New Films in Production

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

A couple of tidbits on Godard's Goodbye to Language 3D (yes, the "3D" is part of the title, at least for now):

Switzerland-based Godard's first foray into 3D, the film explores cinema's search to reinvent itself with the language of 3D through a couple's efforts to communicate to save their relationship.

The production featuring Heloise Godet, Zoe Bruneau, Kamel Abdelli, Richard Chevallier and Jessica Erickson in the cast is shooting this summer.

[Wild Bunch head Vincent] Maraval reveals that Godard has created his own rudimentary 3D camera for the shoot out of two mobile phones fitted with lenses.

[domino harvey]

If you didn't at least smile reading that you have no soul

[mfunk9786]

Sort of like when my senile grandfather accidentally wears two hats

[Matt]

I'm fine with a Suspiria remake that removes the ballet element. It was completely inessential to the plot anyway.

As illustrated to your left, my partner and I were talking about this film over dinner last night, trying to think of who today is a visual stylist in the manner of Argento a few decades ago. We couldn't think of any competent, currently-working director who makes these kind of slickly beautiful, candy-colored films anymore. Except Wong Kar-Wai, and even then, it's been a long time since he's made anything watchable. But can you imagine a late-'90s-era Wong Kar-Wai remake of Suspiria?!? I'd also love to see a Lucretia Martel remake of the film, but that's just perversity talking.

[knives]

Too bad Kon had to die since he would have done something weird with this (though I suppose Perfect Blue already counts).

[ianungstad]

In the Cannes market it was announced that Antonio Banderas and Gwyneth Paltrow will be starring in the new Carlos Saura film. Not really a director I would associate with Hollywood.

[zedz]

As illustrated to your left, my partner and I were talking about this film over dinner last night, trying to think of who today is a visual stylist in the manner of Argento a few decades ago. We couldn't think of any competent, currently-working director who makes these kind of slickly beautiful, candy-colored films anymore. Except Wong Kar-Wai, and even then, it's been a long time since he's made anything watchable. But can you imagine a late-'90s-era Wong Kar-Wai remake of Suspiria?!? I'd also love to see a Lucretia Martel remake of the film, but that's just perversity talking.

An interesting mental exercise. I'd go for a distinctive visual stylist who could take the material in another direction (e.g. Claire Denis). My pick would be a genre-savvy director who can pull dazzling, unexpected visual coups out of his hat (and who will never let narrative coherence get in the way of a good shot): Sogo Ishii.

Footnote: If you want to see Argento out-Argentoed, try Amer - that seemed to be the film's entire raison d'etre. Didn't exactly work for the length of an entire film, but it's definitely a curio worth seeing once.

[Mr Sausage]

As illustrated to your left, my partner and I were talking about this film over dinner last night, trying to think of who today is a visual stylist in the manner of Argento a few decades ago. We couldn't think of any competent, currently-working director who makes these kind of slickly beautiful, candy-colored films anymore.

I immediately thought of David Lynch, at least in terms of visual style. But of course his last film was a real departure, visually, and Suspiria is hardly the kind of thing you'd find him doing (his talents would be under utilized as well). But in terms of putting out a lush, brightly-coloured, slick visual experience, Lynch can do it effortlessly.

[knives]

I thought Lynch too, but his use of narrative is so radically different that I don't think it would work. De Palma might if they could get him to give a damn.

[colinr0380]

Or if you want a kind of Suspiria remake then Lucile Hadzihalilovic's Innocence might fit the bill.

[Matt]

Yep, Zedz, I also thought of Claire Denis. Béatrice Dalle would be great as Helena Marcos, and if it could have been made before her passing, Yekaterina Golubeva as Miss Tanner.

Or if you want a kind of Suspiria remake then Lucile Hadzihalilovic's Innocence might fit the bill.

It ain't bad, not quite delirious enough to be kin to Suspiria, though.

[Murdoch]

Another attempt at Confederacy of Dunces is under way. This book seems to be the new Don Quixote of cinematic cursed projects (rather fitting actually)

[The Narrator Returns]

This is why the rich deserve tax cuts!

In The Army Now sequel is coming along, thanks to the funding of a billionaire

[domino harvey]

Amazing

[stroszeck]

What a cheapskate. Surely a billionaire could provide us with both an In the Army Now sequel and Biodome/Encino Man prequels.

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

Variety reports (behind a paywall, though you can read it in the source code or by tilting your monitor a bit) that the U.S. rights to Godard's Goodbye to Language 3D have been presold to...Fox?!

[bdsweeney]

Found this floating around at various places around the net:

The topic of a Before Sunset follow-up popped up while Hawke talked up his latest project, The Woman in the Fifth, with Indiewire. “We’re also doing a follow-up to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, so that will be fun,” he revealed while discussing future collaborations with Linklater. “We’re going to shoot that this summer.”

[mfunk9786]

I love the 7 Up-ish approach to these films. Linklater is still doing quietly solid work, and I'm not sure when, if ever, he'll be considered a major director [again?]

[zedz]

I'd much rather have Linklater continuing to do his thing on the margins than become a major director (in the Hollywood sense) and never make another 'Linklater film.' Some more industry / awards recognition would certainly be nice, however.

[domino harvey]

To the surprise of no one, Mathieu Amalric has signed on for Desplechin's next film, along with Benicio del Toro!

[Brian C]

I'm surprised that Desplechin has a next film! It's about time.

[Matt]

Sounds like it will be an English-language production, so Gina McKee instead of Chiara Mastroianni or Emmanuelle Devos. Fair enough!

[Matt]

James Franco To Team With 'I Want Your Love' Helmer Travis Mathews On "Homo-Sex-Art-Film"

[ianungstad]

Franco just needs to come out of the closet already. I saw the trailer for "I Want Your Love". Hopefully the porn is better than it looks. Whenever porn films try to incorporate the romance/love angle, it always comes across as phony. Trying to incorporate the inner emotional world through the physical act of sex has to be quite a challenge. I don't know that I've ever seen it done in a way that I would consider successful.

[Matt]

I've only seen a rough cut of IWYL, but I wouldn't apply the words "porn" or "romance" to it. It definitely deals with different types of relationships (friends, lovers, acquaintances, neighbors)—including the sexual aspects of those relationships—and the blurring of boundaries between them. If you go into the movie expecting to see porn, you're going to be disappointed.