Just another quickie from me before I forget.
Heath (Mark’s best friend who has become my good friend as well over the years) and I went to see Blindness on Sunday.
…and it blew my brain right out of my head. It was one of the more compelling pieces of art I’ve seen in a good, long while, to the degree that it was incredibly humbling. I love pieces of work that make me feel like I just don’t even rate as an artist. I also — and I know there is a good deal of disagreement on this — think it’s one of the more feminist films I’ve seen in a long time.
And as a visual artist? Bloody hell, was it a feast for the eyes, and I’m so glad I saw it on a huge screen in a dark theater. There’s a gorgeous still in nearly every freaking frame. If I didn’t know firsthand from being around sets on mark that I cannot stand the dynamic of film sets and the process of filmmaking, it’d make me want to be a filmmaker.
A few caveats: first and foremost, there is a rape scene in the movie which could be incredibly triggering. Oddly, it wasn’t triggering for me — for a few minutes there, I was on the edge of my seat figuring I should be ready to step out if I needed to — and I’m not sure why, save that I tend to be triggered less by scenes of rape which were not meant to be triggering. But it is very potently real in many ways, particularly if your triggers are about words and sounds. But at the same time, I appreciated that scene a lot, because I didn’t perceive any diminishment in it or around it: it was in no way made sexy, and in no way felt contrived. It was ugly, ugly business.
And that’s part of what really got me with this film: it had this range of humanity from the most ugly to the most beautiful that I found really rare.
I should also mention that I do, and have always, have a love for apocalypse films. Demented as it is, they comfort me. I like seeing the reset button on existence hit. I also tend to go a little dark in my tastes and like going there. Has anyone else seen it? I’d love to gab about it.
That’s it from me: I just knew I’d space. I am FINALLY done with that freaking mailing, and also finally finished a big, personal piece for RH Reality Check that wore me the heck out. The last big thing on my desk before I can get back to my usual level of mania is the voting guide, so I am hoping I can get that done by the time the weekend is over. I should know by now that sustaining my usual degree of overwork and overextension has me at my limit as it is, and be able to see when I’m trying to push past it, but alas. Someday I’ll learn my lesson.
