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Here in the portfolio section I list some of the current and previous VGS gigs:
This gig continues to be a blast, as week in
and week out we show the best in rare, Independent, foreign, and cult films.
Always very much a week by week learning experience. Some of the titles shown:
Deus e o Diabo na Terra do Sol Directed by Glauber Rocha The film that
put Glauber Rocha on the map,
and helped define the revolutionary cinema
of the time, being a flagship title in Cinema Novo movement in Brazil, and being part of the larger Pan African film movement,
it’s importance can not be over stated. However it is a difficult film for
those who come in blind, because even though it is an important film it is
also a very long and self indulgent one, and very much a dated film, of its
time and of its culture. That along
with its glacial pacing makes this movie seem much longer than its 2 hour
running time. The middle portion will cure the insomnia of the most
afflicted. More an experiment in style, at times a remarkable one; seen all at
once it tries the attention of the most interested. I fell asleep
three times trying to get through this, however finally seen complete, it’s a
film in three unique sections. And when shown these sections should be broken
up with intermissions. The first section, easily the best, is life, and ends
at the massacre. This section cries out for an intermission. The second
section is purgatory, the waiting for judgement day. The third section is
judgment day. Thus presented, seen as a
parable for life, purgatory, and judgment day, the film has an eloquent
tenacity and meaning. I’d love the chance to reshow this film,
thus broken up, on the big screen. It
remains an impressively photographed film and one deserving of attention.
Wattstax
is one of the most popular films we’ve shown, it consistently meets with rave
reviews. Part concert, part
documentary, part commentary, part stand up, the film is both a showcase for brilliant performances, and a
signpost to a lost sense of community.
One of
Leone’s best films, I was surprised by the lackluster response to the uncut
version we showed. But at a 165 minutes it’s a long film, and Leone is a
filmmaker who is also a fan of glacial pacing, so I can kinda understand how
a film that works when you’re in the comfort of your home and can pause it,
and come back to it later, may seem a bit long in the tooth when presented on
the big screen. With nothing to distract from Leone’s love affair with
silence, the film to a low attention span modern audience could possibly seem
more chore than charming. DARESALAM is another film, that is constantly watchable and compelling, and consistently met with accolades. Brilliantly directed by Issa Serge Coelo this tale of friendship and war gives faces to the headlines, and humanity to the horror. A beautiful, touching and hauntingly insightful, at times surreal look at ideas, ideologies, and friendship. A personal favorite, highly recommended. We’re working on a new schedule for the fall and can use
volunteers, to help us choose and show
and drum up an audience for more great films. Email us. [heroictimes at yahoo] |
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