OSS117: Cairo is Filled with Spies

I didn't want to like it. II was pre-disposed to hate it. It was French. A French comedy. This wasn't going to end well. From the makers of the now Oscar winning the Artist. You know it. The black and white silent film that quietly won every away. A comedy that won the Oscar. I wanted to hate it for sure. And his first film well I couldn't wait to watch it and point out all the flaws. On top of it's a 60's spoof film. This started to bring to alive nightmares of bad Mike Meyers movies all done in French. Then I watched. And I loved it. Every second of this idiotic genius 60's spy French slapstick filled film. I actually watched it again the next day, Sacre Bleu! I hadn't seen a good dumb well done comedy in a while. Jean Dujardin is so fantastic at playing a clueless but suave in his own mind bumbling idiot. He is like Jim Carrey at his peak. Just every gesture will have you laughing. It wasn't just the slapstiick that endeared me. But the constant clever wordplay that I neverr tire of. This film has a fantastic ability to stretch a gag to the point of zany that is remniscent of The Simpsons in their prime. Am I overselling it. Look at this. Tell me you didn't laugh. Let me strengthen my argument. The movie has infectious quality that I believe is glee. Some of the best comedies possess that quality. Where they can get under your skin and just make you laugh everytime. It's a sign of a great comedy that most jokes wouldn't work in any other film seems to just kill. This wouldn't be true of course if it weren't for all the great acotrs performing it and those skilled comedy monsters behind the camera. So thank you Jean Dujardin, Micel Hazanvicius, and Bernice Bejo for delivering hilarious cinematic excellence. And way to break comedy's streak of never getting an Oscar; even if you had to do in black and white. Check out the trailer below. You will want to see this film soon. It's soon to be a cult classic.

Seeking Better Looking Films

Comedy, I love you. You're great. I can always count on you to make me feel better. But I am tired of seeing you as the chubby friend who never gets the girl. And that's your place in the film world. Everyone likes you but no one takes you seriously. And you know what I can't blame them. You're a fucking movie. Take that seriously. There is more to being funny. If I want bland lighting and decent jokes, I will watch television. Well, technically watch Hulu. All these comedy features look like overgrown sitcom. Yes, they maybe hilarious. But that doesn't change the fact that you don't look any different on the big screen than you do on the small screen. All that's changed is the price of the ticket. I mean have these directors ever heard of blocking. Get your characters moving around. Maybe even set them in a background that isn't a fucking wall. Seriously, I feel like half these films I could have just watched a stage play or a stand-up special. Comedy is capable of so much more. Funny Scene Funny scene. Outside of the jokes dull and lifeless though. No production design and the camera doesn't move. Now let's take a clip from Edgar Wright and Shaun of The Dead. See that's a fucking movie. You aren't watching a comedy. You are watching a film. It is an inventive, clever, and uses all that to tell a story. And oh yeah it's funny. Still don't believe. Here's Billy Wilder. Just 1961. Hilarious and you know what? Still a lot more interesting to watch than half of the good comedies out there. This is about the caliber of the jokes. Or what defines comedy. This is about comedy getting the respect it deserves. This is bigger than me and you.

DEMOLITION MAN WISDOM #1

Association Blog #7

2/6  A little more reflection on study night. I watched Preston Sturges’s The Great McGinty. And I am just impressed by the amount of depth and humanity he put into his characters. Even in those early screwball comedies the characters feel lived in. This is something I always aim for in my comedy. But I am always concerned that the audience just wants jokes. And that by giving them too much character I am boring them. It’s hard balancing act of character and non stop jokes flying around. To see Preston Sturges pull it off with such ease; gives me faith that it can be done.

Association Blog #6

2/5  Study night. This is the fun part of being a director. An excuse to watch classic films and hope they provide some inspiration. Or at the very least let you know what you are doing wrong. So since I am in pre-production on a screwball film; I went with some of the greatest of the genre. 

I got Sturges, Wilder, Capra, and Hawks all ready to go. And if you don't know any of those names stop reading immediately and go watch some films. I will still be here. All of those directors I listed are legends. So I choose a few films of their that I haven't seen 25 times. 

Also I like to shy away from some directors classic. I prefer to watch their lesser known films. In these you can pick up there little nuances better. What they were trying for, what worked well, and where to improve. I try to absorb all this knowledge through some form of voodoo and then inject it into my films. We will see how that works out.

Association Blog #5

2/4 Went out an got drunk and partied with one of our young awesome editors. She is heading out to L.A for her final semester. And then applying for internships. We wish her nothing but luck. And she's talented too. So what does me going out and getting drunk have to do with film-making. I am going to chalk it up to experiencing life so that as director you have more to draw from. Not buying it? Well, then if felt good to let go and not worry about the problems at hand.

Association Blog #4

2/3  I am coming out of a dry spell. In my early twenties that would have a completely different connotation. But in this case I am referring to my lack of filming for an extended period. The last time I was on set as a director was early September. So a good five months for me not being at the head of a ship. This is nothing really in the grand scheme. 

Most directors have slow periods of years between projects. But to be honest since entering film school I can't say I have more than a few months without directing. So this extended dry spell shook me a little. Gave time for doubt to creep in about my ability. And then I wonder how I will respond diving back into such a big project. I wan to be at the peak of my game. And that's hard to do from standing still. 

So the questions is how do I shake off the ring rust without actually directing. Suggestions?

Association Blog #3

2/2  The next conflict is sheer scheduling for the film. I work two jobs to pursue this dream. The actors all have jobs to chase their dream. And here is another truth about indie film-making. The more desirable and talented the actor. The less they will be available. Seems obvious right?

But countless directors including myself still make the mistake/hope of casting all the best actors they can for the film. But these great actors are also working on numerous films and plays. So think twice when choosing actors for smaller parts. Do you really want to go through scheduling nightmares for the character that has six lines. No you don't trust me. Go with the good actor who is availability is way better and make them great. It is your job. 

The dirty truth is sometimes the best person for the role just isn't an option. Learn to deal and move on.

Association Blog #2

2/1   So the centerpiece of this film I have to get over my own hang-ups and feeling of pretentiousness when I refer to something I am working on as the film. But the heart of this story are two strong willed woman going head to head in a game of one-upmanship. And I have two great actors in the roles. With the added benefit of the script being written for them. So it's already going to play to their strengths. The worries that I have start with the fact that they never had met each other. Now, I think they will have great chemistry. And even if for some reason an animosity arises between them; that will probably still be good for a film. 

My fear as a director is getting them to be comfortable with each other. To give the type of performance I believe is needed for the film. This fear could be quelled with a good amount of rehearsal. But this is ultra low budget film-making. These are SAG actors. You want to rehearse it will cost you. And in the end I want the most amount of money on the screen. So we will be having two rehearsals. Which is a good amount. But I am a director. You always want one more.