Night and Fog

Hello again,

So a previous post was about a documentary I had watched for one of my units that I'm studying at university (or college, depending on where you're reading from). I thought as we watch a new documentary and have to write about it each week that if I enjoyed it or found it particularly interesting that I would share with you guys. You may find yourself liking something that you didn't expect, or finding something interesting that you hadn't thought much of before.

So last Monday we watched two very different documentaries, I liked both but found one more interesting and more gripping than the other. This documentary was called Night and Fog. Again what I've written about it was originally written for a piece of work we have each week called a viewing diary, but like I said, if I like them I'll share this with you all, just bear in mind it might not be like other reviews or posts I make.


So Night and Fog...

Night and Fog is a French documentary made in 1955 to show people the shocking truths of the war. Using the stock footage and also contemporary shots of the concentration camps, Resnais created this documentary to show how easily it is for people to forget about the horrors of what happened during the war.

Whilst watching Night and Fog I was both interested as I love learning about things such as this that happened in history, but also shocked. Although I had learnt a lot about the war before and how people were treated, seeing footage of it never gets easier and always leaves you thinking how could someone treat people like that. We all know it happened but it is still hard to believe as the events were so extreme. Seeing footage of how the location of the concentration camp looks now still has effects even without seeing what happened there. It is as if there are ghosts of what happened at that time still lurking so it can still shock viewers. Knowing the buildings are still there but abandoned reinforces the eeriness that hangs over the camp.

Even as a short documentary at only 32 minutes long, each shot and each scene makes the viewer feel something for those affected by what happened in those camps. Its like a shocking punch and it seems so unbelievable to think that so many innocent people were put through all that pain and were killed in the Holocaust. So many men, women and children put through hell so that a monstrous dictator could try and get what he wanted. Night and Fog has a huge impact and instantly I felt awful for those that lost so many loved ones.

Resnais's documentary can be seen as propaganda as it is trying to affect the viewers way of thinking and trying to say to them that we cannot forget that this huge life changing event in history took place, and to make people understand that we simply cannot let another thing like this occur. Those millions of people had their lives taken away from them and it is not forgiveable, so how can we see images like those of the bodies being piled up or pushed into pits and simply walk away from it and wash it from our memories. Events like this are made into documentaries and such in order for people to look back upon it and feel the pain for those lost, and work together for a better future where something like this will never happen again.

This documentary is so hard hitting that it has been said to be 'one of the signal artistic achievements of French – and world – post – World War II cinema', he goes on to state how 'Night and Fog has been misperceived to be a Holocaust Film', however although it does cover the events of the Holocaust and how the prisoners were treated it was made to make those watching it realize how easily they could turn away from and so easily forget about it due to it being so very long ago.

I'm not sure if I would recommend this to many people, but I found it interesting as it is such a huge part of history. It does amaze it that events like this are so easily forgotten but I suppose its like the saying goes 'out of sight, out of mind', and as its been so long people just move on. 

If you are interested I think you can find the full movie on Youtube, just search Night and Fog. 

Hope you don't mind different posts like this, I just find some of these interesting and want to share them on my blog. Until next time my lovelies, thanks for reading :) x 

Man with a Movie Camera

Hello my lovelies,

Something very different for you today. So for one of my units at uni we're watching documentaries but we're looking at older ones that are very different to what you'd expect, or at least to what I normally expect when I watch a documentary. This review, or just my opinions of what I thought about the one we watched last week will sound different to my normal posts as it was originally written for some uni work, however I still hope it helps maybe.

The documentary Man with a Movie Camera by Dziga Vertov is unlike anything I have seen before. At first I found it hard to follow and difficult to understand but then I slowly started to realise that it was in fact following the events of one day, but for different people. As it is made from a montage of images put into a sequence you can sometimes get lost within these images and it can then again become slightly confusing but I was able to pick it up again further along. Although it is silent, you can still form a story of what is happening as these people go about their daily tasks of waking up, getting dressed and going to work, it does not need a script for you to be able to follow it even though I did get a bit lost along the way.

As it was made in 1929 the images used reflect to us what times were like for people in those days and it allows us to understand what life would have been like for them whilst carrying out such tasks that for them would have been more difficult than it would be for us today. We are shown peoples live in the private eye as well as those in public, and we see the cameraman, or rather the 'Man with a Movie Camera', travelling around with his camera setting up the shots and filming people as they get on with their day. Even though this documentary does not use any actors, when the people being filmed see the camera viewers are able to see that they do sometimes change how they act when they know they are being watched.

Despite there being some moments where I found it a difficult documentary to follow, I did actually enjoy it as it was different to what we are shown on television these days, and it allows us to take a look at how life was back then without the scenes being set up and acted. Everything we see is real, and although some shots had to be arranged prior to the filming, for example when the woman is getting dressed, they are still honest shots of what life would have been like for them in 1929.

Catherall describes Man with a Movie camera as 'a film that introduced revolutionary artistic form as well as revolutionary methods of filmmaking through the medium of documentary cinema', it is so different to any documentary that is made now and I don't think we will see something quite like it for a while, or again. It stands out due to its differences and the fact that we are able to see how the documentary is being made also makes it different to to others that are out now.

As it was a silent film I do think there were times when some sound could have helped and would have made things more fun to watch and could have been used to add something to the story. Watching Man with a Movie Camera has helped me realise that not all documentaries are the same as I once thought.

That's all for now, and I might keep posting about the documentaries we watch each week just as its something different to add to this blog.

Until next time, thanks for reading :) x 

You Can't Get Rid of The Babadook...

First of all, what the hell did I just watch?! I'm not usually one for horror films, they don't normally appeal to me but obviously with doing a radio show about films it helps to watch a mix of everything and change it up a bit.

That is such a strange film that its hard to describe and explain. I know its meant to be a really scary horror film but to be honest I wasn't actually that scared at all. I think because I was expecting things to happen and expecting it to be freaky that it didn't actually properly scare me. There were times when I jumped a bit and moments where it gave me goosebumps watching it, but nothing that made me freak out and want to hide away from the babadook.

Instead of trying to find the actual description and plot line of this film, I'll give my idea of it instead. Amelia (Essie Davis), is a single mother to Samuel (Noah Wiseman), after her husband died and finds it difficult coping with Samuels belief in monsters and his fear of them being everywhere. One night when reading a story to Samuel before bed, she realises this book isn't quite right and hides it away out of sight of anyone. However, this book The Babadook has brought on more fear and belief in monsters fro Samuel so much that it almost controls everything he does. He makes weapons to fight them and plans how he'll kill the babadook. It drives Amelia insane and in the end the book and the babadook have so much control over how she treats Samuel.

I would definitely not say this is a suitable film for everyone and most definitely not for children, ever. Also, even though it didn't properly scare me, I'd still recommend watching it in day light hours before going to sleep. I'm glad I did. This is a good film and I can definitely see why it's gotten such high ratings.

Well done to Jennifer Kent and the producers for creating this film is all I have to say. I wouldn't usually pick this out to watch, but I unexpectedly liked it and think if you like films that are a little different then give it a watch, might not be quite what you expected either.

Until next time, thanks for reading :) x  

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

Long time no see my lovelies, sorry about that. Good thing I never gave myself a schedule I guess, but I will try to be better but with dissertation work keeping me busy as well, I can't make any promises.

So today I wanted to bring you my favourite films of 2014, just out of the ones that I've seen, as there are still some I didn't get round to seeing.

Feels like I've seen so many films this year which made it a hard decision to pick a few but I narrowed down my list of favourites to just six.

I can't put them in an order of best to worst as it was hard enough to choose the ones I enjoyed the most out all those that I had seen this year. So firstly there's The Fault in Our Stars. When I read the book I knew instantly that I would enjoy the film but just as as I cried my eyes out simply reading the book, I also cried like a baby when watching the film. Its just one of those stories that really gets to you and if it doesn't make you cry then what is wrong with you?! Although it is a sweet love story, its also incredibly sad for the obvious reasons if you know what its about. But none the less, I loved it and will continue to do so.

Guardians of the Galaxy is next and this film was just brilliant, with an awesome soundtrack to go with it. Its hard not to enjoy a Marvel film, especially when they include characters such as Rocket and Groot, and when the cast includes actors such as Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel and Michael Rooker. If you're also a Walking Dead fan then just imagine Michael Rooker playing space Merle basically. I'd be surprised if many of you hadn't seen it by now, and if not then why? Get it now!

Of course The Lego Movie had to be included somewhere, everyone loves it, right? Well I hope so, and I know I sure did. Its just a crazy mix of all sorts basically with the likes of Batman, Gandalf, and Han Solo included. Emmet, an every day ordinary construction worker has to join forces with Wyldstyle and Batman to stop Lord Business. Its one of those films that's great for everyone no matter what age you are.

Following Catching Fire came Mocking Jay (part 1), and it didn't let me down. Although it seems to be more of an action/adventure film targetted at teens, it still is great for anyone to watch, obviously especially if you are a Hunger Games fan. Katniss becomes a leader figure for the nation as she tries to save Peeta from the capital after the quarterquell. This film is another with a great soundtrack, and you always know its great when one of the main songs makes it into the top 40. Loved it!

For any Game of Thrones fans, or Jon Snow fans, you need to see Pompeii. Kit Harrington, just wow! This film doesn't try to make out that what happened to Pompeii was okay or that it was just one of those things that happens because mother nature is a bitch. Along with its love story it tells the story of how the city was destroyed once Mount Vesuvius erupted, taking over the city and ruining everything in its path. Kit Harrington does a brilliant job as the former slave now gladiator, and personally I don't think anyone could've played the role better.

Now although I have only just recently seen this next film, it came out in 2014 and I did really want to see it, so I'm including it as one of my favourites of 2014. It is of course The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies. Even though there are times when you sit there thinking they could've made this film shorter by cutting out unnecessary shots, it is still a good film. I've loved all The Hobbit films, along with all Lord of The Ring films, and I did think this was a good way to conclude the story of Bilbo's travels before returning to the Shire. There were funny moments, happy moments and sad moments, mixed in with the action of the battle and I personally will never get bored of these films. I just love those hobbits and dwarves.

Now that is the end of my favourites for 2014 but there are still films that I wish I saw. I never got the opportunity to see The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch or Night Crawler with Jake Gyllenhaal. Also because I have a thing about army movies I would've liked to have seen Fury, although I did hear mixed reactions about that film, but you can never have an opinion until you've seen it so it might be one to look out for on DVD, or sites such as Netflix in the future.

As 2014 has passed, its time to look forward to those films coming out in 2015. I've looked into the upcoming films and do have a couple I am looking forward to, if I find the time for them. Firstly, Pitch Perfect 2. I loved the first one, and the trailer for the second looks just as good.

I have to admit I'm one of those people that has read all of the Fifty Shades of Grey books so as much as people might not like the idea of the film, I am actually one of those people that does want to see it. Sorry, not sorry.

Johnny Depp stars in a new film this year called Mortdecai which is also on my list to watch, of course. If you can resist a Johnny Depp film then what's wrong with you, he's amazing!

I hope you all had a great 2014 and have an even better 2015! Also if you've made resolutions what are they? Hope you can stick to them.

So what were your favourite films of 2014?

Goodbye for now you lovely lot, and until next time, thanks for reading :) x