Change Your Image
veronikanikkirom
Reviews
Fire (1996)
A wonderful film
Ah, feelings. You can't live them, you can't live without them. I think that the curse (but also the blessing) of mankind is rationality. The struggle of humanity lies in finding balance between the two fundamental forces of emotion and rationality. I have an inexplicable admiration for this film. The way that it depicts the manifestation of tension between these is, in my opinion, deserving of endless respect. It is about a rationality-, testosterone-drive society is which emotion is so stiffened that it builds up to the extreme. Perhaps that is the metaphor of fire-what fire fundamentally is-the explosion of emotion, the release of tension. I think that the motif of sex in the film is incredibly powerful in conveying that theme. Sex can be compared to fire-it is the ultimate power, the power of reproduction, of creating new life, but it also has the dangerous but unavoidable aspect of emotion and emotional vulnerability.
I like that this film takes a more feminine approach to the individual's struggle in life. Sure, you could say that it is "toxic masculinity" that is the enemy. I would even agree with that, but I would probably conceptualize it differently from many people. Masculinity is not necessarily a negative force in this film. The main character, Sita, displays many masculine characteristics: from the scene of her trying on the pants to her slapping back her husband. Through embracing these qualities, she is able to live her truth and not be oppressed even in such a harsh and oppressive society. On the other hand, Radha's husband has suppressed his masculinity, his "desire". You see, this is where the distinction between the masculine and feminine becomes very blurred and even disappears. I have even confused myself in trying to express this distinction. Masculine and feminine traits are so present within everyone that the words almost lose their meaning. I think this is the conclusion radical liberals often come to when they claim that gender is a social construct. Sure, it can be through of that way. But femininity and masculinity can also be conceptualized as two driving forces of humanity-emotion and reason. They coexist, intertwine, and can be one. Gosh, why am I always so dramatic?
The cultural context was particularly incredibly interesting to me, as I was challenged to put myself in the shoes of someone in this completely foreign world, and through this realized that their world is not so different after all. I think that my curiosity about different cultures is driven by my desire to understand that we are all the same. This is also similar to thinking about history and coming to the same conclusion. Despite our different cultures and environments, we are all the same in our struggles and motivations. The tension between reason and emotion is, I think, what characterizes all of humanity. This film was so incredibly personal, that is was just as universal. That is what I see as the genius and the potential for cinema as an art form. It allows you to capture your personal world view, and the more personal it is, the more people will relate to it and understand it. Essentially, that is the role of the artist. This film inspired me in a very substantial way and has made me inspired for my future as both an artist and as an appreciator of art.
All That Jazz (1979)
Just something I wrote for a Cinema Studies class
This film has had an incredible impact on me. Recently having moved to the city, I have been unbelievably inspired. Inspired to take advantage of all the opportunities I have been given, to create art, to voice myself in the world. Having experienced success and support from those around me for taking artistic risks, I have been gaining more and more confidence in my actions. That is all well and good, I have been feeling the happiest I have been in a while, but this film really reminded me of how blurred the line between success and corruption becomes if you don't keep it in check. I left the class feeling quite depressed, something I can actually say I am thankful for. It meant I had something to figure out. What I realized I have to admit to myself is the part my ego plays in my life: my decisions, successes, failures... If an artist does not remain humble and allow himself to be a fool, he will never be satisfied with his art. I have always been an extreme perfectionist, something I am thankful for, but at the same time despise. Without a conscientious approach to anything, art especially, you can never produce quality. However, if that perfectionism never allows you to let go of your actions, your art, you can never live a satisfactory life. Having recently taken many risks, I often find myself picking them apart and shaming myself for them. Even in writing all of this I am exposing myself in a way that I was never been (and still not entirely am) comfortable with. This film reminded me that only in letting go can you find yourself. Only by being willing to admit that you were wrong in something fundamental can you learn to lead a better life. Voicing your truth and consequently realizing that you may have been wrong requires you to be willing to make a fool of yourself. That is the role of the comedian, the person who is willing to say what everyone is thinking but is too afraid to say. I see the character of Joe Gideon as the embodiment of someone who is not afraid to judge what is, but is not willing to expose himself to the world. Death is such a significant theme because death is the final admission of powerlessness, the most vulnerable you can allow yourself to be. In denying his death, Joe Gideon is denying the existence of something more powerful than his ego. The final scene was unbelievably touching because it showed him finally being vulnerable, finally admitting to his true belief that he is, in fact, ordinary. The motif of dance added incredibly to this main idea - dance reflects such a fundamental aspect of existence, the ability to give up control and be free in your action. As someone who has always struggled with allowing myself to act, speak, move freely in uncomfortable environments, I could relate to an unbelievable extent. I could much too well understand the suffering of Joe Gideon because that is the suffering that is so fundamental to human nature, that I would argue is what constitutes life. Life is the process of death and rebirth; it occurs in every individual with every failure. The very ending of the film was depressing, but perfect. Had he been shown to have lived, that would mean the continuation of his suffering, the survival of his ego. I believe that that is why artists die young; they cannot live with the feeling that their ego is greater than the ultimate, undeniable truth that is death. The fear of going down such a path is what makes me fear success. I am, at this point, uncertain of my ability to spend my life making a fool of myself in pursuit of greater truth. However, I believe that that is exactly the path one must take to live a fulfilling life. If I do not want to lay on my death bed regretting all the missed opportunities, I must now allow myself to make mistakes and to live my own truth. I must not be afraid to be an artist.