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Chantal Akerman's talent, life and dark vision

71.203.126.20

Posted on September 14, 2020 at 06:14:24
Victor Khomenko
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She was a remarkable movie maker, but her troubled life and art make it hard to watch. I do love her style, but I realize it is not for everyone. The darkness can get to you, it might wear you down. However, if you are resistant to it, you will be richly rewarded.

We have seen some of her work earlier... this time, with much credit to the Criterion Channel, we had a chance to re-examine it, and at some point my wife just couldn't take any more. So if you have not seen her films - proceed with caution.


 

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I'm okay with the pace. But her work just doesn't engage me. We all, posted on September 15, 2020 at 09:08:46
tinear
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have problems; her portrayals don't offer much besides the presentation. But I admit I may be missing something.

 

Did you see "Je Tu Il Elle"?, posted on September 15, 2020 at 15:33:49
Victor Khomenko
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I found it very engaging.


 

RE: Did you see "Je Tu Il Elle"?, posted on September 16, 2020 at 05:53:38
tinear
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Yes, she's beautiful.

 

BTW - an interesting bit about the driver, posted on September 16, 2020 at 10:03:06
Victor Khomenko
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I think she approached that unemployed actor and said she was making a film, but had no money to pay him. To which he responded: "When are we shooting?"

She said "Right now!" and they walked him to a truck, with the crew already there.

He played his part very well, BTW.


 

I'm going to watch, "South," soon. nt, posted on September 16, 2020 at 16:00:52
tinear
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d

 

We all know it was Bush's fault. , posted on September 17, 2020 at 10:02:13
Victor Khomenko
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Gruesome story. Truly disgusting.


 

What are you talking about? It's a documentary about rural Southern America? nt, posted on September 17, 2020 at 16:02:28
tinear
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d

 

Well, kinda. Have you seen it yet? , posted on September 17, 2020 at 16:08:06
Victor Khomenko
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It is about the effect of a particular racial crime - murder of James Byrd.


 

I "watched" it. , posted on September 18, 2020 at 07:26:47
tinear
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That means I skipped through pretty large segments, enough to know what it was about and listen to several LONG ruminations by poor folks. I don't see the political angle, though?

I do find it interesting Akerman has nothing to say, ever, about the Palestinians even though she made a film in Israel (Tel Aviv, if I remember right?) or about French colonialism. There's more than a shred of racism in France and its treatment about its own citizenry from its many colonies. Oh well, I guess it's always easier to find fault with others.

 

RE: I "watched" it. , posted on September 18, 2020 at 07:51:51
Victor Khomenko
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The political angle came from Al Gore, who accused Bush of being soft on those murderers. Of course the fact two of them received death sentence and one life sentence did not mean anything to Al.


 

No, Gore did no such thing. He did call out W for his, posted on September 18, 2020 at 15:18:15
tinear
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lack of support for the hate crimes bill, which is a complex subject best not discussed here. Someday, over vodka... or not.

 

I am all for love crimes... , posted on September 18, 2020 at 15:56:40
Victor Khomenko
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Not much of a vodka drinker here, unfortunately. Me no putin scum apparatchik with their fat and greasy mugs.


 

But he's a strong man! Like the ex-military creep in Brazil. Okay, cognac it is, with the first, posted on September 18, 2020 at 17:40:09
tinear
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toast to Patrick!

 

I shall drink to that!, posted on September 18, 2020 at 18:34:20
Victor Khomenko
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Actually, for the last several years my favorite drink has been pinot noir.

How appropriate... as one of my most favorite movie genre is film noir. The signs of a dark soul?

Just tonight that very combination - inexpensive pinot with "Phantom Lady" -a somewhat unusual 1941 film in that category.

I can watch those petite B&W gems all day long.


 

Pinot is our favorite libation, also. As you perhaps remember,, posted on September 21, 2020 at 14:18:29
tinear
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we lived for decades in the Willamette Valley. I'd recommend Chehalem, Elk Cove, and Lange for excellent, mid-priced bottles. Ponzi, Archery Summit, Beaux Freres (partly owned by Robert Parker) Domaine Drouhin--- well, when you want the very best, those would be they.

Some prefer Oregon pinot that resembles the French style, more austere. I'd argue that's a mistake when the Oregon fruit and terroir are so different and are apparently, by nature, fuller, jammier. Some say pinot doesn't age well but I personally never experienced that. I kept many bottles from different wineries for up to fifteen years and never had a bottle go bad. Some started to resemble port--- but that was wonderful!

 

I do remember... , posted on September 22, 2020 at 04:54:17
Victor Khomenko
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I don't think I had those first three, although the second one sounds familiar. I don't keep wines for longer than a few months - there was once a joke in Russia about a man from a poor region - he was getting 365 harvests of potatoes a year. When asked how he simply replied, in his broken Russian: "Hungry... very hungry" - he would plant them in the morning, but dig them out by dinner time. That's my story. I used to have a small wine cellar, but those times are long gone.


 

Will share the potato story with Russiaphile wife , posted on September 23, 2020 at 07:24:37
tinear
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who now is ploughing through Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of "War and Peace." Obviously, her lifelong love of the language & culture has rubbed off on our daughter who, before Covid led her to take a gap year, was scheduled to live in the "Russia House" at her college. I studied Russian lit in college, too, but only in translation--- my craziness has bounds.

 

I understand the view from the distance..., posted on September 24, 2020 at 04:52:38
Victor Khomenko
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...but to me this is like someone studying German language and culture in 1945. Yes, the Russian culture is rich, but it is a totally perverted society that deserves no place among the humans.

Realize, that while Germany went through serious cleansing (arguably, insufficient), the soviet fascism only gained strength as result of WW2.


 

But... Tarkovsky grew in that soil. And many other directors. And all those dancers! , posted on September 24, 2020 at 12:52:38
tinear
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I can understand your frustration, now more than ever. What's happening in Brazil nauseates me to no end. Fascism, like Covid, may be with the human race forever...

 

As in any other jail, you will find some decent people there, posted on September 25, 2020 at 12:05:42
Victor Khomenko
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Unfortunately, the great majority of the dumb population fully supports their dictator and is united in their boundless hatred towards all democratic states. It is truly one sick society. One of the most corrupt on Earth.


 

RE: I understand the view from the distance..., posted on September 25, 2020 at 12:41:48
'soviet fascism only gained strength as result of WW2'

they've set up a lot of 'back channels' since then to like minded 'leaders' and 'captains of industry' around the world as well ... that's undoubtedly a component to what's being observed in many 'shithole' countries these days

best regards,

 

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