стоящего: Art is not a mirror held up to reality...

Art is not a mirror held up to reality
but a hammer with which to shape it.-Bertolt Brecht

The NY premiere (well the release week premiere, NYFF) (dis dis piace: no differentiation of film festivals is there?-the video originates from a 5-year old rival of Andrew's;) - back to the future-it's a Film Society of Lincoln Center creche 'thing' - they get money from an alien source... guess that's why they wanted to get rid of a human like...) of Carol tonight at MoMA. (London) Remember the furor at Cannes this year? I guess our 'cafe' Phyllis when you first came to London served you well...or "were you JUST being kind..." was OK: so there is indeed a dress code tonight only this ‘code’ is one of the ‘mind’. Admittance to the after-party is valid only after correctly answering 3 questions on world cinema. Nothing too obscure…and nothing that crowd shouldn’t be able to easily handle:) Meremembers Sarah Pia Anderson (swho;) wanted to do a film of Carol many a moon ago....Remember? As Cole Porter thought about writing the future tonight:


I love New York’s global warming today, how about you?
Spending 6 hours with MoMA film today, how about you?
As Donald Trump will say, Global warming’s allllll in the mind,
His German though just ain’t so good: wie geht’s es du? Who?


Nitrate problems  seemed to have inflicted/conflicted lyrics thereafter…schade

as an aside- Mr Trump was social media/Facebook before its time! Give him credit for demanding from his PR each morning EVERY over the years press mention. Sorry: just HOW is that different form most denizens of NY nowadays? Mi dispiace...

Mr Harvey Weinstein is a different kettle of croque monsieurs  all together now! Yes indeed there is to be a segue...but you'll just have to wait- Twitter isn't really for me. Uccellacci e uccellini

Not yet having seen Carol may the segue be to Steven Spielberg’s latest Bridge of Spies (also opening this week in London). There are many films out there about cold war conspiracy that indeed may more enthrall in different ways than Bridge of Spies. What Spielberg offers in his consummate way is an unbeatable Hollywood director asking questions retrospectively that one feels he’s asking about the world today.

Unless you’ve lived in America you’d never comprehend the indoctrination of nationhood (is that jingoism) into the DNA of its citizens. There are passages in Jonah Goldberg’s book Liberal Fascism that just can’t be true, but regrettably are indeed. You do not want to be an outsider in America. It is the golden land of the insider. Drink, drink and drink some more. Being rich in the prohibition days clearly had advantages. So much for ‘democracy’ and the ‘rule of law’. Irony (is that the word?) that many if not most of America's greatest most 'revered' movies are about outsiders...

James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) in Bridge of Spies is a typical rare breed of American who believes in the rule of law/justice. In 1957 he’s asked to defend Russian spy Rudolf Abel – rather a pat on the back assignment: do me a favor give him due legal process he’s guilty anyways but we need to be seen to be just. What Donovan’s peers don’t count on is that he takes his job just that bit too seriously- really trying to give Abel a fair trial. Nothing surprises in this consummately constructed movie. What Spielberg does (and oftentimes always has) is get the audience to surprise itself. To question where and who they are. Moreover what Spielberg really does well is cast actors- whether it is happenstance or premedicated, the result is always nothing short of brilliant. Here we have Tom Hanks giving one of his best performances (again perhaps like Spielberg Hanks is questioning where and what we all are nowadays). Like his client Abel (Mark Rylance) he doesn’t seem to sense fear. He’s way out of his depth with both the Russians and the CIA and yet he’s an fffing great swimmer- only he just didn’t know it. What he does know is that swimming is sort of his thing. Weirdly.

Mark Rylance’s dour non-descript Abel (though the paintings he does in his off-time as a spy are naturalistic) is something out of Francis Bacon’s ‘wheel of fire’ world: Shakespeare's King Lear : But I am bound upon a wheel of fire, / That mine own tears do scald like molten lead. Irony that Bacon’s Study for the Nurse in the Battleship Potemkin was painted also in 1957.

It is amazing (or perhaps not, if one knows America) that it took a British screenwriter and playwright Matt Charman to bring this story to the world’s attention (Ethan Coen and Joel Coen then honed the script with Chapman). It wasn’t until American families saw first-hand their sons and daughters come home in body bags during the last decade that anyone doubted what war America was fighting. Similarly, it’s hard to think that many smart folk wouldn’t see this movie and start thinking again about what the hell is going on around them in the world. Abel clearly is a “good soldier”- he is indeed fighting for a cause (as indeed were Americans) “стоящего, стоящего” the standing man. (Abel as a boy, saw a man beaten, but then the man stood up again. They hit him harder, but he stood up again. Finally, the leader called the beating off and called the man, Stoyashchego)

The unbearable sadness of it all is that while there are winners and losers to these ‘wars’ there will always be more victims. And more victims. And more. Just restored in a director's cut is a shining testament to ordinary people who end up on the wrong side of war Helma Sanders-Brahms’ Deutschland bleiche Mutter (Germany, Pale Mother). (Russian site) Lene conquers every obstacle with her daughter before and through WW2 whilst her husband fights on the German front. The war ends and normal life fights on. He never ever cheated on her nor her ever on him but still he hits her in disbelief. And still she stands. In the film’s final scene Lene (her face having become half-paralysed in peace time-due to disbelief?) locks herself in the bathroom attempting suicide by gas; her daughter cries and beats incessantly on the door pleading for her to come out. Lene finally unlocks the door-voice-over: "It was a long time before Lene opened the door, and sometimes I think she is still behind it, and I am still standing in front of it, and that she will never come out again, and I have to be grown up and alone. But she is still here. Lene is still here."

Philip French (1933-2015)

Sad but not unexpected news that erstwhile film critic for The Observer (London) Philip French died this week. Not unexpected because attending film screenings and writing about them was Philip’s life until his retirement 2 years ago. And when that stops…Unlike some of his national newspaper colleagues Philip attended every screening of every film possible (often 16 plus!)- every week, every month... I sat in those same screenings for over 4 years and in that time never saw Philip arrive late/leave early and in both those cases he always wished to find the best in a film never the worst. Very hard sometimes and quite rare in that room of somewhat astonishing individuals! I kept my distance not wishing to be in anyone’s way. But when I had a question, asking as discretely as possible, Philip was never anything short of enthusiastic, knowledgable and totally unafraid of a relatively young upstart like me. Very hard sometimes! Did I mention he was unashamedly supportive of me! There was motive behind that: only his goodness. And did I mention never once seeing Philip fall asleep in a screening? Even if I had (which I didn't) I would still write the same sentence;) OK- list of leading film critics seen falling asleep: ummm...Andrew almost once or twice but not quite...;)

bathroom break...:)

...come to think of it I never remember Philip EVER talking a bathroom break during any screening. OK- list...............:)

Most importantly about Philip was his unwavering support of films that fell foul of censorship. He was in full flight when waving a flag for that issue. And not an 'ism' inches of him. He wasn't gay, he wasn't Communist, he wasn't..WAS simply a normal Northerner (is there such a thing?) who not only had a passion for cinema but a love of its detail. And as many many have already cited an amazing memory- even after 16 films every week, every month....

Hard to imagine anyone not remembering Philip with fondness let alone utter respect.

The American novelist Nelson Algren famously advised: "Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own." Philip French
                                                                      ...
(        )
good night and goodluck (2.15{)                                               .

Judgement Day

Andrew Lucre really needs to set the record straight on something in case he mysteriously falls under a train one day.  Believe it or not I have just read for the first time a Google extract (roughly page 39) from Wendy Lesser’s book about director Stephen Daldry. The references to the production of Judgement Day are factual incorrect. My admiration for Meredith Oakes knows no bounds (she is a far more talented writer and translator than many gave her credit for). However, it was not Meredith who introduced the play to Mr Daldry. The play was my choice from the very beginning. Inspired, if that is the word, by Britain’s then hopeless transport system- later to exhibit many many serious accidents on the London Underground. Having read an American translation when plowing through dozens and dozens of plays to produce (I had already acted in and produced Maria Irene Fornes’ Mud) Judgement Day was the choice also because of the very qualities in its characters that Mr Daldry is oft cited for illuminating in Lesser’s book. Mr Daldry directed a very fine production for me.  It won Best Production at the London Fringe Awards (though not Best Director: there of course could not have been one without the other).

Originally I intended directing Judgement Day myself (not having directed before). Acting on stage every night plus 2 matinees at the Old Vic doesn’t leave much time though- producing itself was enough! In fact I remember Fiona Shaw (in the Old Vic As You Like It cast) when inviting cast members to a party or something turning to me and saying words to the effect “well you don’t have any time!” in a rather strange somewhat dismissive way. Sadly. Irony being she was later directed by the then unknown Mr Daldry on the National Theater stage in Machinal.

Meredith Oakes I had known as a fellow music journalist and it always occurred to me that she had far greater talents: indeed she was translating into English the definitive biography of Gustav Mahler. So I asked if she’d be at all interested in being my dramaturg- a completely foreign German concept unknown in English theater. And she agreed. My instinct was unsatisfied with the existing translations (having a rudimentary knowledge of German), though, as I recall she was not asked and had no intention of doing a translation at that point. Long story that I shall not prolong any further. However....I also just read:

Mr Stephen Daldry: I have nothing against you. I can't say I am a great admirer of your film work but you clearly made a life for yourself out of the talent that I saw in you. It was your then agent Pauline Asper who is responsible for 'hooking us' up. However: there is another factual in accuracy in an article about you. Sadly, in a newspaper that I used to write for The Independent. So I am beginning to wonder just how massaged is the truth of your life (something I have no interest nor time to enter into).
Caroline Maude was beguiled early on when she helped him produce Von Horvath's Judgement Day at the Old Red Lion. The play done, he went back to washing up in a Greek restaurant in Camberwell, she to temping; then he got the Gate and tracked her down to be general manager.

Again: I had a lot of faith in Ms Maude's abilities. But the implication of the article is that Mr Daldry produced the play along with Ms Maude. They did not. And if it wasn't for me badgering my contacts in the press many of the critics cited in Lesser's book wouldn't have reviewed the fringe show. Mr.Daldry didn't particularly like the fact that it was Andrew Lucre who was accepting an award. Furthermore he fauxly dismissed the fringe awards ceremony and was very concerned about whether I was applying for the job of running the Gate Theatre- a known springboard for greater things in the theater community.  Mr Daldry did not "track down" Caroline Maude. On the contrary. When she applied for the job at the Gate (I was co-producing a play there for Daldry) Daldry was VERY reluctant to take a chance on Caroline Maude because of her inexperience and the volume of other better qualified applicants. I responded "are you kidding..she's perfect". She got the job and proved terrific. I guess I was the only one to be immune to Mr Daldry's "charm". Well: I certainly know that isn't true. Long story that I shall not prolong any further.

[Just as a postscript]: I had some emails from a wise old c*** who basically advised: forget about all that ***. Indeed correct. But the reason I posted (coldly without relative emotion) was not just out of astonishment but also hoping that it may help others to whom such a thing happens. Annually I Google myself (short of having a publicist to do so). I did indeed know there was some sort of reference to the Daldry book but never went beyond a few lines and never saw the newspaper article. Now: if I’d posted this during the recent Broadway run of The Queen /Skylight (Daldry stage productions) then all sorts of ‘vindictive’ accusations would have been leveled at me. And maybe I would have done such. But: it happened to cross my eyes at 5pm last Saturday.

It’s not an unusual story at all for American entertainment- e.g. Jerome Robbins…West Side Story! As re: helping people- if THAT happens to you, don’t jump. They are full of greed and betrayal and alas, sadly, talent: YOU are a better person for not following in their footsteps. (Or if you do decide to ‘top yourself’ then either make sure all their dirty doings are safely in a deposit box or alternatively send them all to me and I’ll make sure they are released in a timely fashion). There really is no escape for ‘those’ people.

I also knew David Levaux the same million years ago (100 times a more interesting a person/theater director than Stephen Daldry- no offense Steve)- I’m not aware the world needs a ‘safe’ box for Mr Levaux. Oh god: have I just got him shot by writing this! David was directing Maximilian Schell at the Volksbühne (auf Englisch- Berliner Ensemble;) before you were in diapers Steve ('no names no pack drill' David- climbing through the window...). In something called a 'drama'. Hello? This is sounding like a TRUE blog now. Remember when people spoke their mind and didn't set out to blog to be a TV Kardashian show?

I'm just jealous for never having had the courage to be Brian Sewell or Waldemar Januszczak or Charlie Brooker oops: they're still alive. AHHH! Chose dead people Andrew- they can't talk!

Thank you for the great direction of Judgement Day Mr Daldry. I expected no reciprocal thanks (though – you did give it verbally- I remember the place/date/time)- as many many other things. I didn’t, however, expect the betrayal and erasure of my name in history through many key players in that production. Never mind Stephen D. when Ken Branagh turns down the Bambi remake it's yours. Good luck with that one. No: seriously. Bambi needs a friend in the forest of the night. Actually: David Cameron might be on the phone to you after his term in office to be a 'member' of that cast. All publicity is good publicity sprach Nietzsche.

[1am addition- just had an email in from Neil Patrick Harris who wants to be Bambi's werts and all tree (remember Bambi's talking tree?). I smell Tony Steve....hmmm I really DO smell Tony: could the tree be a Brit with raspy voice and a dubious welt rhizome action...even better: I'm sensing The Producers in faux fur- Springtime for Bambi and Hollywood...never, never, never, never: THIS is OSCAR. Really. Not a hanging chad in sight.

Interesting that 'twas I insisted on a very simple Ödön von Horváth quote in the programme notes and that you wanted slightly more cerebral philosophical offerings….:

Und die Leute werden sagen
In fernen blauen Tagen
Wird es einmal recht
Was falsch ist und was echt
Was falsch ist, wird verkommen
Obwohl es heut regiert.
Was echt ist, das soll kommen -
Obwohl es heut krepiert.

And people will say
In far away blue days
It will become clear
What is false and what is true.
What is false will perish
Although it rules today
What is true shall come
Although it dies today. 
- Ödön von Horváth (found in his pocket after his death)

REBOT MUURCAT

What are you REALLY hiding behind those ‘net’ curtains democracies of the world?!

Do you know JUST how many REALLY smart people in the world know what is going on?!  R U/1 going to ‘eliminate them all? Well: you R/1 trying. THAT is an interesting ‘teeny’ document! Aren't you just a ‘wee’ bit arrogant thinking you have control over ‘that’. If it wasn’t for Citizen Four promulgating the truth about state sponsored HACKING, the world would never have known. Isn’t it just a ‘little’ embarrassing Verizon having THAT name emblazoned upon a high eye ball Manhattan building? Shouldn’t someone have dismantled those letters from the skyline. What an irony that money so easily buys access to the name of a cultural institution in NY! ? (No offense/implication nor anything Mr Geffen- I loved your out of tune Dylan renditions at those parties...;) Long ago and far away.. Yet when you become poor they take down your name. So what's the deal there? Rockefeller saved Blanchards' apartment at the Dakota (a business deal that was so NY in its generosity- no seriously- you don't get something for nothing! Why should you!) And made a whopping profit?! I guess it’s a different world for ‘democracies’ and those corporations that kiss kiss kiss the corporate political logo. These days?

New York is NY in June…February…July…how about you,,,yeah OK Feb sucks...who's ever written a song about NY in February...if it wins a Grammy I get a % OK!
Jack Goes Boating
the trailer could never encapsulate the movie…the cinematography of W. Mott Hupfel III and the editing of Brian A. Kates!: trailers r trailers. If you'd never quite get the movie if you've never lived in NY...;)
one one ever reads the small print do they Bob Glaudini...

Maestro Bernstein must the last word.
Or was that Voltaire...
I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our more stupid melancholy propensities, for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one’s very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away?

or was that Bernstein:)
NOT the movie
but the real poliik...Zerbinetta

Il faut être léger comme l'oiseau et non comme la plume.

Review HERE of The Walk (remember the documentary Man on Wire?) ....
in cinemas October 2.

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.

Thank you for the short interview tonight Neal Smith. It was very very kind and much appreciated. And I hope I can keep others alive, curious and....
GO HERE...

And those of you who couldn't wait and are 6-foot under ...well: we sort of forgive you. Waiting for the bus is so totally f****kd.

Heritage Auctions

Will and publish ASAP- after I do 'post' and make you look like a blonde surfer rock dude Neil- that the #$%#$#%$ Hollywood studio paid me $$$$ to do so. So: in your after life they so totally 'respect' your image and mint.....

Reaching out to you with all that love in 2060....

[addition-Sept 25:

BBC’s The Film Programme introduces film maker John Waters as “the Pope of Trash” as the 'real one' visits America and Mr Waters visits London promoting his complete retrospective at the BFI. In this vein, some may say that our current Prime Minister David Cameron missed his calling in life. Some may;) 

]

Wouldn't two drunks walk out of a bar:)) 

between the shadow and the soul

“It’s a good country on top…if you watch the ‘b’ movies and don’t blink”-;)…”…we think too much and feel too little…the poetry of the theater has been lost… Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot… Life could be wonderful if people would leave you alone.”- Charles Chaplin

 

The NYT ran a piece last week suggesting Robin Williams’ (1 year anniversary death) un-sung great movie hits. They are ALWAYS stealing my copy;) And to think:….I know: don’t think just write! What the NYT are JUST not braver enough to argue is that Robin Williams was not a great actor but a greatest actor! Some may think Patch Adams sentimental whatever, whatever. But WHO is the greater actor? Philip Seymour Hoffman or Robin Williams? They ALL (or many) have sat in the chair of the Actor’s Studio (that’s New School not ‘Brando’ studio). I actually sat in one of those Marilyn Monroe/Brando seats and heard the greatest advice an actor could ever have from a coruscating Ellen Burstyn: what do you actually observe? When the action is pitch perfect then and only then will an audience feel.

I’ve been indulging and watching some of the Robin Williams performances missed over the y/tears.  And another great mentor’s advice struck me (he directed a baby Kevin Spacey alongside Jack Lemmon) in London. Dr Jonathan Miller wrote (Subsequent Performances) and spoke of how, in his opinion and experience as a theater director, actors shone at their best when playing ‘relatives’ to themselves. 

That truth may well have been true for Robin Williams. Who better than a comic to show how horrible and tormented life is when you believe in a different world than most around you.

our mortal coil...