The Match-Cut Director/Movement of the Month

[B-side]

*insert neat banner here*

Obviously, I've been kicking this around for a bit, and some folks have expressed interest, so why not give it a shot? The idea is to have our little community share in the "discovery" of new films together and to discuss these discoveries in a communal fashion. I'm not quite sure how we'd go about choosing these directors/movements, I'm thinking some sort of randomization is in order, probably picking from some big master list of sorts. You would be free to choose your own film from these directors/movements, but we'd have to insist you review them for us all to enjoy. If you don't, then I'll sick Barty on you for being a pro-government scab. Anyway, feel free to toss out some names and movements and I'll throw them on the big list for the randomizer to pick from.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I suggest William A. Wellman, because he is an unsung genius.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I suggest William A. Wellman, because he is an unsung genius.

How interesting, since I'm precisely three minutes into The Ox-Bow Incident.

It sounds fun, but I doubt I'd be one of those able to keep up.

[B-side]

Hm. I recall people actually being interested in this.

[soitgoes...]

Iranian New Wave
New Korean Cinema

I still think that movements will garner the best responses since it allows a bit more freedom that individuals.

[B-side]

Iranian New Wave
New Korean Cinema

I still think that movements will garner the best responses since it allows a bit more freedom that individuals.

Naturally, but we'll run out of movements eventually.:P

[Spinal]

Hm. I recall people actually being interested in this.

My suggestion would be this: be more clear and decisive about what you would like the thread to be and how you would like it to progress. If there is a director or movement you would like to explore, get it started rather than waiting for us to get the ball rolling. Do or do not, there is no try. Middle of road, squashed like grape. Know what I'm saying? Lay out the structure and the content. Give us clear instructions. Best wishes.

[MacGuffin]

Yeah, I'd be interested in a project like this. I think the Cinéma du look movement of the late 80s and early 90s could be really interesting to explore more in depth (you know, outside of Leos Carax's oeuvre).

[Sven]

Middle of road, squashed like grape.

I think, technically, the middle of the road would be the safest place for a grape. It's being in the lanes...

[Qrazy]

Iranian New Wave
New Korean Cinema

I still think that movements will garner the best responses since it allows a bit more freedom that individuals.

I agree with Soitgoes, movements are better. It will be a long time before we run out of movements. If we run out of movements then do eras... for instance 1960's Czech cinema, that kind of thing.

Let's start with Iranian New Wave. Ready. Go!

[B-side]

I agree with Soitgoes, movements are better. It will be a long time before we run out of movements. If we run out of movements then do eras... for instance 1960's Czech cinema, that kind of thing.

Let's start with Iranian New Wave. Ready. Go!

I'm fine with this.

[B-side]

http://www.christianworldwideweb.com/languages/images/iran-map.gif

June: Iranian New Wave

Iranian New Wave refers to a new movement in Iranian cinema. It started in 1969 after the release of The Cow directed by Darius Mehrjui. It was followed by Masoud Kimiai's Qeysar, and Nasser Taqvai's Calm in Front of Others. They set off a trend that was cultural, dynamic and intellectual. The Iranian viewer became discriminating, encouraging the new trend to prosper and develop. In 3-4 years, 40-50 noteworthy films were made, establishing the New Wave of Iranian cinema.[1]

The pioneers of the Iranian New Wave were directors like Darius Mehrjui, Masoud Kimiay, Nasser Taqvai, Forough Farrokhzad, Sohrab Shahid Saless, Bahram Beizai, and Parviz Kimiavi. They made innovative art films with highly political and philosophical tones and poetic language. Subsequent films of this type have become known as the New Iranian cinema to distinguish them from their earlier roots. The most notable figures of the Iranian New Wave are Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi, Majid Majidi, Bahram Beizai, Darius Mehrjui, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Masoud Kimiay, Sohrab Shahid-Saless, Parviz Kimiavi, Samira Makhmalbaf, Amir Naderi, and Abolfazl Jalili.

[Sycophant]

If you want this thing to work, steer it. Like a steer.

http://www.whatnotstudios.com/shit/steer_m.jpg

Consider getting a "sponsor" for each movement. Someone on Match Cut passionate and knowledgeable enough about the movement in question and interested enough in promoting this form of discussion and discovery to guide the discussion, provide useful information, and put together an essential and continued viewing list. Have people PM you with their interest in hosting a discussion about Romanian independent eighties cinema. Don't leave it up to some poster who hits and runs with a vague interest in some corner of cinema they've been meaning to get to but haven't.

Start with you, actually. Give us a movement you're knowledgeable and passionate about and want everyone to know more about. Write up something about why this is essential.

Do not make a post that's like "Postwar Japanese contemporary cinema! Go!" Tell us who the key players and films are. Give us historical and cultural background information. Tell us why we should give a fuck and where we might start to give it. Tell us where we might find harder to find films.

Not sure if you want to keep it all in a master thread or split it up. I'm not sure what would me more conducive to illuminating discussion.

These are my ideas.

[MacGuffin]

Okay, so the only one I think I've seen from this movement is Crimson Gold, but it's absolutely ace and highly recommended. I have Taste of Cherry, so I'll give that a try this week.

[Sycophant]

^^ I wrote all that before I saw Brightside's newest post. But I stand by it.

[Raiders]

Yeah B-side, I think we need like an actual assignment. If left to our own devices, we aren't going to actually do anything. It seems obvious enough, but I would assume we should all watch at least one film from the specific month and come back at the end of the month and discuss them as well as traits and such of the movement. Or better yet, give us some of the traits and characteristics and ask how they fit into the film(s) we watched.

[Ezee E]

I've seen something by Makhmalbaf, but no idea what it is.

A couple from Kiarostami, but it bored me mostly. Neither good, nor bad.

Turtles Can Fly is pretty good. Not sure it's from Iran though... So...

[balmakboor]

I loved Gabbeh (I own it actually) and The Circle is excellent. I haven't particularly liked anything by Kiarostami and Five Dedicated to Ozu should be ashamed of itself for taking the master's name in vain.

I have loved LOVED everything I've seen by Majid Majidi though. Just an amazing director. He has a delicate and universal quality about his films that reminds me of Zhang Yimou at his best.

[kopello]

I actually have The Wind Will Carry Us at home now from the library, and I think they also have Taste of Cherry.

I also saw Blackboards recently and was thoroughly impressed.

[B-side]

Yeah B-side, I think we need like an actual assignment. If left to our own devices, we aren't going to actually do anything. It seems obvious enough, but I would assume we should all watch at least one film from the specific month and come back at the end of the month and discuss them as well as traits and such of the movement. Or better yet, give us some of the traits and characteristics and ask how they fit into the film(s) we watched.

I can easily provide info on the movements, but assigning specific films is what everyone else has told me not to do. They even went so far as to widen the assignment to movements instead of directors.:P

[Raiders]

I can easily provide info on the movements, but assigning specific films is what everyone else has told me not to do. They even went so far as to widen the assignment to movements instead of directors.:P

That's not what I suggested. I meant outline what we should do during this month, not give us any specific films we must watch. Obviously though, a movement entails specific films. Maybe you should list those and people can choose their own based on taste and availability.

[Qrazy]

Yeah I agree that you should provide a list of the major films for the movement/month that we can seek out. The keeners can go off list and find some gems if they want. I very much disagree with the whole assignments, write ups or poster sponsored movements though. All of these things will turn this from fun into work and the more work there is the less likely this thing will get off the ground. Start a new thread for each month/movement, provide some minor historical info, a list of major films and then we can view and discuss them as we desire.

[Spinal]

I agree that assignments and homework are not a good idea. Mostly, I was looking for a clearer description of how the thread will operate. In other words, why should I watch these films now instead of getting to them on my own time?

[Qrazy]

I agree that assignments and homework are not a good idea. Mostly, I was looking for a clearer description of how the thread will operate. In other words, why should I watch these films now instead of getting to them on my own time?

Reasonable. I think for the sake of being able to discuss them during that month, much like the director consensus threads.

[B-side]

Start a new thread for each month/movement, provide some minor historical info, a list of major films and then we can view and discuss them as we desire.

Is everybody OK with this?

[B-side]

Is everybody OK with this?

If nobody responds, I'm going to assume this will be best and start the thread promptly. A new thread per movement seems most reasonable.

[Qrazy]

I asked everyone and they said yes.