people in Grizzly Bear Costumes

Herzog's ongoing VO commentary resides somewhere between an intense interest in reality and a (contemporary) concern for intersubjectivity. Through this odd (read: not usual in doc) blend he both challenges the importance of the documentary (form) while still maintaining an interest in the real.

There is a poetic assigning of meaning at every turn, almost ignoring a statement in the middle of the film that Treadwell didn't "realize that seemingly empty moments had a strange, secret beauty." Or, from the last scene of the film: "Out of all the bears we see, only in this one do I not see reflection only the indifference of nature."

ALMA

Ok, so the story in this one is the real draw. But, I wonder if there are discussion points about the film's construction we can forward/ For example, that the film was almost two years in filming and another three in editing (they took there time here) leaves me wondering about the construction of time in the film. That is, there is no real time marker running through the film ("two Christmases later..." sort of thing).

atomic cafe

So, what of it......?

SHERMAN's MARCH

Please feel free to add comments that are inventive, intelligent, thoughtful, and precise.

Don't Look Back

I am hopeful that the discussion about sound, David Bowie, etc didn't seem too far afield today. But, some things to consider for sure.

Here's some space to respond to something about this film.

Purchases create identity, OMG

Ok, this has almost nothing to do with class, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

If you want to know how consumerism, video, and self-identity collide, watch the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yXuruFZyFc

Her identity is a product of her consumer choices. She wants you to know her by her purchases. It's got to be the most self-validating exercise I've witnessed so boldly pronounced since watching this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaHHrNQVrg

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO22Z0T3qPE

(not the commercial that precedes the video).

Yet, I wonder if the enormity of her presentation doesn't also point to other cultural, social, and economic issues of documenting oneself.

Any thoughts?

the thin Blue Line

All,

What do we make of this film? Go at it.

Be careful over the break; stay in one piece and off the internet.

JR