Art :: Boundless

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[vimeo https://vimeo.com/29498902 h=360&w=640]

Dir. Gregory Colbert

I thought this was the perfect transition from “Award Season” to “Art”.  Ashes and Snow truly is a magnificent piece of film art and should be recognized for it. I consider this an art film beyond the image as the metaphoric meaning is artful enough.

As described by the director:

“Gregory Colbert’s Ashes and Snow feature film captures extraordinary moments of contact between people and animals as seen through the lens of the artist’s camera on more than thirty expeditions to some of the earth’s most remote places. Written, directed, produced, and filmed by Gregory Colbert, it is a poetic field study that depicts the world not as it is, but as it might be—a world in which the natural and artificial boundaries separating humans from other species do not exist. The viewing experience is one of wonder and contemplation, serenity, and hope.”

Defying Convention

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During the month of March

March--Art-Films

I’m talking not talking about painters such as Picasso or sculptors such as Michelangelo, I’m talking about a style of documentary film.  Documentary film is defined as recording and documenting a process, an event or an aspect of life.  There are no rules as to how artistic the storytelling process is.  Often we see documentary as a combination of interviews and b-roll such as we see on the news, but there are many ways to tell a story.  So this month, I’m looking at the alternative type of documentary- Art.

Award Season :: Cherry Blossoms

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Did you see the Oscars this last Sunday?  I haven’t been this excited about the ceremonies in a long time- I actually saw most of the films this year.  I was thrilled to see “Searching for Sugar Man” won this year’s feature documentary category, although any of the nominated films deserved to win.  I’m always torn between the selected films.  Congratulations to all!

Now for my final post for February and with the theme off “Award Season”:

Dir. Lucy Walker

Another film that you have probably heard about as it has screened all over the world in the last year.  The Tsunami and the Cherry blossom brought a tear to my eye when I saw it a year ago.  It reminded me of how fortunate I am to have never had to endure a natural disaster or had to watch loved ones being swept away, completely helpless.  I hope I never have to.  It also reminded me that there is always hope and regeneration, even after complete devastation.  Nature endures.  I thought this was a beautiful tribute the strength of the Japanese people… to anyone who has survived a disaster.

Making it original

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I’m always trying to improve my camera skills.  I find it easier when I’m photographing or filming in a new place- the sites and colors are different and I tend to thrive on that.  When I’m framing shots in familiar surroundings, I try to look at other aspects other than the subject.  I often find that photography from National Geographic gives me inspiration to do something different. To see the every day in a different way:

Light and shutter speed

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Award Season :: Sound Waves

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Dir. Lindsey Dryden

What would you do if you couldn’t hear the way you used to or as everyone else does?  I like that this film addresses a topic that many of us don’t often think about, if ever.  It turns sound waves into something visual and transports the audience with ‘normal’ hearing capabilities into the worlds of three individuals who can’t hear the way that most of us can, yet music is a huge part of their lives.

Award Season :: Freedom of Speech

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Dir. Fredrik Gertten

Did you ever see the documentary BANANAS!* ?  If you haven’t, its not too surprising- especially if you’re living in US.  Swedish director Fredrik Gertten made a film about the treatment of workers on Dole Food Company banana plantations in Central America.  Right before the film’s release at the Los Angeles film festival, Dole threatenend a lawsuit against Gertten for slander if he did not cease and desist the showing of his film.  BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!* documents the personal and company experience through the legal ordeal for Gertten to show his film. Although not viewable depending on your location, this film is an important reminder of how vulnerable filmmakers can be and questions how free are we to speak our mind.

Award Season :: Sugar Man

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You’ve probably heard of this film a lot recently because it’s been nominated for an Oscar and won awards at Sundance, so the fact that I’m talking about it probably doesn’t seem all that surprising.  But I really do love this film and I think that it deserves all the praise that it’s receiving.

And the nominees are…

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The Golden Globe Awards have come and gone, the BAFTA Film awards are in nine days, and the Academy Awards are in 23.  Actresses squeeze themselves into elegant gowns, fashion critics go wild and we hear the immortal words, “And the (insert award name here) goes to…”.

I think it’s safe to say:

February--awards-season

To celebrate, I’m dedicating February to documentaries that I think deserve an award or two- some already do have awards  And if you are wondering, I have seen all of these films all the way through-  I’m not just going off of the trailer.

Let the ceremonies begin!