A few recent posts illustrate this in the notebook's coverage of the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) and the New York Film Festival (NYFF). The coverage on both offered insight onto international films that definitely do not fit the Hollywood mold. For the NYFF, the notebook offers insight on such films as the Korean Night and Day, and an interview with Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who is famous for his Japanese horror films. Most of the reviews highlight the difficulty of seeing any of the films screened at the festival at another widespread release, and even the chances of a film making it to DVD. So if one could view Night and Day with an online hi-definition stream, the secret culture of film festival films could be broken down.
This is highlighted more so with the coverage of the Bangkok International Film Festival, which was highlighted this year with films that mesh cinema-verite documentary and fictional storytelling, with a Columbian film entitled PVC-1 that uses one 90 minute shot to capture a retelling of the true story of a woman who had a pipe bomb strapped around her neck as an incentive to pay a ransom. Again, the editorial on the films covered at the BKKIFF praises the films, and entices the reader to seek out these very peculiar films from so far away. The Auteurs Notebook is inviting the reader to seek out more information, since actually seeing the film might mean traveling half-way across the world. This is especially the case at the BKKIFF when films that will most likely only be screened at only a few festivals are banned only weeks ahead of time due to political disagreements between the filmmaker's topic choice and the festival's host country government.
The mission statement of the Auteurs Notebook is bold:
We believe it's time for a new, global, internet-based film venue. With a keen focus, style and a classic approach to cinema, we've dubbed our venture The Auteurs.
However, independent filmmakers are waiting for an internet venue that appreciates the "classic approach" to cinema, instead of the normal "Youtube" internet video. Although the website only contains the "notebook" portion, it will soon be a host for independent film all over the globe.
1 comment:
Tom -
Thanks for the introduction to this venture - or should I say, movement? It is interesting to see it, in its festival reporting, to be trying to stimulate another situation, another possibility.
Your post is a great introduction, and a helpful overview. It eludes the assignment a bit, which asked you to comment on two articles. I do respect that you "cover" the website, its mission.
But I'd like to see you grapple with more specifics. Perhaps considering a review isn't possible as you - as the Autuers would point out - haven't been able to see the films under consideration.
But, barring consideration of specific articles, I'd like your take on this situation, the pursuit of The Auteurs. A sense of your endorsement seems clear in your writing, but tell me more: how is the internet better or different than other venues? Is anything lost? You hear folks talking about the atomization of communities. What do you think?
Again, this post was interesting, compelling to an extent. But I'd like to hear you expand on your thoughts, tell me more, consider this topic further. If you are resistant to talking about articles, per se, then discuss the specifics of the Auteurs' venture, any ramifications for makers and audiences.
Post a Comment