Die große Ekstase des Bildschnitzers Steiner [The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner] (Werner Herzog, 1974)
Mar
13
Walter Steiner, flying. DP: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein.
Die große Ekstase des Bildschnitzers Steiner [The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner] (Werner Herzog, 1974)
Mar
13
Walter Steiner, flying. DP: Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein.
Waiting for Fidel (Michael Rubbo, 1974)
Mar
8
International Women's Day
A group of six girls and two boys sing in celebration of International Women's Day. DP: Douglas Kiefer.
Time flies while waiting for Fidel, and before you know it, it's March 8.
This blog does not list holidays on their respective date, unless a film or scene happens to take place on one.
– Dont raise your voice! I'll kill you if you make a sound. – Would you please? 聖母観音大菩薩 [Seibo Kannon daibosatsu / Eros Eterna] (Kōji Wakamatsu, 1977)
Mar
7
immortality
The yao bikuni (Eiko Matsuda) rises from the ocean. DP: Hideo Itō.
An immortal character on the date Highlander (1986) was released.
When a woman eats the flesh of a 人魚 (ningyo, litt. “human fish” but in Western context commenly translated as “mermaid”), she may become a 八百比丘尼 [yao bikuni], an 800 year* old Buddhist nun granted youth and longevity.
*The number 8 symbolises growth and prosperity. Larger numbers starting with 8 indicate that the amount is endless, comparable to saying “hundreds/thousands/millions of […]” in English. Therefore, 800 years can be understood as immortal.
“Just because people throw it out and don't have any use for it, doesn't mean it's garbage.”Trash (Paul Morrissey, 1970)
Feb
23
freebie: Paul Morrissey born
Jane Forth, Paul Morrissey, and Joe Dallesandro in a publicity photo for Trash. DP: Paul Morrissey.
Freebie: Paul Morrissey born (1938 – 2024)
– Holly
Laukaus tehtaalla [A Shot in the Factory] (Erkko Kivikoski, 1973)
Feb
21
Nixon goes to China
Workers and bosses negotiate the situation. DP: Esko Nevalainen.
Diplomacy on Nixon's visit to China (February 21 — 28, 1972)
The killing of the factory's boss by one of the workers leads to endless negotiations between the two parties.
Shot in cinéma vérité style, with a mostly amateur cast, Laukaus tehtaalla mirrors the working classes' insecurity caused by the 1973 energy crisis in more ways than one.
Der große Verhau [The Big Mess] (Alexander Kluge, 1971)
Feb
19
Copernicus born
Space ships made out of all sorts of junk pass a moon. DPs: Thomas Mauch & Alfred Tichawsky.
A film about outer space for Nicolaus Copernicus' birthday (1473).
In a galaxy far far away, the opening scroll informs us, a civil war rages between governments, greedy conglomerates, and rebels. Only a few scrap-dealing space pirates can save the day!
“His body is golden like molten gold. This hand of his… will smooth away these wounds. Justin, he is as beautiful as the sun. This sun which caresses me… is his burning desire. He is Phoebus Apollo. The sun… is his… burning kiss.” Sebastiane (Paul Humfress + Derek Jarman, 1976)
Feb
18
Pluto Day
Sebastian (Leonardo Treviglio) sits on a rock in a barren landscape. Two men in the distance, and a sheep, all have their backs turned to him. DP: Peter Middleton.
Someone is snubbed or rejected on Pluto [Discovery] Day*.
– Sebastian
Sebastian, member of the Emperor's personal guard, is exiled after an incident. He finds himself on a rocky outpost, and the object of the other men's lust. One of them – a centurion rejected by the Christian boy – subjects Sebastian to torture and eventually lifts him up martyrdom.
* Pluto Demoted Day is on August 24
“My God. What am I doing in this place?” Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie [The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie] (Luis Buñuel, 1972)
Feb
16
No One Eats Alone Day
The diners at a long table. DP: Edmond Richard.
People eat dinner together on No One Eats Alone Day*.
– Henri Sénéchal
The bourgeoisie meet for dinner in various settings, but never consume.
* this event takes place on the Friday of the second full week in February, which makes the 2025 date February 14.
“On Saturday 14th February 1900, a party of schoolgirls from Appleyard College picnicked at Hanging Rock near Mt. Macedon in the state of Victoria. During the afternoon, several members of the party disappeared without trace.”Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir, 1975)
Feb
14
Valentine's Day
A delicate, pink frosted Valentine's cake topped with a yellow marzipan rose. The cake, which bears the words St. Valentine in crude writing, has a deep straight cut right through the middle and a scorched dark spot on its side. On the right a rusty knife. DP: Russell Boyd.
Amerikai anzix [American Torso] (Gábor Bódy, 1975)
Feb
12
Lincoln born
A soldier on a swing set, high up a tree. Other soldiers and civilians look on. Screenshot (and more information) via. DP: István Lugossy.
Yet another [American] Civil War, for Abraham Lincoln's birthday (1809).
Shot as fainted fragments* based on an Ambrose Bierce story, and outtakes from Karl Marx's diary, Amerikai anzix (litt. American Postcards) follows Hungarian-American cartographer Fiala, one of many of his countrymen fighting in the American Civil War.
*Using a technique described by Bódy as “light editing”, the footage looks worn and grimy.