topics
GreenCine General
	GreenCine Article Discussion A place for you to post comments on our articles.	74

New Depression Cinema?
	Topic by: underdog Posted: February 11, 2009 - 1:48 PM PST Last Reply: February 15, 2009 - 7:50 PM PST

author	topic: New Depression Cinema?
underdog	post #1  on February 11, 2009 - 1:48 PM PST   Posted on GreenCine (and on GreenCine Daily): Vadim Rizov's provocative new piece "The New Depression Cinema" From Aaron Hillis' intro to the piece: "Hammer in hand, Vadim Rizov (The Village Voice, The House Next Door) makes an astute attempt at nailing down the gelatinous zeitgeist, at least in how the symbiosis of H'wood filmmaking and filmgoing will be affected by the ongoing economic collapse. Kick back with some boot stew and check 'er out." Highly recommend you read the article. What do you think? How is or will film reflect our current economic depression? Should it? Do people want it accurately reflected in film or just want a total escape? (I kind of want to say yes to both.)
weezy	post #2  on February 12, 2009 - 5:08 PM PST   The part that depresses me the most from this article is his pointing out that there's only room for 6 or so major releases a month and his breakdown of exactly the classifications of crap we get from them. What I hope and wish more than anything is that more movies will be made like Wendy and Lucy, my favorite film of 2008. So we can see more films that explore sociological issues that feel real and hit home. Sure I like my escapist fare as well, but please... anything but He's Just Not That Into You!!!
Catullus	post #3  on February 12, 2009 - 6:00 PM PST   I will be honest here. Total escape without question. Reality is way way way way way too depressing right now. So much bad stuff is happening to so many people its ridiculous. So unless its an apocalypse movie (for some reason I always love those) NO THANK YOU to anything real. I will be taking the blue pill please.
weezy	post #4  on February 13, 2009 - 10:49 AM PST   I have a feeling even some of the more escapist films will incorporate some moral and economic themes. Like the article notes, even some parts of the fluff fest "Confessions of a Shopaholic" were re-shot to indicate the recession. But we definitely do have some much-anticipated, huge production projects to look forward to. What comes to my mind is the forever recession-proof James Cameron project Avatar, WATCHMEN (actually, on second thought, might not turn out so escapist after all), rumors of Robocop and Transformers sequels. In any case, despite the recession I'm looking forward to what the new year has to bring.
Cinenaut	post #5  on February 13, 2009 - 4:45 PM PST   The International seems mighty timely.
Vanamonde	post #6  on February 14, 2009 - 8:26 PM PST   I vote that Anno Hideaki direct an anime series of movies called "New Depression Cinema" and Ronald D. Moore then do live action versions.
Vanamonde	post #7  on February 15, 2009 - 7:50 PM PST   > On February 13, 2009 - 10:49 AM PST weezy wrote: > --------------------------------- > I have a feeling even some of the more escapist films will incorporate some moral and economic themes. > Mmmm, reminds of DiC shoehorning those "Sailor Says" segments on that ole favorite bishoujo anime that I love. Yuck. I got it bad. All these years and I am still watching it. It is the only thing I listen to in MONO these days, well, that and my cell phone. Hey! Where are we gonna have stereo for conference calls! Every voice with a difference place in the soundfield.