...A Valparaiso (Joris Ivens, 1963) (Short)
Hmm. Interesting. Pretty great, really. Has some beautiful photography, and the voice over works so well. The transition to colour was such a shock and so perfect. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
B
Statues Also Die (Alain Resnais & Chris Marker, 1953) (Short)
This was the one I came the closest to falling asleep in, so don't ask too many questions. There is pretty great stuff to it, but nearly 24 hours on, I can't really tell you enough to form an opinion.
La Jetee (Chris Marker, 1962) (Short)
So beautiful. So, so beautiful. I'd seen this before in class, but it's a totally different experience in a theatre watching a beautiful 35mm print. There is something really interesting going on, and it's totally captivating, although I guess I had a few issues. It becomes a little elliptical at the end in an annoying way, a little like things are being crushed together. But I really enjoyed it, and I think it's so rich.
B+
Sunday in Peking (Chris Marker, 1956) (Short)
Oddly racist in an ignorant way, which is slightly surprising. Not as engaging or beautiful as ...A Valparaiso. Still, it does have some really joyful moments that work well. I think it was probably a lot more interesting around the time it was made.
Les Astronauts (Walerian Borowczyk & Chris Marker, 1959) (Short)
Quite amusing, technically interesting.
Sans Soleil (Chris Marker, 1982)
Wow. So beautiful, so interesting. I was tired, and struggled a little to stay awake, but there was always something to look at, something to see, something going on, something to hear. And the way it's woven further and further around itself is so interesting, and it becomes really complex and beautiful and has these fantastic moments of revelation. It requires a little patience, but it's totally worth it. Amazing in 35mm, and I would so, so love to see it again some time.
Wonderful.
A-