What films have you been to see?

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  • hackneyvi
    • Nov 2024

    What films have you been to see?

    I went to the NFT in London tonight to see a programme of 4 shorts.

    2 Norman McLaren films including Pas de deux; the excellent, unknown to me, Black Tower by John Smith (directed, written, featuring) and ...

    Film. Buster Keaton's silent, b/w collaboration with Samuel Beckett from 1965. I knew of it but went without information or expectation.

    Has anyone else seen this? It is an astonishing short film - 21 minutes - of almost divine, small comedy and strange terror; with about half of it seeming to be a welter of circulations by the camera of the same, near bare room, Keaton's face only shown in the final frames.

    It's the 'story' of a man with cataracts who scuttles through a derelict city, clinging to the walls, hiding his face. It becomes apparant that he is literally hiding from sight, from being seen. Everywhere are eyes - in passers-by, a neighbour, his cat and dog, the window, a mirror, a caged bird, goldfish, painting, even two drilled slots in the back of his rocking chair and a pair of circular tags on a folder of photographs.

    Keaton's performance - all but the final moments shown from behind - is perfection but some of the camera motion as it haunts him in his room is sublime.

    This is a masterpiece, gripping and lovely in its rhythms as jazz.
    Last edited by Guest; 09-06-11, 23:39.
  • french frank
    Administrator/Moderator
    • Feb 2007
    • 30252

    #2
    A film I didn't get to see last Sunday (astonishingly, to me, thinking very few people would be wanting to see a film about classical music on a Sunday afternoon) was Set the Piano Stool on Fire (not a great title ? ). It documents the relationship between Alfred Brendel and the young pianist he decided he 'had to make time for' and to tutor him.

    [On Sunday I was fourth on the waiting list, with only two returns; tonight, I have my ticket already for Armstrong's recital of Bach and Liszt at St George's]
    Last edited by french frank; 10-06-11, 10:11. Reason: Dittography removed
    It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

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    • hackneyvi

      #3
      Originally posted by french frank View Post
      A film I didn't get to see ... Set the Piano Stool on Fire
      But, by now, you'll have seen the lad himself. I'm not sure why I missed this, either, because films are my principal theatrical pleasure but it got passed me. I have an idea that it's a Film4 job so it may be worth keeping an eye of their schedule?

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      • Osborn

        #4
        IMAX Hubble 3D - awesome

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        • hackneyvi

          #5
          Kaboom by Gregg Araki.

          The only film of the last 20 years that's as boring as Jefferson in Paris.

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