Really loved this and the focus on certainty/uncertainty and becoming comfortable with the unknown rather than always trying to define it. One of the foundational problems of our age and one that I love seeing addressed head on!
I loved this exchange, and I'm heartened to see more people with serious experience in the industry identify something that I think is oftentimes overlooked: the malignant influence of Silicon Valley tech on our society broadly and culture in particular. It's not a coincidence that with the advent of Netflix ("uber for TV", a tech company through and through that was able to disguise itself for longer than I wish was the case) the breadth and quality of Hollywood's output has severely been diminished. The wholesale takeover of the industry by the likes of Amazon, Apple et al and the insistence of most legacy studios to essentially turn themselves into tech companies as well has made matters worse, not better. Like you, I do think the path forward is a grassroots of micro-budget filmmakers redefining what we want the film culture to be. A movement led by artists truly passionate about the form and not airhead tech execs who think the height of artistic expression is the equivalent of a "gourmet cheeseburger". I am trying to do that myself with my own film project and find great inspiration in others here on Substack.
Ted: Reading this exchange was heartening from the standpoint of realizing other film lovers and filmmakers are feeling the same way I do about the state of things. While my taste in movies might be a little more mainstream than yours and Alex’s, I do love a good challenge as a viewer. (To that end, I’m going to watch several of the films Alex included on his recent list of ten that didn’t make The NY Times list.) Thank you, as always, for pushing all of us to think beyond the obvious both creatively and as audience members.
"We’re quick to assemble and tear down what’s broken, but we falter when it comes to imagining and constructing what comes next." This quote definitely rings true for me.
This is why I don't like the word revolution, which is going around in a circle, and coming out dizzy. New people in power, but can they build a better world, usually the answer is no. I like to make films about changing the world for the better. I would call it rapid evolution. Reaching for the sky. Cinema that inspires, uplifts, and makes the audience feel that anything is possible. If our films are negative, or promote fear, we are only perpetuating the problems we face.
Thank you! I love that assessment of the word revolution. Never thought of it that way, it's true. We humans have built such incredible things. We need to reconnect with that spirit somehow.
Really loved this and the focus on certainty/uncertainty and becoming comfortable with the unknown rather than always trying to define it. One of the foundational problems of our age and one that I love seeing addressed head on!
Thank you, Marcus. I’m amazed this doesn’t come up more often in other sectors. We only get one life, why live it in safe mode?
preach!
I loved this exchange, and I'm heartened to see more people with serious experience in the industry identify something that I think is oftentimes overlooked: the malignant influence of Silicon Valley tech on our society broadly and culture in particular. It's not a coincidence that with the advent of Netflix ("uber for TV", a tech company through and through that was able to disguise itself for longer than I wish was the case) the breadth and quality of Hollywood's output has severely been diminished. The wholesale takeover of the industry by the likes of Amazon, Apple et al and the insistence of most legacy studios to essentially turn themselves into tech companies as well has made matters worse, not better. Like you, I do think the path forward is a grassroots of micro-budget filmmakers redefining what we want the film culture to be. A movement led by artists truly passionate about the form and not airhead tech execs who think the height of artistic expression is the equivalent of a "gourmet cheeseburger". I am trying to do that myself with my own film project and find great inspiration in others here on Substack.
Good luck with it all Eric. I look forward to what you continue to share.
Ted: Reading this exchange was heartening from the standpoint of realizing other film lovers and filmmakers are feeling the same way I do about the state of things. While my taste in movies might be a little more mainstream than yours and Alex’s, I do love a good challenge as a viewer. (To that end, I’m going to watch several of the films Alex included on his recent list of ten that didn’t make The NY Times list.) Thank you, as always, for pushing all of us to think beyond the obvious both creatively and as audience members.
Appreciate it, Skip! I try to advocate for movies of all types, so i hope you find a few on the list and elsewhere in Underexposed that speak to you.
"We’re quick to assemble and tear down what’s broken, but we falter when it comes to imagining and constructing what comes next." This quote definitely rings true for me.
This is why I don't like the word revolution, which is going around in a circle, and coming out dizzy. New people in power, but can they build a better world, usually the answer is no. I like to make films about changing the world for the better. I would call it rapid evolution. Reaching for the sky. Cinema that inspires, uplifts, and makes the audience feel that anything is possible. If our films are negative, or promote fear, we are only perpetuating the problems we face.
Thank you! I love that assessment of the word revolution. Never thought of it that way, it's true. We humans have built such incredible things. We need to reconnect with that spirit somehow.