Lives of the Artists (2009) - A short review
Dir. Ross Cairns
In ‘Lives of the Artists’, Ross Cairns takes three different, but in his view, related ‘artists’. These are not painters or sculptors, but a British and Irish trio of surfers (Tom Lowe, Fergal Smith and Mickey Smith), a French free-riding snowboarder (Xavier De La Rue) and a hardcore band from Watford (Gallows).
Cairns’ belief is that these disparate creative practitioners, through their commitment, dedication and the passioned execution of their various disciplines are true artists. They are able to communicate in a powerful yet abstract way. This thesis, here beautifully illustrated in high-definition and often in slow-motion, is often found in more cerebral soul sports publications, and when accompanied by such stunning cinematography is persuasive. However, Cairns’ exposition is undermined by his subjects.
To be an artist is to communicate, and all three subjects are communicative, both in their chosen fields and in individual pieces to camera. But to be an artist, as opposed to an aspiring artist, there must be something to communicate, a life lived. Unfortunately, as so often in soul sports and contemporary music, the candidates offered here know too little of life to be genuine artists.
That’s not say that the talents of those on show are not exemplary, and in time they may go on to excel and transcend their individual disciplines, but only Xavier De La Rue is able to suggest something other than committed obsession. In one chilling sequence De La Rue talks of his renewed resolve and love of the mountains after a near fatal avalanche. It’s a moving moment, especially when accompanied by footage of the ‘chute’.
Ultimately the film fails to prove the theory. It is a beautifully illustrated and argued point, but perhaps due to budget or sponsors involvement the triptych is uneven. This is unfortunate as Cairns is able to move effortlessly between the disciplines and carefully constructs his narrative. A flawed, but engaging film.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:28:39 permalink
Happy Christmas!
Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:13:35 permalink
bath time
Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:51:00 permalink
Le fils de l'épicier (2007) - A short review
Pacing a film seems to be a fading art, a skill whose time has passed, left only to the dedicated craftsmen. Fortunately one such cinematic artisan is Eric Guirado, the director of Le fils de l’épicier (The Grocers Son). The film, beautifully shot by Laurent Brunet, is a gentle tale that combines stunning Hautes-Alpes scenery with the tensions of familial obligation and the decline la belle France.
French cinema seems to be going through particularly nostalgic phase at the moment, and although Guirado’s first ‘fictional’ film showcases the beauty of rural France, with sun drenched valleys and sleepy villages, it doesn’t pull too many punches. There’s an all too direct undercurrent of anger and alienation, not amongst the young urban poor, of the kind explored by Mathieu Kassovitz’s La Haine, but an older, bitter and subtle disaffection of the those at the end of their youth whose lives are drifting.
There’s a wonderfully naturalistic feel to the film, especially in the performances of the elderly villagers, perhaps aided by the directors long career as a documentary filmmaker. The camera is allowed to linger and pause and the film breathes at a slow pace. Unfortunatley the ending is strangely rushed, and after such a largo rendition the finale seems to tumble slightly out of control towards it’s conclusion. Despite this the film is a beautifully observed piece with some lovely performances. One to watch on a Sunday afternoon, perhaps with a small pastis or two.
Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:54:00 permalink
Autumn Sky. London Bridge.
Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:57:00 permalink
Sunday morning. It’s overcast, but dry. Along the top road at Goathurst Common not far from Sevenoaks, there’s a a gentle hum of rollers and turbos whirring as the riders warm up. A long queue of spectators stretches back from the tea hut and the smell of bacon fat mixes with sweat and embrocation. There’s a good crowd lining the upper slopes of Yorks Hill, 707 yards of gradient, for the 114th Catford Hill Climb. The oldest continuing cycle race in the world brings out all types of riders and plenty of supporters to urge, cheer and cajole them up the viscous climb. There’s an average gradient of 12.5% but with a couple of nasty sections of 25%.
More pictures on flickr.
Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:51:00 permalink
Sunday afternoon. Under the silent gaze of the Thames Barrier and the few remaining sites that make it possible to avoid describing Greenwich Peninsula as post industrial, dinghy racers make their maneuvers. Greenwich Yacht Club is a hidden gem, tucked away near what is corporately known as the O2. It’s a friendly, welcoming place, with a cracking bar and amazing views, especially on bright autumn days.
It’s also another example of how London and especially SE London is hard to categorise. The mainstream media routinely fail to understand or connect with this part of London. In a couple of years the Olympics will be taking place just over the river from the yacht club. The rowing and sailing events will be taking place a long way from the east of London (at Windsor and the Solent). It probably wouldn’t be possible to hold all of the Olympic events on this stretch of the Thames - but I’m sure some of the events could take place within the M25.
Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:19:00 permalink
Red Kite, Brecon Beacons National Park
Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:30:00 permalink
sunset and summer drawing to a close
Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:17:00 permalink
Pictures from stage 18, the time trial at Annecy.
Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:26:00 permalink
Pictures from stage 17 at the top of the Col de la Colombiere.
Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:25:00 permalink
Pictures from stage 16 at Pre Saint Didier.
Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:24:00 permalink
Pictures from stage 15 as Le Tour climbs up to Verbier.
Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:12:00 permalink
Chapeau! New post on Soho Breakfast phto blog.
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:53:00 permalink
Ryan's Daughter (1970) - a short review
A critical failure on it’s release in 1970, David Lean’s follow up to Lawrence of Arabia is an unusual and beguiling film. Robert Bolt’s screen play reworks Madame Bovary to occupied Ireland in 1916. The star studded cast includes Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard and John Mills. Sarah Miles is the ‘daughter’ of the films title, the emotional heart of the film as Rosy Ryan/Emma Bovary. However, it’s the scenery and dramatic west of Ireland coastline that dominates the film.
Shot on Super Panavision 70, by Lean’s cinematographer Freddie Young, the rugged coastline of the Dingle Peninsula is both beautiful and sinister. More than just a backdrop, the coves, castles and storms play an important narrative role in the film. The vast beach at Inch (now one of Ireland’s leading surf spots) is the setting for many of the films most important scenes. The film was nominated for 4 academy awards, winning 2 Oscars for John Mills, Best Supporting Actor and Freddie Young, Best Cinematography. If the Oscars had a category for best supporting scenery then the film would easily have won another.
Whilst the plot centers around the relationships between the Rosy and her lovers, the emotional heart of the film is the relationship between Miles’ character and reality. Her perception of love and life are so at odds with the day to day reality of living in a poverty stricken village that she exists in a parallel dream world, only occasionally visiting the mundane struggle of daily existence. Sarah Miles’ portrayal of this vibrant yet troubled and dislocated woman is excellent, her vivacity smashing onto the rocks of Mithcum’s taciturn school teacher who, although initially seems emotionally literate, sinks into a sullen silence in the face of his wife’s infidelities.
The film was much criticised on it’s release and seen by various interested parties as a critique of the Easter rising and the church’s dominant role Ireland. However, to read the film in this way is surely to see this subtle and complex film as a simple piece of agit-prop. Such a view also underestimates Lean as a film maker who makes great use of the location and cast. Audience attitudes to Ireland and the central characters have changed considerably in the 30 years since the film was made, in some ways this highlights the strengths of the film rather than undermine it.
Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:37:00 permalink
Dustanburgh Castle, more pics on Flickr.
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:50:00 permalink