Japan in Cannes

[Mark Mays]

Sorry for using “theme” and “plot” as if they were interchangeable. Not what I meant. But if Kiarostami does take on a hackneyed plot device and does his usual great work, does that mean I should necessarily be more interested in seeing the film? Perhaps . . . definitely if I’m an auteurist. I could just go re-watch Werkmeister Harmonies if the visual arts are the only value I’m after. Story is important to me. Theme and plot are important to me, and whether the production team (not simply the director) can communicate those things visually. Concerns, like matters related to cultural issues many of my critic friends cast aside as unimportant are important to me. I don’t watch Borzage. It’s about my choice as a consumer, not as a critic.

It isn’t simply that he chose a hackneyed plot device, this is case specific. Why this one? 

From: Mark R. Harris 
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 2:53 PM
To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes

I find your last sentence interesting, because it suggests that art is primarily thematic, and I somehow doubt you mean that. Surely there are many instances of gifted directors taking hackneyed themes and "adding" quite a lot through their overall visualization, mise-en-scene, editing, direction of actors, etc. With some directors - Frank Borzage comes to mind - that is where there primary interest lies. Surely Japanese cinema in particular abounds in directors whose remarkability hasn't much to do with their deliberately unremarkable choice of subject matter.


On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 1:42 PM, Mark Mays <tetsuwan at comcast.net> wrote:

  I must see the film to judge it on its quality. I don’t have to see a film to say I’m unimpressed about the subject matter; yet another go at a topic that’s been done to death, even if it is Kiarostami. And to answer another question, given the plot involves the student in question meeting an elderly man who shows her kind treatment really suggests there’s nothing the director will add. 

  From: Mark R. Harris 
  Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 2:26 PM
  To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
  Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes

  Why all the negativity about a film that hasn't been seen yet? 


  On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 1:19 PM, Michael Kerpan <mekerpan at verizon.net> wrote:

    Does Kiarostami have anything new or different to say (or show us) about the topic?


    From: Mark Mays <tetsuwan at comcast.net>
    To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
    Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 3:04 PM 

    Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes


    Was disappointed to hear about the Kiarostami, frankly. Brilliant director but how many more times must we round the enjyo kosai poll . . . er so to speak.

    From: Mark R. Harris 
    Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 1:09 PM
    To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
    Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes

    It's a big day for Korea, since both Im and Hong got spots in the main competition, and they are the only East Asian directors to do so. Weerasethakul's film was relegated to a Special Screening, a bit of a surprise perhaps after his recent Palme d'Or win.

    Mark R. Harris


    On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 11:46 AM, Mark Nornes <amnornes at umich.edu> wrote:

      The Cannes lineup was announced.  

      The only Japanese film in competition is directed by Kiarostami, sorry to say. 

      Un Certain Regard will future Wakamatsu's regrettably titled 11.25 The Day He Chose His Own Fate. 


      Finally, there is a midnight screening of The Legend of Love & Sincerity, by Miike. 

      Not a good year for Japan. Other Asian directors that got slots include Apichatpong Weerasethakul, You Ye, Ashim Ahluwalia, Im Sang-soo, and Hong Sang-soo. 

      Markus



      _________________________________
      A. M. Nornes
      Chair, Department of Screen Arts and Cultures
      Professor, Department of Asian Languages & Cultures
      Professor, School of Art & Design
      University of Michigan
      North Quad 6F, 105 S. State Street
      Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1608
      Phone: 734-763-1314
      FAX: 734-936-1846
















    -- 

    Mark R. Harris

    Profesor de humanidades
    Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Sinaloa
    Blvd. Pedro Infante 3773
    Culiacan, CP 80100, Sinaloa, Mexico
    +52 (667) 759-1600
    mark_r_harris at yahoo.com
    brokerharris at gmail.com







  -- 

  Mark R. Harris

  Profesor de humanidades
  Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Sinaloa
  Blvd. Pedro Infante 3773
  Culiacan, CP 80100, Sinaloa, Mexico
  +52 (667) 759-1600
  mark_r_harris at yahoo.com
  brokerharris at gmail.com




-- 

Mark R. Harris

Profesor de humanidades
Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Sinaloa
Blvd. Pedro Infante 3773
Culiacan, CP 80100, Sinaloa, Mexico
+52 (667) 759-1600
mark_r_harris at yahoo.com
brokerharris at gmail.com
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