Friday, May 08, 2009

POLL 55: FILM CRITICS AS FILMMAKERS

My poll 55 is inspired by SERIOUS AS PLEASURE, which is directed by a film critic called Robert Benayoun. I love this film very much. It made me laugh a lot. I also found Benayoun's writing in the book POSITIF 50 YEARS. This book has Benayoun's articles about Jerry Lewis and IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES.

(Thanks to Zach for helping me with Benayoun's film.)

Because of SERIOUS AS PLEASURE, I think I should make a poll about favorite films made by film critics. This poll includes only films I have seen.

THESE FILMS ARE MADE BY FILM CRITICS. WHICH FILMS DO YOU LIKE?

1.LE COEUR DES HOMMES (FRENCHMEN) (2003, Marc Esposito, France)

2.THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS (1990, Paul Schrader)

3.THE CONVERT (2008, Panu Aree + Kong Rithdee + Kaweenipon Ketprasit, Thailand)
Kong Rithdee is a film critic. Panu Aree also wrote film articles in the magazine THAI FILM.

4.DIARY OF A SEDUCER (1996, Daniele Dubroux, France)

5.GIRLFRIEND (2002, Mongkolchai Chaiwisut, Thailand)

6.ISABELLE HUPPERT: PLAYING LIFE (2001, Serge Toubiana, France)

7.JE PENSE A VOUS (MADE IN PARIS) (2006, Pascal Bonitzer, France)

8.THE MOUSTACHE (2005, Emmanuel Carrere, France)

9.MY MOTHER AND HER DARKNESS (2008, Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa, Thailand)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiycL-XHhjo

10.THE ORGANISATION (ขจีภพ) (2007, Thanapol Chaowanich, Thailand)

11.PIPOP BUNTOON (พิภพบรรฑูรย์) (2001, Utis Haymamool, Thailand)
I'm not sure if I transcribed the surname of Utis correctly or not. I'm not sure if his surname is pronounced HAY-MA-MOOL (เห-มะ-มูล) or MAY-MOOL (เหมะ-มูล).

12.RANGSIT LOVE STORY (ไม่ไปรังสิต) (2006, Chakorn Chaipreecha, Thailand)

13.SALTIMBANK (2003, Jean-Claude Biette, France)

14.SERIOUS AS PLEASURE (1975, Robert Benayoun, France)
http://elusivelucidity.blogspot.com/2008/09/seriously.html

15.VIDEOGRAM OF A REVOLUTION (1992, Harun Farocki + Andrei Ujica, Romania/Germany)

16.UNE VIE (1958, Alexandre Astruc, France)
You can read more about Astruc in Girish's blog:
http://www.girishshambu.com/blog/2009/05/cinema-haunted-by-writing.html

17.THE WAY OF DUST (1999, Prabda Yoon, Thailand)

18.A WEEK'S VACATION (1980, Bertrand Tavernier, France)

19.THE WINNER (1996, Alex Cox)

20.THE ZOMBIE CHICK (อีสาวซากดิบ) (2007, Thitimon Mongkolsawat, Thailand)

You can cast multiple votes.

--For more information about film critics/filmmakers, you can read Harrytuttle's blog:
http://screenville.blogspot.com/2006/07/criticismcreation-mixity-at-cahiers.html

--Other Thai films made by film critics include:
(in alphabetical order)

1.KWAN RIAM (2001, Sutthakorn Santhithawat)

2.OY IS 3 MINUTES LATE (2008, Teepanun Petchsri)

3.SIN SISTERS (ผู้หญิงห้าบาป) (2002, Sukij Narin)

4.SMILES OF THE FIFTH NIGHT (2005, Sonthaya Subyen)

5.TIME STILL DESTROYS EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH (2008, Kanchat Rangseekansong)

6.UNPRONOUNCABLE IN THE LINGUISTIC IMPERIALISM OF YOURS (2008, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke)

7.WEEKEND NEWS (2008, Graiwoot Chulphongsathorn)

Some of these films are made by my friends, so I exclude them from the list to prevent some conflict of interests. Hahaha. But I still include Wiwat's film in the poll because I'm sure he doesn't mind it. :-)

15 comments:

Vespertine said...

When i think of THE MOUSTACHE, i love it more and more. I like it more than the first time i saw it.

celinejulie said...

Me, too. This film is unforgettable.

celinejulie said...

I just found an article written by Emmanuel Carrere in the book POSITIF 50 YEARS. It’s an article he wrote in 1981 about STALKER (Andrei Tarkovsky). In this article, he also commented on the use of water in SOLARIS, THE MIRROR, and STALKER.

Reading his article reminds me that there is an interesting use of water in the film THE MOUSTACHE, too. I think Vespertine once wrote about this topic several years ago. Maybe there is a connection between the use of water in Tarkovsky’s films and the use of water in THE MOUSTACHE.

These are some quotes from Carrere’s articles:

“the ocean is an autonomous entity that cannot be reduced to our understanding. It is its mystery and its unknowable nature on which Tarkovsky finally ends his film. Man finds what is good there, and it is an inestimable and heartrending treasure. But the ocean is much more than a metaphor of our unconscious, and that, no doubt, is what Tarkovsky is whispering. The unconscious is not only our unconscious; what I mean is not only what is unknown to us or hidden from us—any planet that shelters such a pathetic enigma would be unnecessary—but also everything that is unknown to us and in which we have no part.”

“In the filmmaker’s last three films (SOLARIS, THE MIRROR, STALKER), the empty beaches are, in only a few moments, suddenly flooded and covered with water. In all of cinema, I have never seen shots more dense and mysterious than these aquatic images. The same calm waters that lap over pebbles slowly float away algae. Bubbles occasionally break at the surface. They irrigate that which is no longer the planet of the ghosts but the very soil of terra firma in SOLARIS, in THE MIRROR, and in this unbelievable scene in STALKER, where they fill the screen, inviting nothing but contemplation, while on the accompanying soundtrack the writer and the professor work hard to illustrate in words an opposition that we, the audience, can plainly see. Their comments are stupefying, and the Stalker, lying in the silt, allows himself to be fascinated by the flow, and appears to be at one with it.
Out of this surprising counterpoint, with the image winning out so clearly over speech, are we to infer that Tarkovsky basically does not attach too much importance to the intellectual structure of his film or its human content? In any event, he allows them to fade, without any remorse, and to be left to their vacuity by the evidence and physical apprehension of the mystery. They are no more than a buzzing sound, like insects on the surface of the water.
What is clear is that we are these insects, and the problems and conflicts that they are debating are ours. All artists speak to us of these insects. Tarkovsky, too, but he alone films the water.”

Vespertine said...

it's a bit sad and funny for me that i didnt remember what i wrote about this movie. I'm quite sure that i wrote but dont know was it.

But when u suggest about the water, all i remember about this film is water. Espcially the sea between Kaoloon and HK. I remember that the main character must took a boat from Kaoloon to HK (or vice versa) which coincidence to what he must face mysteriously in his own life (from France to HK). and it s like the waves in the sea transform his identity.

What Emmanuel Carrere wrote in Positif is so beautiful. I wish one day i can write like him. I dindt even remember there s water in SOLARIS! Isnt Solaris happen in the universe? haha.

I just read an interview with Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie and the director of MOON. He said his sc-fi horror film is a tribute to Alien and early 80s sci-fi movies. So the interior in his spaceship is very old style. He sais he doesnt like the interior in Soderbergh's Solaris becuase it is too iPOD-like.! which isvery funny because i think at the time Soderberg made Solaris, iPOD hasnt been created yet.

Vespertine said...

OH MY GOODNESS, i just found what i wrote about this film. It is in my blog which i havent updated for 2 years.

http://tete.exteen.com/20051028/entry-2

now i laugh out loud. Thank you very much for remind me of my own life. Now i feel like i m Vincent Lindon in La Moustache!

celinejulie said...

MOON seems to be very interesting. I haven’t watched Soderbergh’s SOLARIS yet. As for water in Tarkovsky’s SOLARIS, I guess Carrere means water in the last scene. You can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kTAFlvJtKc

The early part of that clip also reminds me of the last scene of KALYI – AGE OF DARKNESS (1993, Fred Kelemen), in which a man stands against a bare, surreal landscape.

As for old sci-fi movies, I like DARK STAR (1974, John Carpenter, A+) very much. In this film’s universe, you can play windsurf in the outer space.

I’m glad your review of THE MOUSTACHE is still available online. Reading it again also reminds of Tossapol’s interview, in which he said that he liked to watch the waves of the sea. The waves of water seem to have tremendous emotional effects on some artists. :-)

Vespertine said...

i click your Solaris link but it turns out to be The Triplets - "Sunrise". But dont worry because i love the song!

I dont know this band before, but the song is very good. The mv reminds me of Madonna's Cherish mv. But the song reminds me off Robin Beck.

Robin Beck used to be Cher's backup singer. Her hit song is First Time (which use in Coca Cola commercial).

Robin Beck: The First Time (1988)
i think this song will make you bnostalgia for sure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dEfHJhTHVs&feature=related

But the song that really like The Triplets - "Sunrise" is CLOSE TO YOU, which is my favorite song of Robin Beck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIaVbipL0ow&feature=PlayList&p=BFB1258F6E73251C&index=68

I think we can call these kind of songs as a "Diane Warren" kind of songs. We can find these kind of songs only in early 90s. At that time when all my friends love Bon Jovi and Amphon Lampoon, i find a comfot zone in Robin Beck and Cher (in her rock era).

celinejulie said...

Hahaha. Sorry for my mistake. Here is the clip of SOLARIS’ final sequence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_0UPh5FELg

Ampol Lampoon makes me feel very nostalgic, too. I don’t like his songs. But I used to like him as a handsome actor when I was 11-12 years old.
I wish I could have time to watch the films TWO BROTHERS (1985, Jazz Siam), starring the handsome Ampol Lampoon and the gorgeous Atip Tongjinda. This film is available in Youtube, but I haven’t watched it yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdToiu_mAFg&feature=PlayList&p=5E85C843D36921B5&index=0

Diane Warren is great. Here is the list of my favorite songs written by Diane Warren:

In alphabetical order

1.COULDN’T WE – Deborah Cox

2.THE DAY I STOP LOVING YOU – Oleta Adams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mbZSVQXFJk

3.I’LL NEVER GET OVER YOU (GETTING OVER ME) – Expose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcerJByOteU

4.IN WALKED LOVE – Louise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDeHtjAQr5Q

5.JUST THE THOUGHT OF YOU – Tony Hadley

6.LOVE WILL LEAD YOU BACK – Taylor Dayne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6A0xivfIMo

7.SAVING FOREVER FOR YOU – Shanice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM7OIG7QEkA

8.ROOM IN YOUR HEART – Living in a Box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHnrRRSREWM

9.WHEN I’M BACK ON MY FEET AGAIN – Michael Bolton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7zhA5ADQnA

10.WISHING ON THE SAME STAR -- Keedy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXcDdkkH8IQ

Vespertine said...

Wow! These are my lists.

Save Up All Your Tears / Cher - My Most favorite of D Warren song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY7bI0l6iyo

As Long As I Can Dream / Expose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eDbHed67Xs

I'll Say Good-Bye for the Two of Us / Expose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfShOpNkIo&feature=related

(i likeI Never Get Over You Getting Over Me more than this two, but this two are also beautiful. Expose+Diane Warren is a perfect match!)

I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth) / Meat Loaf feat Patti Russo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbdpXx-PHuM

I Get Weak / Belinda Carlisle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk-JeDrdMnY

I'll Still Love You More / Trisha Yearwood.
Trisha is really a great singer. She may not have any impressive personality but her voice is perfect pitched like a classical vocalist.
At first i dont get this song but after listen 20 times, i really love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR_xzXJ6KKY

Deeper Than a River/ Olivia Newton-John

celinejulie said...

Thank you very much, Vespertine. I tried to watcht Trisha's clip, but it has been removed from Youtube. :-(

If I remember it correctly, the music video of I GET WEAK is very funny. It shows a group of women yearning for a handsome man.

Vespertine said...

for Trisha, you can listen to this song instead. Her voice makes this song like a beautiful road movie : )

Vespertine said...

"And it's strange, but it's true
I was sure it was you
Just a face in the crowd
On a bus to St. Cloud"

"And you chase me like a shadow
And you haunt me like a ghost
And I hate you some, and I love you some
But I miss you most..."

celinejulie said...

Thank you very much for your suggestion. I just listened to it in Yahoo:

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/trisha-yearwood/on-a-bus-to-st-cloud--2162313

I think ON A BUS TO ST.CLOUD is a very beautiful song. It gives me the same nice feeling I got from such songs as THE DAY YOU WENT AWAY (Wendy Matthews).

Vespertine said...

Wendy Matthews's voice and accent is so beautiful. Is she famous?

celinejulie said...

I don’t know exactly how famous Wendy Matthews is in Australia or even in Thailand. From wikipedia, I guess she was famous during the 1990’s. I heard her songs being played in Thai radio from time to time during the 1990’s, though less frequently than songs by other Australian artists such as Madison Avenue, Frente, Tina Arena, or Natalie Imbruglia, but probably as frequently as Margaret Urlich, and maybe more frequently than Danni’elle Gaha.

ESCAPING – Margaret Urlich
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOD2bK1DT38

SECRET LOVE (Joey Negro mix) – Danni’elle Gaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFsg_GquuHc