William Basinski On Recording the Sounds of 9/11 in 'Disintegration Loops'
Everyone's lives changed on the morning of September 11th, 2001. While most of us flocked to TV screens and descended into chaos and confusion, William Basinski went up to the roof of his NYC apartment building and started filming the aftermath of the morning's catastrophic events. When his tape ran out, it was just after sunset. He took the footage and imported it into iMovie, laying it over the track he was working on at the time, which was constructed from decaying twenty-year-old tapes of his earlier music. What transpired was called "The Disintegration Loops," and it became an unintentional yet historical time capsule and masterpiece of an unforgettable moment in time.
Directed by David Wexler, the new film of the same name, Disintegration Loops, is a quick 45-minute snapshot of a complex, long-awaited resurgence from one of ambient music's most revered artists. William Basinski is best known for "The Disintegration Loops," but his repertoire extends as far back as 1998. It wasn't until Pitchfork scored The Disintegration Loops albums a perfect 10 (which is incredibly rare) for his career as an experimental ambient artist to become revered in the music industry.
Technically speaking, the pandemic filmmaking style in The Disintegration Loops is very apparent in the film, which allows us to connect to the film even more. Most, if not all, interviews take place over Zoom: the sound quality isn't perfect, but none of that matters compared to the story at hand.
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a reflective time for both Basinski and all Americans, no doubt. While quarantining in Los Angeles, Basinski released "Lamentations," an album that transforms operatic tragedy into abyssal beauty. Although Disintegration Loops left me wanting more in terms of its story (and Basinski interviews), I've since jumped on Spotify and listened through his numerous ambient albums to feel that sense of sonic connection. And after you check out the documentary, I highly recommend you do the same.
'Alone Together' Review: Charli XCX Makes an Album Amidst a Pandemic
What's a pop star to do when their world tour gets canceled, and life as they know it feels like a horribly unpredictable nightmare? For Charli XCX, the only way out is through. In place of her Covid-dashed plans for 2020, Charli XCX channeled her creative energy into creating a new album, which she accomplished in quarantine and with the help of some of her biggest fans, which the new documentary Alone Together captures.
As documented in the SXSW closing night film Alone Together (directed by Bradley Bell and Pablo Jones-Soler–professionally known as Bradley & Pablo), Charli XCX adopts a total DIY approach in order to write, produce, and release an entire album and accompanying music video in a matter of weeks. Taking to social media and everyone's favorite video conference app, Zoom, Charli XCX encouraged fans to submit lyrics, artwork, and other ideas that ultimately helped bring her album "How I'm Feeling Now" to life. As the doc shows, this not only served as a way for Charli XCX to connect to the outside world when she needed it most, but it also gave her globally-reaching fan club a sense of shared purpose and belonging during a time of uncertainty and isolation.
Scored by Alex Somers (Honey Boy), the music doc uses a hybrid of mixed media to tell this far-reaching story, including Instagram, digital avatars, and self-shot footage by Charli XCX herself. This intimate documentary captures everything from the romanticizing of the early stages of quarantine to the effects it takes on her mental health (and that of many others). By sharing her vulnerability with her fans in real-time and throughout this film, the film acts as a life-raft for those who feel as if they've been wading through the physical and emotional turmoil that 2020 brought. Charli XCX proves that despite life's disappointments and hardships, music will always have the ability to connect us, and that's something COVID-19 can never cancel.
'Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil' Review: A Pop Star is Born Again
If the opening night showcase film at this year's SXSW film festival set out to prove anything, it's that sharing our struggles with strangers can be a cathartic and positively-affirming experience. When you're former Disney star/recovering addict/and newly "out" artist Demi Lovato, it can also be quite vulnerable and scary.
Drawing comparisons to the recent New York Times-produced documentary Framing Britney, which revealed a troubling, unacknowledged history of one of the world's most famous pop stars (Britney Spears), Demi Lovato's own story–Dancing with the Devil–sounds hauntingly similar.
Demi's catapult to stardom first launched as a child in Barney & Friends, then Disney Channel, and quickly led to deep-rooted insecurities, teenage rebellion, and addictions of many kinds. Demi candidly talks about her eating disorders, losing her virginity as a teenager in a sexual assault, and her tumultuous relationship with drugs and alcohol; it's the last topic that is covered most in-depth, and serves as the genesis behind making this film.
Dancing with the Devil shows that this wasn't Demi's first attempt at shooting a documentary to show her struggles. In fact, the initial shoot shut down in 2018 after Demi suffered a near-fatal overdose in which, as she reveals now in the doc, she was mere minutes away from dying. Removing herself from the public eye for a few years to recharge and reset (as well as rest her voice), Demi attributes 2020's forced quarantine with her family and ex-fiancé to keeping her alive. For many, 2020 was a brutal year; but as her family and close friends share in the film, it was the best thing that could have happened to Demi.
Directed by Michael D. Ratner, Dancing with the Devil joins the ranks of other docs made by former young pop culture icons who want to tell (and own) their stories, including Justin Bieber: Seasons and This is Paris. While Dancing with the Devil is itself, an engaging work, it feels as though its purpose is a thinly veiled beg for forgiveness from her peers and fans. I don't feel like it's my place to judge someone's past and their explanation as to why they did certain things, but the audience's only requirement here is to sit and listen. Demi's hope is that we allow her the chance for a fresh start, and this is her explanation as to why she deserves one.
So, the big question: is the struggle over for Demi Lovato? The film doesn't leave us with a confident answer either way, but one thing it hammers home is that the Demi who is going to reemerge in 2021 is not the same woman we've seen before. This new woman has the power to come out on top, and we should all be rooting for her much-deserved comeback.
'Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil' is available to stream on YouTube on Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
'Max Richter's Sleep' Review: Drift Into Serenity With This Ambient Opus
Today, Friday March 19th, is "World Sleep Day." This is one of the only oddball holidays I'd like to acknowledge not only because it's an excuse to sleep in a couple of extra minutes, but because it also marks the release of Max Richter's Sleep on MUBI.
Max Richter is a composer that I've admired for years. His beautiful, soulfully constructed compositions have scored the cinematic achievements of Ad Astra, Arrival, and Shutter Island, among others. And now, it's Max's turn to step into the spotlight as the star of his own feature film.
Directed by Natalie Johns, Max Richter's Sleep is an arresting look at the infamous performance of his celebrated eight-hour ambient opus "Sleep" at an open-air concert in Los Angeles. Together with his creative partner Yulia Mahr, the documentary explores the genesis of the complex piece, as well as the relationship that his fans have developed to it after spending the night under the stars while Max and company performed it live.
Max Richter's Sleep is not only a groundbreaking composition but also a massively overwhelming physical performance. Running eight hours long (his original performance–not the doc) the "Sleep" composition consists of 204 classical movements and was composed in consultation with American neuroscientist David Eagleman, whose input was to scientifically examine the relationship between music and the subconscious mind during sleep.
Natalie Johns precisely documents the strength that it takes to create the perfect calming atmosphere, all the while emphasizing Richter's mission statement of "stillness and meditation." As the world seems to be swinging from one disastrous news event to the next, Max Richter's Sleep aims to unite all who watch in a collective moment of musical reflection. Celebrate "World Sleep Day"–and every day after–with this spell-binding experience.
Distributed by Dogwoof, 'Max Richter's Sleep' is available to stream on MUBI on Friday, March 19, 2021.
'ON-GAKU: Our Sound' Review: For Lo-Fi Fans and Arthouse Rockers
A star is born in ON-GAKU: Our Sound, the latest release from the much-loved distributor, GKids. Stuck in production for over seven years (which includes over 40,000 hand-drawn frames that were animated almost entirely by director Kenji Iwaisawa), ON-GAKU: Our Sound tells the story of teenage misfits turned rock & rollers who prove that you don't have to be talented to play music–you just have to be passionate (although, having talent definitely helps).
ON-GAKU: Our Sound centers around three friends (including one voiced by Japanese cult singer and multi-instrumentalist Shintaro Sakamoto) who, after growing tired of their rebel misfit image, decide to reinvent themselves as musicians. After strumming the same chords over and over again and beating the drums in the same tempo (clearly lacking any sort of technical skill), the trio promptly decides they're good enough to enter the town's local music festival. What follows when they hit the stage can only be described as a magical musical moment.
With a 70-minute runtime and a minimalist, scratchy 2D animation that immediately feels full of heart, ON-GAKU: Our Sound is a short and sweet watch. Those familiar with Japanese Anime and the modern manga landscape will recognize this story, which was adapted from Hiroyuki Ohashi's most popular manga release. Full of deadpan humor, a buzzy score, and a laconic style reminiscent of Jim Jarmusch, ON-GAKU: Our Sound is a fun, refreshing watch that may even inspire you to pick up a guitar yourself.
Distributed by GKIDS, 'ON-GAKU: Our Sound' is now available to rent on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime, Blu-Ray, and DVD.
'Stray' Reflection: How To Reach Enlightenment? Live Life Like a Dog
"Human beings live artificially and hypocritically and would do well to study the dog." - Diogenes of Sinope, 360 BC
Elizabeth Lo's Stray is more than just a canine cinéma vérité documentary on the roaming street dogs of Istanbul. Sure, the premise of the film lends itself to comparisons to another one of my recent favorites (Acasa, My Home) in furthering the old adage that you can't tame a wild spirit. But Stray felt bigger than this simple message. Watching Stray (available in virtual Laemmle Theaters this Friday) is to see a pathway towards enlightenment unfold before your eyes, through the actions of very untraditional four-legged teachers.
In general, dogs possess many characteristics of the Buddha: Basic principles of Buddhism include showing unlimited compassion, living in the moment, and wanting little besides survival needs like food, water, and shelter. There are Four Noble Truths that I was taught when I studied Buddhism in college, and after watching this beautiful film, I found that dogs possess them all.
First Noble Truth (Dukkha): Life is Suffering
They say there are two universally unavoidable things in life: death and taxes. For most people, fixating on the fact that they will in fact pass away one day is not a pleasant experience, and so they numb themselves with distractions (albeit mostly positive ones). Focusing on work, creating families, and living out their passions and dreams are all outlets that provide happiness and joy. But this Noble Truth reminds us that this is all temporary. Happiness and joy are temporary, especially when we pin all of our emotional stability on materialistic possessions. This however isn't something that should burden us, as moving through life with the mindset that everything is temporary will only help us to appreciate the beauty (tragic and otherwise) of the present moment.
The dogs in Stray, without even knowing it, embody this Noble Truth perfectly. Of course, they don't think about their inevitable ends because I doubt their consciousness extends that far. To that end, they also don't have expectations of living a "perfect life." To dogs, basking in the sunny spot on the floor or getting a good head scratch brings contentment–and most importantly, is enough.
Second Noble Truth (Samudāya): The Origin of Suffering
To live like a dog is to want little and live in the moment. As one man states in Stray, "Nothing happens to a person who lives day to day." This mindset seems to be in direct opposition to our current culture of future planning and our unnecessary stresses of "want." This Noble Truth is fairly easy to identify in our own lives; social media, capitalism, and the media are all contributing factors that continuously tell us that we're not "enough."
It's an endless cycle of believing that acquiring "that something" will make us happy, buying "that something," realizing "that something" didn't fix our problems, and then holding onto "that something" which becomes clutter in our physical and emotional space. As long as their basic needs are met, dogs are satisfied. Do you see how excited a dog will get when you give them a new toy? Or sneak them a piece of food from your dinner plate? The reason why they get so excited is because they never expect anything. Their lack of vices and desires allows them to avoid expectations and ultimately, any suffering at all.
Third Noble Truth (Nirodha): The Cessation of Suffering
This Noble Truth is about reaching Nirvana, which means living a life free from suffering. Another principle that isn't as comforting is the realization that, ultimately, we are all alone. Moving through life, we are lucky to bond and share love amongst family and friends, and while these relationships should be cherished, they should also be acknowledged for what they truly are: temporary. This may sound shallow and cold, but Buddhists whole-heartedly believe that the practice of unattachment–getting rid of our desire to be liberated from attachment–is the key to reaching Nirvana.
Much like the dogs in the film who move freely through various packs and environments searching for their next moment of serenity, the aspiration to live as unattached to material possessions as possible is the ultimate goal of Buddhism. "Things" will never make us happy, and the sooner we believe this, the sooner we can reach Nirvana.
Fourth Noble Truth (Magga): The Path to the Cessation of Suffering
This Noble Truth acts as a guideline on how to live an enlightened life, known in Buddhism as the "Noble Eightfold Path." Similar to The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, these eight steps are attainable practices that consist of Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Living in tandem with the Eightfold Path is the key to a life without suffering.
In Stray, director Elizabeth Lo intuitively (and perhaps unintentionally) shows us how dogs exhibit many admirable qualities of the Buddha. A bit of historical background: Turkey is one of the only countries that has made it illegal to euthanize or hold captive any stray dog, motivating Lo to film this documentary in Istanbul and across Turkey from 2017–2019 to capture this reality. Using street dogs as her subjects, and propelled by an evocative string score from composer Ali Helnwein, Stray is a quiet and highly-meditative depiction of conscious living and contentment in which we could all learn to live a little more freely.
Distributed by Magnolia Pictures, 'Stray' is available in virtual Laemmle Theaters on Friday, March 5, 2021.
'Rebel Hearts' Composer Ariel Marx Talks Sonic Experimentation [WATCH]
I had the opportunity to chat with the highly accomplished composer Ariel Marx after the world premiere of the documentary Rebel Hearts at the 2021 virtual Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Pedro Kos, Rebel Hearts offers a look at Los Angeles's Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, the nuns who challenged the patriarchal conventions of the Catholic Church 50 years ago and are still taking a stand today. In our exclusive interview, Ariel Marx talks about creating the dynamic and layered score in only one month, the difference between being a composer vs a musician, and the future of remote recording.
Watch our exclusive interview below:
Learn more about Ariel Marx here, and stream her new album 'Luthier' here.
'Crestone' Review: SoundCloud Rappers Capture Spiritual Metamorphosis
If you look up Crestone, Colorado on Google Maps, you'll find your pin surrounded by vast desert valleys, rocky mountains, and, if you look real close, clouds of weed smoke coming from a few abandoned, dilapidated shacks. This is Crestone and what might sound like isolation to the highest degree, is considered nirvana to the heavily tattooed group of twenty-something-year-old guys living out their dreams among acres of nothingness.
Set to a psychedelic score from Animal Collective, Crestone is a jivey, avant-garde look at the reality of novice Soundcloud rappers like @highmynamesryan and @champloosloppy who live and work together in the middle of the desert, hoping their big break is around the corner. The monotony of their daily lives is broken up by growing weed and making music that they post on social media, a routine that is skillfully captured by the group's old high school friend, director Marnie Ellen Hertzler.
Crestone is an exciting debut feature release from Hertzler, whose multi-media approach serves as a solid jumping ground into the depths of the human desire for friendship and fame. For eight days and nights, we're absorbed into their post-apocalyptic world, where we're equally awed by the beautiful golden hour light and horrified at the ketchup on ramen noodle dish that constitutes dinner.
Like lost boys out of a storybook, Crestone artfully blurs the lines of fact and fiction (much like social media itself), begging us to question how much we would be willing to physically pay for intangible things like "fame." More than just a profile piece on the hopeful artists of tomorrow, Crestone is a psychologically engaging thought piece about recreating ourselves and living authentically.
Distributed by Utopia, Crestone is now available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
'Jumbo' Review: An Untraditional Love Story About Unrestricted Love
When we feel a desire for someone–or something–are we brave enough to express that love, uninhibited of others’ thoughts?
And what if that something isn’t human at all? But rather, an inanimate object–or in the case of Jumbo–a towering amusement park ride?
In Jumbo, Jeanne (Noémie Merlant), a shy theme park worker, falls in love with a new “attraction” and explores what love means. What’s even more fascinating about this concept is that Jumbo is in fact based on a true story. And while it may sound like a silly premise for a film, Jumbo (the pet-name that Jeanne gives to "The Move It" theme park ride) is actually–somewhat surprisingly–heartfelt, sincere, and emotionally felt.
Zoé Wittock directs the film with such compassion (and sensuality) that you really could substitute "Jumbo” with anything at all and the film would still hold strong as an involving, stimulating movie about forbidden love. But the fact that Jumbo is specifically about this sort of tilt-a-whirl attraction is what gives the film its visual identity, which Wittock uses to highlight its oscillating movement, and kaleidoscopic light design, which Jeanne is succumbed by.
Jumbo really only works because of the lead performance from Noémie Merlant (who audiences will recognize from Portrait of a Lady on Fire). She gives an incredibly vulnerable, yet sincere and committed performance as Jeanne, who we may or may not immediately recognize is suffering from mental health issues (I felt a similarity to Alison Brie’s character in Netflix’s Horse Girl).
And also of note is the committed performance of Emmanuelle Bercot as Jeanne’s mother, who also pushes herself to understand her daughter’s odd expression of love.
While Jumbo is certainly strange in its conceit, it does also show bravery in what committed, true love looks like.
Distributed by Dark Star Pictures, Jumbo is opening in virtual theaters this Friday, February 19, 2021.
'PVT Chat' Review: Exposing the Erotic World of Webcam Connections
Technically, PVT Chat isn't rated. But what I can tell you after watching this sexually-charged dark drama is that it should be rated "B," for "Bold," "Brash," and–let's be honest here–"Boobs." Directed by Ben Hozie, PVT Chat is a low-budget, hyper-realistic look at a dark corner of the online sex industry that unabashedly brings the snuff film into the 21st century. Gaspar Noé, meet your successor.
Peter Vack stars (and bares all) as Jack, a single, NYC-dwelling millennial who passes his days playing online blackjack and chatting with cam girls from his janky apartment. He's a good-looking guy, someone who we wouldn't expect turns to sex workers and erotic masseuses to fulfill his kinks. Then again, this just proves that everyone carries secrets, especially the people we may not expect.
Jack carries out his relationships in both a transactional and superficial manner, but even though his life is lived mostly online, Jack soon finds out that his actions have consequences that extend beyond the computer screen. Reality hits when his daily chats with San Francisco-based dominatrix Scarlet (Julia Fox, Uncut Gems) turn from standard dirty talk to more personal confessions. One night, convinced he's spotted her on the streets of Chinatown, Jack is determined to turn his online fantasy into a real-life relationship.
At its core, PVT Chat is a romantic film about hedonistic freedom and fantasy, littered with vices and eroticism. Shot in a shaky manner reminiscent of the Safdie brothers, the cinematography feels as unstable as its protagonist. That is the point, though, as filmmaker/provocateur Ben Hozie wrote, directed, shot, and edited PVT Chat as a response to society's rigid view of sexual exploration and imagination. Peter Vack carries the film with total vulnerability (and full frontal nudity, including a self-pleasure sequence), and Julia Fox's tenderness and strength play perfectly into Vack's desperate need for human connection.
You've probably gathered by now that PVT Chat won't be for everyone. However, if you're curious to see out a film that will push you to the threshold of your comfort level–and beyond–PVT Chat aims to satisfy.
Distributed by Darkstar Pictures, PVT Chat is now available on-demand.
'Nordic Film Music Days' Celebrates The Year's Top Nordic Composers
Since its inception in 2010, the HARPA Film Composers Award and the Nordic Film Music Days (NFMD) has been a highlight of the Berlin International Film Festival. Since we're still living in a virtual film festival world, the six-day long event has moved online, which is great news for those who have always wanted to sit in on the inner workings of the Nordic film and music scene without paying for a flight to Berlin.
The goal of any composer is to tell a story with sound, and Nordic films are generally known for going directly to core feelings. Each film has a unique sound that is easy to spot, and even easier to get lost in the swirling and dramatic emotions they elicit.
The Nordic Film Music Days kicks off this Saturday, February 13th, and includes screenings of nominated films, a panel conversation with the HARPA nominees, an overview on promotional materials for composers, a seminar on creating sustainable contracts, a panel on creativity, collaboration & working together and breakout rooms for composers & director meetings.
The highlight of the event takes place on Thursday, February 18th, when the crowning of the new HARPA award winner is announced. Over the last two months, national juries from each Nordic country have watched, listened, discussed, and decided which of the 50 submitted scores will proceed as their national nominee.
The 2021 nominees of the HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award include:
Flemming Nordkrog (Denmark) | Shine Your Eyes
Pessi Levanto (Finland) | Psychosia
Hugar aka Bergur Thorisson, Petur Jonsson (Iceland) | The Vasulka Effect
Marcus Paus (Norway) | Torden
Jon Ekstrand (Sweden) | 438 dagar
Past winners include:
2020 Berlin | Gaute Storaas (Norway) | Bröllop, begravning & dop
2019 Berlin | Davíð Þór Jónsson, Benedikt Erlingsson (Iceland)| Woman at war
2018 Berlin| Daníel Bjarnason (Iceland) | Under the Tree
2017 Berlin and Cannes | Sune Martin (Denmark) | Land of Mine
2016 Berlin | Honor award | Johann Johannsson (Iceland)
2016 Berlin | Atli Örvarsson | Rams
All events are free of charge and open to the public.
Register at Nordic Film Music Days.
'Minari' Review: This Touching Story of the American Dream Stands Tall
Despite awards shows that miscategorize and claim otherwise (looking at you Golden Globes), Minari is an American film. The soul of its story is the textbook definition of the American Dream. Directed with heartfelt empathy by Lee Isaac Chung, Minari is an intimate story about expectation vs reality, and the calculated risks that some are forced to take when pinning the future and well-being of their family on nothing more than hope.
The old adage "grow where you're planted" is a familiar one–it's what Jacob (Steven Yeun) plans to do, with abundance. Having immigrated from Korea with his wife Monica (Yeri Han) and two young children, Anne (Noel Cho) and David (Alan Kim), Jacob and his family settle into the outskirts of a small Arkansas town, where he plans to start a farm. Jacob's vision is to harvest and sell local Korean produce to small markets, and his DIY "can-do" attitude propels its rocky start.
Jacob views his newly acquired acres of land as his personal "Garden of Eden" and a ticket to generational success. However, his expectation of the farm's promise vs the reality of it–which drains resources and money away from his family–is far from ideal. The family dynamic is put in flux as Jacob's attention becomes predominately set on work, causing Monica to grow more isolated and resentful. To ease the tension, it's decided that her mother Soonja (Yuh-jung Youn) will come from Korea to live with them and help raise the children, much to David's initial detest.
Where Minari really finds its emotional weight is the time we spend with the family and their home life, specifically the relationship between David and his grandma. Faced with so many life changes, cultural and otherwise, David isn't mature enough to articulate his feelings, so he ends up taking his frustrations out on Soonja via cheeky pranks. It's a familiar story of testing boundaries and the way Lee Isaac Chung captures David's spitfire precociousness and childhood innocence feels extremely personal. From there, the film builds and swirls with emotional tension, coming to a crescendo on the night an accidental fire breaks out and threatens everything Jacob has worked so hard for. It's in this moment when he has an epiphany: is "financial success" worth more than his well-being and safety, or has greed been masquerading as his relentless work ethic?
In addition to rich sweeping cinematography by Lachlan Milne, the costume design and score also leave lasting impressions. Jacob's red hat–a symbol that had been polluted by MAGA mobs–reclaims its status as a morally powerful accessory. Working as hard as he can to make ends meet and provide for his family, Jacob's hat, chosen by costume designer Susanna Song, represents the blood, sweat, and tears of all immigrants who come to America with dreams of a better future and, in this case, literally growing their money. Composer Emile Mosseri provides another unforgettable score that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of growth and rebirth with melodic strings and delicate piano keys.
Like the Minari, or crops of any kind, Lee Isaac Chung uses this beautiful cinematic vessel to show us that we grow where we're planted; we can flourish anywhere so long as we nurture ourselves. This sentiment is the thesis statement of Minari, embracing cultural differences is the only way to create a richly symbiotic tapestry of American life. Now, someone tell that to the HFPA.
Distributed by A24, Minari is available to watch on A24's virtual screening room this Friday, February 12, 2021.
'French Exit' Review: This High Society Satire Offers Quirky, Scattered Fun
For those who miss the floundering familiarities of a Woody Allen film but for moral reasons won't bring themselves to support the controversial filmmaker, Azazel Jacobs' French Exit attempts to quench that desire. If offbeat, quirky capers spearheaded by a strong female protagonist excite you, then know that there are plenty to be found in this Michelle Pfeiffer-Lucas Hedges two-hander. However, if you're looking for a film with substance that will provide either laughs or thought-provoking moments, you may find yourself, like me, disappointed.
Based on the book of the same name by Patrick DeWitt, French Exit is a high society satire about Frances (Michelle Pfeiffer), a narcissistic woman who decides to flee the country 12 years after the death of her husband and, perhaps not coincidentally, the sudden end of her marital inheritance. Taking her apathetic son Malcolm (Lucas Hedges) and their cat Small Frank with her, they board a cruise ship from New York City to Paris to start over, no strings attached.
However, strings are aplenty as Frances and Malcolm arrive and face their new reality. In their varying depressed states, Frances and Malcolm acquire a hodgepodge cast of characters who end up living with them in their borrowed apartment, including a mindreader from the ship (Danielle Macdonald), a family friend (Valerie Mahaffey), Malcolm's ex-girlfriend (Imogen Poots), and more. As if their situation wasn't unconventional enough, Frances begins communicating with Small Frank via late-night séances, as she believes the soul of her dead husband (Tracy Letts) is embedded in the cat.
Is this a dark comedy, an oddball mid-life crisis drama, or all of the above?
French Exit has a cold shell and scattered tone that is hard to crack, which most likely is attributed to the shaky translation from book to screen. It isn't until about halfway through when Frances explains the reason why the cat is so important (hint: reincarnation) that we re-evaluate the type of film we think this is. Is this a dark comedy, an oddball mid-life crisis drama, or all of the above? This film floats in genre purgatory; it's not silly enough to crack a smile, nor is it vulnerable enough to feel connected to and sympathize with the characters. Despite its shortcomings, there is no doubt that French Exit should be acknowledged for its stellar lead performance from Pfeiffer (who earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress Musical or Comedy for this role).
Genre-fluid and experimental, French Exit is a subversive film that gives its actors a platform to shine on, and us wanderlusters an appreciated glimpse of Paris from our TV screens. It also left me wondering if Lucas Hedges has invested in the cruise industry yet, as this is his second consecutive film in which he's traveled from NYC by boat (Let Them All Talk being the other). Just a thought.
Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, French Exit opens at the Vineland Drive-In this Friday, February 12, 2021.
Listen to a Track From The Priyanka Chopra Jonas-Produced Film 'Evil Eye'
One listen and you'll be swept away in the hauntingly ethereal track that is "Protection," from the Amazon Studios and Blumhouse Television thriller Evil Eye. The Jason Blum and Priyanka Chopra Jonas-produced film is one of eight genre films in the Welcome To The Blumhouse anthology series, and the first commercial horror movie created by and starring South Asians.
Cinemacy is excited to premiere the track by composer Ronit Kirchman (The Sinner, Limetown), who also recently won the Hollywood Music in Media Award for “Outstanding Score for a TV Movie/Streaming." Listen here:
Behind the scenes, Ronit took the film's monumental achievement in South Asian history and created a distinctive sound rooted in horror artistry with traditional Indian instruments and textures. Focusing on the film's mythology and reincarnation themes, Ronit’s sonic palette includes signature elements like flutes, harps, vocals, and a full complement of Hindustani percussion.
Kirchman explains: “It was truly a joy to compose the music for Evil Eye... I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to write emotional, melodic themes that trace family relationships and unfold in unexpected ways. The final scenes presented an exciting musical opportunity to amp up the intensity and provide maximum dramatic impact, transforming the vocabulary into something disturbingly resonant, yet newly threatening.”
'Evil Eye' is now streaming on Prime Video, and the soundtrack will be released by Lakeshore Records this Friday, February 12th.
In 'Malcolm & Marie,' Tortured Artists Shout in Black & White
I'm probably one of the few "critics" who isn't offended by the biggest point of contention in director Sam Levinson's (Euphoria, Assassination Nation) stylishly enthralling romantic drama, Malcolm & Marie: the point being "critic bashing" or, "how criticism kills art." While I can't fully agree with that outlook (because my job would be rendered useless if so), I tend to agree with the bigger picture here: sometimes art for art's sake, without the need for a "message," is good enough. That said, if you're looking for a whirlwind of sharp monologues, snazzy music, and a story that exists purely for artistic expression, then you'll find a lot to love in Malcolm & Marie.
Once upon a time in Malibu, Malcolm (John David Washington) and his girlfriend Marie (Zendaya) return from an after-party of the premiere of his feature film. What was supposed to be a celebratory night of debauchery turns into a marathon all-nighter of introspective conversation about art, inspiration, and what it all means as the couple bicker about things in and out of their control, specifically the pending critics reviews.
The "arrogant director" and "overlooked muse" trope is on full display, as Malcolm and Marie bounce from room to room, hurling monologues at each other that border on verbal abuse, or as Marie puts it, "emotional fucking terrorism." Perhaps they're releasing the night's pent-up anxiety, or maybe they're finally letting go of built-up resentment but either way, they take it out on each other. He can't stand her neediness and she won't be his manic pixie dream girl any longer; but once the sun starts to rise on their emotionally taxing night, both of their inflated egos shrivel in the dawn of a new day.
The deft, meaty script is accredited to Levinson as well and is worth dissecting and re-visiting like a graduate thesis paper.
Malcolm & Marie is heavily music-driven, propelled by the talent of Euphoria's music supervisor Jen Malone. In addition to music by British singer-songwriter Timothy Lee McKenzie aka Labrinth, tracks like Dionne Warwick's "Get Rid of Him" provide further context into the emotional state of our protagonists.
The music is balanced out by the non-stop monologues, which the film delivers in spades. The deft, meaty script is accredited to Levinson as well and is worth dissecting and re-visiting like a graduate thesis paper. Shot entirely during the pandemic, Malcolm & Marie leans into this pressure cooker of emotional energy. Taking place in one location and with only two actors, the weight of the film rests solely on Washington and Zendaya who each give electrifying, passionate performances.
Levinson's not so subtle hint to his critics, via his mouthpiece Malcolm, is this: Critics sap the world of its mystery by trying to explain everything, and in their search for a "message," they miss the emotion. Malcolm & Marie is an artfully strong clap back to some of Levinson's own critics, and an equally impressive film for anyone who appreciates the beauty of pure artistic expression.
Distributed by Netflix, Malcolm & Marie is available to stream on Netflix today, February 5, 2021.