settima

1970s

Klincz [Clinch] (Piotr Andrejew, 1979)

Apr

5

Chicago

Klincz (1979)

One of the boxers goes down (via). DPs: Jacek Mierosławski & Zbigniew Wichłacz.

Set in Chicago (or pizza) for National Deep Dish Pizza Day, USA.

 

A Polish factory worker hopes to find a better life when he picks up boxing. Initially unsuccessful. he finds himself in Chicago, facing an amateur boxer below his ranking.

The Patriot Game (Arthur MacCaig, 1979)

Apr

4

MLK Jr. – 1968

The Patriot Game (1979)

A older lady calmly clips her hedges while a British soldier attempts to hide behind them (via). DPs: Arthur MacCaig & Théo Robichet.

The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: civil rights being fought for.

“All the ideas I'd previously had were shown to be completely false. This was the first time I had really seen the strength and the power of a mass struggle; ordinary people directly participating in organizing their communities, and the defense of their communities.”

– Arthur MacCaig, title card

News from Home (Chantal Akerman, 1976)

Apr

3

Pony Express Day

News from Home (1976)

New York, a street scene. Superimposed a quote from one Chantal Akerman's mother's letters. DPs: Jim Asbell & Babette Mangolte.

Mail or a mail carrier for Pony Express Day (USA).

“Dear child,   l received your letter and hope you will write often. l hope you won’t stay away too long and that you’ve found a job by now. If you’re doing well, we’re happy. Even though we do miss you. When will you be back? Everything is fine here, but Sylviane is home with the flu. My blood pressure is low. l’m on medication for it. Today is my birthday. l feel sad. lt’s quiet at the shop. Tonight we’re going out to dinner with friends. That’s all. Your birthday is coming up. l wish you all the best. Write to me soon about your work, about New York, about everything. Lots of love from the three of us.

Your loving mother” (quote via)

Chantal Akerman reads out letters that her mother wrote to the former's stay in New York City between 1971 and 1973. The words slowly blend with the city.

Le moindre geste [The Slightest Gesture] (Jean-Pierre Daniel, Fernand Deligny + Josée Manenti, 1962–1964, 1971)

Apr

2

World Autism Awareness Day

Le moindre geste (1971)

Yves (Yves Guignard), resting. Deligny wrote a lot about the lack of words, and how it stays close to the heart of cinema. Still (and a wonderful essay) via. DP: Josée Manenti.

An autistic actor or character for World Autism Awareness Day

“Celui qui n’a jamais rien dit

a cinquante ans d’âge

et ne dira jamais rien

s’est appris à lire

dans les moindres gestes”

– Fernand Deligny, Essi & Copeaux. Derniers écrits et aphorismes, via

Fernand Deligny was an educator who promoted play and exploration, as opposed to drugs and force, to open up the lives of young nonverbal, autistic people. We follow Yves Guignard, one of Deligny's “patients”, who, in his own wordless rhythm shows us his world.

 

Over time, the film was forgotten and even lost, until it was found in a tree, then completed with a narrative and soundtrack in 1969, selected for the 1971 Cannes Film Festival and praised by Cahiers du Cinéma, lost once more, and eventually – with support of Chris Marker – restored and brought to a wider audience.

Chac: Dios de la lluvia [Chac: The Rain God] (Rolando Klein, 1975)

Mar

30

mythology

Chac: Dios de la lluvia (1975)

The villagers light torches in preparation of the ritual. Screenshot via. DP: William B. Kaplan + Álex Phillips Jr..

Mythology on the date Wrath of the Titans (2012) was released.

 

With their shaman lost to alcohol, villagers make their way to a diviner in the hope to appease Chac, the rain god.

“This is the account of when all is still silent and placid.   All is silent and calm.   Hushed and empty is the womb of the sky.”

– Popul Vuh, The Primordial World

Filmed in the forests of Tenejapa, Chiapas, Chac is probably the first film completely in Tzotzil, one of several Maya languages, and based on themes found in the Popol Vuh.

Supermarkt [Die Stadt, Jane Love / Supermarket] (Roland Klick, 1974)

Mar

30

Supermarkt (1974)

Willi Hansen (Charly Wierzejewski) in a phone booth. Filmed from the outside in, his face is partially obscured by neon lights. DP: Jost Vacano.

Die Patriotin [The Patriotic Woman] (Alexander Kluge, 1979)

Mar

29

秦始皇兵马俑

Die Patriotin (1979)

Teacher Gabi Teichert (Hannelore Hoger), knee-deep in a puddle with a shovel, inspecting a find. DPs: Guenter Hoermann, Werner Lüring, Thomas Mauch & Jörg Schmidt-Reitwein.

Something buried: discovery of the Terracotta Army on March 29, 1974

 

A German history teacher, unhappy with the standardised history textbooks she has to work with, literally digs up her nation's past and sees how it is reflected in modern society.

Sisters [Blood Sisters] (Brian De Palma, 1972)

Mar

27

Sisters (1972)

Danielle and Dominique Blanchion (Margot Kidder) – one beaming one gloomy – wearing bathing suits. In the background, Emil Breton (William Finley) in a therapy pool – fully clothed – with a woman and small child. DP: Gregory Sandor.

“Did you know that the germs can come through the wires? I never call and I never answer. It's a good way to get sick. Very, very sick… That's how I got so sick! SOMEONE CALLED ME ON THE TELEPHONE!”

Ludwig (Luchino Visconti, 1973)

Mar

25

Elton John – 1947

Ludwig (1973)

Elisabeth “Sissi” of Austria (Romy Schneider) and King Ludwig II of Bavaria (Helmut Berger) in his beloved Venus Grotto below Schloss Linderhoff. Ludwig wanted blue light in reference to the Grotta Azzurra in #Capri, and had electricity installed in the grotto, which was the first usage of electricity in Austria. DP: Armando Nannuzzi.

A flamboyant character for Elton John’s birthday (1947).

“I want to remain an enigma forever. To others, and also to myself.”

– Ludwig II

200 Motels (Tony Palmer + Frank Zappa, 1971)

Mar

23

200 Motels (1971)

Ringo Starr dressed up like Frank Zappa, with Frank Zappa dressed up like Frank Zappa in the background. Both wear identical blue jeans and turtleneck sweaters and sport the same shoulder-length hairstyle and moustache/goatee combination. DP: Tony Palmer.

I'm sure the people at home would be interested to know why such a large force as you is all dressed up like Frank Zappa. Tell us Larry, whats the deal?

– Rance Muhammitz speaking to Larry The Dwarf