Inspiration

A bit of rain can be a beautiful thing! Just look at 1964’s THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG.

A Profile of Americans’ Media Use and Political Socialization Effects: television and the Internet’s relationship to social connectedness in the USA ― Daniel German & Caitlin Lally

There are more “non-humans” on TV than women. Talk about unequal gender representation in the media.

Are you SERIOUS??

Plot: A man tries for years to get his movie off the ground, the only thing standing in his way is himself.

Review: American Movie is a sort of tragedy to me.  To others, this just seems like a movie about a guy who wants to make his own film but he can’t stop getting in his own way. He drinks too much, has no real vision and no training.  This comes off as funny more than not but man I’ve seen this so much. I’ve worked for this guy and it’s not as funny when you’re there for real. Filmmaking demands a lot of sacrifice and to see someone who says that he is wiling to make that sacrifice while refusing to do so in practice is a bit lame, a bit square and a bit sad.

The only thing I really like about it was the director’s friend, Mike Schank. He has such a positive, real attitude that it’s hard not to love him.  He’s just always smiling and great.  The director, Mark Borchardt, despite his faults, is at least a genuine guy.  He realizes his faults and tries to be there for his friends and the best part of the movie is the relationship between the two.    

‘Please Vote for Me’ - an excellent 2007 documentary that follows three eight-year-olds as they compete to win the highly coveted position of class monitor, in one of their school’s first democratic elections.

It’s easy to view this Wuhan-based primary school as a microcosm of China and the film as a metaphor for greater changes afoot in the country. This impression is reinforced when watching the kids grapple with concepts and processes they do not quite yet understand, but also by the ending. While the school has introduced a democratic process, the status quo is ultimately preserved.

On a more fundamental level, it’s fascinating to watch the lengths these kids will go to win, from bullying to slandering opponents to scheming to bribery. I remember seeing the same kind of tactics employed at school during primary school elections. It’s this universally human aspect of the film that makes it such an insightful viewing experience.

POETIC

subjective, artistic expression

The poetic mode of documentary moves away from the “objective” reality of a given situation or people to grasp at an inner “truth” that can only be grasped by poetical manipulation. There are no characters

EXPOSITORY

voice of god

http://vimeo.com/58659769 - Scared is Scared