That is a fantastic headline to be able to write. For one reason or another, since LACMA’s series ten years or so ago, fans of German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder have had few chances to see much of his work on the big screen. Now, to mark the thirtieth anniversary of his death (June 10), the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles is celebrating this most individual of film-makers in suitably expansive style, with a series of 16 first-rate titles, between May 31 and June 14, 2012.
Fassbinder was intense and prolific. Over 13 years (1969-1982) he directed 34 feature films for cinema and television, as well as a couple of documentaries, a remarkably naked omnibus contribution, and four multi-part television films, culminating in the majestic, 15-hour Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980). He also enjoyed an outsized personal reputation, as a fiercely intelligent, manipulative, drug-addicted workaholic, with a lurid gay love-life, and an entourage/commune/circus of collaborators/lovers/victims, who recur in the credits of film after film. He died in his sleep aged 37, from a combination of cocaine abuse, punishing work-rate and, perhaps, despair. more…
There’s no particular need to reiterate the film’s perfection, Renoir’s supremely elegant direction, nor the performances of a stellar cast. Characters are both finely sketched as individuals, and function as unbelaboured representatives of social and racial divides. The film carries one along on a wave of optimism and feeling for one’s fellows such that it is possible truly to believe it merely a great illusion that there can be any fundamental difference between men.
The most stressful time of the year is said to be that of the holidays, beginning around Thanksgiving in the States and leading up to New Year’s Eve. In January everyone takes a breath, heads to the gym to work off the holiday weight and eases into the cold winter months. Then February hits and the stress of the holidays seems like a welcome vacation over the dreaded day of love—Valentine’s Day. Men go into panic mode trying to decide what they should buy for their sweetheart; they then panic even more when they realize how much it is going to cost them to buy a dozen roses, or take their girl out to dinner with the deluge of pre-planned Valentine’s Day menus (restaurants take full advantage on this day). For the single people of the world Valentine’s Day feels like a slap in the face; a cruel joke being played out for weeks ahead of time as every store is laden with themed decorations and all of the commercials on television advertise all the things you should buy for the one you love. Being alone on New Year’s Eve is a cakewalk compared to surviving a day at the office on February 14th; where the smell of roses and the sounds of giggling girls in their cubicles in nauseating.
Let’s face it, Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday. It is a day you are supposed to celebrate the love you have with another person, but that should be everyday—or a random day in September. Like it or not Valentine’s Day is happening, and the stress of pulling off the perfect evening is imminent. While I cannot, and will not, give you advice on where to take your special one, or how to have fun even if you are single I can offer some suggestions in the way of movies that may help make the evening better, for those in love and those cursing the entire idea of love this year.
3 months ago
New Trailer for Season 2 of “Game of Thrones” has arrived! Is it April 1st yet?
Ever wonder who you have to thank for torture porn films like Saw and Hostel? This week’s Cinema Fearite has the answer, Crawlspace—beware of the apartment manager!
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