I just screened Lady Boss-The Jackie Collins Story from the digital Tribeca film Festival.
A story of a woman driven to success by insecurities. Was Ms. Collins a feminist?
Stay Tuned for the full review.
Tag: film recommendations
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“Collective” Indicts
After weeks of covering the build up to the US Presidential election then the actual voting and ensuing chaos I was in no mood for a heavy documentary. I got the screener for “Collective” from the press agency. My first impulse was to write my press contact to pass on the viewing. The past few weeks have been exhausting. Like the rest of the world, I wanted to go brain dead. Being unfamiliar with director Alexander Nanu’s work did not help the cause, however this particular work unspooled at the Toronto and Venice Film Festivals. I had to give it a try applying my 20 minutes rule. If I don’t like it, stop.
For some reason the film popped up again in my email. An omen to give the film a try. My first thoughts: Sadly, “Collective” played into the stereotypical image of Romania. A corrupt country run by an openly incompetent government placing more importance on off shore bank accounts than its citizens. The ones screaming for change are outside the power structure.
Brave
There are no heroes in this film. Brave, foolish or naive depends on the viewers perspective. None of big questions answered. A tragic event sets off a series of horrific events. A night club fire kills or injures dozens of people. A medical system run by political cronies based on connections and bribery, not abilities. Alexander’s work pulls you in by showing how systemic rot affects ordinary people. Nevertheless, even exposed the crumbling system has abilities to protect and sustain itself.
“Collective” is timely in today’s climate. Free press is under attack. Large institutional power has little accountability.
The documentary’s strong reviews are well deserved. The Berlin educated director has made a work that stirs the mind. More importantly, the people running Romania should ask themselves “Why can’t we do better?” I could ask this of the US after the elections.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
Collective is being released by Magnolia Films. Running time at 104 minutes.
Categories
Cinema Culture War, Again
20th Century Culture War
My first job, working a multiplex movie theater with 8 cinemas. I got to see movies for free. Invite friends and have popcorn. The Culture Wars of the Reagan Years were happening. Of course it reached my city and the theater I worked that summer. Martin Scorsese made “The Last Temptation of Christ”. What a controversy! “Hollywood, those “movie liberals” needed to get struck down by God” were comments. Main Southern Newspapers called for boycotts of Universal Pictures and parent company MCA.
Suddenly, the theater I worked in was under siege. Letters, petitions, came in the mail everyday. People even marched in building demanding to see the manager about the possibility of the feature running in the city. That “Blasphemous Movie” should not be shown here. Their morale outrage was clear, at times scary.
In spite of the fact the Italian Catholic Scorsese’s film had not been seen by film goers. Many had made up their minds before the first frame unspooled in a darken cinema. Thankfully, The national chain GCC cinemas decided not to book the film in its houses.
I travelled 3 hours away by car to Cineplex Odeon to watch the film. My reaction, DULL! All the drama over a movie that almost put me to sleep. I had more exciting Sunday School classes than sitting through Willem DaFore’s underwhelming take on the Savior.
21 Century Culture War
A new century, people are have access to cinema at their fingertips. Click, on comes a selection of 10.000 movies. More exposure to cinema does not mean more understanding for different stories or views on the world. “Cuties” a film made by Senegalese-French filmmaker
Welcome to 2020, a tight election, a broken economy, and to top off, a raging pandemic. Ted Cruz stated his “disgust” for the work, but the Texas Senator had not viewed the film. Why a US conservative elected official is “concerned” about African immigrant children in a Poor Paris Suburb is beyond my reasoning, while, 25% of America’s children go hungry everyday. But, perhaps, “Cuties” offers a Moral Outrage to strike-up the voter base to get to the polls.
The “Cancel Netflix” hashtag trended for three days. Reach a wide audience, corrupting children, HA! What is the demand for a French Language film in the United States?
Social media was visceral to a movie few watched or tried to understand. After posting on two digital platforms about a podcast we produced on the film, we got called names and accused of encouraging child sexuality. Certainly many accusers were trolls, but some real. How do I discuss a film with person who refuses to see it?
Was part of backlash because this is a work by a dark skinned African woman? An easy target, prejudices go deep. Racial resentment is running high during these tense times.
Doucoure’s themes are about searching, belonging, children’s susceptibility to the media. She presents new perspective on feminism.
The 21stcentury feels a lot like the 20thcentury, in a bad way. The Culture War never ended.
Cuties is available on Netflix.
Senegalese-French filmmaker Maimouna Doucoure unwittingly stepped in the middle of the American Culture Wars. Her small film has gotten a lot of attention. “Cuties” is the story of a girl from a poor Paris neighbourhood trying to find her way in life.
Ignore the Outrage!
According to some, it promotes Child Sexuality. On social media many are calling for canceling Netflix. The streaming giant acquired the production earlier this year. Senator Ted Cruz wants the company investigated calling the film “disgusting”. Why the Fuss? Has the film become the latest victim of “Outrage”?
I chatted with Chat Cinema Contributor Kristin about the controversy. Kristin thinks people should see the film before condemning it. “After the Berlinale screening we discussed “Cuties“, she says. The overall opinions, “We liked it”. “Admittedly, it is not a great film, but enjoyable”.
“Cuties” is available on Netflix.
Kristinloves going to the movies.