I have recently screened a trio of fine films this summer that each chronicle the intersection of two hearts. These range from a purely fictional story of a year-long-and-then-some romance, a quasi-documentary briefly following a "is it real or not" romance, and an amazing true documentary of a romance that grew out of the harshest of historical circumstances to last over half a century.
A few weeks ago, I went to see the delightfully charming and inventive fictional film, 500 Days of Summer. It's a post-modern, straight-shooter of a (sort-of) love story, with an engaging pair of leads in Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I hope they pair up again on film.
One of the trailers before that movie was for Paper Heart, a quasi-documentary starring Charlene Yi and Michael Cera, members of the Judd Apatow cinematic troupe. I had regretfully missed a screening of the film at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June, so was quite happy to see it picked up for release this month. The film details non-believer Yi's quest to uncover whether true love really exists. Along the way, she meets Cera and they embark on a romance that may or may not be real. Mixing documentary with storytelling, the film is a sweet offering of love in many forms.
Steal a Pencil For Me, is an enthralling documentary adaptation of the book of the same name. The film, which aired on PBS Independent Lens earlier this year, chronicles the incredible true love story of two Dutch Holocaust survivors. Jack (Jaap) Polak and Ina Soep fall in love in a concentration camp, but must carry on their love affair through heart-wrenching letters as they struggle to survive and stay connected. It's a poignant reminder that the power of true love between two hearts is often the strongest power of all.
I heart film.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Parks
Did I mention that I am directing my first documentary short video? It's for a small workshop, and I am surrounded by a great group of talented folks. My topic is on the local pier, surrounding park and coastal area in town, on the occasion of the pier's 100th anniversary. My interviewee target got back to me and luckily so did several other people. Even the mayor. How nice! Warm hugs for everyone. The pressure is on though, and with all of the preparation, you would think I am directing some David Lean epic.
I am wondering if this is how Ken Burns started out. Because I am thinking of his films in putting my little effort together. Given that it will involve mainly archive images and interviews, I will be going for the "Ken Burns Effect" to give some life to the images. I am dying to see his upcoming PBS doc on parks, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. Check out the great preview on the PBS site for the film.
Very worthy topic, our parks. I recently read a Vanity Fair excerpt from The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. The book explores Roosevelt's key role in creating our national park system and promoting conservation. Another book I need to add to the growing pile, but I am already sure it will be a great read.
Go hug a tree today - and give a little thanks to Ken and Teddy for their work on behalf of our parks.
I am wondering if this is how Ken Burns started out. Because I am thinking of his films in putting my little effort together. Given that it will involve mainly archive images and interviews, I will be going for the "Ken Burns Effect" to give some life to the images. I am dying to see his upcoming PBS doc on parks, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. Check out the great preview on the PBS site for the film.
Very worthy topic, our parks. I recently read a Vanity Fair excerpt from The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. The book explores Roosevelt's key role in creating our national park system and promoting conservation. Another book I need to add to the growing pile, but I am already sure it will be a great read.
Go hug a tree today - and give a little thanks to Ken and Teddy for their work on behalf of our parks.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Cooks
In addition to being a doc fan, I love to cook. Fortunately, I live in Southern California, where I have a daily helping of farmers markets and documentaries at my disposal. Cooking soothes me; every recipe is a little story and an escape into something foreign and new. Kind of like documentaries.
I have been on pins and needles for weeks in anticipation of seeing the new film, Julie & Julia. French cooking and blogging - sign me up. Tonight, I saw a screening of the film in my neighborhood and was enchanted. I hadn't followed Julie Powell's blog back in the day (I don't think I even knew about blogging back then), or read her book in advance, but I knew that I loved food and that this was going to be the film for me. I was not wrong - it is another Nora Ephron delight (carried mainly and not surprisingly by Meryl Streep), marrying Julie's story of finding her passion, learning to cook and working her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, with Julia's story of finding her passion, learning to cook and writing the book in the first place. I gained 10 pounds just watching the movie, and it looks like I have some French cooking to do in my not-so-distant-future...
Of course, it also got me thinking about docs and cooks. American Masters did a doc on Julia Child some years ago called Julia! America's Favorite Chef; I'm not sure if they are going to re-air it around the movie release, but you can buy it on DVD. My local PBS station sent an email today about a special Julia Child retrospective this weekend, so I am going to try to catch that. Julia was an institution; I just missed seeing her in person shortly before her death, and it is still a life regret.
Another French cooking revolutionary and heroine of mine is Alice Waters, who I recently did have the honor of meeting (coincidentally, at the same theatre as the screening tonight). Years ago, I had the great opportunity to dine at her legendary restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley. A treasured memory. American Masters did a doc on her as well - Alice Waters and her Delicious Revolution. A new doc, Food, Inc. showcases the issue of food safety, and of eating organically, seasonally and locally, which Alice Waters has espoused for decades.
Two other related cooking items to note for now: Stanley Tucci is terrific in the film as Julia's husband Paul; there are rumors that he will team up with Mario Batali for the Italian follow-up to the Spain...On the Road Again doc series on PBS. I was addicted to this show last year, and bought just about every piece of product associated with it. I hope it happens soon and wonder if there is a French culinary road trip to come.
Finally, I recently read David Kamp's book The United States of Arugula: The Sun Dried, Cold Pressed, Dark Roasted, Extra Virgin Story of the American Food Revolution , featuring Julia, Alice, Mario, James Beard, and a host of other visionaries who changed the way we cook and eat in this country. The book was a great primer for this movie. It took me about as long to read as it did Julie Powell to finish her Julia Child cooking project, but only because I savored every fantastic, juicy word of it.
Bon Appetit (but of course)!
I have been on pins and needles for weeks in anticipation of seeing the new film, Julie & Julia. French cooking and blogging - sign me up. Tonight, I saw a screening of the film in my neighborhood and was enchanted. I hadn't followed Julie Powell's blog back in the day (I don't think I even knew about blogging back then), or read her book in advance, but I knew that I loved food and that this was going to be the film for me. I was not wrong - it is another Nora Ephron delight (carried mainly and not surprisingly by Meryl Streep), marrying Julie's story of finding her passion, learning to cook and working her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, with Julia's story of finding her passion, learning to cook and writing the book in the first place. I gained 10 pounds just watching the movie, and it looks like I have some French cooking to do in my not-so-distant-future...
Of course, it also got me thinking about docs and cooks. American Masters did a doc on Julia Child some years ago called Julia! America's Favorite Chef; I'm not sure if they are going to re-air it around the movie release, but you can buy it on DVD. My local PBS station sent an email today about a special Julia Child retrospective this weekend, so I am going to try to catch that. Julia was an institution; I just missed seeing her in person shortly before her death, and it is still a life regret.
Another French cooking revolutionary and heroine of mine is Alice Waters, who I recently did have the honor of meeting (coincidentally, at the same theatre as the screening tonight). Years ago, I had the great opportunity to dine at her legendary restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley. A treasured memory. American Masters did a doc on her as well - Alice Waters and her Delicious Revolution. A new doc, Food, Inc. showcases the issue of food safety, and of eating organically, seasonally and locally, which Alice Waters has espoused for decades.
Two other related cooking items to note for now: Stanley Tucci is terrific in the film as Julia's husband Paul; there are rumors that he will team up with Mario Batali for the Italian follow-up to the Spain...On the Road Again doc series on PBS. I was addicted to this show last year, and bought just about every piece of product associated with it. I hope it happens soon and wonder if there is a French culinary road trip to come.
Finally, I recently read David Kamp's book The United States of Arugula: The Sun Dried, Cold Pressed, Dark Roasted, Extra Virgin Story of the American Food Revolution , featuring Julia, Alice, Mario, James Beard, and a host of other visionaries who changed the way we cook and eat in this country. The book was a great primer for this movie. It took me about as long to read as it did Julie Powell to finish her Julia Child cooking project, but only because I savored every fantastic, juicy word of it.
Bon Appetit (but of course)!
Comics
One of the many great things about docs is that they bring to light untold stories and unsung heroes. Even the unsung heroes who create heroes. Last night, I had the pleasure to attend a screening and reception for The Legends Behind the Comic Books, produced and directed by Chip Cronkite, son of the late, great Walter who just passed. A true hero in his own right.
With framing by comic book historians, the film explores the visionary writers and illustrators who created the most famous super hero comics in history, including the revered Stan Lee and many more. A wonderful treat to delve into the history of this oft-dismissed true art form and important piece of American culture - "frozen movies" as comics were described; artists in the roles of producers and directors.
The event brought to mind one of my favorite books, the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon. The story of a pair of comic book creators circa WWII is a fabulously vivid and epic tale of the Golden Age of comics. It is apparent in watching the film that Kavalier and Clay are a loving homage to the great comic book creative duos Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, and Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster. Even GOOP is writing about this book today, oddly enough. Check it all out - and give thanks to comic books and their creators for timeless stories, indelible art and super heroes - wrapped around truth, justice and the American way.
With framing by comic book historians, the film explores the visionary writers and illustrators who created the most famous super hero comics in history, including the revered Stan Lee and many more. A wonderful treat to delve into the history of this oft-dismissed true art form and important piece of American culture - "frozen movies" as comics were described; artists in the roles of producers and directors.
The event brought to mind one of my favorite books, the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon. The story of a pair of comic book creators circa WWII is a fabulously vivid and epic tale of the Golden Age of comics. It is apparent in watching the film that Kavalier and Clay are a loving homage to the great comic book creative duos Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, and Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster. Even GOOP is writing about this book today, oddly enough. Check it all out - and give thanks to comic books and their creators for timeless stories, indelible art and super heroes - wrapped around truth, justice and the American way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
