Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
SB Connection had a pretty nice review up for IRREVERSIBLE the other day, and now he’s back, as promised, with a further look at the goings-on in Santa Barbara:
Hey Harry,
Another report here from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. I was very lucky to see a screening of Stephen Frears new film Dirty Pretty Things. Set in present day London, the film follows Okwe, (played beautifully by Chiwetwel Ejiofor)a Nigerian emigree with a tainted past and a mystery he uncovers at his job as a hotel receptionist. Audrey Tautou (Amelie) plays his complicated Hungarian love interest and the two of amazing chemistry throughout every moment they share the screen.
Dirty Pretty Things starts out somewhat unsure, but as the narrative unfolds so do the performances with brilliant subtlety. Stephen Frears has taken his success in Hollywood with such films as The Grifters and High Fidelity and returned to England with a truely poetic film that speaks verses on the issues of class and medical ethics. I really hope Dirty Pretty Things gets nation wide distribution because it's so well done across the board; acting, directing, and especially the snappy dialogue.
After such a great experience in downtown Santa Barbara I returned to UCSB for a special screening of a print of All that Heaven Allows. Having only seen Far From Heaven and never a Douglas Sirk film, I was really excited going in, especially knowing Todd Haynes would speak afterwards. The screening was beautiful but the Q and A with Haynes afterwards made the night a fascinating look into film history and how connected we are with the past. An extremely intelligent and humble man, Todd Haynes explained his love for Sirk's films and the progression of Far From Heaven as a cinematic journey. He also gave the audience a hint at what his next project will be. It seems that Mr. Haynes will be making a film on Bob Dylan, having already obtained the permission of Bob himself to use all songs and or interviews. Hyanes said that he has yet to write the script but will begin as soon as he returns to Portland, OR. All in all it was a fantastic day on the central coast of California. Hope you can use this Harry. Thanks for your time.
SB Connection
Thanks, man. Glad to see people heading back to Sirk’s work as a result of FAR FROM HEAVEN’s influence. In a case like that, Todd Haynes has done more than just make a godo film... he’s given new life to other good films. That’s good karma.
"Moriarty" out.
