Change Your Image
Schiavelli
Reviews
Taking Off (1971)
If I have to choose one, this is my favourite film. Among one or two others.
I first saw this in 1989. It was old then, but nearly 20 years later its just as fresh and witty. Superb sound editing, great comic set pieces (the how to smoke a joint scene or the black salute), poignant (finding the smokes in the Jeannie's room with "Even the white horses" playing), the music performances (Ode to a Screw) and such acute observation of American Society. Nothing is missed: the comic potential of the fact that there is a "Society for the Parents of Lost Children(SPLC)", the realization that it is the parents who are lost; the lucrative potential of the counter culture and the "establishment's" realization of this (best seen in the hilarious speech by Jeanies boyfriend toward the end). Much of the comedy is drawn from the characters' little crises in their lives and their attempts to solve them, but it is always a warm and affectionate comedy. Forman likes these people, he likes America, he's willing them on, every slightly misguided step of the way.
Nespatrené (1996)
A Spellbinding Documentary
The Unseen combines observational shooting with an expressionist editing style to mesmerising effect. Without any tiresome "facts" or omniscient voice over we are left to learn so much about these blind children; from Janeks observations with his camera and on the children's sometimes surreal monologues. We learn ultimately that these children are unaware of any "disability" we might label them with, instead they concentrate on doing and living and learning. We see them riding bikes and running, playing instruments (wonderfully) and singing, full of life, fully of their future. I felt humbled watching them, I don't have half their ability. Wonderful.