“Is That All There Is?”(1995) was part of a series commissioned by the BBC documenting directors around the world and their surroundings. This episode featuring anarchist director Lindsay Anderson depicts his home life and community in North London and offers a glimpse into his personality and interests. Anderson is best known for his groundbreaking films “If…” and “O Lucky Man”, and this film serves as a final tribute since he passed away shortly after.
Source: Dangerous Minds
Set sometime in a none too distant future, Peter Watkins’ debut feature Privilege from 1967 told the story of god-like pop superstar Steven Shorter, who is worshiped by millions and manipulated by a coalition government to keep the youth “off the streets and out of politics.”
Inspired by a story from sitcom writer Johnny Speight (creator of Till Death Us Do Part which was remade in America as All in the Family), Privilege was an antidote to Swinging Sixties’ pop naivety. While Speight may have had a more biting satirical tale in mind, screenwriter Norman Bogner together with director Watkins made the film a mix of “mockumentary” and political fable, which was a difficult balance to maintain over a full ninety minutes without falling into parody.
Though it has its faults, Watkins succeeded overall, and presented the viewer with a selection of set pieces that later influenced scenes in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, Lindsay Anderson’s O, Lucky Man! and Ken Russell’s Tommy.
Watkins also later noted how his film:
….was prescient of the way that Popular Culture and the media in the US commercialized the anti-war and counter-culture movement in that country as well. Privilege also ominously predicted what was to happen in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain of the 1980s – especially during the period of the Falkland Islands War.
On its release, most of the press hated it as Privilege didn’t fit with their naive optimism that pop music would somehow free the workers from their chains and bring peace and love and drugs and fairies at the bottom of the garden, la-de-da-de-dah, no doubt.
In fact Privilege was at the vanguard of a series of similarly styled films (see above) that would come to define the best of British seventies cinema. The movie would also have its fair share of (unacknowledged) influence on pop artists like David Bowie and Pink Floyd, while Patti Smith covered the film’s opening song “Set Me Free.”
What’s also surprising is how the film’s lead, Paul Jones (then better known as lead singer of Manfred Mann) never became a star. As can be seen from his performance here as Steven Shorter, Jones could have made a good Mick Travis in If…, or Alex in A Clockwork Orange.
Jones went onto make the equally good The Committee but (shamefully) little work came thereafter apart from reading stories on children’s TV.
Ah, the fickle nature of fame, but perhaps he should have known that from playing Steven Shorter.
“Get to Know Your Rabbit”(1972) is an offbeat comedy Brian DePalma directed early in his career about a successful but unsatisfied corporate executive Beeman (Tommy Smothers) who quits his job to become a tap dancing magician under the mentorship of Mr. Delesandro (Orson Welles). When his new venture becomes a successful corporation, Beeman finds his path has come full circle. The film features a brief uncredited cameo by cult character actor Timothy Carey as a cop.
“The Monitors” (1969) is based on the novel of the same name by Keith Laumer and was the first film produced by the Second City comedy troupe. It’s an ambitious but low budget sci-fi satire about an invasion of aliens who oversee humanity in a manner similar to hall monitors (ie. Big Brother). Among the cast are a few familiar faces such as Guy Stockwell, Susan Oliver and Alan Arkin. The Monitors also features excellent cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond.
Charlie Kaufman is among the most brilliant and creative screenwriters today and is the mind behind modern cinematic masterpieces such as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Synecdoche, New York”. In this address to the British Academy of Film and Television delivered a few years ago he shares insightful thoughts on his craft and the nature of thought itself. It’s a speech which everyone could potentially gain something of value from.
“Ben X” is a Dutch-Belgian drama directed by Nic Balthazar based on his novel “Nothing Was All He Said”. To escape the constant bullying at his school, Ben, a teenager with Asperger syndrome, immerses himself in the world of multiplayer rpg video games where he meets Scarlite, who gives him the inspiration and courage to stand up to the bullies. The film stands out for it’s realistic portrayal of autism, great acting all around, and a resolution much different from other films with a bullied protagonist (and unlike similar actual events that have made the headlines).
Synopsis by Drafthouse Films
The year is 1987.
Motorcycle ninjas tighten their grip on Florida’s narcotics trade, viciously annihilating anyone who dares move in on their turf. Multi-national martial arts rock band Dragon Sound have had enough, and embark on a roundhouse wreck-wave of crime-crushing justice. When not chasing beach bunnies or performing their hit song “Against the Ninja,” Mark (Tae Kwon Do master/inspirational speaker Y.K. Kim) and the boys are kicking and chopping at the drug world’s smelliest underbelly. It’ll take every ounce of their blood and courage, but Dragon Sound can’t stop until they’ve completely destroyed the dealers, the drunk bikers, the kill-crazy ninjas, the middle-aged thugs, the “stupid cocaine”…and the entire MIAMI CONNECTION!!!
No, I’m not talking about Transformers 4. Today is the official U.S. release date for two films which will likely be regarded as cult classics of the sci-fi genre: “Radio Free Albemuth” and “Snowpiercer”. I’ve had the good fortune to have had the opportunity to see preview screenings of both films and can attest to their quality and excellent screenplays that are as intelligent as they are provocative.
Radio Free Albemuth, a film I’ve previously written about here, is possibly the most faithful cinematic adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel, and while Snowpiercer may not follow its source material (Jacques Lob’s “Le Transperceneige”) as closely, it’s an excellent movie nevertheless. Korean director Bong Joon-ho, has made great films in the past such as “Memories of Murder” and “Mother”, but with Snowpiercer he manages to balance large scale Hollywood-style spectacle with the emotional intensity of his earlier work while getting excellent performances from English-speaking cast members such as Tilda Swinton, John Hurt and Ed Harris. It’s an odd coincidence that Snowpiercer and Radio Free Albemuth share the same U.S. release date since they’re not only the best science fiction films to come out in quite some time, but are also dark metaphors for the current socio-political moment (but not without a glimmer of hope).
To get an idea of what to expect from these films check out the reviews and trailers linked below to learn more about the projects:
http://totaldickhead.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-first-look-at-radio-free-albemuth.html
http://chycho.blogspot.ca/2014/05/may-i-recommend-post-apocalyptic-movie.html
According to the official Radio Free Albemuth website, June 27th also marks the day of significant events in history including:
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