.
Another vacuum in my communications. October has turned into whirlwind of events, activities and general busy-ness.
I'm taking a group of about 80 volunteers out to the coast this weekend to participate in the Fall Oregon Beach Cleanup. Looks like rain, but that's Oregon. Organizing this has been fun - and I look forward to getting the job done.
Attended the national premeire of Gus Van Sant's "Elephant" earlier this month. Very interesting departure from his previous work. Here's the writeup that I posted to IMDB.com:
Just saw the national premiere here in Portland - and having actually worked as an extra on the film, it's very interesting to see the final product. I knew Van Sant was using long shots, similar to his work in Gerry, but the construction of the film was something else.
Elephant is like a dream. That's the closest I can get to explaining it. The camera moves through the halls and bowels of the school; like a ghost eavesdropping on the absurd and occasionally sublime.
Inane chitchat. False bravado. Adolescent mumbling.
The camera hovers over and around the kids, exposing the odd pain of daily existence in high school. Somewhere inside, you feel each one of these characters - often most, when they aren't saying anything at all.
And then, all hell breaks loose - ala Columbine.
There are no answers to the issues that are presented - and in the end you feel that stange sensation of having seen something great, but needing someone else to help you explain it. At times, the style of the film might cause a few sighs - as U.S. audiences are accustomed to a little tighter editing. That, and the conversations tend to wander off - much as they do in real life, so some patience is required. Still, there are some beautiful and honest moments to be found - as well as real feelings of fear and loathing.
Gus Van Sant has created a vision that stands in direct contrast to Hollywood convention. Had it not won at Cannes, it would most likely be going directly to HBO. Thankfully, it will receive wider distribution - and hopefully be the fodder for much discussion.
Another vacuum in my communications. October has turned into whirlwind of events, activities and general busy-ness.
I'm taking a group of about 80 volunteers out to the coast this weekend to participate in the Fall Oregon Beach Cleanup. Looks like rain, but that's Oregon. Organizing this has been fun - and I look forward to getting the job done.
Attended the national premeire of Gus Van Sant's "Elephant" earlier this month. Very interesting departure from his previous work. Here's the writeup that I posted to IMDB.com:
Just saw the national premiere here in Portland - and having actually worked as an extra on the film, it's very interesting to see the final product. I knew Van Sant was using long shots, similar to his work in Gerry, but the construction of the film was something else.
Elephant is like a dream. That's the closest I can get to explaining it. The camera moves through the halls and bowels of the school; like a ghost eavesdropping on the absurd and occasionally sublime.
Inane chitchat. False bravado. Adolescent mumbling.
The camera hovers over and around the kids, exposing the odd pain of daily existence in high school. Somewhere inside, you feel each one of these characters - often most, when they aren't saying anything at all.
And then, all hell breaks loose - ala Columbine.
There are no answers to the issues that are presented - and in the end you feel that stange sensation of having seen something great, but needing someone else to help you explain it. At times, the style of the film might cause a few sighs - as U.S. audiences are accustomed to a little tighter editing. That, and the conversations tend to wander off - much as they do in real life, so some patience is required. Still, there are some beautiful and honest moments to be found - as well as real feelings of fear and loathing.
Gus Van Sant has created a vision that stands in direct contrast to Hollywood convention. Had it not won at Cannes, it would most likely be going directly to HBO. Thankfully, it will receive wider distribution - and hopefully be the fodder for much discussion.
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