Saturday, 17 July 2010

Six images recalling the Passion and Resurrection

A few days ago MovieMan, at The Dancing Image, invited people to pick a few images around a theme of their choice.

I have enjoyed posting similar projects before, tone poems if you like, and I am delighted to contribute again.


 







I didn't want these snapshots to be of throwaway religious allusions but witnesses to characters who are undergoing a real passion of their own.

I hope you will put up your own themes and ideas that bring together diverse films in a celebration of Cinema.
Posted by Stephen at 19:05

15 comments:

  1. Joel Bocko17 July 2010 at 21:27

    I love the progression through the stations of the cross here - nice work! Out of curosity, what are the films in question? (Is that The Chase at #1? The third looks like a Dardenne film but I haven't seen it and can't remember the name. I think I may recognize #2 ;) ).

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  2. Joel Bocko17 July 2010 at 21:29

    It also strikes me that you could probably do this whole post, double the length, using only clips from Mel Gibson movies, even excluding the ones he's directed ha ha...

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  3. Stephen18 July 2010 at 06:30

    "I love the progression through the stations of the cross here - nice work!"

    Thank you, MovieMan. I'm glad you noticed that there was a progression.

    "Out of curosity, what are the films in question?"

    1 Dekalog IV - Thou Shalt Not Kill
    2 Return of the Jedi
    3 Rosetta (you're right and you should see it)
    4 Dark City
    5 Topaz
    6 Superman Returns

    By the way I wanted to take images that weren't just referencing biblical symbols/events (such as in Stalker where one of the characters puts on a crown of thorns) but moments where the characters are actually experiencing a passion of their own.

    "It also strikes me that you could probably do this whole post, double the length, using only clips from Mel Gibson movies"

    Haha, indeed!

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  4. Stephen18 July 2010 at 08:20

    Sorry, I meant Dekalog V.

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  5. Just Another Film Buff18 July 2010 at 16:35

    Stephen,

    This is a pretty bone-rattling set of images here. I'm surprised by the last image. An anti-climax of sorts. I've not seen the film, but my guess is that it is of the "actually experiencing a passion of their own" kind?

    I'm thinking of Bresson once more.

    Very neat stuff, Stephen. Very unique theme too.

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  6. Stephen19 July 2010 at 06:34

    "This is a pretty bone-rattling set of images here."

    Thanks very much, JAFB

    "I'm surprised by the last image. An anti-climax of sorts. I've not seen the film, but my guess is that it is of the "actually experiencing a passion of their own" kind?"

    It's from Superman Returns which is chock full of biblical imagery. It is an image of the resurrection. He's in hospital, they've tried all they can for him and essentially given him up for the dead.

    Then, in the morning they arrive to find the stone rolled away and the grave is empty.

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  7. Stephen19 July 2010 at 06:55

    'Given him up for dead'
    'and the grave empty'

    Oh dear.

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  8. Bob Clark19 July 2010 at 21:03

    At first, I thought that shot from "The Decalogue" was Kurtz from "Apocalypse Now". Now I'm trying to think of something I can fit him into.

    Did you know that "If" is the middle word in life, man?

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  9. Stephen20 July 2010 at 06:33

    Yeah.

    And the middle word in Earth is "art", dude.

    Thanks, Bob! He does look a little like Kurtz.

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  10. Sam Juliano21 July 2010 at 16:14

    This has always been one of your fortes, Stephen, and again you've group together a series of images that leave a compelling impression. You always do a great job of wedding theme to multiple images, and I love both the Dardennes and Kieslowski selections, and the enveloping thme. Glad you left out what some would see as obvious choices, like that revolting Mel Gibson film and the good but obvious Scorsese. Your thoughtful posts, off the beacon track and always a challenge are a pleasue to behold!

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  11. Stephen21 July 2010 at 16:56

    Thank you very much, Sam.

    These kinds of posts are something I've always enjoyed, finding echoes and binding threads between films.

    re Gibson and Scorsese, I didn't want to include direct and literal representations of Jesus himself.

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  12. le0pard1331 July 2010 at 21:51

    One wonderful and masterful bit of selection for the theme, Stephen. Well done! Thanks for this.

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  13. Stephen1 August 2010 at 07:16

    Thank you so much. My pleasure.

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  14. SFF1 August 2010 at 17:14

    Stephen. Tried commenting. Received an error. I'll try this again.

    Thanks so much for getting this meme rolling. Love your theme and selections. Dark City is a true classic, a wonderful film. There's so much going on with the film on so many level, obviously [;^).]

    Terrific idea and a great way to get people thinking. Cheers.

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  15. Stephen2 August 2010 at 07:13

    Thank you. It's my pleasure.

    Yes, DARK CITY is a real favourite of mine.

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