on it’s face this is not a particularly interesting documentary, the editing is serviceable and the interviews aren’t exactly dynamic, but what it lacks in creativity it more than makes up for in content. blank city tells the story of the no wave movement in 70s/80s downtown nyc from the ones who lived it. truly one of the most inspiring documentaries that i found at a pivotal point in my life that changed the trajectory of how i view filmmaking, art, and just coolness in general. blank city is the story of one of the most transgressive artist communities of all time and they’re not very well known, just a few names made it to the mainstream with many others becoming underground legends. in fact a few of the films featured in this documentary are only viewable by screening at the museum of modern art, totally unreleased everywhere else (and trust me i’ve tried to find them) this doc got me into the new york art scene, velvet underground, jim jarmusch, glenn o’brien’s tv party, patti smith, andy warhol, lydia lunch, john lurie, jean-michel basquiat and on and on and on. this film opened a gateway into filmmaking that i had never even considered at that point in my life and i’m grateful i found it. the best part is: kino lorber was kind enough to upload the entire thing on youtube to watch right now!
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this short 1989 documentary about guy debord and the situationists is not only a good watch because of the way it explains and connects debord and his movement with the political films of jean-luc godard, the new punk world of the sex pistols, and the contemporary works of barbara krueger and jenny holzer, but also because it’s vhs texture gives it a very cozy feeling. the fuzzy jazz soundtrack and basebanded narration offers up a perfect watching experience for a cold and dreary day.
Jan 18, 2025
Think about it ; most successful movies these days have boring-ass, one word titles : Barbie, Oppenheimer, Wicked, Sonic, I could go on... It seems no one dares to give interesting titles to their films.
To counter this, I now offer you a short list of the names of Les Blank's documentaries. The man notoriously knew how to name his films, AND he looked like a pirate from the seventies, what could go wrong ?
1. A Poem Is a Naked Person, about Leon Russel, a GROOVY singer from the depths of the 70s
2. Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers, you guessed it, it's about garlic
3. Burden of Dreams, The making of Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo, you may have seen a delightful clip of this film were Herzog rants in the rainforest
4. God Respects Us When We Work, but Loves Us When We Dance, general hippie tomfoolery
5. Werner Herzog eats his shoe, about losing a bet (and Werner Herzog !!!!)
All this to say people should really put more thought into naming their films, books, music etc, because it's so much more fun !!
Also just in general, if you've been wondering about American culture (can it even be defined ?) I highly recommend these films. Take a deep dive in the music, food, rituals of hippies, immigrants, suburban families... in the 70s, watch Les Blank !
Dec 28, 2024
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In 2006, a YouTube account called Artssiren uploaded a series of clips for an amateur documentary called “New York City Subculture ‘96.” The doc is set in the East Village and mostly features downtown squatters hanging out on St. Marks stoops talking about tattoos, philosophy, and love. Characters include Kia, a topless punk who confronts a pig, Bernie, a squatter who wants to convince you he doesn’t look like a squatter, and Randy, the most emo boy in America. The film was made by Nia Janeen Brown, who now goes by Chloé Le Roux. She deserves a retrospective.
Sep 13, 2022
Top Recs from @thorns
“everyday, once a day, give yourself a present. don’t plan it, don’t wait for it. just let it happen. it could be a new shirt at the men’s store. a catnap in your office chair. or two cups of good, hot black coffee.”
in heaven everything is fine
rest in peace david lynch..
Jan 16, 2025
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i know for a fact that i’m guilty of wanting that dopamine hit of having people see my posts and like them, but i’m trying to change my mentality around that here. i’m finding myself more at peace just posting my recommendations and taking solace that someone might find them in the future and enjoy what i suggest, rather than needing an instant gratification of a like. i feel as though i’m adding a brick to the communal building that is this cool userbase of interesting people.
Jan 20, 2025
Jan 15, 2025