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The Conformist (1970) Bernardo Bertolucci
Bertolluci has often compared making movies to writing poetry. In terms of editing (and I'm paraphrasing), Bertolluci says that every shot is like a word, and you can truly write a beautiful poem, create a beautiful film, by correctly placing the right shots side by side.
Never have I yet been let down by a Bertolluci film, even the mediocre "The Dreamers". There is something about them - maybe his choice of cinematographers: Vittorio Storaro ("The Last Emperor"", "Apocalypse Now",) or musicians: George Delerue ("Les Mempris", "Platoon"), or maybe just being a complete genius himself... whatever it is, Bertolluci can sure make a film.
The Conformist details a fascist man, who travels with his new wife to assassinate his old teacher, who is an anti fascist. Pretty simple.
The thing which captivates me about this film though, is the "mise en scene" of it. His Compositions, along with the extremely beautiful lighting, leave us with so many images worthy of worship in an art museum. Any budding cinematographers out there MUST see this film.
Why a film like "Blow Up" would get the Criterion DVD treatment, while a film like "The Conformist" would fail to even get a DVD treatment OR a VHS re release, is a bit silly.
I can go on forever about this film, and Bertolucci himself, but who would listen? Any of you who has dared to read this far will have to settle for the watered down version.
An interesting thing to do for hopeful filmmakers... watch first Melville's "le Samourai", then "The Conformist", and then cap it off with a nice viewing of 'Millers Crossing". It's interesting to see the evolution of cinematic influence. Hey, while you're at it, why not add in Fassbinder's "The American Soldier". Report to me your findings. Go forth, and film the world!
That's all from me for now.
Bertolluci has often compared making movies to writing poetry. In terms of editing (and I'm paraphrasing), Bertolluci says that every shot is like a word, and you can truly write a beautiful poem, create a beautiful film, by correctly placing the right shots side by side.
Never have I yet been let down by a Bertolluci film, even the mediocre "The Dreamers". There is something about them - maybe his choice of cinematographers: Vittorio Storaro ("The Last Emperor"", "Apocalypse Now",) or musicians: George Delerue ("Les Mempris", "Platoon"), or maybe just being a complete genius himself... whatever it is, Bertolluci can sure make a film.
The Conformist details a fascist man, who travels with his new wife to assassinate his old teacher, who is an anti fascist. Pretty simple.
The thing which captivates me about this film though, is the "mise en scene" of it. His Compositions, along with the extremely beautiful lighting, leave us with so many images worthy of worship in an art museum. Any budding cinematographers out there MUST see this film.
Why a film like "Blow Up" would get the Criterion DVD treatment, while a film like "The Conformist" would fail to even get a DVD treatment OR a VHS re release, is a bit silly.
I can go on forever about this film, and Bertolucci himself, but who would listen? Any of you who has dared to read this far will have to settle for the watered down version.
An interesting thing to do for hopeful filmmakers... watch first Melville's "le Samourai", then "The Conformist", and then cap it off with a nice viewing of 'Millers Crossing". It's interesting to see the evolution of cinematic influence. Hey, while you're at it, why not add in Fassbinder's "The American Soldier". Report to me your findings. Go forth, and film the world!
That's all from me for now.
__________________
"I know a man who was born with his heart on the outside. Every man's worst fear, he also had heavy hands. he couldn't touch his lovers face, he couldn't hold a baby." - Buck 65
"I know a man who was born with his heart on the outside. Every man's worst fear, he also had heavy hands. he couldn't touch his lovers face, he couldn't hold a baby." - Buck 65
.... he's gone