Lights, Camera, Action 2024!
The new year is here! For most people, it’s a time of renewal and contemplation. It’s no secret that every year, people make lists for how they want to feel better physically, be more profitable, and replace bad habits with new ones. I know I sure do. But dare I make an additional challenge to that list? For both the filmmaker and the movie lover, I challenge you to really embrace the silver screen and to look at movies as more than just a form of entertainment, but also as a way of expanding yourself.
Film Stills: Jurassic Park
Credit: Universal
For filmmakers and movie lovers alike, the heart of cinema lies in storytelling. Take a moment to reflect on a story that has left a lasting impact on you. Ask yourself why a particular movie has such an effect on you. Is it the theme? Is it the characters? Or is it something more personal? Reflect on it and find other movies that mirror what makes it so profound for you. I know for me, my favorite movie is Jurassic Park. When I was a kid, I just thought it was cool there were dinosaurs running around. But now that I’m older, I realize that it’s still my favorite movie because it takes me back to when I was a kid, and I feel that magic every time. Now that I’ve realized that, I can select other movies that make me feel that way.
Exploring unfamiliar cinematic terrain adds a layer of richness to our movie-watching experiences. Beyond the joy of discussing our favorite films, there's immense value in challenging our cinematic preferences. Take, for instance, the transformative journey of delving into Black Narcissus by Powell and Pressburger, a film set in a Himalayan nunnery. While not initially topping the list of preferences, the decision to explore it was driven by a mere glimpse of still frames that sparked curiosity. The commitment to putting away distractions and fully immersing in the narrative was an intentional choice that bore fruit. Black Narcissus has since become a yearly ritual, illustrating the serendipity that lies in venturing beyond our cinematic comfort zones. This encourages us to recognize that cinematic treasures often hide in the unexpected, and the beauty of a film may be appreciated fully only when we challenge ourselves to explore beyond the surface, embracing the nuanced storytelling that might go unnoticed otherwise.
Film Stills: Black Narcissus
Credit: The Archers
Film Stills: It Happened One Night & The General
Credit: Columbia Pictures & Buster Keaton Productions
Along with something that isn’t on your radar, I also challenge you to watch an old movie. A lot of times it seems that black and white is a huge turnoff to many people these days. However, there are stories in those old films that are more vivid and touching than the highest resolution. When I was in film school, I took a film history class. I remember they started the class with two movies back to back: The General by Buster Keaton and It Happened One Night by Frank Capra. "It Happened One Night" is only one of three films to win all five major Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director (Frank Capra), Best Actor (Clark Gable), Best Actress (Claudette Colbert), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Robert Riskin). This achievement has since been matched by only two other films: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991). Almost 90 years later and it still stands the test of time. As far as "The General" goes, directed by and starring Buster Keaton, is one of the greatest silent comedies and a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling. Keaton's impeccable physical comedy, coupled with breathtaking stunts and an innovative use of trains as both setting and co-star, cements the film's greatness, showcasing a perfect blend of humor, action, and cinematic innovation that continues to captivate audiences and influence filmmakers to this day. There are movies in the past that are just waiting to be rediscovered and enjoyed.
Speaking of discovering movies, I also challenge you to watch something foreign. In the last few years, foreign films have thankfully become more and more accepted; a lot of this is due to the fact that South Korea has been pumping out great cinema that Western audiences have been loving. But still, the acceptance of foreign films among general audiences is slow-moving. This is where I challenge you. Pick something from a country you’ve always wanted to visit and look into what’s the top movies from that country; you might be blown away at what you can learn. I still remember watching Chunking Express by Wong Kar-wai and falling in love with the unique way the story was unfolded with bizarre visuals. I also remember watching the Brazilian film City Of God for the first time and being perplexed that people can actually live and survive in a world like that. While I also remember the first time I experienced 'Cinema Paradiso' by Giuseppe Tornatore, where the nostalgic journey through the lens of a small-town Italian cinema unveiled a profound love for the magic of storytelling. Watching the film, I couldn't help but be moved by the profound impact that cinema has on shaping memories, relationships, and the fabric of a community. So to quote the Oscar-Winning Director and Writer of Parasite, Bong Joon-ho, “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films."
Film Stills: Chunking Express, City Of God, Cinema Paradiso & Parasite
Credit: Jet Tone Production, O2 Films. Cristaldi Film, & CJ Entertainment
Film Stills: Punch-Drunk Love & There Will Be Blood
Credit: New Line Cinema & Paramount Vantage
One final challenge I have for you is to find an actor/actress, director, or cinematographer that you like and go through their filmography. See how their work evolves, see what stays the same, and see how they form a style. I did this a few years ago with my favorite director Paul Thomas Anderson. He made several complex ensemble cast movies back to back that are nearly three hours, but then scaled back and made a 90-minute dark comedy called Punch-Drunk Love. From there, he went into an intense drama about an Oil tycoon called There Will Be Blood, that a lot of people would argue is his magnum opus and one of the greatest films of the 21st century. The jump of differences from Punch-Drunk Love to There Will Be Blood not only showed his evolution while I studied his work but also proved what makes his movies his movies. They both had incredibly complex characters. Anderson explores the psychological intricacies of his characters, providing depth and nuance to their personalities. Anderson's signature visual style is evident in both films, highlighting his keen eye for composition and cinematography. "Punch-Drunk Love" is characterized by vibrant colors, inventive camera work, and surreal sequences, creating a visually engaging experience. Similarly, "There Will Be Blood" is known for its sweeping landscapes, meticulous period details, and striking imagery that captures the harshness of the oil business. Anderson's visual storytelling unifies the films despite their different genres. I say all this to say, find a filmmaker you like and go through their work.
A new year is a fresh start. And while physical and financial goals are important and help make for a long life well-lived, I ask to challenge you because investing in stories is something that helps make a life special. To quote Robin William’s Character John Keating in Dead Poet’s Society, “We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” I would include films in that list.
For The Love Of Film.
Jonathan Austin
