Monday, June 8, 2009

On Art in Film / Von der Kunst im Film / De l'art du filme !

Though I had never before thought too highly of the highly commercial(ized) film, theater, and opera director Doris Dörie, I have now recognized the ARTIST she is, evidenced in this moving film which we finally watched Saturday evening:


Kirschblüten - Hanami
Cherry Blossoms - Hanami

The trailer shown here will, I hope, entice you to watch this film, if you haven't seen it already, but it does not really give a good idea of the incredible aesthetics of the film, apparently instead going for a mass commercial audience by emphasizing pathos and humor and sentimentality, which are indeed all there,
BUT
this film also and primarily is a perfect composition of pictures and movements which move the story, which are explained by and explain the story, images and plot essential complements to one another. The incredible beauty of the images is made all the more so by their interspersal with images of the ugliness of our age, of family spitefulness, of urban hideousness, of stuffy provincialism. Here the serene simplicity of Japanese high culture is captured on film and will captivate anyone who sees it.
Let the cherry blossoms rustle in this movie for you, observe the subtle motions of characters learning to live on the edge of death, and watch for the shy mountain to reveal itself !
This is a work of highest art ! Don't miss it !

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