More than a documentary about cinema, this film asks the following question : how did we go from "Easy Rider" to Donald Trump ? Traveling through the United States, the filmmaker meets everyday people and some famous directors (Michael Mann, Tobe Hooper, Bob Rafelson, Peter Hyams...). With the use of beautiful photography, clever editing and great music, Jean-Baptiste Thoret digs deep in the heritage of the sixties and seventies, and gradually comes to the conclusion that it might not have been such a "golden era". "We blew it" is a road-movie that thinks, asks questions, and tries to define what is left of an era when cinema was important to people, and when it gave them answers to what they were living. A must-see for those in love with American cinema, and the USA in general.
Reviews
5 Reviews
The Woods Dreams Are Made Of
(2015)
A Parisian Wood unveils its secrets
6 June 2016
If you have already strolled along the beautiful paths of the Parisian Bois de Vincennes, you may have missed it all. French documentary director Claire Simon digs deep into the dark woods to meet those who have turned their backs on life as we know it, and the others. Prostitutes, castaways, refugees from dictatorial governments, or a simple young mother, this films shows us people and explores their link to this natural setting, just a few yards away from the noise of the big city. Why would you want to live in a forest in sometimes dire conditions ? Freedom ? Necessity ? Whether it is to party, to cycle, to run, to hunt, to make love, each one has a good reason to come here. This beautiful and emotional film is a portrait of humanity as a whole. It is delicate and rich. Don't miss it.
Aujourd'hui
(III) (2012)
Excellent short about the Apocalypse
14 July 2014
This short film about the end of the world by Nicolas Saada, known for the 2009 "Espion(s)" spy thriller, is beautifully shot, well acted, and very intriguing. It was done for a special program hosted by the cable TV channel Ciné + and shown in the MK2 theaters in Paris. We follow Louise (Bénérice Béjo) who goes to work at the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand after leaving her son at school. On her way, a strange man gives her some sort of warning. Then, the sirens go off and all computers and cell-phones stop working. Everybody has to evacuate the building in a hurry. Special appearance by renowned director Frederick Wiseman adds a special touch of mystery. It all ends too soon and that is the only thing wrong about this film. What has actually happened ? Who was this strange man ? We can only guess. Let's hope Nicolas Saada will expand this in a feature film. This story rightfully deserves a longer treatment.
Young & Beautiful
(2013)
Interesting but shallow
22 August 2013
A young and beautiful girl sells her body to rich older men, lying about her age, and hiding it to her parents and friends. Until an unexpected event forces her to confront reality. The new film's subject from French director François Ozon is close to Julia Leigh's 2011 "Sleeping Beauty", but the treatment is quite different. Nothing is odd or strange here. We follow Isabelle's journey through the discovery of sexuality in a very realistic fashion, typical of Ozon's filmmaking.
The only trouble is that we are not troubled ! The script is so predictable that we get very few surprises throughout the film, and we do not care for Isabelle's fate at all. That's a shame considering the interesting subject.
The lack of explanation for her behavior is a good thing, we do not get the usual psychological/environment/parents syndrome, but this leads to a certain shallowness.
Actors do a fine number, especially the beautiful Marine Vacth, whom we should see again very soon, hopefully in a more rewarding role.
The only trouble is that we are not troubled ! The script is so predictable that we get very few surprises throughout the film, and we do not care for Isabelle's fate at all. That's a shame considering the interesting subject.
The lack of explanation for her behavior is a good thing, we do not get the usual psychological/environment/parents syndrome, but this leads to a certain shallowness.
Actors do a fine number, especially the beautiful Marine Vacth, whom we should see again very soon, hopefully in a more rewarding role.
Happy End
(2009)
Ending the world with a bang !
17 August 2009
The latest in the never ending series of apocalyptic films, "Les derniers jours du monde", follows Robinson (Mathieu Amalric) through his journey from the french resort of Biarritz to Spain, when the world as we know it is coming to an end. The year before the apocalypse, he meets a beautiful woman (Omahyra Mota) and a passion starts. When she suddenly disappears, he tries to find her. But if people die, and bombs explode, the urge to live is stronger than ever. How would we react if our world crumbled and our social conventions with it ? This film answers in a quite unusual way. Rarely do we see in French cinema a plot involving end of the world action sequences. Here, they are coupled with character study, a realistic love story, great performances from Mathieu Amalric, but also Catherine Frot, and Sergi Lopez. No over the top CGI here, just overwhelming sequences and a very involving experience. Adapted from the eponymous novel by Dominique Noguez, this is by far the strongest film by the Larrieu brothers. Don't miss it !
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