This is a perfect example. A good movie that is also boring and even disgusting at times. Can a movie be good an at the same time unenjoyable? I don't have much hopes for replies, because there are so few posts in this board, but who knows...
shareI believe it's some sort of reaction to the dominance of excitement cinema, typified by Hollywood blockbusters, that such films are praised. There's a whole movement of glorifying "everyday life"; seemingly because it's the only concievable thing in art that hasn't already been done.
So people watch films like He Liu, marvel at the genuinely interesting points- such as the boy in constant pain, which is a powerful idea - but also marvel at extended scenes of a guy eating or pissing, because they consider it brave (or similar) that a director would choose to focus on something for such a length.
I think its because of this that much art is becoming increasingly worthless. The notion of interesting characterisation, psychic exploration, cultural revelation, etc. is being overthrown by people who have been told by their art teachers that banality is fascinating, and excitement is evil.
Me, I happen to find thinking to be exciting, so I'm at a bit of a loss with this sort of art. Like I said, there were interesting aspects to this film; it is hardly the worst offender. But if I want to be exposed to the full process of preparing a bowl of noodles, I'd go and make a bowl of noodles. At least that way I get some nourishment from it.
The nourishment comes in the form of contemplation, thinking............ about something that will provide nothing more saisfying that that which you provide yourself. If you cannot or do not want to think in this way, films such as this provide you no nourishment and are a waste of your time. Thinking about this movie is not exciting, its work because there are no easy answers to what it is about and why it was done the way it was. This art is indeed worthless to many people and that is why few will have ever seen this movie, and few of those will have anything good to say afterward.
shareclassical painters also focused again and again on the banality of some things. it's a recurrent vehicle. in movies it is not what you show but rather how you show it.
share[deleted]
you should check out Bela Tarr. You'd have all the answers.
share