Woof.
I crawled into bed after a long and difficult day at work. I opened my laptop to criterion and pressed play. So, I went into this film ignorant to the work of Catherine Breillat and the premise of this film. And it left me feeling covered in slime with no good justification as to why I ought to feel that way.
I’m now two days separated from that feeling. In reflection i’m more curious and appreciative. certainly in the…
At intermission I got in line to use the bathroom. I asked aloud, “So what do we think of Van Buren??” And everyone started clamoring. One person from within a stall spoke up, “He’s such bad news.” Watching this film felt like going to the theater. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a movie in this way. And for that I am grateful. However..the epilogue felt like a messy bow, tied too quickly. The second act lacked a thread/coherence that was present in the first act. Many pieces did not settle right for me. But there was no shortage of beauty.
I saw the 4K restoration of the film in theaters on copious amounts of edible thc. Things that made my head buzz with excitement or sorrow in no particular order:
- the score (Fumio Hayasaka)
- the shot of Rikichi’s wife in the bandit’s quarters (i choked on the air it was so stunning)
- every shot in the wildflower beds
- 🌸 Katsushiro 🌸
- the rain
- the visual signifiers and props used to denote class/status/temperament
- choreography of certain frames (so clever) and the use of staggering bodies
- the sheer number of scenes (so much LABOR)
