Throughout the streams of photographic images (because essentially cinematography's central focus is photography) of Werner Herzog's documentary i had this queer idea of solitude being filmed in the most provocative way. The range of Herzog's color field, though monochromatic, captures certain moods and auras that i would never forget. Such is his application of post-production manipulation, perhaps laboratory work, on the film stock (is there a possibility that he used a digital one? Maybe) used. Some adjustments in contrast, and also a little less brightness these images would look exceedingly beautiful. But perhaps, this is the way our director works. A Werzogian (contracted name) method of film exposure to produce landscapes never before seen on film.
Werner Herzog attempts to tap on the modes of thinking of these people, to depict their own sense of humanity in living in Antarctica. And he did it by providing us austere yet vibrant pictures of the fullness and emptiness of life in Antarctica.
I was amazed that this haunting documentary is not at all a social commentary on climate change, or pervasive rhetorical gratuitousness on global warming but a picture of humanity itself in Antarctica.
Here are some handful screenshots for your viewing pleasure.
Humanity...
Mysticism...
Emptiness...
Rhythm...
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Rhythm...
***ANNOUNCEMENTS:
14th French Film Festival in Manila
Shang Cineplex Cinema 3
Level 6, Shangri-La Plaza
Shaw Boulevard cor. EDSA
Mandaluyong City
FREE ADMISSIONS!!!
Showing:
ÇA BRULE (Claire Simon, 2006)
June 6, Saturday - 3:00 p.m.
June 8, Monday - 5:30 p.m.
June 10, Wednesday - 12:30 p.m.
LA PIANISTE (Michael Haneke, 2002)
June 11, Thursday - 8:00 p.m.
MARIE JO ET SES DEUX AMOURS (Robert Guédiguian, 2002)
June 7, Sunday - 3:00 p.m.
June 9, Tuesday - 3:00 p.m.
FLANDRES (Bruno Dumont, 2006)
June 7, Sunday - 5:30 p.m.
June 8, Monday - 3:30 p.m.
June 9, Tuesday - 5:30 p.m.
June 13, Saturday - 8:00 p.m.
UN SECRET (Claude Miller, 2007)
June 6, Saturday - 12:30 p.m.
June 10, Wednesday - 8:30 p.m.
June 14, Sunday - 12:30 p.m.
DIX-SEPT FOIS CECILE CASSARD (Christophe Honoré, 2002)
June 11, Thursday - 12:30 p.m.
June 13, Saturday - 3:00 p.m.
L’ESQUIVE (Abdellatif Kechiche, 2003)
June 11, Thursday - 5:30 p.m.
June 13, Saturday - 5:30 p.m.
HOME (Yann Arthus-Bertrand, 2009)
June 5, Friday - 7:30 p.m.
June 7, Sunday - 12:30 p.m.
JEAN DE LA FONTAINE (Daniel Vigne, 2007)
June 6, Saturday - 5:30 p.m.
June 9, Tuesday - 8:00 p.m.
June 14, Sunday - 3:00 p.m.
VAN GOGH (Maurice Pialat, 1991)
June 6, Saturday - 8:00 p.m.
June 8, Monday - 12:30 p.m.
June 10, Wednesday - 5:30 p.m.
June 14, Sunday - 8:00 p.m.
400 Coups (Francois Truffaut, 1959)
June 11, Thursday - 3:00 p.m.
June 14, Sunday - 5:30 p.m.
MA SAISON PREFEREE (André Téchiné, 1993)
June 7, Sunday - 8:00 p.m.
RIDICULE (Patrice Leconte, 1996)
June 13, Saturday - 12:30 p.m.
ZIM AND CO (Pierre Jolivet, 2005)
June 8, Monday - 8:00 p.m.
June 9, Tuesday - 12:30 p.m.
For the complete schedule of films check out their website here.
COMMENTS:
The list is largely made of contemporary films from great directors big and small. Only one from the French New Wave phenomena, The 400 Blows by Truffaut, made it which is not what i expected. I am practically most interested perhaps in watching three films notably Haneke's The Piano Teacher (LA PIANISTE), The 400 Blows by Truffaut, and also My Favorite Season by Andre Techine. But actually i am planning to watch all films.
See you in the festival!
Ciao!
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