Really taken by AMERICAN FICTION and ORIGIN. Two movies w/ a premise deeper than emotions. Not perfect technically, but trying to say something big about caste systems, literature genres, searching for universal links between seemingly disparate cultures.
2 types: art that leads with emotion which may later on evoke inner exploration/intellectual discovery, or art that begins with intellectual question which can lead to emotional responses later on. I like both but prefer art that begins with a provocative intellectual question/premise. Even if the art is aesthetically lacking in some elements, let me get my mind going first and then I'll add the emotions later on. If the grand statement of the work is 'ppl are sad' or 'some times family is mean,' or even 'racism bad' or 'yay nostalgia'... I'm probably going to be bored. I know the world is mean and ppl sad. I know that adults long for childhood things. I know that racism and poverty are bad. Rather than saying 'racism is bad' can the art get specific? This one particular Latino artist is trying to succeed against racism by doing blank. Rather than say 'yay nostalgia' how can childhood memories be used as more than a crying couch?
Intellectual art can be high or low brow. SCARY MOVIE is very funny low-brow comedy b/c of the satirical commentary about the horror genre. When I saw SCARY MOVIE in a theatre ppl were falling out on the floor with laughter. Literally. (And I mean literally 'literally' and not literally metaphorically as it has come to mean due to Twitter.) Ppl were literally falling out of their chairs and not just b/c the jokes were funny. The jokes were about something. Misogyny, homophobia/ homoeroticism, obsession w/ women keeping their virginity, blk ppl being disposable in horror and in the culture, and all of that having to do with small-town America, high school America, suburb America. All these things are wrapped in jokes made me ppl slide, slip, fall out of their chairs with laughter. It was stupid gags mixed with George Carlin observations. So it doesn't just have to be Goddard or Kurosawa to be art that starts with a provocative question.
One person or group is fighting their way out of their box by doing blank...and along the way they encounter terrors, laughs, racism, bigotry, whatever, horror monsters, but at least there's a proactive thesis being enacted by a protagonist instead of a just a bland 'chicken soup for the soul' sermon.
Just have to say that as the intellectual movies about stuff, aka AMERICAN FICTION and ORIGIN, are getting drowned out by the PR lacquered works that don't really say anything besides 'gimme an award.'
Just have to say that since I have spent the bulk of last 8 yrs working in tv writers rooms with showrunners who plot episodes on big ideas and not just emotional punches.
Just have to say that for all the ugly stepchildren of the awards season who lack the stylists and PR wind machines AND are still trying to change the world with provocative ideas.
3 comments:
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I appreciate your perspective on intellectual art and how it challenges the audience to think beyond the surface level of emotions. I agree that art can be more engaging and meaningful when it poses a provocative question or explores a complex theme. I also enjoy both high and low brow forms of intellectual art, as long as they are well-crafted and original. I have not seen American Fiction and Origin, but they sound like interesting movies that tackle some big issues. I wonder if they are available to watch online or in cinemas. Speaking of cinemas, have you ever considered watching some of the amazing shows that are on in London's West End? There are many theatre tickets available for a variety of genres and styles, from musicals and comedies to dramas and operas. Some of the shows are based on classic or contemporary literature, such as Matilda, The Book of Mormon, or The Time Traveller's Wife. Others are original creations that explore themes such as identity, culture, or history, such as Hamilton, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, or Six. You can find more information and book your London theatre tickets at London Theatre Direct or Official London Theatre. I think you would enjoy the experience of seeing live performances that stimulate your mind and your emotions. Let me know what you think and if you have any recommendations for other intellectual movies or shows
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