kingston jamaica: the harder they come

“dat don soun rite”

the harder they come with jimmy cliff

filmed in jamaica and directed by perry henzell in 1972

the harder they come is possibly the most influential of jamaican films and one of the most important films from the caribbean. this film was followed by “rockers” in 1978 directed by theodoros bafaloukos which is, in my opinion, a much better version of the film simply because of what it has documented of jamaican street life in the 70’s and their super cool gitups which has influenced everything from hip hop, down to even this latest gucci campaign below. we did a post on “rockers” several years ago which you can see here. enjoy. by dd

Tribeca film festival: advice from the master

guillaume canet “rock n roll” with model camille rowe


marion cotillard

uh: “any suggestions on what to catch at the tribeca film festival or am i right to dread the unavoidable?”

pk: “i’m not that big a fan of ‘indie films’ so i stay away from them unless someone very reliable recommends something. the only ones i’ve seen are guillaume canet’s “rock n’ roll” and “hedy lamarr: bombshell”. both are available via the world of academy bootleg but wise to support the film makers. totally different films but both excellent takes on their subjects – aging and fame respectively. rock ‘n roll might be of interest to you as you are (like the real life people in the film) very much involved with keeping up with the youth culture… for survival’s sake if nothing else. the hedy lamarr film is a more straightforward doc. interesting feminist take on lamarr’s seriously brainy side that would be of possible interest.

uh: “damn… thanx alot!!! bloody hell…” by uh+pk

a love letter to cinema: from caligari to hitler and onward to holly motors

from caligari to hitler – german cinema and how it lead to nazi rule, narrated by kyle kallgren.

i was researching the german films pre WWII and specifically robert wiene’s the cabinet of dr. caligari and came across this. i somehow like this guy, kyle kallgren, and i agree with so much of what he says if only he would pronounce the names of some of these greats just a little bit better. but that didn’t stop me, i wanted more and look what i found… what i consider to be one of the best films of the last decade… saw it in theaters when it came out and i even have the dvd hah!

from the man with a movie camera to leo carax’s holly motors!

ok this boy has some taste. well done kyle and i thoroughly enjoyed watching your rants. let’s have a coffee soon. by uh

WWII and the rise of the SS in full color recently restored

a civilian political leader, adolf hitler, with only “good intentions” for the mother land…

young idyllic german youth with initially good intentions

the rise of the SS to power

 and the propaganda which followed that poisoned the minds of ordinary citizens.

remember that this already happened.

this is a great historic documentary in these very trying times. regardless of your current political views this is a good lesson in history and the events that lead to a disaster, not just for the nation itself, but for the world as a whole. worth a watch if you have any interest in the past or the future. enjoy and feel free to share it. by ar

model vs. model

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have you ever seen a calvin klein perfume ad and thought, “yes, but what if this were more disturbed?” then nicolas winding refn has a new movie for you. the writer/director is back with a new horror thriller, the neon demon, and, because it was made by nicholas winding refn, it of course looks very violent, very stylish, and very twisted. if you are interested in a crazy danish man and a bunch of murderous models, this is a must see for you. the neon demon will debut at cannes next month. by sv

Nouvelle Vague in fragments

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this is actually not from the films, but hell it looks great… this is not a love song!

Jean-Seberg-Jean-Luc-Goddard-Breathless

jean seberg in jean-luc goddard’s breathless.

a nice collage from the various JLG earlier films, a woman is a woman, breathless, and the like. this is godard in fragments from criterion collection. enjoy. by sv

every man for himself: jean luc godard interview with dick cavett back in 1980

JLG-The-Dick-Cavett-Show jean-luc-godard-interview

“i never went away… maybe i was pushes away” – JLG

every man for himself: “people ask of film things they would never ask of poetry… or art… why?” – JLG

“when people go into exile from their own country that means there is something good in them…” – JLG

interview part 1 and 2 of 6 see rest here

dick cavett interviews GOD himself… jean luc godard in 1980 discussing critics reviews of his film at the time, “every man for himself” a film about the lives of a man (jacques dutronc), a woman (nathalie baye) and a prostitute (isabelle huppert) when they cross paths, classic godard synopsis… maybe this one has an extra 3rd person but otherwise… love this man talking about jerry lewis, howard hawks, and hitchcock and was such a pleasure to see this 30+ years after… uh would appreciate this one. by ac

there should be a movie category called “romantic tragedy”: the romanov family story

romanov-the last-tzar-russian-history-Imperial-Family

now this was a real love story with a real tragic ending. not like the shit they write up in hollywood. the romanov family from left to right: olga, maria, nicholas II, alexandra, anastasia, alexei, and tatiana at the livadia palace in 1913

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exterior of the livadia palace in 1913

part 1 of 3

the romanov dynasty, and russias involvement in WWI against germany, ended with the arrival of lenin from switzerland, who was assisted by russias enemy, germany herself. ironically tzar nicholas of russia and germany’s monarch kaiser wilhelm II, who were at war with one another, were actually related (first cousins – don’t ever expect loyalty from any royal or rich man). after the arrival of lenin and the abdication of the russian monarch, the family was put under house arrest… but with in month of the revolution the entire family was shot at point blank in the basement of the house they were sent to in the north. this included the beautiful 4 daughters and nicholas’ young son alexi. from what i gather they were perhaps the best of monarchs… that is when you compare autocrats and dictators of the time. very sad and tragic life indeed, especially for the children who were completely innocent. by uh