MovieChat Forums > Film socialisme (2010) Discussion > Did anyone else think this was...

Did anyone else think this was...

posted 14 years ago by RedGoldDragon23
8 replies | jump to latest

...psuedo-intellectual bunk? I'm not trying to offend anyone who enjoyed the film. I'm only trying to see what other people thought...those that didn't like it or maybe hear from those who did on why.

To be fair, I'm not a fan of French New Wave cinema. I don't like overly stylized editing of this type, I get frustrated when I'm trying to decode what's going on the entire time, I don't like flashing images, constant muting and words piled together when I don't know what they even mean. This film took itself so seriously and was so heavily edited in a way that got on my nerves instead of getting inside my head. I didn't react or feel anything. I didn't care about anyone or anything in the film. I sort of saw what it was reaching for but it never aroused my interest enough to figure it out.

I've enjoyed films before that are complex, political and/or difficult to understand during the first viewing. But during the entire film I was trying so hard to be open-minded and find something in it...yet I kept rolling my eyes and thinking "This is garbage. It's Godard talking to himself and not caring who gets it. He knows many people will see it and revel in its 'creativity' and 'genius'."

It reminded me of those ironic paintings in museums that consist of a red dot in the middle of a blank page, and the people that stand around it and act like it's a metaphor for AIDs or imperialism.

[–] bobafett75 14 years ago

French New Wave never relied on overly stylized editing. I don't think you know what French New Wave is. It was known more for its long takes and tracking shots than fast MTV style editing.

[–] fatchinesemoses 14 years ago

Have you even seen the movie? It definately doesn't sound like it.

[–] nycterr 14 years ago

this is exactly NOT french new wave. Godard has abandoned french new wave since the '70s. And all his better movies are from the '80s and '90s.

FILMSOCIALISME is also one of his better film, but it relies a lot on his previous work (Allemagne 90 > JLG > Notre Musique).

Nevertheless, FILMSOCIALISME is a very interesting movie. Makes you think.

I can't believe people are comparing Godard with "ironic abstract paintings" (i've read that criticism a lot). It's exactly the opposite. Godard's films are full, not empty.

But hey, if you don't like 'em that's fine, i know a lot of film-buffs who hate godard.

[–] polysicsarebest 13 years ago

this is a great post.

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pre·ten·tious: characterized by assumption of dignity or importance.

[–] Tchoutoye 12 years ago

If Film Socialisme makes "you" (implies a generalised "everyone") think, then how come no one is reflecting those thoughts here on the film's board?

Those who do not dislike the film, by and large, seem to go little beyond either (rather predictably) praising Godard's non-conformity or discussing the film's technical aspects, rather than its actual philosophical and political content. For me that's a tell-tale sign that the film does not live up to its pretensions. You'll find much more profound philosophical discussions on boards of more conventional, even (dare I say) mainstream, films.

[–] theCodmate 11 years ago

I get the impression that this film was Godard's Metal Machine Music.

He despises his own fans so much, that he makes them sit through total nonsense.

[–] sonofindiandelta 13 years ago

People appreciate Godard b/c of his willingness to use filmmaking as a chance to explore different ideas rather than simply a way to bring in $$$. This film is kind of like an essay, which is why it you say it is like Godard talking to himself. If you have seen Godard's work from the 80s-90s you can see this form being developed in Notre Musique, In Praise of Love, and his short for 10 Minutes Older: The Cello(which is by far the strongest of this recent format).
I think his films have some brilliant/beautiful moments in them yet they tend to be hit and miss, definitely nit for the mainstream viewing audience. However, I think the film critics treated this Film Socialisme unfairly, as if they haven't seen his earlier work(Critics see a lot and Im sure they have seen his more recent work).

[–] politicaldefiance 12 years ago

I couldn't stand this movie (easily the worst Godard film I have seen yet) but I understand that everyone has their own opinions on these things. It's all subjective. Some people will see this movie as a stroke of brilliance, but I thought it was an incoherent, poorly made mess of a movie with some laughably heavy-handed political themes (well, at least the ones that I could decipher).