The Possibility of Hope

Trawling Youtube for videos of Slavoj Žižek has led me into deep voids this week. It began with Children of Men, Alfonso Cuarón's film about a dystopian world in which no one has had a baby for eighteen years. What affected me most about this film was the resemblance this chaotic and desperate society has to our own world. Institutions, workplaces, cafes and transport, all are amplifications of the ugliest parts of our civilisation.

Following my viewing of Children of Men, I watched Cuarón's accompanying documentary The Possibility of Hope. A kind of Inconvenient Truth without the moralising, the doco is a series of interviews which address the sociological issues which are evident or will emerge from global warming and capitalism. It is a truly interesting half hour piece and you can watch it all on YouTube (I've linked Part 1/3 below).

It also reminded me of another film available to watch for free online called HOME. If you have 93 minutes and high speed internet, you should spend it watching this.

The Pervert's Guide to Cinema

In The Pervert's Guide to Cinema, Slavoj Žižek navigates the desires which are implicit in our cinema. His discussion propels films by Hitchcock, Tarkovsky and Lynch into the territory of Freud and Lacan, but with the charm of this Slovenian philosopher who believes "the first duty of philosophy is making you understand what deep s--- you are in!". This documentary is essential viewing. I've linked one of my favourite parts below.



Thank you Archer Davies and Nat Koyama for sharing this with me.

Watch Cannes Films for free!

Mubi and Cannes Critcs Week have gotten together and arranged the free streaming of a collection of films from the past 50 years of Cannes. They're only free for the first 1000 views before June 30, so get on it! Wonderful, sweet Sunday ahead.

La Semaine de la Critique on Mubi

Meek's Cutoff

This film looks grand



ACMI in Melbourne is currently showing a whole bunch of director Kelly Reichardt's films. Get some tickets here.

Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man

I've been watching so many music videos lately as we deliver treatments to various artists. What's been striking is how little originality there is, and how many silly ones get made. Grinderman's new clip for 'Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man' is no such clip. Ilinca Höpfner has made an animation which somehow does Cave's poetry justice. I love this clip and, after a week of 7D-focus-pulled-hipster-babe-gimmick clips, it was just the hit I needed.

SLEEPING BEAUTY

This Australian film just had its premiere at Cannes. Looks very interesting, especially for a film from our shores.

AFTER - MOBY from Henry Cuevas Paredes on Vimeo.

How to Steal Like an Artist

Some Internet wisdom for you all, courtesy of that guy who makes poems out of blacked out newspaper clippings.

How to Steal Like an Artist

R.I.P Sidney Lumet

Show some respect and watch Before The Devil Knows You're Dead.

Here's a scene to get you in the mood. The acting (Ethan Hawke & Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and the cinematography (Ron Fortunato) is incredibly paced. A master of tension.



forgive the shitty youtube aspect ratio*

Adric x

What if I take my problem to the United Nations?

Oh dear. I think I'm in love. Nothing like a protest song.

Harvey asked war photographer Seamus Murphy to make music videos for her new album.
Take a look at his photos seamusmurphy.com



Thank you Jesse McCormack
for drawing my attention to this album

PTA via Rhett Wade-Ferrell

I recently sat down and had a chat with the guys behind Melbourne music video outfit Moop Jaw. It was great to hear about their experiences in film and really got us excited to keep doing what we're doing. Sometimes you lose heart, especially when you're really putting yourself out there and things don't come up rainbows.

Rhett recommended this interview with Paul Thomas Anderson to me, "a master with no ego". We're all big PTA fans here, hearing him speak made me remember why making films is so good all over again. Highly recommended.







And also, have a look at one of Rhett's music videos. I really like this one he did for Flight Facilities:

La Mirada Film Festival

La Mirada Film Festival opens in Melbourne this week and, in a stroke of good luck, I will be able to attend! The festival is co-curated by Pedro Almodovar. He has a good little blog going here, which offers interesting perspectives on film history and the industry.

I'm looking forward to seeing Even the Rain, with my favourite revolucionario, Gael Garcia Bernal:

rulin

one of the best music video clips ive ever seen from one of my fav albums. the rip. portishead. third -->

Portishead -The Rip from Whalum on Vimeo.

here's some more clips from animator Nick Uff:

ruff toot from howies on Vimeo.

and portishead again. 'we carry on'. apocalyptic.



adric x

New Logo and Vimeo

vimeo.com/wearemountjoy yet to load any videossss

And a website to follow. Keep checking up on us ∆∆

Jamie Harley

Jamie Harley is getting lots of attention out there in the interweb. He recently compiled a list of his favourite music videos for Modular. He modestly chose one of his own, a clip he made for Memory Tapes - Today is Our Life. His work includes a lot of found footage, a time-consuming but cost-effective way to create some beautiful video collages. Have a look at his Memory Tapes clip below - the parts with the Busby Berkeley dancers are lovely - or visit his Vimeo for more examples of his work.

Memory Tapes : "Today Is Our Life" from Jamie Harley on Vimeo.