Freelance Dallas/Fort Worth photographer and writer
Starting December 9, my photograph What a Tangled Web It Weaves II will be showcased at the 9 x 12 Works on Paper exhibit at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. The exhibit will last until December 28. There will be an artist reception on December 9 from 6-9 p.m. Hopefully I’ll be able to attend around 8 p.m. Hope to see some of you there!
Directed by: Lars von Trier
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgård, John Hurt
For fans of: Moon, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Solaris (the non-crappy ’72 Russian version), Ingmar Bergman films
For most moviegoers, depression isn’t exactly an embraced subject for movies, but Lars von Trier has made a stunning film out of it.
Melancholia, is centered on the strained relationship between sisters Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) during the impending doom of a planet’s collision with Earth. Smiles all around, right?
It is implied that Justine has been plagued by bouts of depression, and it only worsens as the countdown to Earth’s death draws near. Claire’s worried nature (whether it is actually anxiety disorder is not clear) is also affected by that pesky blue planet Melancholia.
Instead of a suspenseful wait to discover what will happen to Earth, von Trier makes it clear in the beginning of the film that Earth does indeed clash with the planet. This allows, as he has explained, for viewers to focus more on the characters and the relationships between them rather than the outcome of Earth. The relationship to sci-fi that this movie has reminds me of Moon. Instead of space becoming the primary subject, it was more like another character to which others in the film reacted and emotions and mental states were exposed. This could make for some really interesting and experimental sci-fi/drama hybrids in the future.
However, Melancholia is primarily a drama. Kirsten Dunst’s portrayal of a woman trying to conceal her depression and appear all smiles is heartbreaking yet realistic. Dunst even won the Best Actress award at Cannes Film Festival this year. She has proven that with good material, her acting can really shine.
One aspect that makes Melancholia stand out is its focus on female characters. Von Trier has always had an affinity for brutally honest and upfront depictions of female protagonists, which is something cinema has been lacking for quite a long time.
The male depictions thankfully avoided the usual Lifetime style that often go with major characters being female. Alexander Skarsgård-who plays Justine’s new husband Michael- genuinely wants Justine to be happy and enjoy her wedding day. Thank goodness for Kiefer Sutherland. He provided some lighthearted chuckles early in the film as Claire’s husband and a man stuck in the middle of two sisters’ psychological problems. They’re just the guys stuck in the middle.
The signature von Trier shaky camerawork sometimes felt a little overdone and interfered with the movie, but the colors and especially the opening sequence was beautifully shot. Some audience members have even felt a bit nauseous because of the handheld feel. Over two hours is too long for such a slow-paced drama. At times I actually wanted some kind of otherworldly force to bring some action and wake everyone up. If you are expecting a multitude of cataclysmic explosions or special effects, please don’t watch this movie! You will be snoozing by the first half.
The first half of the movie could improve by not having the wedding reception sequences so drawn out and showing Justine moping about. During the second half, emotions turn and the roles Justine and Claire play in their familial bond morph. I don’t want to give too much away about the plot, but it is something that greatly affects how each sister reacts to the planet’s destruction.
A mix of depression, anxiety, the apocalypse, and strained relationships may not bring mainstream audiences to the arthouse theaters, but it indeed creates a compelling art film perspective on reactions toward the possibility of death and an honest look at the social and emotional effects of mental illness.
Sculpture has never really been a main artistic interest of mine, but Tony Cragg’s exhibit at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas may have changed my mind. Seeing Things was an exhibit full of mostly nonlinear and free-standing shapes.
Instead of just utilizing materials such as wood and bronze, he also incorporates everyday objects such as dice into his work. When I say dice, I mean thousands of the darn things. The best part? He does it all himself. Usually artwork of this scale is made with the help of several assistants. I have respect for Cragg because of that (well, besides being an immensely talented artist of course). Most artists of his stature would not be so hands-on.
Besides sculptures, Seeing Things also includes paintings, drawings, and installations. One particular piece, Congregation, is made of various wooden objects with hooks attached to them. From far away, the wood appears to have some kind of frosted layer on top, but inching closer reveals an exterior of metal hooks.
Cragg’s drawings possess an intense energy. Curved lines flow in no particular pattern across the page, leaving little white space. The backgrounds of many drawings include grid-like straight lines, giving a graphic and architectural quality to his work. The exhibit as a whole reflects the artist’s obvious obsession with shape, whether it’s in 2D or 3D form.
Perhaps more trips to the Nasher will now be in store.
All photos taken by me
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Because we can’t let Dallas have all of the fun, Fort Worth’s Lone Star Film Festival has arrived as a remedy to long Dallas drives all for the sake of watching an indie or foreign movie.
Possibly the best aspect of the festival is that there are only two venues (with additional programming at the Fort Worth Library), and they’re within a relatively close driving distance. Both the AMC Palace 9 and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth will hold screenings, though most of them will be at the former. There’s going to be screenings everyday until the 13th. Just remember that the Modern’s screen is smaller than the average movie theater. Below are just a few of the movies I’m thrilled about watching.
The Descendants, starring George Clooney, has already been screened, but there’s still a multitude of offerings . I’m personally interested in seeing We Need to Talk About Kevin after reading the book a few months ago. If the movie stays with me like the novel, there might be a few restless nights. Plus, the film stars Tilda Swinton, so that’s reason enough. The Turkish flick Once Upon a Time in Anatolia sure looks like an interesting prospect. It’s dark, atmospheric, and has a movie title derived from a Spaghetti Western- what’s not to love?
If you would like to read more about my top 5 picks for the festival and the picks of programming director Kelly Williams, click here.
Trailer for We Need to Talk About Kevin
No, I’m not announcing my conformity to those “who really shot JFK?” type of mindsets, I’m joining an art conspiracy.
Art Conspiracy is an annual Dallas charity event that auctions off artwork to benefit certain non-profit organizations or programs. This year, Art Conspiracy 7 is raising funds for Musical Angels, which- as the website details- is a “non-profit teaching organization that provides free music lessons to hospitalized children.” Along with more than 150 other artists, I’ll be donating a painting to the cause. Bids will start at only $20, so you won’t have to shell out the cost of month’s rent to buy a piece of art.
The fun starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 12 at 511 West Commerce St. in Dallas. Tickets are only $11.50. Local bands Datahowler, The Hope Trust, and J. Charles and the Train Robbers will be the musical entertainment for the night. From the look of things, this won’t be like a stuffy gallery full of yuppies dressed as if they’re at a formal dinner. It will be quirky and fun, (sort of) like me.
You can purchase tickets here if you want to be where all the cool, artsy kids are: https://www.prekindle.com/checkout/id/22058230578448943
Here are some videos from last year’s shindig. Notice the instructions “wave your hands in the air like you just got your nails painted” in the first video. Gotta love the creative types.
Kristin Lockhart 