test but that has existed under several names. This originates from the comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For and has been referenced by many film viewers since.
Here is a link to The Bechdel Test
The best part about this approach is that it encourages an analysis of the gender make up of films’ main characters from the beginning. This is especially useful in challenging the male-as-default characterisations. There is an issue in that the Test can only be used for more mainstream narrative films and that you need to know a decent amount of information about the film before you begin. However, I’m all for researching films before viewing so I guess the issues I have with it are elsewhere.
Firstly, feminist avant garde films generally don’t pass the test. While this is ok to a degree because it is being used to examine mainstream cinema it doesn’t widen the experience of the viewer by omitting film that is told visually rather than by dialogue.
Secondly, there are some feminist films that focus on one character and their experiences. I’m trying hard for example to remember whether Orlando had any conversations with other women. I believe it is just monologue or with men. This example also highlights the problem with gender binaries, but again this isn’t an issue central to popular cinema. How is gender understood though in this case, as the gender of the character or the actor? These aren’t always the same.
My third issue is that besides not talking about men the women can talk about anything. This lets several women hating films through the net such as What Women Want where women have conversations about lipstick. But as it is obvious that what the Test is really looking for is an intelligent conversation this perhaps isn’t a big issue.
In general I like the Bechdel test. It makes the lack of female protagonists in mainstream cinema more visible and encourages critical film viewing. However for watching diverse films, silent cinema, or art cinema for example, a different, more complex set of criteria will need to be used.
Here is a link to The Bechdel Test
The best part about this approach is that it encourages an analysis of the gender make up of films’ main characters from the beginning. This is especially useful in challenging the male-as-default characterisations. There is an issue in that the Test can only be used for more mainstream narrative films and that you need to know a decent amount of information about the film before you begin. However, I’m all for researching films before viewing so I guess the issues I have with it are elsewhere.
Firstly, feminist avant garde films generally don’t pass the test. While this is ok to a degree because it is being used to examine mainstream cinema it doesn’t widen the experience of the viewer by omitting film that is told visually rather than by dialogue.
Secondly, there are some feminist films that focus on one character and their experiences. I’m trying hard for example to remember whether Orlando had any conversations with other women. I believe it is just monologue or with men. This example also highlights the problem with gender binaries, but again this isn’t an issue central to popular cinema. How is gender understood though in this case, as the gender of the character or the actor? These aren’t always the same.
My third issue is that besides not talking about men the women can talk about anything. This lets several women hating films through the net such as What Women Want where women have conversations about lipstick. But as it is obvious that what the Test is really looking for is an intelligent conversation this perhaps isn’t a big issue.
In general I like the Bechdel test. It makes the lack of female protagonists in mainstream cinema more visible and encourages critical film viewing. However for watching diverse films, silent cinema, or art cinema for example, a different, more complex set of criteria will need to be used.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Scholarships to Study Film in the USA
The Fulbright Commission is offering the US dollar equivalent of £20,000 to study a Master's degree in Film Directing, Screenplay, Production, Cinematography, Scoring/Composition or Film Business. The award is open to UK citizens from an under-represented background and women are included in this group which is excellent news. It would be great if this contributes to a more diverse British film industry as participants are expected to "give back" to their home country upon completion of the course. Information on the criteria and how to apply can be found from Skillset.
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