Reflection on PBS American Cinema 10 0f 10 Edge of Hollywood

New Hollywood and Independent Film Making

               Hi there guys! If you would notice this article was awkwardly place here in my blog for this is a follow up post on our readings about the said era of film making back on Sept 3. check this. During this day we weren't able to finish the whole documentary but what I learn is that during that time directors wanted their movies to more personal and related to the audience. The studios at that time were on the market for directors who would catch the taste of the movie going public. Sam Raimi, writer and director describe the era as the "lifeblood of Hollywood" and the directors are "setting the trends and wildest ideas". 

scene from the movie crooklyn by Spike Lee picture from: http://madamenoire.com/tag/zelda-harris/

            One I remembered discuss in the documentary is the rise of black movies with the notable director Spike Lee (I got his name when I goggled the picture above because the title of the movie is what retained on my mind.).  It is said that it is unusual yet covered a whole new set of audience which of course the black Americans. :) I learned that the movie is about the way of living of the black Americans in Brooklyn at that time. Again, I see that the directors are making way to create a movement by using film as their mouth piece as to what has been thoroughly discuss to us during the semester in dealing with the things about the fall of the studio system. Again, it is a truth the directors are on their way to create movies that they feel would matter by observing to the reality of what is happening in the world. 

            How I wish that I can share more about the documentary but I want to be honest with you because this is what only retained/understand on my mind. Feel free to get copies of the documentary and ad more information below at the comment box.          

Reflection on "Woman's Body Power" in Philippine Sex Melodramas by Jamal Ashley Abbas

                The portrayal of reality become the great influence of the reality itself.  

                 I was in a local food chain for lunch when I decide to read the article. With its title I bet you already know how I read it in a public place. But don't get me wrong the article is full of information and explanation about the factors behind the genre Philippine Sex Melodramas. I learned that just like today, in the year 1960's and so on, the Philippine cinema are greatly influence by Hollywood just like how the Political scene in the Philippines is influence by the US. 

               During those times a lot of movement arise according to the article, like the hippie movement with tag line make love, not war and feminist movement. All fighting for equality and respect. Another one is he fight against censorship against the film. However, with all those interesting stuff the article mainly focuses on explaining the factors about the Philippine sex melodrama.

hippie movement picture from: http://www.mortaljourney.com/2011/03/1960-trends/hippie-counter-culture-movement

               The article use three things: (1) Mulvey's male gaze (to what I understand to the article and the discussion the process of a male looking at a woman creates thoughts of desire and this explains the reason behind strip tease) ; (2) Weber's three dimensions of difference - class, status, and power (I learned that these are the factors use for diversity, to my understanding, the factor that separates the privilege to the oppressed); (3)Michael Foucault's "technologies of the self" concept (I actually fail to understand this as I was reading it, so class discussion come in handy. The technologies of the self is the act of a person or a way he/she finds or develop in order to build up himself or as to the article say to be seen, to be notice).

                I just heard it whenever adults are talking, or they would tell us, she used to be a 'bold star' those who became successful film stars of today and the stories of few former 'bomba stars' who end up to be poor. To my understanding the 'Bomba films' era start on the death of star and studio system. It was said that the former love triangles were replace of showing of body, introducing of mistresses and sex workers. Given the concept of male gaze and dimensions of difference the people having desires in them would really look and fantasize about the films. As it was said in the article the "men are fed with 10 sex scenes" in a movie. 

feminist movement in the Philippines picture from: http://www.justassociates.org/en/blog/movement-builders-blood-sweat-and-tears

              Yes, this is the real world. During that time a lot of people entered to relationship prematurely and became pregnant. A lot of smart movies shown this reality in the good way. It just saddens me that I came to know the roots of the present perception of beauty nowadays. I grew up in a word where it is hard to see yourself as beautiful without showing skin. As I learn things throughout the semester, particularly the feminist where women fought for equality by using their sexuality. In the article, it has been discussed that the use of the body as an object of desire to weaken the rich people or the dominant sex. What it used to be a portrayal of reality became the wider influence of the present reality. I am just a student right now, I may fully argue my point. I respect the film industry though, very much respect. I just pray that like what my professor said film practitioners should really study in film school, wider their sense and that more directors and writers would be the one who would care for the people. 

           

A Day in Mowelfund Museum

 

                        Hello to my dear readers! I am so back. After about two weeks hiatus here I am sharing to our the things that I'm learning from our cinema class. How are you then? Today I am giving a photo blog! For the first time I wouldn't have a hard time looking for the right citation because I took the pi urges by myself! Hope you would enjoy this post and feel free to tell your comments on how can I better improve in writing and taking pictures.

Left is Ms. Boots Anson Roa giving a talk; upper right picture of
Erap and Fpj which is the first to see as you enter the hall and lower left
FEU Ab in Mass Communication students prepare for the tour. 

                  I arrive just in time. I was running late and still clueless how to get there I use my Dora the explorer technique and ask people for diretions. Just a short tricycle ride or short walk (if already familiar with the route) from lrt betty go belmonte station, I arrive there with welcoming guards and minutes before the tour starts. Fortunately the Mowelfund President and respected actress Ms.Boots Anson Roa. She shares the perks of being the one in front of the camera  and how people behind the camera would do mostly the hard work can get small and fast credits at the end of every movie.

                    Good things - we have our professor with us and unlike other museums we are allowed to use camera with flash! The place is a bit dark, although some pictures end up to be not that good still flash is very helpful. :) My weirdness comes as we start the tour, I enjoyed the time taking photographs and appreciate the pictures. I actually waited my batch mates be gone and be the last (although I get scared sometimes haha!). To my dear non-Filipino readers I hope you too would enjoy things about our history. Disclaimer: These are the things I knew and humbly admit that I only have a few knowledge about this. If you want to learn about the Philippine Cinema and deeper knowledge about films I recommend you to visit Post Prandial Musing. 

The Spanish Past in Philippine Cinema

Spanish Era of the Philippine Cinema

                           I enjoyed taking pictures but didn't have the time and mood to read stuff. That is why if you're really interested I would recommend you to go and visit Mowelfund Museum. :) In the picture above is the Spanish Era. I learned from my professor that the 'Filipinos' before are not the real 'Filipinos' by blood. They are the Spaniards who are living in the Philippines. And the 'Filipinos' by blood are called 'indios'. During the revolutions of our heroes like Rizal and Bonifacio to gain freedom after 300 years of being conqured the 'Filipinos' or the Spaniards living in the Philippines at that time were enjoying the first films like 'The boxer' and 'A man in a hat'. (Note: those are the english translation of the movie names)  

The Spanish - American Era in the Philippine Cinema

Creative way of maximizing the stairs

My friend Kristine together with her blockmate
posing in the Zamboanga room

Japanese Era in the Philippine Cinema

Japanese Era

               During the three years invasion of the Japanese in the Philippines is under a puppet republic. By puppet means President Jose P. Laurel is just a 'front' but the reality the Japanese are the ones who are controlling the government. Our professor made us analyze this during the discussion.

The Golden Age of Philippine Cinema

Original costumes use in the movies

Beautiful Nida Blanca (forgive me I forgot the name of his leading
man in this picture feel free to comment if you know)

Feu 3rd year Mass Communication students enjoying the tour

Editing 

The 3 Major studio in the '60's

Stars of the 1970's

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Action

Stars of the '70's

Photo op with our Prof.  Jamal AshleyAbbas
('90's room)

FPJ, The King of Philippine Cinema

Miniature of FPJ's Panday

Outside are Human size cardboard of movie characters
 and stars in the new millennium

                  At the end of the tour there is a small canteen with affordable and delicious barbecue and rice combo. And these nice view of the whole musuem. I reminisce the time when my brother use to scold of watching too many Philippine movies even those where the Philippine's King of Comedy Dolphy is still young and the famous beauty Paraluman. After the tour, I might go back to that habit once more. 

Outside Mowelfund Museum

Le Mepris

Googled from: http://www.jointhestylehighclub.com/tag/60s-hair/

              Good day my dear readers! Break from all the in depth study on film movements. Here is another movie review we are fortunate enough to watch. Le Mepris is an Italian 1963 movie directed by Jean Luc Godard. Just with a short preview about the plot of the film as to my understanding, it is about a writer who is hired to work with the director Fritz Lang himself, producer who wants to changed the script and a problem with her wife falling out of love to him. I face two problems with watching the film first for those who have been faithfully reading or have read my previous post I have a margin of not to look at scenes which I feel would trigger a struggle to me mentally. The movie started with man and a woman in bed, in which the woman is naked and the man is not. Usually when previous scenes would tell if something like this or particularly sex scenes I would close my eyes and listen to the script but in this movie I can't, so inside I ask for guidance. Second, due to lack of time our professor needs to skip some scenes. However, I appreciate lots of things about the film. In fact, I would say it is a great film and I hope I would remember to re watch this when I get married. :) 

Actress Brigitte Bardot as
Googled from: http://babayaganyc.wordpress.com/2011/04/09/le-mepris-contempt-1963/

              With the second problem that I did face, I had to research information about the film and tempted to read other critique's analysis but the Spirit won and here I am telling you this is my pure reaction and understanding of it (hope it would be helpful for you). I learned that the movie is as old as my mom's but as I watch I have felt the timelessness with the way the movie is created. Especially the beauty of the lead actress. Little things like their fashion who are being repeated to be don this year are the few little things that I enjoyed. It talks about many stuff like love, profession and reality of life. 

In love, profession and reality of life. 

Googled from: http://paszcza.blogspot.com/2011/10/le-mepris-jean-luc-godard-1963-pogarda.html

          The movie how a good script and the way the throwing of lines makes me as an audience hook. As I said in the first paragraph it started with the couple on the bed the where the woman is confirming the man's love for her. But later on when I saw that the man allows her wife to ride a car alone with the producer, arrive 30 minutes late, told her wife that he'll wash his hands but end up comforting the crying interpreter (the writer and his wife are Italian while the producer is American so they need the girl interpreter) and his wife saw him tapping the but of the girl; and he hurts his wife. But when the wife finally stands to her decision that she doesn't love him anymore; he goes and give up his job to get her wife back. This is the timelessness of the film, it is still a problem up to the present date. A man who doesn't know what he really wants, ends up making the wrong priorities. But of course, I admire the man's desire to give a better house for his wife. The wife on my perspective doesn't love his husband that much too. I feel that she too doesn't know what she wants and just like the lies many of us women are blinded to believe; a man who would appreciate our beauty and would give us what we want and if are not happy a woman because of the modern world now can live his husband just like that. I believe God didn't design marriage to be like that. 

        Being guided with our Prof. Jamal Ashley Abbas as we watch the movie; a particular scene wher Fritz Lang talked to the leading man and wittingly relate the story of Odyssey to the his (the leading man; writer) present problem gave me a deeper understanding of the story. I still feel the lapses inside of not finishing the movie and the skips but hearing the lines in the scene brought understanding that a man leaves or escape like in what Odyssey did prolonging his return to his wife means he is no longer happy or look forward to seeing his wife. Here is us, like in the story of odyssey and the film living a life out of direction. So we end up following the usual the way to fame; money and search of love. The way which would not require pain and discomfort. If at some point of the way we are hurt we immediately look for escape. I've been there. I give all the credit to the Almighty for a renewed direction in life. One that might be rocky but sure. 

Googled from: http://thefunambulist.net/2011/05/21/cinema-the-paradigm-of-modern-cinema-the-cinematographic-introspection-godard-fellini-truffaut-assayas-hansen-love/

Editing and Shooting

Googled from: http://films7.com/art/film/godard-mepris-ile-mystere-verite

           I feel that the way the movie what shoot and edit contribute a lot of me being in love with it. The on location scenes, of the sea, the house, a vacation house that have stairs reaching the roof, the way the couple was shot as they throw their lines in the house location where they will be both seen but a barrier like column would signify separation. Plus the right timing of putting single scenes the woman going her head up from water in earlier scenes then later on in the movie she would be swimming makes me go 'ohhhh. that's it' moments. One thing, I notice that there is just one (so, I think) musical score used when there are shifting scenes; it currently plays in my head now as I write this (lol). I found it unique and beautiful. Maybe one of Godard's auteur. 

All in all the movie is worth watching given the guidance of an open mind, heart to relate and understand for the betterment of one's life. 

The New Hollywood and Independent Film Making 

photo from: http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/14185-hollywood-full-time-employees-physicians-brace-for-obamacare

           Hello readers! After a few post we are back to Hollywood. For this post I want to do another approach. I want to share to you how I really do my notes! :) I learn this from a high school classmate and saw how an organize notes can help in reviewing. And in this post we will also do a lot of reviewing. Bare with me guys. :) We are ask to read pp. 463 – 468 OF Film Art by Bordwell and Thompson (same book we read for German Expressionism, French Impressionism and Surrealism)

I. The New Hollywood and Independent Film Making
  A. Hollywood started to decline in 1960's because of falling to attract the american audience.
    * Remember this post The Hollywood Style this is the before the decline.

  B. They go to independent film directors called the movie brats who created films for the young generation.
    * More on this from my post The Film School Generation

Film Brats
photo from: http://www.angelfire.com/de/palma/blog/index.blog?topic_id=1058991

        When I'm reading the text it makes me smile how helpful the connection of our lessons are. It is really important to understand the basics to be able to understand the latter.

 C. The directors who have gone to film school's have highly respect for the older directors by being verbal in telling their admiration and making films inspired by the works of the former holly wood film makers.
      1. Steven Spielberg - "l love the idea of not being an independent filmmaker. I've liked working within the system. And l've admired a lot of the older directors who were sort of 'directors for hire.' Like Victor Fleming was in a contract all those years to Metro and Selznick and Mayer . . . he made Captains Courageous. And you know, his most famous films: Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind."
     2. ex.Brian de Palma's 1980 film (Dress to Kill) were influence by Hitchcock's Psycho as said in the book.

 D.  "The movie brats worked in traditional genres, but they also tried to give them an autobiographical coloring." Quoted in the book, as to my understanding they applied what they learned in film school and but personal factors ad up to the mix in their movies influence (I use this word because the book use the words film buff directors) by the french new wave.
     ex. (given in the book)
         1. American Graffiti by George Lucas - I learn that it is not only a teenage musical but also the director's way of showing how he perceive about living in California.
                                           American Graffiti trailer
         2. Mean Streets by Martin Scorsese - of him living in New York
                                     Mean Streets theatrical trailer
         3. Godfather by Francis Coppola - about Italian American Family
                                              Godfather trailer

 E. High respect for European film tradition.
     1. Directors like:
        a. Martin Scorsese -  who are said to be influence by Luchino Visconti and British director Michael Powell on the visual aspect.
        b. Francis Coppola's 1974 film The Conversation influence by Antonioni's BIow-Up (1966)

 F. There are directors from abroad like the examples given in the book in britai
 Britain (Tony and Ridley Scott)
 Australia (Peter Weir, Fred Schepisi)
 Germany (Wolfgang Peterson)the Netherlands (Paul Verhoeven), and Finland (Rennie Harlin).  came to Hollywood

G. There are women directors who arise during this era.
          examples in the book although I may not know them are:
      1. Amy Heckerling (Fost Times at Riclgemont High, 1982)
      2. Martha Coolidge (Valley Girl, 1983)
      3. Penelope Spheeris (Wavne's Worlcl, 1992).

 H. Familiar directors of today arise during 1980's who are describe as the a part of the new new Hollywood like:
     1. James Cameron (Titanic)
     2. Tim Burton (I thing he is the director often collaborating with Johnny Deep's films like 1990's Edward Scissorhands)
     3. Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future) - one of my most favorite movies of all time. :D

 I. Style: Continuity Editing still continues but the directors played up and introduced different techniques in shooting and editing. I learn that most of them played up with the visual techniques and challenging the narrative to have a parallelism of themes like drama and psychological aspects in one film.

J. Studios are starting to buy independent films to be remake as mainstream. One good example if you are familiar, I learned in the book that Sundance Film Festival somehow became a place where mainstream producers choose independent films or even actors for the mainstream movies.

Summarize: All in all there are three main points that I understood in the text.
                   1. There is no comparison or even a contest to which is better the classical or the film brats, the                     Americans or the one's in abroad; male or female directors. They all get inspiration from each                       other and it produces great films that we are now able to watch.
                   2. The Independent and New Hollywood directors have somehow personalize their works by                        creating movies in connection to their experiences and to what their target audience are                                  experiencing at the present.
                   3. In their filming and editing style two things: narrative and continuity editing will always be                              present. Although as time past the directors played up in their techniques to continue what the I                      first learn the Hollywood aims which is to make the audience believe they are involve in the and                      present in the film.

Reaction: 1928 Surrealism Film Un Chien Andalou

slashing of  the eye scene in Un Chien Andalou
phoro from: http://doubleexposurejournal.com/blog/un-chien-andalou/

            The short film was shown to us right after the discussion. After watching the whole film I came to realization that it is true Surrealism is dream like. 

             

              Honestly speaking being a cinema student I have that 'margin' not to look at anticipating scenes that would make me struggle in mind like those that would promote lust and like that particular scene who is for me horrifying. And I wouldn't share this without relating to my blog post of course. ;) In the film there is no sequence and blissfully enough I was able to grasped our lesson that surrealism film being dream like means there is no real narrative so I didn't even attempt to analyze it. What I did feel is like I'm watching someone else's dream. There is no direct story but I can understand some of it's factors or rather symbolism. The main mood of the film for me is fear. Has anyone of you experience this - one person is trying to harm you, open the door you end up to another room again. Then the next part of your dream is another theme where someone will do this to you, or that you are running. And the part where lustful dreams play maybe out of what you saw before you sleep or what you've been thinking on your mind (I have struggled with this for years and I feel in it is not healthy for my relationship with my Savior this is the reason of my margin hope you get it. :) ) Then you wake up being in the arms of your love one. Remember those who says what is in your dream is the opposite of what will be in the reality, in my own understanding I believe this is what the film is trying to suggest. 

For more film reviews and good stuff visit: Post Prandial Musing's blog - http://jamalashley.blog.com/

Follow Up Notes for French Impressionism and Surrealism

       Good day my dear readers! As Promise from my previous post here are some of my notes in our lecture that I want to share. These are the things that I learn:

(Menilmontant: short movie given to us during our lecture. Must watch!)

• French Impressionism: 
• "Force the audience to experience" through focusing on special effects like superimposition one image and blurring or distorting some image. 
• Trivia from our professor: the movement was the first one to 
• use wide screen 
• point of view scenes or as what I understood they shoot it in the way our human eyes can see for example given to us the camera is inside the car so what the driver sees is what the audience sees


• started the dollying - a small wheeled platform, usu. having a short boom, on which a movie or television camera can be mounted for making moving shots. (definition from:http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dolly)


• to use the Handheld Camera
• putting tints
• 1929, sound came to cinema, films become expensive and impressionist directors had lost in financial banking 
• Surrealism 
• Andre Breton - I learn that he is the spokesman of the movement. He is the guy that I read on the book who join a communist party that's why many suspect that surrealism promotes communism. 
• It is dream like, and as to our class discussion in dreams there are no cause and effect.
• Problem for the viewers of surrealism is that we might search for the narrative that is not really present. Because again it is confirmed that it is anti-narrative. 

Thank you for checking out my blog. Stay tune for another review about surrealism. :) 

To God be the Glory! 

Notes on French Impressionism and Surrealism (1918 - 1930)

(Davi Bordwell and Kristen Thompson: Film Art An Introduction: pp 450 - 453)

goggled picture of the book's cover

                I love reading books most especially those who are informative. Self help and school books kind a works for me, like the book written above. Note: this is the same book we're recommended to read when I wrote a post about German Expressionism. I hope that you'll enjoy reading the things I learned from my cinema class. Unlike my previous post this is just my pure understanding of what I read in the book because our lesson will be taking place next week. 

              Let me start in sharing that during the silent era, French felt the need to create a new style apart from the usual narrative form of Hollywood films. This gave birth to impressionism and surrealism. The impressionist directors work for major french companies and said to be financially successful. It has been said in the book that later in the mid-1920's some created their own independent companies but still relate to the mainstream ones buy renting studio facilities and in releasing films. However, I learned that the surrealist stayed outside the film industry and formed allies with other forms of art depending on their own means. This era in France have proved that it is possible for two film movements can exist at the same time. 

Impressionism

                In the book the two movements were discussed right after German Expressionism. Here, the effect of world war 1 reach the time of impressionism. I came to know the film studios were used for war purposes and that the french film industry have reach a low peak. There they don't have a choice but to fill the theaters with American films like Charlie Chaplin's (a well knwon actor of the silent era). But a shift of motivation to several french directions gave back hope for the French film industry. Before it is said that former directors see films are treated for commercial purposes only but these new directors were motivated to see it as a form of art like literature and paintings. Impressionism is the start of looking a character beyond its physical physique. This is to my understanding of what I read. I have that aha moment as I read the impressionism discovering that this is my favorite. It is where a character's inner psychological being is to be dig deeper. You are familiar with this - flashbacks. The factors that caused a character to be it's present state. One example I could think of is the last movie of Harry Potter series (Hello HP fans!) when through a drop of his tear of Snape, Harry poured it in a 'mini well' (sorry I do't know what is called) then a flash back goes back and revealed the past that all this time Snape have grew love and concerned for the 'boy'. In relation to that example, the impressionist films also did required technological advances. I learn that they become more in need in more frames, wide screens, different angle shots, lenses that resembles a perspective of an eye. It has also influence movies like of Alfred Hitchcock and up to today's time.

Surrealism 

          Anti - narrative is used to describe surrealism. As describe in the first paragraph surrealist enjoy the company of their small companies. I learn that it is mostly influenced by surrealist paintings. I did had difficulty understanding the whole text but what I grasped is that it is the opposite of impressionism. Here, psychological factors are of no emphasis as well as the narrative. As to my understanding these are like the non-sequitor films (but I will check on you when I have a better understanding during our lecture). To support my understanding is the said editing characteristics of surrealism. Superimposition and many dissolves are editing similar to impressionism. Scenes are not edited to be coherent. 

         Facts given in the book said that surrealist had been low during the 1930's as of its relation to the political issue when surrealist joined the Communist party in 1929, making people think that the said cinema style is the equivalent of political communism. It still later continued because of the individual artist. 

German Expressionism 

Abstract
http://www.detnovel.com/GermanExp.html

It is a rainy weather here in the Philippines. Classes are suspended. I will take advantage of this ‘good student’ vibe in me. Let me share you the things I learn about German expressionism.

First, let me start in sharing to you my understanding of our lesson during our class last Wednesday under our professor Mr. Jamal Ashley Abbas. To give a brief background and (supporting credibility for what will I write for the next few paragraphs) Prof. Abbas have a Master of Arts degree in Film at the University of the Philippines, getting the best M.A. thesis in Film. To know him more check out his blog. Just click the next tab besides my home tab. going back these are the things that I learned and understand.

Dracula films are good examples of German Expressionism.
picture source: http://theotherjournal.com/amishjihadi/2012/03/12/dracula-dexter-and-dostoyevsky-five-questions-with-w-scott-poole/

German expressionism is closely related but still different from film noir (my last post). Being so confuse with the two I ask our professor what is the difference between the two. He answered simply: Film Noir is a Film Genre and German Expressionism is a style. To further support that it has been discuss to us that the said style can be seen not only in films but in theatre, paintings and several writings as well. Remember those abstract paintings you saw in your last museum visit? Yes, that’s it. : )   it has been described as with highly stylized visuals, strange asymmetrical camera angles and atmospheric lighting. For my dear young readers, I know what you feel. Deep words need further understanding. Looking at my notes these are the few simple ones that I think can support that.

         There is harsh contrast between dark and light. Shadows and silhouettes are most important. Story lines have a sombre (MS word synonyms: serious, sad, dull) mood, characters came from a corrupt environment, there are motifs of claustrophobia and paranoia Give it to a virtual high five for those like me with a weak heart for this kind of films, scary right? However, cheers to those who says ‘exciting!’ 

The Student Prague 1913 - First Expressionism Film
shared by our professor sir Abbas
 picture source:
http://cosmiccatacombs.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-student-of-prague-1913-review.html

         Of course, there is a reason behind everything. This is the part that I will mix up my notes and things I understand from the excerpt of a book (David Bordwell & Kristen Thompson – Film Art: An Introduction) we are recommended to read. It is said that the German Expressionism was the answers to the frim reality of daily life. The loss of innocence of the German people, coping up with the depression, hurt of sex murderers, veterans, death of love ones, all during the first world war years of 1919 – 1929.  It is said in the book that American, Italian, Danish films are the most dominant in German theatres at that time. However, America and France began to pull out their film imports during the war. So the government began to support the film industry. The authors said that in 1916 import films were band and film production companies arise, from 12 – 131 companies in the span of year 1911 to 1918.

        There are also few notes in understanding expressionism. Great help for me, these are the ones I considered most important. Emotion over realism this is how expressionism was describe. Gothic, film noir, it is all about stylization. It focuses on photography, lighting, stylized, artificial stylized sets, overly theatrical means heavy make – up and integration of all the mise-en-scene (dictionary.com: the stage setting or scenery of a play) elements.

        Lastly, the main aims of German style is to give emphasis on design or the mise – en – scene, uncanny atmosphere, less on editing and story compare to Hollywood and of course the film must look abstract. 

Film Noir 

Stranger on the third floor, 1940
photo belongs to http://www.filmnoirstudies.com/np02wwii.html 

               Black and white.
               Shadows and smokes.
               Force evil detour.

          The birth of Film Noir came after the wars, veterans come back. This explains its dark and mysterious emotions and the shout of reality Violence, sex and money are its more visible common elements. Clearly it works on the darker side of human nature. It was said on the documentary that these movies have tragic touch where everyone dies in the end. Protagonist will later on realize in the middle and ask why me? Why is this happening to me? Sad answer is that it all happens is for no apparent reason. In a personal note, I felt the hopelessness in the vibes of Film Noir. After war showed that the death of a love one and their present suffering left them with no choice and just to deal with it. A lot of people suffered depression but sadly psychiatry is still being discovered at the time as refer to the documentary (The Hollywood Style: Film Noir). 


"Light technique mostly used universally." - John Bailey, Cinematographer

          Light and shadows are said and obviously is used in a creative way in Film Noir movies. If there are good cause of the after war, it is that portable cameras and lights are available. Shadows do a big trick. It is used to add the drama, prepare the audience to what would the next scene will be. The black and white, used of shadows signifies night. As said and creatively portrayed in the documentary, John Bailey describes a shot where a man is sitting in a room not seeing a woman open the door on his back and pose. It is a good thing that our generation are still familiar with this kind of view and now personally I finally knew what it is called - Film Noir.

goggle picture of an example of a film noir scene featuring femme fatale

        Smart, powerful women characters victims the men through seduction to get what she wants. A woman is shot in low angle and man in high angle to establish their position. Bed room eyes. Stealing of man. Man fantasy. All equates to Femme fatale - french word for dangerous woman. The used of sexuality in a male dominant society brought a different taste in the watching audience. These women portrays a character that finds her body a strength against the weakness of the men's lust. 

         I desire to put my personal opinion about this. As we go through the deeper study about films my mind is filled with knowledge and more understanding. Now I appreciate films in a more creative way. However, it saddens me that the fight of women for equality later on result of body stereotype, men pleasing and a pressure or rather by culture women have believe, to show off skin is more enticing and shows power. The so-called power or equality we get means sacrificing one of the most precious thing ever given exclusively to us women. Fractured world, yes. I used to believe this lies and little, from time to time is still challenged to stay on the mark of margin. I long for movies who have the balance of reality and good moral lesson just like trainspotting (my previous post).

       Going back, another good thing came out are the colors in movie making. John Bailey quoted, "Color brings real representation of the world, violence and sexuality became more graphic." In short, real colors brings out a better vision of the real world. But still the dark essence and presense of Film Noir was still there. 

Sapphire, 1959
photo from Biloing Sand - http://www.postmodernjoan.com/wp02/?p=7737

                                                                                                   
     
"No lights, no escape."

goggled picture of an example of a detective movie

       Detective films. It is also one of the most notable genre of Film noir movies. Establishing shot of a dark road slowly rising to show a man with a hat and a trench coat, smoking, looking down while walking are one of its stereotype shooting materials. Shadows and lights brings the element of mystery as the detective continuous to discover what the truth is. Additional information in the documentary. In 1950's nuclear bomb is new and scary plus the presence of communism in countries that tries to took control of the world. I think this also contribute to the producing of these films. One good note is that Film Noir directors choose to really shoot in cities rather than in studios. As of Scorsese, "..it is more dramatic." The power of an urban city danger at nght, all the shadow and fogs explains this choice. Another thing is that most of it are B movies which are cheap yet artistic, the budget is also another contributing factor. The main challenge for the directors is how to maximize the elements of the cities for the movies.  

      The discovery of television and a nuclear family sitting all together to watch a show that fits them all became the death of Film Noir.

from : American Family: TV History

Movie Review: Trainspotting 

Screenplay by: John Hodge

Directed by: Danny Boyle

Produced by: Andrew MacDonald

Based on the novel: Transpotting by Irvine Welsh 

           Finish the movie it would be all worth it and made sense in the end.

           The movie started as boys running and Renton has his own little voice over speech which well I think give the whole sense of the movie. He describes how life is difficult to cope up and if they we're to choose they wouldn't choose life. There little by little the cast are introduced showing the different sides rather causes of how they end up 'not choosing life'. To warn you these contains materials about drugs, sex and violence - not for the kids. : )

        As an audience I really had a difficulty to distinguish what type of genre is this because of its complexibility and the difficulty of understanding the Scottish accents as well. Plus, this is not my type movie as I usually choose the feel good ones. Life is hard why make it harder. My movie going motto at hand.  But being a cinema student I somehow was 'force' (no - just kidding) rather challenge to was movies that well I think has better sense. In writing this review comes a little back - up research from what I read from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trainspotting_(film))and rotten tomatoes  (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/trainspotting/). So it was said that it was a black comedy/drama film, and the way it was portrayed in the movie I am a little convince. Let me start stating the things that I like about the movie.

          The way the actors portrayed each character. I believed that they we're able to give justice to the characters they played. No trace of being superficial, all characters are well internalized. Most especially the story goes around people whom are not ordinary. Sick boy being a little bit silly looking. Begbie the violent one, Spud, giving that witty persona, Dianne the black mailer lover and of course, Renton even if with the rest of the cast members have clearly establish his role. Good choice of actors means better justice for a movie adapting a novel where people who have might read then later watch the film have already a stereotype picture of the characters on mind.

        The editing and cinematography. Invisible editing was present, the shift of every scene has properly established the beginning, middle, end and they way they shoot the angles was superb. On the first part of the movie as Renton lies on the floor the over head shoot of his body being shot from head to foot. The running scenes are also good. But the most creative mixture of editing and shooting is when Renton is lock in his room by his parents and the side effects of withdrawal creeps in. He is hallucinating the that Allision's baby who live with them (addicts) and later on died out of negligence is  creeping in the ceiling, Diane is singing, sick boy chained in jails at his door and parents talking about HIV on the show. 

         In a deeper sense the movie aims to awaken the consciousness of the audience on many realities of life. We live in a fractured world where poverty, judgement and lies will always be present. Whether it be in Scotland, in the Philippines (where I live), any parts of the world; rich or poor; we are being fed with lies out of the hardships of life. Soon everyone wants an escape - sex, beer, gambling, money, drugs you name it. But are these all worth it? As it was said it is an escape not a solution. This is why we are in need of a Savior. He is joy , peace, love and the truth. Live with Him is harder but you are assured with your direction. This is the reason why I like, or I may call it love, the last part of the movie where Renton have this voice over with the same script about life but his last words differ and said "I choose life".