Tag: 1967

WEEKEND (1967)

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Written & Directed by: Jean-Luc Godard Based on the short story “LA  AUTOPISTA DEL SUR” By: Julio Cortazar  Cinematography: Raoul Coutard  Editor: Agnes Guillemot

Cast: Mireille Barc, Jean Yanne, Jean-Pierre Kalfon

A supposedly-idyllic weekend trip to the countryside turns into an endless nightmare of traffic jams, revolution, cannibalism, and murder as French bourgeois society starts to collapse under the weight of its own consumer preoccupations.

Throughout this film, we follow a truly unlikeable couple on an endless journey/trip. Who terrorize or are terrorized by all they come across. It gets a bit meta as they know they are in a film. They continually wander into different narratives, scenes, or stories.

They keep coming across more dead people throughout the road and it feels a bit post-apocalyptic at certain points.

The film is episodic that stays with the couple and their various interactions with others. It gets continually ridiculous. As it feels like a stylistic comedy with deeper ramifications with plenty of unexpected philosophy and what feels like satire.

Thought this would be one of his more divisive movies. Where it’s an experimental concoction, but this ends up becoming an almost film. As it was one of Jean-Luc Godard’s films I might actually like and dare I say almost enjoyed it completely.

Though his films fascinate me and keep me coming back to discover. As he or the films usually have something to say or present.

Either that or more commonly he and his films fit the case of the tale of the emperor’s new clothes. Where there is nothing really there, yet people pretend there is, which can be said of a lot of celebrated directors by many people. 

One can admit to being more of a fan of Francois Truffaut’s films. His fellow film enthusiast, reviewer, and co-worker at the legendary film magazine Cahiers De Cinema. 

Godard is a director I can truly call an auteur. As no matter what there is a discussion to be had at the end of his films and no one can call them simple. There is no other director like him though many have tried. one can see how he has inspired so many. 

This film actually feels playful and fun despite the absurdity. As it is most and tends to turn in a dime at times. The first hour has so much craziness but keeps you engaged that when the second half comes along with that same craziness but it starts to feel like a philosophical lecture. Even if he leaves it to the audience to figure out or read into it. 

As always this happens just when I was ready to accept and enjoy. He then pulls the rug under you.

Like the recent film TENET at times the soundtrack is louder than the dialogue. Thankfully there are subtitles throughout. Though if they were left out it would rise to the challenge the director seems to desire. 

The opening scene is certainly erotic with just the power of words and suggestions.

The film Of course has the legendary amazing tracking shot of the endless traffic jam and what various cars and people are all doing during. While the main couple’s car tries to get along the way. Where there is violence and games It ends brilliantly. 

Grade: B

IL DEMONIO (1967)

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Directed & Story By: Brunello Rondi

Written By: Brunello Rondi, Ugo Guerra & Luciano Martino

Cinematography: Carlo Bellero

Editor: Mario Serandrei

Cast: Daliah Lavi, Frank Wolff, Anna Maria Aveta, Dario Dolci, Francs Mazzoni, Rossana Rovere 

A lonely, sexually-uninhibited young peasant is subjected to an exorcism after she hexes a man who rejects her advances.

This is a film I had never heard of before and stumbled upon. Definitely did not regret it.

What will attract many to this film is the lead played by Daliah Levi, She is amazing in her role and quite gorgeous. That you can see why so many are tempted by her. She throws herself into the role even more physically in one acne where she continuously contorts her body. She is as beautiful as the cinematography throughout.

This is an obsessive love story that turns into madness and questionable passion or a growing mental illness that seems to grow into group hysteria. By the end of the film, there is barely anyone who is truly innocent.

This film can be seen as a precursor or maybe even an early inspiration for Isabelle Adjani’s Iconic performance in POSSESSION

The film is a neorealist Italian movie with religious overtones and folk horror elements.

The film plays out a tragedy really as for all of those supposedly scared of her. She is ultimately a victim throughout. Most of the men trying to save or cure her violate or viciously attack her. All of them so-called holy and come down with her throw her away. Even the man she is in love with the man who blames his lust for her. All on her as some kind of spell. 

At first, her lover does come across as a victim but becomes a villain by the end. As the film tries to showcase what has led him to this path. His own mind of mental breakdown is tied to religion, lust, and folklore. 

This film definitely shows how misogynistic and exploitive those so-called true believers are when it comes to women and especially if they show any sexuality or seem to enjoy sex 

GRADE: B-

2 OR 3 THINGS I KNOW ABOUT HER (1967)

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Directed by: Jean-Luc Godard
Written by Jean-Luc Godard & Catherine Vimenet
Cinematography: Raoul Coutard
Editor: Francoise Collin & Chantal Delattre

Cast: Marina Vlady, Anne Duperey, Roger Montsorat, Raoul levy, Jean Narboni 

In this film, ‘Her’ refers to both Paris, the character of Juliette Janson, and the actress playing her, Marina Vlady. The film is a kind of dramatized documentary, illustrating and exaggerating the emotionless lives of characters in the new Paris of the 60s, where commercialism mocks families getting by on small incomes, where prostitution is a moneyspinning option, and where people are coldly resigned and immune to the human nightmares of Vietnam, and impending Atomic war.

When it comes to the films of Writer-Director Jean Luc Godard you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes you get absolute masterpieces at other times you get films you respect but might not love and then you get his more experimental films that can go either way. Sort of what it seems like Modern director Steven Soderbergh attempts.

Though both of their films can be off-putting for certain audiences. It might feel like most of those cinema comes off as pretentious.

This is one of the later films. Where he fills the film with beautiful women who keep your interest especially in close-ups but then the rest of the film is pretty much philosophical notions and existential discussions that become quite boring and superficial.

Where the genius lies is that he puts all of these speeches and interviews. While following certain characters. So that we examine their day-to-day experiences and living conditions. Then inserts the interviews and discussion. As well as his own whispered narrations asking us to question what we see and ponder them in different ways.

This is pretty much an experimental film all around. At times we see the characters off the wall characteristics. Like reading randomly from a stack of books while a friend writes down what they are quoting. Or a photojournalist dressed in an American flag t-shirt interviewing two women he has paid to undress in front of him while he asks questions and boats of his adventures. 

All of this is indebted to the politics at the time. Which instantly dates the film and radicalizes it to a degree. While trying to add cinematic tricks and observation. That it comes off more like a lesson than an experience.

As even at times the director seems to interview people off the street who we never see. Where the footage becomes a scattershot. Other than showing constant construction.

Which we never see what came before or after.

It/‘a a film that is full of ideas and its heart seeks to be in the right place but to a degree feels empty. Where emotions should be.

The film seems to try and show it’s Characters are used to their lives. So they have no reason to emote or seem like they are seeking to strive or escape. They just deal with the everyday. 

Even with a title that seems like the film will focus on the lead female.  As we try to get to know her and become obsessed with her. Showing her in all her glory. Instead, she is just part of the overall who we occasionally see. Though she is the most constant. 

The film or filmmaker wants us to know certain things about her but also expose her to the audience in all aspects. So that while we might fall for her we also know her. So that here is some kind of relatability but the end. Even if it just feels like a movie of expression wanting to say something yet cramming as much different stuff that connects into the tale and trying to decipher it all. 

Grade: C+