My 3 top films made it to the top because they inspired
me to want to pick up a camera myself and start making films and because they
used the medium to make personal and political statements.
I loved every minute of this riveting 3-hour
documentary. As in every other Wiseman doco, it immerses us in a specific world
gradually brought to life, segment by segment, from a supposed 'fly on the
wall' point of view. In this case, it is a glorious neighbourhood in Queens
awash with colour, diversity and passion. We take all this in via panning shots
of shopfronts, streetscapes and intersections; sitting in on formal meetings of
local politicians, community activists, and special interest groups; eavesdropping
on spontaneous encounters between strangers on the street. Wiseman's camera is
there at every 'mundane' moment, building up his detailed portrait. His
objectivity is a visage of course. His selection of material highlights the
nuances, the struggles and ultimately the humanity of this neighbourhood, which
is highly vulnerable in the face of profit-hungry property developers. With
Wiseman, we lament the truth that this neighbourhood's vibrancy, cultural
richness and activism (everything that makes a place interesting) will
inevitably give way to bland, droll middle-class tastes and lifestyle.
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| No Home Movie |
Much has already been said and written about this
incredibly personal, poignant documentary. For me, it was the combination of
personal material with a formally austere cinematic approach that stopped me in
my tracks. Akerman's trademark precision about what is within the frame, what
is off-frame and the duration of each shot made this a very emotionally moving
experience.
What a return to form for Jarmusch! Following the
pretentious Only Lovers Left Alive, is this personal, carefully
calibrated 'drama' that sees Jarmusch returning to concerns that preoccupied
him in his early days: how to live in the world. The loveliest moments are the
poetry sequences when our protagonist, Paterson, retreats into his inner world
of hyper subjectivity, the screen and soundtrack gushing with an ethereal
sensation. In this Trump era, Paterson
is essential viewing. Its central tenet - the working class individual as
artist is truly magnificent. Beautifully shot against red-brick, industrial-era
factory buildings, Paterson is a man of the everyday but filled with feelings,
sensitivity and creativity. I love the way Jarmusch highlights a few times in
the film how creativity is on fire in the most mundane of places - the
laundromat, the steps of a building. The reason this film is so political is
that it shows us individuals can control their own lives, can assert their
imprint on their environment by interpreting it in any fashion they choose.
Other notable viewing experiences: Fire at sea, A Syrian love story, Down Under, A Month of Sundays, Joe Cinque's Consolation; TV: Stranger Things, The Kettering Incident, Cleverman,
Upper class Bogan, Barracuda and Please Like Me.
Fiona Villella is a writer and teacher. She was a founding Editor of Senses of Cinema the world's greatest online film site.
Fiona Villella is a writer and teacher. She was a founding Editor of Senses of Cinema the world's greatest online film site.
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