such small portions

2006-06-07T10:07:00.000+12:00

Les Mains

Musée Rodin

2006-06-07T09:26:00.000+12:00

Jean d'Aire

Musée Rodin

Rodin

2006-06-07T09:12:00.000+12:00

Detail - The Burghers of Calais

Musée Rodin

mis en abyme, tour Eiffel

2006-05-05T07:54:00.000+12:00

Still from DVCAM

Bresson: Au hasard Balthazar

2006-05-04T08:18:00.000+12:00

Disney without the Disney. The story of a donkey told in a style of baroque minimalism. Bresson is one of the "difficult" french directors whose difficulty disappears once one learns of his Jansenism.

I haven't seen Woody Allen's Match Point yet but once I have I'll try and compare the two views on chance. The two directors share some preoccupations.

From Islam Online

2006-05-04T07:02:00.000+12:00

Movies Bridge Pak-Indo Divide

The screening of two Indian films in Pakistani movie houses after a 40-year ban is attaining political significance with many seeing cultural bonding as the best way to bring the peoples of the arch foe neighbors closer.

Recently seen: Godard - 2 ou 3 choses que je sais d'elle

2006-05-03T08:07:00.000+12:00

Godard in the midst of his Maoist agitprop period maintains the saving grace of whimsy. There is plenty of target shooting at consumerism and commodification but the overall tone avoids anger and offers no dogmatic solutions.

Made in 1967, Godard displays his typical acumen in spotting social trends almost before they occur; from the concrete jungle of the newly constructed banlieu projects which would breed a generation of disaffected youth of North African and Middle Eastern origin, to the growing anti-war movement.

Mixed in with this is a dose of post-structuralist meditation on language but what probably stands the test of time is his portrayal of male/female relations and issues of gender and objectification.

I'm not a big Godard fan, the films of his I like are his early playful assaults on the French cinema establishment and traditional techniques, but even his political films display a genius for creative cinematic technique that more than makes up for other failings.

A useful Godard site - To, for and against Jean-Luc Godard

A bit late for these two

2006-05-02T14:18:00.000+12:00

Organ Donations

A Certain Slant of Light

2006-05-02T08:10:00.000+12:00

Cerisey, Normandy

Still from DVCAM
October 2005

There's a certain slant of light,
On winter afternoons,
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings are.

None may teach it anything,
'Tis the seal, despair,
-An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 't is like the distance
On the look of death.

- Emily Dickinson

Profile

2006-05-02T07:49:00.000+12:00

Musée du Louvre

Still from DVCAM
October 2005

Eros and Psyche

2006-05-02T07:30:00.000+12:00

detail of Eros and Psyche
by Antonio Canova, Musée du Louvre

Still from DVCAM
October 2005