UPCOMING CLASS

I have enjoyed this class of International Cinema as much as any I've ever taught.  I would love to see many of you next term (PEL Spring II) for my class in Film Noir (listed as Film Genres).  We will be viewing many of the classics from the period of 1941 through 1958.  There will also be a few contemporary "neo-noirs."  Here are some of the titles we will be watching.  A poster is followed by a still from the film.

Chinatown

 Double Indemnity

The Maltese Falcon

Touch of Evil

Simón del desierto (final): carne radioactiva - thought this was a strange scene at the end of the movie.

Great pictures from the Seven Samaurai movie. Enjoyed the movie very much. I could not believe the way they would fight with the bandits coming at them full blast on horses and waiving the swords.

http://blog.ricecracker.net/2010/05/23/kurosawa-group/

What good was Simon's faith?

It seemed purposeless for Simon to be standing on top of the pillar. He could have prayed more discreetly on the mountains in the scenery behind him if he wanted to be up higher. He wanted Christ to come get him but it was Satan who kept showing up to tempt him instead. How ironic and disheartening for such a faithful man. I do not understand why his beard was parted the entire scene. Maybe it was a version of the red sea parting. The dancing at the end reminded me of Footloose or Dirty Dancing. Of course there would be dancing in hell! I think Simon’s life may have been more useful getting to know his mother and possibly finding a woman or a man if he so chooses, to enjoy life with. He could still pray while living life!

I am an official Jean-Luc Godard fan. I thoroughly enjoyed À bout de soufflè, Breathless. I have been riding the French New Wave with this film, along with Masculin Fèminin, Vivre sa Vie "My Life to Live", and Weekend. As a Director, Godard partnered nicely with Cinematographer, Raoul Coutard to deliver these films.

Breathless speaks for itself, engaging, visually appealing, has you drawn in to the characters Michel Poiccard aka Laszlo Kovacs and Patricia Franchini. I enjoyed the fashion of both Patricia and Michel, along with the buildup of their odd romance, and the beautiful scenes of Paris behind them. I felt like Godard was presenting Paris in a mysterious fashionable way, and yes with a little criminal activity to boot. But it was fun criminal activity that until the end Michel appeared to be very good at. That is until he fell helplessly in love with Patricia. Actually he did help himself and quite often. He was a smooth but rude gent. Rude when he called Patricia a coward. Ultimately she could not live the life he lives. So the message, to all you women out there, be good and you won't die. Godard didn't seem to mind a little sexuality badness. In fact he weaved it into most of his films (I think).

FINAL Thoughts: It was difficult though to see the countless cigarettes being smoked in all of Godard's films (former smoker). I almost choked out in the bathroom scene in Breathless. I am glad cinema has moved away from that practice. There is also the murderous tone of Breathless and Weekend; its satire quality makes it okay and daring in Breathless, not Weekend (that was a bit over the sexual and murderous top for me). If you get the chance to check out Weekend, it definately brings his film making to a new level. Lastly, I found it interesting in Masculin Feminin that in making the film he ”did not have a shooting script and instead relied on a hand written spiral notebook filled with ideas, sketches and dialogue written the night before” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masculin,_f%C3%A9minin).

Overall After watching several French films (mostly by Godard for me), you get a feel for the music, vivid imagery and dynamic presentation of character. Feel the wave!

This is a good site that gives a little overview of Godard and his films Breathless, Contempt, and Weekend.

http://www.carleton.edu/curricular/MEDA/classes/media110/Friesema/contempt.html

"It's sad to fall asleep. It separates people. Even when you're sleeping together, you're all alone."
-- Patricia Franchini in Breathless

The Wages of Fear (2/4) Movie CLIP - Lake of Oil (1953) HD

The Wages of Fear Movie Clip lake of oil

Kill Baby, Kill

I found this film very reminiscent of the Gothic horror films put out in the late 50s through early 70s that starred Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Stylistically, it seemed similar. However, the other elements tended to lend itself to a more B movie versus horror. But that could also be because of the stilted acting and wooden deliver. However, the colors and details definitely fit the film story.