Film Persona

  Jacques Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" The very first piece of information you'll ever hear about Jacques Demy's 1964 musical, " The Umbrellas of Cherbourg " is that every single line of dialogue is sung. While this may dismay those who are rubbed the wrong way by the aesthetic and format, " The Umbrellas of Cherbourg " surprises you in how easily it is to forget that you're even watching a musical. As the viewer sinks into this melancholic tale of love, loss, and circumstance, you can't help but to get caught in the tidal wave of emotion and pleasant heartbreak. The film follows Genevieve and Guy, a young couple in love wanting to get married, despite the disapproval of Genevieve's mother, Emery. After Guy gets drafted into the army for a two-year stint, he leaves his newly pregnant Genevieve with a promise that he'll return once his service is through. However, given the improper social circumstances and economic restra...

  Yasujiro Ozu's "Equinox Flower" There are a few things that make a Yasujiro Ozu film: 1) a family fracturing due to generational disagreements 2) those generation disagreements stemming from social changes taking place in 1940s/1950s Japan 3) a poetic telling of the cyclical pains of getting older and the distance you feel from your family and children. All of those things are ever-present in his 1958 film " Equinox Flower ." The film follows a father who is stubbornly against his daughter's attempt at marriage on her own terms.  Ozu, now an aged master, demonstrates how completely meticulous he is with his camerawork, framing, pace, and structure. Returning to Ozu, for me, always feels like I'm in safe hands. There was a point in my life where I very much was irritated by Ozu's films, particularly their slow pacing. However, Ozu does not come to your level, you must meet him at his. This is where you will find the subtle spirituality of his work. ...

  Karel Zeman's "Invention for Destruction" Karel Zeman's 1958 Czechoslovakian film " Invention for Destruction " is one of the most visually striking films I've ever seen. The uniqueness of its visual format stems from its intentional likeness to Victorian-era illustrations. The visual renderings combine live actors with various forms of animation and designed effects, even mimicking the Victoria-era line engravings.  The reason for this exacting likeness is due to the story being based on the works of Jules Verne, particularly his 1896 novel, " Facing the Flag ." The film focuses on a scientist's assistant who, along with the scientist, is captured by a gang of pirates working for the sinister Count Artigas. Artigas plans on using the scientist's works in order to make a futuristic weapon to enact world domination.  The unique visual style is one of a kind, and is perhaps the most significant driving force in the film's execution....

  Richard Brooks' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" Tennessee Williams, perhaps one of the most famous names in playwriting and scriptwriting, is not actually from Tennessee as his name would suggest. His real place of origin belongs to the Mississippi Delta, which is the location of one his most famous plays, " Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ." After its successful production in 1955, Hollywood director Richard Brooks fashioned it into a screenplay and placed Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in the lead roles. The film centers on the fractured marital relationship between Brick, a has-been who lost out on his dream of playing professional American football, and Maggie, his wife who is trying to win back favor after being blamed for his best friend's death due to a supposed affair. Their marital troubles are surrounded by a family get-together to support Brick's father, Big Daddy, a wealthy plantation owner who is having health troubles. As the family intermingles, lies an...

  Costa-Gavras's "Z" Despite Costa-Gavras's 1969 political thriller " Z " directly referencing events that occurred in Greece in 1963, the film also somehow manages to illustrate the broader reality of post-war global politics. The film represented a growing trend in cinema that would reflect the more politically-minded films of the 1970s, thus bringing the metatextual New Wave-esque styles of the 60s to a close. " Z" 's influence in the genre of political thriller is unparalleled and put director Costa-Gavras on the cinematic map. The plot of the films centers on the investigation into the attack on political candidate. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the state apparatus hired assassins. As Costa-Gavras moves through the story, the intricate layers of corruption and convolution are revealed.  To me, " Z" has the intrigue and engagement to be considered a modern classic in cinema. It's a film that completely su...

  Jacques Demy's "Lola" The characters of Jacques Demy's 1961 film " Lola " are all looking for connection and love, which is why the melancholic 'just-missing' of each other creates a very New Wave-esque irony. Centering on a young man who reunites with a long, lost childhood friend, the film operates as an ensemble. It is full of characters all desperately looking for something in their middling, aimless life.  Demy's film comes across as indescribable. Of course, it embodies the elements of his New Wave contemporaries. However, " Lola " has a more musical quality to it. Demy himself even stated that the film was a tribute to Max Ophuls, whose films Demy has described as "musical without music." The same goes for " Lola ," as the various scenes of its lonely, desperate characters almost feels hopeful and glistening with romantic undertones.  For me, the thematic point of the film lies in a remark made by our protag...

  Hiroshi Inagaki's "Muhomatsu, the Rickshaw Man" After Hiroshi Inagaki completed his " Samurai " trilogy, he reteamed with iconic Japanese actor Toshiro Mafune for 1958's " Muhomatsu, the Rickshaw Man ." The film centers on a lowly rickshaw man who becomes a an important influence on the lives of a widowed mother and her young son after the death of the patriarch. Throughout the film, the titular rickshaw man named Matsugoro, continues to act selflessly in pursuit of benefiting this family in need. To me, the driving drama of the film stems from Matsugoro's deep-seated desire to be something more than just a simple rickshaw man. He is quite an impressive man, as demonstrated by his ability to race, fight, and play drums. However, throughout the film, he is never able to overcome this simpleton moniker placed upon him by societal circumstances. His parental guidance towards the young boy seems like an attempt to steer him away from such fates. ...