People against Deborah Kampmeier

Lol Sofia Coppola is a void. I dispute the talented part! ;) and Virgin Suicides was an awful piece of rubbish along with Lost in Translation, if only it had been lost!

MisterBling, Sofia Coppola's Virgin Suicides was a mess. Unfortunately, I read the book first. Of course, this is going to affect my opinion.

Lost in Translation, the movie everyone talks about, was pure rubbish. Okay, do movies need to have a plot? Make sense? Have three dimensional characters, not caricatures? I think so. I honestly haven't seen the movie sense it first came out, so I can not go into meaningful debate of the film at this time. Who knows? Maybe watching it again, I'll like it.

Sofia to me is a GREAT and TALENTED cinematographer. I do not debate that. The two films of hers I have seen have looked great. I just do not feel her passion as a filmmaker being reflected in the films of hers I have seen. I do not expect her father in her. Far from it. I really want Sofia to develop her own voice and so far she has devolped a STRONG vision. I just feel her films so far have not been the best she can do.

Okay, what do I consider makes a "great director". This is a good, albeit, impossible question to answer. The first is a film that comes together in all elements of mise en scène. That is the director's first goal.

The second thing to me is the most important: heart. Passion. Do I "feel" something with this movie, better yet do I "feel a VARIETY of emotions"? Joel Schumacher has the mise en scène down, but I do not feel the passion for filmmaking I know he has. I've heard him lecture about films and this man is passionate. But his resumè is far from showing this. I really enjoy listening to his commentary tracks, because he can communicate what he wanted to do and usually it is beautiful. I don't know what it is, but he has been unsuccessful at this. Phantom of the Opera is the example of this I want to use. The movie is perfect in terms of mise en scène (okay, Butler's acting is questionable), but I didn't feel the emotional struggle that I am supposed to.

Third thing is does the film work? Is it good? This can be when a movie is too choatic for the audience to understand it. Sometimes, it is pacing and editing. Does the film feels like it is dragging here? Yes, the editor has a hand in this, but the director should have a sense of what the film needs to be. A movie being good is debatable. I didn't enjoy "Boys Don't Cry" personally, but I know people who did. The film didn't "work" for me for reasons of the above. However, I do not deny that people like it.

My original post was addressing whether or not I could find a female director I felt was one of the greats. But who is someone I do consider great. I will name a controversial one: Tony Scott. Yes, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, etc. How can I like him? His movies have style, but the forementioned movies lack that "passion" I mentioned earlier. He is a filmmaker I believe to have grown over the years. "Man on Fire" was the turning point for me. I always liked "True Romance", but "Man on Fire" gave me something I just said, "WOW" afterwards. It was originally crafted and visually impressive, but never lost an ounce of emotion. Rahda Mitchell gives an Oscar worthy performance in my opinion and I can not understand why she isn't making the more "respectable" film. In an "action" movie like "Man on Fire" it is easy to lose that emotional weight. Scott succeeds with always keeping Fanning's character as an emotional weight on the entire film. You care about her just as much as Washington and Mitchell do throughout the entire ride. I also give credit for mixing experimental filmmaking with commercial filmmaking on Scott's part. I know, he has made some brainless, heartless films, but he has grown up in my opinion and I anxiously await Domino.

Is box office success important? Not to me. Artistic merit? To a degree.

I hope I have answered your questions. I am surprised to see how many people care for Ms. Kampmeier. I am very glad to see it =) .

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girouxski1,

How can I "comment on a filmmaker's 'lack of style and originality' if you have never seen the film of which you are commenting." Good question. Short answer: I can't. Complicated answer: I was not refering to her DIRECTING, but to her WRITING based on the plot summary. I do not believe that I critized Kampmeier's style (because that wouldn't make sense, I might have been refering to the three women I named). Orginality I critize based on the strong feminist plot summary I read. A little sexist, I know, but I had been looking for a strong female director for awhile and most movies that I was watching were painfully obvious that a woman directed it. From tone to pacing to even directing decisions.

You said: "One question of yours that I do find intriguing and difficult to answer is if anyone can point out a good female director? Certainly, the biggest obstacle to answering this question is that of the problem of subjectivity versus objectivity... But you must agree that originality cannot and should not be a qualification for grade the performance of a director."

Actually, girouxski1, I disagree. I believe originality is a big part of the "directing grade". Quentin Tarantino is often critized for ripping off others. Many would grade him from this approach. I would critize Spielberg if you started ripping off Orson Wells for example. You also meantion objectivity being an issue. I believe every director has an objective with a picture, whether it is "Hate Bush" or "Laugh your pants off". I think my original post was addressing that women make movies about women. More often then not I find this true for BOTH SEXES (man = man). I am sick of it and I do want more inter-gender themed movies filmmakers to make. Why can't "War of the World" star a woman?

I love your quoting of Jarmusch, he's a good man who has made some very interesting films. He brings up some good points, but I'd rather hear you speak more from your own mind like the above quote I have taken from you. What they say is nice, but I'd rather listen to you. Or at least have you expand upon the point that he was making. (Thanks for the quote though =D )

You said: "As I run out of space, I need to make clear that what is unfortunate in the absolute lack of support that female filmmakers have in this country. That lack is ultimately what is the cause of your distress."

Funny how some of my responses are pretty long. Only one of them I have had to shorten. = ) (it's a joke, I know you meant time). I share your pain that female filmmakers are DUMPED ON! I belong to an organization that is hoping to open things up a bit more for women. I have worked with some very talented women on films and they could very well end up on list of great filmmakers. I agree with you 100% that this lack of support is a burden for me. To this day, one year later, nothing has really changed for me. What BIG summer movies have come out this year that were directed by women?

girouxski1, I love your points, but PLEASE, break up the super long paragraph. It was easy to get lost in. Next time, perhaps? ;)

Also, you have the same problem I have with clutter in the sentences ("I need to make clear that what is unfortunate in the absolute lack of support that female filmmakers have in this country" for example). I know this is a message board and I make the same mistakes (in this post even :P ), but by breaking things up (paragraphs, commas), it creates the illusion that it is easier to read. I really like what you have said and you remind me of myself and several of my friends. =D

Rock on, girouxski1!

ThrownMuse, I like you the most of all these responses.

You caught me on the "scandalous subject header". At the time, this board was empty. Like any bullhead buffoon, I wanted to light things up a bit. At the time, I was trying to defend Courtney Solomon (Dungeons and Dragons The Movie), and got upset by the number of "Worst director ever" and "People against Solomon" threads there were. Kampmeier suffered some undeserved wrath, for that, I am sorry.

You said: "... You haven't seen (her films). Why would you be against this woman?! Deborah Kampmeier is someone in the biz who is actively working to focus on women's stories in a male-dominated industry."

That is fantastic to know she is a major influence =) !. The reason why I was "against" her when I made the post was the summary of the movie: "When a teenager finds herself pregnant, with no memory of having had sex, she determines that she is carrying the child of God." Doesn't that just sound like a happy picture?

At the time, I was dealing with a teen pregnancy of a good friend of mine, so I guess the topic struck me as offensive. I am also extremely religious and spirtual and this movie sounded very blasphemous to me. People are allowed to dislike a movie they haven't seen based on content (Dogma for example). It is EXTREMELY IGNORANT, but people are allowed to.

The other thing bothered me (at the time) was that Kampmeier was being "shocking" to get some buzz. Or as I was called "going insane just to be fashionable". The filmmakers behind Choas (the infamous 0 star movie Ebert hated) are a couple of people who used this technique. I disrespect any filmmaker who does that. Was it fair of me to paint this picture of Kampmeier? Of course, not.

You Said: "why do THREE women represent the entire population of women filmmakers to you?!"

The reason for this was a list I had read with the GREAT WOMEN FILMMAKERS. Those were some of the top names with movies I've seen. I did not agree. They do not "represent the entire population of women filmmakers" to me by a bit. I know quite a few women directors I think are stronger, but they do not have the hype these three did. Naming them was addressing the fact that these three filmmakers are NOT THE BEST WOMEN HAVE TO OFFER. There is no possibility to me that they are (at their current states of my writing the forementioned post). To think that I believe that is quite naive, but to your credit, ThrownMuse, it did sound that way ;)

You asked what I meant by calling this film an "obvious movie". You deserve a fair response. I do not remember the exact reasons why I did, but a couple are evident to me. I think I meant this one:

'The movie is written and directed by a female director and naturally it is about a very feminist theme.' This makes sense, who writes Rambo and Lethal Weapon? MEN. But, wouldn't be more shocking to write a strong sexist movie for the opposite sex. A few male screenwriters have. I would have liked Kampmeier to have taken a bigger risk. Though this is an early film of hers, and we all need to make the most PERSONAL film first.

I did by no means mean the movie is unoriginal. The Blair Witch Project would be an "obvious movie" by your definition, but I think I meant that it is an "obvious theme".

You said: "That's the big kick in the a** here. you haven't seen the movie."

Da** right! I'm glad you said it. I agree. However, my concerns were for the movie, BEFORE it was RELEASED ON DVD or TV or anything. I was entitled to my opinions and fears back then.

You said: "even if i hated deborah kampmeie... I would still think this was an ignorant, uneducated, and ultimately misogynist post."

This is why I like you =) There is merit to your claim. As I mentioned, yes, it is ignorant. I did not present evidence of my claim = uneducated! But, misogynist? I call you there. I openly asked for other strong women directors. I hardly call that misogynist. However, that is your opinion.

ThrownMuse, I agree with many of the points you brought up. I'm glad you "called me out" so to speak. [Didn't much care for your language, but we can overlook that =D ] I hope my answers do answer some of your questions and concerns. I hope we can further discuss this movie once I have seen it. I'll check the local video shop when I get a chance. Once again, I do apologize. I did not mean to trash a movie you feel so strongly about. =) I think that is great you are so passionate about it! Kampmeier is lucky to have a fan like you.

i was going to respond to dark pink man (or whatever the hell his name is,) but ThrownMuse took the words right out of my mouth. to be honest, i had a hard time even understanding what he was talking about. he didn't support any of his statements (like how sofia coppola, kimberly pierce and others are ruining female filmmakers' reputations.... and didn't explain that at all.)

what makes me sad, is that even though dark pink is clearly ignorant and is unfounded in his hateful words about female filmmakers, there are others just like him out there. there are people out there who don't want us to succeed. (i would just say men instead of people, but there are some women who jump on the men bandwagon.) we need to stop doing that to each other.

i'm glad we all had this opportunity to question dark pink and his idiotic statements. it made me feel better to see the intelligent responses to his posts.

i'm doing my best to work around this industry and stay strong, but it gets hard sometimes and it gets lonely. one thing that i adore about deborah kampmeier and the goals of her production company is that she is deliberately paving the way for women to work in the industry. she is a lover and a supporter of the female artist. women need a voice in film and the freedom to do things differently than a male filmmaker would do. even if i didn't like her films, i would still have an appreciation for her message and for her conviction as a humanitarian and artist. the only way any of us can make a place for ourselves in this business or in this world is if we support each other.

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Actually, I am a big supporter of women in films. I know hard to believe from the earlier post. ;)

For some real strong female cinema, I was pointed toward early Asian cinema. That is a great place to look for strong female interaction in movies. (Didn't know this at the time of posting, thanks to whoever told me).

I wouldn't say my post was a knock, but really pointing out that there is no female director who is noted right next to Kubrick or someone with his merit.

Any time a filmmaker makes a powerful film with a low budget, I have to smile. Movies shouldn't be an industry. I honestly believe everyone on the planet should make at least one film. Sometimes there are rare treasures in people you least expect. Charles Laughton is a name that comes to my mind of someone who made one film that was a major powerful work.

Movies with big budgets has been a major issue with people for sometime now. I hate to credit this quote to Rob Zombie, but I have to, when he said on The Treatment "Movies are not getting better, they're just getting more expensive". I believe that. This summer was a buffet of movies that Hollywood spent too much money on. Cinderella Man, Batman Begins, and The Island are just some examples. Sure, Star Wars cost more than $100 million, but, in a way, that was an independent film. Lucas spent his own money on that. That wasn't studio heads handing out money (sorry, just an old rant I still won't ignore, it isn't your problem). Money is spent, but if Citizen Kane was made over half a century ago, why can't we top it?

Independent films have often overtaken major studio films. But I've seen some awful indie films. Worse than Riddick. In this age of digital filmmaking, everyone should be making a movie. There will be some bad ones and some good ones. But since roughly half the population is female, I cannot accept there is not a female Spielberg or someone. If there is, that's what I wanted to know.

And believe me, jayraskin1, I am enjoying the future. Especially the rise of digital filmmaking and independent distribution =)