1001 Frames of Mind

Still there are some ways To liven up your days...

[1001framesofmind]

You have any proof?

How enjoyable it is to see the corrupt District Attorney getting a taste of his own medicine…

Break the window, hang the D.A. upside down And the public will applaud you without a frown

🎞film: L.A. Confidential (1997) 🎬director: Curtis Hanson 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

Sometimes it's wise to pull out of a silly competition, Especially when there's no hint of proper recognition…

🎞film: Bull Durham (1988) 🎬director: Ron Shelton 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

All of them are there. An ambience of pleasant formality, tinged with chuckles and giggles. A family photograph is affably taken.

🎞film: The Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family (1941) 🎬director: Yasujirō Ozu 🟣🟣🟣⚪️⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

The envy is ours, For birds are so light, To soar, to migrate Wherever they want!

🎞animation: Migration (2023) 🎬directors: Benjamin Renner, Guylo Homsy 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

We can do you ghosts!

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are characters from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." They are childhood friends of Prince Hamlet and are summoned by King Claudius to spy on Hamlet and uncover the cause of his apparent madness. The two characters are often portrayed as somewhat bumbling and inept, serving as foils to Hamlet's more complex character. Their roles in the play highlight themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the nature of friendship.

However, they are the central figures in Tom Stoppard's play "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," which explores existential themes and the nature of reality through their perspective as minor characters in the larger narrative of "Hamlet." They find themselves caught in the events of the play without fully understanding their purpose or the larger narrative unfolding around them. The play/film juxtaposes their comedic misadventures with the darker themes of "Hamlet," ultimately leading to a reflection on the inevitability of their fate.

🎞film: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) 🎬director: Tom Stoppard 🟣🟣🟣⚪️⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

Will live to witness...

In the 1950s, Japan was undergoing rapid economic growth and reconstruction following the devastation of World War II. The country experienced a period of significant social change, urbanization, and industrialization, which had an impact on various aspects of society, including the sex industry.

During this time, prostitution in Japan continued to be prevalent, with various forms of commercial sex work existing in different parts of the country. The economic situation in post-war Japan contributed to the proliferation of prostitution as many women, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds or rural areas, turned to sex work as a means of survival or to support their families.

The demand for sexual services also remained high, fueled in part by the presence of US military personnel stationed in Japan and the growing urban population. The sex industry catered to a wide range of clients, including locals, foreigners, and tourists.

The 1950s saw the emergence of new types of establishments, such as "soaplands" (erotic bathhouses) and "pink salons" (adult entertainment venues), which offered services ranging from massages to sexual intercourse. These establishments operated in a legal gray area, with regulations varying depending on the region.

Despite efforts by the Japanese government to regulate and control prostitution, the industry continued to thrive due to the demand for sexual services and the economic circumstances facing many women. Prostitution in Japan during the 1950s reflected the complex interplay between social, economic, and political factors shaping the country's post-war landscape.

🎞film: Street of Shame (1956) 🎬director: Kenji Mizoguchi 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

John Berger vs. Susan Sontag

John Berger and Susan Sontag had a conversation in 1983, which was published as a book titled "To Tell a Story: Essays on Art, Theater, and Literature". In this conversation, they discussed various topics related to art, literature, and culture. They shared their thoughts on storytelling, the role of the artist in society, and the impact of visual imagery on our understanding of the world. The conversation is known for its intellectual depth and thought-provoking insights into the nature of art and creativity.

The whole discussion can be found here 👇 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoHCR8nshe8

[1001framesofmind]

Help!

You’re not really mad that I’m not having children. In fact, I would probably love to one day. You’re mad that I’m expressing autonomy of choice. You’re mad that I’m considering other options. You’re mad that I don’t view that as my ultimate potential. You’re mad that I dare be selfish enough to make choices based on my best interest, something women are not supposed to do. You’re mad that I consider it a choice, and that I, a woman, am exercising choice. You’re not mad that I’m not having babies. You’re mad because I’m acting like a man.

—Alice Minium

🎞film: If These Walls Could Talk (1996) 🎬director: Cher 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

A Bizarre Charade

Isaac's ex-wife, Jill (who is living with her female partner now), has recently published a book in which she has openly written about the details of her broken marriage. This has made Isaac terribly upset while hanging around with friends, but there is nothing he can do to deal with it. The comic/tragic nature of the situation reflects Woody Allen's signature style where humor and melancholy often intertwine to explore the complexities of human relationships.

In "Manhattan," Allen masterfully juxtaposes Isaac's personal turmoil with the city's grandeur, creating a rich tapestry that highlights the protagonist's inner conflicts against the backdrop of New York's vibrant and chaotic energy. This blend of personal angst and urban sophistication not only adds depth to Isaac's character but also reflects the director's signature style of delving into the nuances of modern love and existential angst. Allen's ability to find irony and dark humor in Isaac's predicament underscores the timeless appeal of his storytelling, making "Manhattan" a poignant yet witty exploration of life's unpredictability.

🎞film: Manhattan (1979) 🎬director: Woody Allen 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

The Tavern at Casablanca

"As the sun set he remembered, to give himself more confidence, the time in the tavern at Casablanca when he had played the hand game with the great negro from Cienfuegos who was the strongest man on the docks. They had gone one day and one night with their elbows on a chalk line on the table and their forearms straight up and their hands gripped tight. Each one was trying to force the other's hand down onto the table. There was much betting and people went in and out of the room under the kerosene lights and he had looked at the arm and hand of the negro and at the negro's face. They changed the referees every four hours after the first eight so that the referees could sleep. Blood came out from under the fingernails of both his and the negro's hands and they looked each other in the eye and at their hands and forearms and the bettors went in and out of the room and sat on high chairs against the wall and watched. The walls were painted bright blue and were of wood and the lamps threw their shadows against them. The negro's shadow was huge and it moved on the wall as the breeze moved the lamps.

The odds would change back and forth all night and they fed the negro rum and lighted cigarettes for him. Then the negro, after the rum, would try for a tremendous effort and once he had the old man, who was not an old man then but was Santiago El Campeon, nearly three inches off balance. But the old man had raised his hand up to dead even again. He was sure then that he had the negro, who was a fine man and a great athlete, beaten. And at daylight when the bettors were asking that it be called a draw and the referee was shaking his head, he had unleashed his effort and forced the hand of the negro down and down until it rested on the wood. The match had started on a Sunday morning and ended on a Monday morning. Many of the bettors had asked for a draw because they had to go to work on the docks loading sacks of sugar or at the Havana Coal Company. Otherwise everyone would have wanted it to go to a finish. But he had finished it anyway and before anyone had to go to work."

—Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea

🎞film: The Old Man and the Sea (1958) 🎬director: John Sturges 🟣🟣🟣⚪️⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

The MHC sector of the DNA

Jule and Jan are two university students, who coincidentally happen to embark on a road trip from Berlin to Portugal in a camper van. As they travel through Europe, they engage in deep conversations about life, love, and the world around them. Their journey becomes a transformative experience as they confront their personal fears, desires, and beliefs. The film explores themes of self-discovery, human connection, and the complexities of modern relationships. "303" is known for its introspective and philosophical approach to storytelling, as well as its beautiful cinematography capturing the scenic landscapes of Europe.

🎞film: 303 (2018) 🎬director: Hans Weingartner 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

A Heady Recklessness

Dr. Jekyll is a respected and well-known scientist who creates a potion that transforms him into the cruel and violent Mr. Hyde. As Hyde, Jekyll indulges in his darkest desires without fear of consequences. However, as Jekyll continues to alternate between his two identities, he realizes that he is losing control over Hyde, leading to disastrous consequences.

Jekyll embodies the socially acceptable, moral side of human behavior, while Hyde represents the repressed, darker impulses that exist within everyone. The transformation between the two characters can be seen as a metaphor for the struggle between good and evil within an individual.

The potion that Jekyll creates to transform into Hyde can be viewed as a symbol of repression and denial. the narration, in the way, is an exploration of the unconscious mind and the idea of the shadow self. Jekyll's inability to control Hyde and the eventual takeover of his darker side may symbolize the dangers of ignoring or suppressing one's unconscious desires and impulses:

"I felt younger, lighter, happier in body; within I was conscious of a heady recklessness, a current of disordered sensual images running like a millrace in my fancy, a solution of the bonds of obligation, an unknown but not an innocent freedom of the soul." (from the novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson – Chapter 10)

🎞film: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) 🎬director: Rouben Mamoulian 🟣🟣🟣⚪️⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

What's all the fuss about?

Anna, a celebrated Hollywood actress, met William, who is a bookstore owner, a while ago in Notting Hill (a neighborhood in London). Despite their chemistry, Anne's complicated status made it difficult for them to pursue a relationship. Now she is back in London and devastated because of the leak of her indecent photos. To avoid paparazzi, she decides to spend the night at William and his quirky roommate's place. Her stay turns into a night of amour for William and Anna. But in the morning, something unexpected happens at the doorstep…

🎞film: Notting Hill (1999) 🎬director: Roger Michell 🟣🟣🟣⚪️⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

Grab the phone line!

The 1937 Battle of Shanghai is regarded by some historians as the first battle of World War II. At that time, Shanghai was divided into two parts: the International Settlement and the Chinese Zone. The film The Eight Hundred (2020) tells the story of Chinese soldiers' fierce resistance in the Chinese Zone of the city.

This scene shows the attempts to deliver a phone line from the International Settlement to the fortress-like Sihang Warehouse, which was last bastion of Chinese defenses in their zone. First a Chinese man tries to carry out the mission by joining a group of Germans under their big flag. Then a few others sacrifice themselves to complete the task. Although the bridge is heavily shot by Japanese occupiers, the heroic acts of an agile volunteer pays off and, with help of his Chinese armed fellows, the line crosses the bridge.

🎞film: The Eight Hundred (2020) 🎬director: Guan Hu 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

A a travelling fair is in a French village to entertain the locals for a public holiday. Tati's unique filmmaking style and wit is conspicuous from the beginning in his directorial debut.

🎞film: Jour de Fête (1949) 🎬director: Jacques Tati 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

Not even a trace!

he Adventure (1960) follows the story of a group of wealthy friends who embark on a yachting trip around the Aeolian Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. When one of the women, Anna, mysteriously disappears during a stop on a remote island, the group becomes consumed by the search for her.

As the search for Anna continues, the film explores themes of alienation, ennui, and the breakdown of relationships among the characters. The film is known for its slow pace, long takes, and stunning cinematography that captures the beauty of the Italian landscapes.

This film has long been recognized as a classic of world cinema and a landmark in the development of modernist filmmaking. It won the Grand Prix at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival and has influenced many filmmakers with its innovative approach to storytelling and visual style.

🎞film: The Adventure (1960) 🎬director: Michelangelo Antonioni 🟣🟣🟣🟣⚪️

[1001framesofmind]

Box Eight

"I am satisfied in nature, Whose motive in this case should stir me most To my revenge."

—William Shakespeare, Hamlet (Act 5, Scene 2)

🎞film: The Bride Wore Black (1968) 🎬director: François Truffaut 🟣🟣🟣⚪️⚪️