apartamento captures charisma

American writer Glenn O'Brien's apartment

English musician Florence Welch's home

Apartamento is a wonderful interior style (and life style) magazine that I would love to write for someday. Above is two short films from a collaboration they did with Nowness. Each film features charismatic interviews and footage taken inside the homes of beautifully spoken and slightly eccentric celebrities.

xx

Lou  

bouquet of inspiration [1]

1. A long format article on Marfa, Texas and how its culturally fascinating history contributes to its enduring mystique.

Photo by Elizabeth Lippman for The New York Times

2. An old article about Maria Popova - the editor of the excellently curated website called Brain Pickings.

This photo is from the book's entertaining website.

3. A lovely collection of short stories by the writer and director Miranda July from a book that my flatmate lent me.

4. The breathtaking cinematography in the Lars Von Trier film Melancholia.

5. Another Miranda July creation in the form of her quirky and touching film The Future - one of the first films I have watched in my new flat.

xx
Lou

the hoff mix no. 3

Some thoughts on Only Lovers Left Alive (dir. Jim Jarmusch, 2013)

I saw the latest Jim Jarmusch film Only Lovers Left Alive the other night.  It is a “vampire film” but not in any conventional sense - sure the characters have the usual tropes of enhanced strength and speed and the need to drink blood, but not too much is made of this. The emphasis of the film is placed on the length of time the main characters have lived - with allusions being made throughout to the creations that they have been responsible for over the years. This made the film feel like a meditation on creativity and immortality – particularly due to the main characters' musings and dissatisfaction with the way the world developed. One couldn't help but agree with the sentiments expressed by the central male character, Adam (Tom Hiddleston), as he discussed the wars fought over the years against the backdrop of an abandoned Detroit (where much of the outdoor scenes are filmed).   

Only Lovers Left Alive is a very slow paced film - similar to Jarmusch’s last film, The Limits of Control.  Much time is spent travelling to nowhere in particular where often not a lot happens. It is a film to be looked at and admired for its beautiful imagery of people and old instruments. It is also a film that provokes thoughts on, and reflections of, the changes in the world one sees during one's lifetime.

Simon

everything about you

Among the collection of film characters I am obsessed with are Margot Tenenbaum from Wes Anderson's film The Royal Tenenbaums and Jordana Bevan from Richard Ayoade's Submarine. Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) has a blonde bob haircut, black-outlined eyes and consistently wears a big fur coat. Jordana (Yasmin Paige) has a black bob haircut that covers her face and always wears a great red coat over her outfits. Both characters smoke continuously, are intelligent, slightly abrasive and enigmatic. Although I'm unsure as to whether these characters exist in real life, I wish I could be either of them. I love the fact that they have a style uniform and I love the power they manage to exert over others due to their secretiveness and emotional incapacity.

xx
Lou

diana vreeland - the eye has to travel

Recently a group of us went to see the fantastic documentary called Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel. The documentary, directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, was an attempt to commemorate the director's world-famous grandma-in-law. The film is a collection of interviews, magazine cut-outs, photos, voice-overs and excerpts of clips from when Vreeland was still alive (she talks in a way where every sentence is almost poetic and easily quotable).

Through this film platform, the audience is charmed with all sort of glimpses into Vreeland's life - a life that we all wished we had. Vreeland was a visionary who moulded the reality of the world around her into the Chanel-styled (and what have you) fantasies of her mind. Watching this documentary was a brilliant - absolutely brilliant - experience.

xx
Lou


Photos from the film's fantastic website. Check it out for detailed information and updates.

on the road to the cabin in the woods

CABIN IN THE WOODS

ON THE ROAD

Last week I saw two film festival films: On the Road and Cabin in the Woods. The former was good, it exceeded expectations but it didn't go much further than that. The latter I had no expectations for and laughed the whole way through!

xx
Lou

marina abramovic - the artist is present

In the weekend, I had the pleasure of watching and reviewing two films before they come out at the New Zealand Film Festival. I watched both 'Barbara' and 'Marina Abramović The Artist Is Present'. My favourite out of these two had to be the documentary on the astounding performance artist Marina Abramović. I may have been feeling particularly sensitive as I watched it due to my terrible flu but Abramović's story and performances completely blew my mind - I cried several times. Abramović is one of the most significant artists of the second half of the 20th century and her story is well worth a watch.

In other, art related news, I am very excited about the current project I am a part of called 'Art on Campus'.  The project is centered around an initiative to get more art and art events on the university campus. Z and I are the student co-ordinators of the project which means we get to work closely with the lovely Jamie Hanton who is the director of Blue Oyster Gallery. This Friday is our first opening with two artists, Siobhan Wootten and Sue Novell. And the great thing is, if you can't make it along to the opening you will still be able to see the art daily while it is installed on campus!


Photo for the Marina Abramović is from here. Also check this link for a more in depth description of the documentary.

xx
Lou

julius shulman, patti smith and sam wagstaff walk into a bar



1) Watch Visual Acoustics. It's a wonderful Arthouse Doco on Julius Shulman the world's number architect photographer. See modernist homes galore and be charmed by the constantly smiling Shulman.




2) Although I haven't read it yet, I have heard Patti Smith's
 biography
is fantastic. I am not often a  'celebrity biography reader'
 but perhaps this will be too good to resist...and Patti is still
such an 'IT' girl...

 

3) This is another Arthouse doco. Although it is not
as well done as other ones I have seen it still is
very interesting with shots Patti Smith often talking.
Sam Wagstaff was celebrated and Mapplethorpe
condemned for being manipulative and his
dominatrix works not as good as people made
them out to be. For similar reasons as what some of
the interviewed art historians stated, I would have to
agree!



So here was a brief list of things on my mind and now I am off to enjoy a surprising burst of summer sun!
xx
Lou

samoa's first film

Not going to say much, this is just an update but last night at the Paramount I sat down to watch 'The Orator'. It is the first film shot by a Samoan in Samoa and it is wonderful. It truly sheds light on this culture but also has brilliant shots, acting and a moving power. Having been to Samoa over 5 years ago it dusted those memories of that island and its charm and character and culture (good and bad). If you are interested check it out! It is off to the International Film Festival and I have a feeling it will return to Samoa with a woven flax filled basket of awards.

xx

Lou

a chemical mix during the exam blitz

 Lolita and Miranda July and Tavi and a photo from Lula.
Pleasant pleasant afternoons.
xx
Lou

how to stay in control

 In times when you think your stress levels and everything else is out of control it's important to get a grip. Take a break. Put things into perspective and realise that the Summer holidays are only a month and a bit away and you'll be bored as hell (in a good way). I recently watched the film 'Control' which looks at Ian Curtis's very short lived life and work in the band 'Joy Division'. It was made in 2007 by Anton Corbijn (who is also photographed the band) and co-produced by Curtis's widow. It seems to stress the ease of getting out of control on life and also the out-of-controlness of Curtis's epilepsy. The film is all in black and white and has some absolutely brilliant shots. A bonus is the gorgeous and talented Sam Riley who plays Curtis.

R.I.P. Ian Curtis and to all the blog readers out there, stay in control!

P.S. Now will the real Ian Curtis please stand up?

xx
Lou

sophisti-cats prowl on friday nights

Brett McDowell is having an opening, who will we meet tonight? An artist? A director? A Ponsoby art collector? Or perhaps an art star, who has gone very far, to the Warhol factory in the U.S. of A. That's enough rhyme. This art star was Billy Apple who is now 75 but still highly active within the art community both making art and hitting up events. Kevin Roberts is pictured in the first photo in front of examples of Billy Apple's pop art. He looks older now. Billy seemed happy to chat but was simultaneously intimidating and opinionated. He has flare but of course, the conversation was Billy Apple focused. He discussed the power of a brand with no product and recent conflicts with copyright. Interestingly, the Maclaren theme of his exhibition is not a huge hobby of his, however the iconography is (as is common for many pop artists!). We held back the obvious question about his acquaintanceship with Andy Warhol and instead Charlotte kept it smooth by discussing the brilliant Auckland cafe 'Gala' where she always seems to spot Billy.

Soon we moved on to another gallery opening and a bite of sushi for dinner. Then, filling our pockets with nostalgic candy, we walked up to Rialto to watch Xavier Dolan's 'Heartbeats' (which I blogged about before). It was actually very good. Super stylised (how many hot people can you fit in a room?), quite humorous, and a youthful 'love' dilemma. There were some great moments which show Dolan's potential to continue to make better and better films. 

Oh how I enjoy a cultured night in little Dunedin.

xx

Lou

some july in august

Miranda July: The Future on Nowness.com.

A loovely director who I follow called Miranda July has recently posted a short film on Nowness. I've posted it above. The cuteness, kookiness and style is brilliant. I hope you enjoy it too! (Also, I want clothes and an apartment like that.)

xx

Lou

to make films and be beautiful at 21: Xavier Dolan



A shot from 'Heartbeats' which is about two best friend's infatuation with the middle, blonde haired teen.



Xavier Dolan is a fresh face in the film world. In 2009 his film 'I Killed My Mother' won three awards at the Cannes festival, his success seemed so adrupt due to its instanteous appeal. This year he has released another (hipster, seriously) film called, 'Heartbeats' and it is part of the selection for the NZ Film Festival. For someone to be producing high quality, emotionally connected and visually brilliant films at 21 is a wonderful feat. I am incredibly jealous. Once the film arrives at Mint Dvd Rentals, I definitely will pop down and get it out! Our generation of film makers have already begun!

xx

Lou

nollywood at the dunedin public art gallery

I love the perfect aesthetics of printed photos in lovely white frames mounded neatly, in linear rows along gallery walls. I also love humour captured in art. Currently the exhibition ‘Nollywood’ at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery fufills both these loves. This photo exhibition by Pieter Hugo focuses on the world’s third biggest film industry found in Nigeria. Its title ‘Nollywood’ reflects the obvious influences and in some ways it (in its blatant name adoption) embraces the cliche with a huge, crooked smile.

Hugo has captured either singular or groups of Nigerian actors recreating some of the most legendary moments in their film history. The results are bizzare, ridiculous and at times guresomely realistic. We see Nigerian versions of Jesus and nude Darth Vader. We see the tolken Nigerian Dwarf. We also see blood, white glazed eyes, death juxtaposed with everyday Nigerian life continuing on in the background.

This photo series goes beyond the material presentations of gore of the depicted violence and the cheap horror tricks. It portrays a fascinating history of a film community where I believe many would hardly know about.

In one of the photos is a white man with a mask, this is actually the photographer himself. I think this shows the fun-ness and accessibilty of the world of Nollywood and the allure for outsiders to involve themselves. In some ways too, though, it indirectly questions the copious amounts of money and time that is put into other film systems like Hollywood. To round off the cliches, perhaps these money consumeing industries are where the horror so obviously lies..DEAR ME. Too much?
xx
Lou

For more information and a better description, see his website!

norwegian wood

Having just watched the trailer for 'Norwegian Wood' I realise that I have to read the book! I read one of Haruki Murakami's books (that my friend Patrick lent me) when we were travelling around China. He has a great way of writing and I think his poetics would be quite lovely translated to screen.

 

xx
Lou

two things tuesday: india travel diaries 7

I know it's not Tuesday.



The glorious bangle store we went to following the I Love Rajasthan guide book. Liz Hurley bought her wedding bangles here. Out the back were little old woman carefully sculpting and painting these wonderful things. What's best of all is that the store is so discrete which allows you to simply enjoy the humble ambiance of tradition and craftspeopleship.



A photo from another crafts workshop we went to. I thought this place however was much more commercialised and less elaborate. The print you see involves several different stamps with different colours. Later, they repeat the pattern over and over again which makes a patterned blanket/material.

On a third and unexpected note I have another film from Chinese film class that had a small element of indianess in it, 'Chungking Express'. It's very ambiguous and had a fabulous reception. What's most important is that I went to a vintage store in India that may have sold the set props for this film's misenscene! How bizarre.

Also, you MUST watch a Hou Xiaoxian film in your lifetime. THE Taiwanese director. No doubt I will blog about him to a much more in depth extent but for now, here's a film trailer:

xx

Lou