There are three recent films we watched, all of them on Criterion. For now we gave up our MUBI subscription since we are so far behind on Criterion films. It truly is the very best channel in the world today for lovers of film. It's the kind of channel that even in one's wildest dreams could never have been conceived not so many years ago. And yet here it is, with the world's finest films (and some lousy ones, too), for less than $150.00 Can. per year. Wow!
Most recently we watched another Martin Scorcese rescue called Kamatty (Bogeyman). It is from India in 1979 and was directed by G. Aravindan. It is a low budget children's fantasy film from the very south of India. The film is quite slow moving and at times quite hypnotic. Chanting is used throughout the film, with landscape photography enhancing the timeless effect. It seems that the film could be taking place almost anytime, except for a few later touches of more modern times. When Kummatty arrives in a village the children are immediately attracted to him, following him on his local travels and singing and dancing along with him. Kummatty carries bells which he jingles while he sings and dances, but he also carries several folk art animal masks. Once the children know him and are used to him they wish to see him do some magic. The children put on the masks and are briefly turned into various animals. They frolic or panic according to their nature, but are soon turned back into themselves again. However, one boy, who was turned into a cute little dog, gets chased from the scene by another dog and misses his chance to be a boy again. The film is quite charming, with a happy ending for all, even a caged parrot that we have felt very sorry for during the film. I'm don't think kids today would enjoy the film, as it is very slow moving. It isn't a long film, though, and is definitely worth a sit through.
showing on Criterion. As usual, Scorcese gives a short intro to the film,
and there is a 'making of' short to go along with the package.
Before that came an epic film once again rediscovered and restored by Martin Scorcese and his World Cinema Project. The Fall Of Otrar is an historical film from Kazakhtan released in 1991. It tells the story of how Genghis Khan was able to conquer a highly fortified and strongly defended Moslem city on the steppes of Central Asia. There is much brutality, some of it over the top, as the story is told in often breath-stopping detail. Essentially, a scout from Otrar is sent out to investigate Genghis, and returns seven years later with some grim news. Though he lays out before his leader exactly how the attacks will come, and who within the walls of the city is aiding the conqueror, he is not believed and is tortured for lying. Alas, what was foretold comes to be and the great city is left abandoned and in ruins. Based on historical documents this is like the Khazakhstan version of Russia's Alexander Nevsky. Otrar is even more captivating with its stronger use realism and remarkable use of sepia for much of the film, with sudden leaps into full colour, usually at night in a scene by firelight. A major film and well worth seeking out. Introduced by Scorcese there is also an excellent 'making of' film.
Four Nights of a Dreamer is a Robert Bresson film from 1971. Adapted from Dostoevsky's "White Nights", the film is about a young man who prevents a young girl's suicide on a bridge at night. They meet again the next night and become friends. On successive nights they each tell their life story, and we learn why she was about to jump. They become better friends and then lovers. The story is very cynical but well worth watching. Hailed by Criterion as Bresson's great forgotten masterpiece, this restored version is engrossing and much better than many French films from the time.
In local news, we both had phone call check ups with our physician, Dr. Alex Shen. Deb needs some more vitamin D, but other than that we seem to be doing well if recent blood work is any indication. We are just awaiting Deb's latest iron test results to be certain that she is still on a steady course. We are both exercising daily, eating better than ever and getting enough sleep. Other than our recent jaunt to London our alcohol consumption is low. So all seems well....
I enjoyed one clear night recently, the first and likely only one of the June session. It was a late night as I can only begin observing at 10:45 pm. But I made it to bed by 3:35 am. Summer Solstice is just around the corner (Sunday morning for us). No definite plans have been made, though we might do a day excursion out to some small towns nearby, and to Lake Erie.
In piano news it has now been about six months on the new pieces. Progress was stalled by just over three weeks of travels recently, but I am trying to continue memorization of most of my pieces. Now that daily practice has resumed I hope to have pieces memorized by sometime in August.
Mapman Mike
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