I finally had a chance to see Jan Troell's Everlasting Moments (2008). A beautiful film shot in 16mm, Everlasting Moments is an evanescent tale of the artist's eye ... the gift of seeing the beauty in the world even if life is weighed down in the ruts of the everyday.
Without sentimentality Troell's film moves; it never reflectively or self consciously pauses to embrace the magnitude of artistic craft but only allows us to glimpse these divine moments of calm creation in the midst of life's torrential gale.
Like IFC's other 'film about the nature of art', Summer Hours, art/craft/and life are experienced as interchangeable and often unnoticeable. As supposed to the manufactured and consumable 'Star', the (often unknown) artist help us see. The artist enriches our everyday world.
It's certainly a call to us all to slow down, be present, and learn to see with new eyes.
Great to have you back, Reno.
I loved Everlasting Moments & Summer Hours too.
Could such a level of humanism be achieved by an
American director? I don't know. Have we fallen so deep into despotic financialism that only money & technology matters?
I await Malick's Tree of Life.
By the way, watching Summer Hours made me think of Rohmer, so afterwards I watched my favorite of his (tho I must admit I haven't seen that many), Summertime (French title: Le Rayon Vert). Have you seen it? I think you'd love it. Ah, the great "Oui!" at the end.
Posted by: Kim | August 14, 2010 at 09:00 PM
Kim,
I will most certainly check out Summertime.
As to your question ... I'm not sure an American director can achieve that level of humanism, as you say. And if it could be done, it would probably never get distributed!
Posted by: TOJ | August 17, 2010 at 05:35 PM