Best Media Resources: Films, Videos, and Websites |
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| MY FAVORITE FILMS, ART EXHIBITS, and LECTURES
I’ve found the following films, artwork, and lectures to be inspirational. The classic film plots explore challenges to the human spirit which draw out the best and worst in the characters. Documentaries describe crisis moments for a person, or a country, that force a serious review of core values. Topical lectures propose ways to ‘Think Christianly’ about history and culture. Analysis and tutorial videos review the intersection of new technologies with the art world. These new-tech tools have the potential to benefit artists, but also introduce ethical issues to be resolved. If you live in Cleveland you’re fortunate to have an extensive public library system. All but two of these videos are available through your public library account. Others are free on YouTube or via links to websites. Their content ratings range from G, to R, MAture, and NotRated. Films by foreign directors have English subtitles. All of these offer prime material for discussion, so feel free to leave comments, or suggest a coffee-house meetup. – Lon Kaufmann |
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| A.) ART HOUSE FILMS | ||||
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1.) Fitzcaraldo, (PG-1982) Werner Herzog(d), Klaus Kinski(a) Claudia Cardinale(a).Opera-loving Brian Sweeny Fitzgerald, locally known as Fitzcaraldo, is obsessed with bringing culture to a coastal town in Peru. To make his dream of building an opera house a reality, he needs to claim and develop property in the jungle to become a wealthy rubber baron. His elaborate plan requires a fantastic feat which can only be accomplished with the help of jungle natives. Trailer: https://youtu.be/xWeb7i8IjYs?si=2HPSsw7UPh9lg0QE (CLE PL – DVD) |
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2.) Babette’s Feast, (G-1987) In the late 19thC, on Denmark’s desolate Jutland coast, two beautiful and pious sisters grow to spinsterhood in a strict religious community. One day, a former suitor sends a Parisian refugee named Babette to serve as the family cook. The community’s simple menu is interrupted when Babette wins the French lottery. She chooses to spend the money on preparing a lavish and celebratory banquet for the small community. The story unfolds slowly as Babette’s generous sacrifice subtly unravels the community’s austere spirit with memories of sorrow, love, and gratitude. This theme is a good illustration of a point made by Thomas Howard in ‘Splendor in the Ordinary’. That is, the kitchen is a sacred place in a home, because there “life is sacrificed for life.” Alert: This is not a fast-action drama, but rather a meditation on being human. (CLE PL – DVD) Trailer: https://youtu.be/H5w9skKcdnA?si=rgx72POueZPx-uHZ |
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3.) The Dekalog, (MA-1989) Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “The Decalogue”, is a compelling series of ten episodes which explores the Ten Commandments by merging moral themes with contemporary human events. It’s celebrated for its deep characters and intricate plots which explore how the Biblical commandments apply to modern life. As one would expect, films which explore the ten sins addressed in the Commandments, may stretch the comfort level for some viewers. These two are my favorite episodes. . The first in the series, ‘Dekalog: One’, does a masterful job of translating ‘Thou shalt have no other Gods before me’, into a contemporary scenario. The plot is poignant but tastefully acceptable for most adults. Video episode One: https://youtu.be/1Jy1gmX9v4U?si=O7DJ_F5gqsxK4NU_ Trailer: https://youtu.be/VCYErwx0U7A?si=afy03m8awudAYj7M . The last episode, ‘Dekalog: Ten’, investigates the implications of, ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.’ Two estranged brothers are brought together by their father’s death. While sorting through their father’s possessions, they recall their childhood, their father’s priorities, and the contrasting life paths they’ve take. Objects of value initiate a series of events in which sacrifice doesn’t protect from loss, and the brothers restored friendship is challenged. Video episode Ten: https://youtu.be/vCKDxPV6VcU?si=Y3vV9807773CsM6g . |
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4.) Wings of Desire, (PG13-1987) Wim Wenders(d), Bruno Ganz(a). Two angels glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, and providing invisible rays of hope to the distressed. Damiel falls in love with a lonely trapeze artist, and longs to experience life in the physical world. (CLE PL – DVD) Trailer: https://youtu.be/0iAzYofuItM?si=wma39VuoZp82bCSB |
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5.) Brazil, (R-1985) Terry Gilliam(d), Jonathan Pryce(a), Robert De Niro (a), Ian Holm, (a), Michael Palin (a) This film combines, flights of fantasy, the nightmare of reality, terrorist bombings, late night shopping, true love, and creative plumbing. Gilliam’s retro-futuristic political satire explores a very contemporary topic; how does the individual protect their personal uniqueness and identity in a world that overwhelms them via sophisticated information technologies? How do the most important of human experiences such as love and personal expression survive in societies designed to insure conformity? PS– There are a couple ‘racy’ spots.) (CLE PL – DVD) Trailer: https://youtu.be/A_7ATU9dslE?si=ruHbab1hIPm4iCtQ |
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| B.) SOCIAL POLITICAL CRITIQUE | ||||
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6.) Leviathan, (R-2014) This dark comedy illustrates the dysfunction of Soviet Russian society. A Russian fisherman fights back when a corrupt mayor tries to seize possession of his ancestral home. (CLE PL – DVD) Trailer: https://youtu.be/tj0SMgg9Jqg?si=EkIrSImBip7_sVm8 |
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7.) Winter on Fire, (NR-2015) A documentary about the unrest in Ukraine, during 2013 and 2014, which was provoked by the broken promises of President Viktor Yanukovych. A financial agreement with the EU had been drafted to increase employment opportunities for Ukrainian families and their children. When Yanukovych instead flew to Moscow and signed an alternate agreement, Ukrainians from around the country came to Kyiv to protest. Non-violent demonstrations turned into a violent revolution and ended with the president fleeing to Russia. A new EU-friendly government was then formed by the legislature. Trailer: https://youtu.be/eEZVYapxDbE?si=-OLxEuawT9_zydI6 Free video: https://youtu.be/yzNxLzFfR5w?si=Sw3i551giS2SSI_7 |
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8.) ‘Freedom or Death’ Ukraine Maidan Revolution Documentary (M-2024) Damian Kolodiy(d) Narrated by American-Ukrainian filmmaker Damian Kolodiy, this film is a definitive account of the Ukrainian revolution. Kolodiy’s meticulous investigation begins with the 2013 peaceful demonstrations in Kyiv. These were in popular support for Ukraine signing a free trade agreement with the European Union. The peaceful demonstrations escalated into a violent conflict when corrupt President Victor Yanukovych reneged on his promise and instead signed an agreement with Russia. This civil uprising has become a war with Russia that has global ramifications. Free video: https://youtu.be/nYwOwSh_K9I?si=iSQ4WwRyuDt1DfQe&t=1 |
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9.) 20 Days in Mariupol, (PG-2023) In 2022 Ukrainian journalists are trapped in the city Mariupol when Russia invades Ukraine. Oscar award winner. (CLE PL – DVD) Trailer: https://youtu.be/L3DvHs0GbsY?si=6AJZTBIt28PrzxMG |
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10.) Mr. Jones, (NR-2019) James Norton(a), Vanessa Kirby(a). A Welsh journalist breaks the news in the western media of Stalin’s genocidal famine in Ukraine during the early 1930s. The scandal was that the New York Times reporter, Walter Duranty, knew about the famine but covered it up. President Roosevelt requested that the NYT give Stalin the benefit of the doubt in their reports about the new experiment of Soviet Socialism. (CLE-PL – DVD & online) Trailer: https://youtu.be/wtWSyFNT9qY?si=DI_1fIMAvPSVbGcL |
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| C.) ROMANCE, DRAMA, HUMOR | ||||
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11.) A Good Year,(PG13-2006) Ridley Scott(d), Russell Crowe(a), Marion Cottilard(a). A British investment broker inherits his uncle’s chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent his early childhood. Although intent on selling it, golden memories stir and force him to make serious life decisions. PS- My favorite line, “Is that your leetle car?”) (CLE PL – DVD) Trailer: https://youtu.be/dGzP5lbdZkU?si=hrXY9I17xgYj88L3 |
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12.) The Barber of Siberia, (NR-1998) Julia Ormond(a). At the turn of the 19thC., a young Russian cadet falls in love with an American beauty, the companion of a visiting American inventor. Their romance persists from Moscow to Siberia, woven between the efforts of a madcap inventor committed to market his Siberia-taming machine to the Tsar.NOTE: I’m including this film with reservations. The plot is engaging, despite my personal misgivings about Russia. From Ivan the Terrible, to the Bolshevik Communists, Stalin, and Putin eras, Russia has preyed upon neighboring countries to feed its imperial dreams. Russia’s grand self-concept requires the subjegation of sovereign states, into the role of subservient colonies. Fortunately, there are good Russians who object. They need a ‘color revolution’! Free Video: https://youtu.be/llptM_a0ecc?si=QVaqSwmU8TK-AIhQ&t=1 (CLE PL – DVD) ‘Siberski Tsirilnik’ Trailer: https://youtu.be/fuHCRDNJnfQ?si=AvsLzzOCrr8OXpY2 |
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13.) Blade Runner (R-1982), Ridley Scott(d), Harrison Ford(a) Sean Young(a), Rutger Hauer(a) A cyber-thriller romance. In the future, AI allows for the creation of servant ‘replicants’. Harrison Ford is a ‘blade runner’, who task is to track down four rogue replicants who have returned to earth to find their creator. Events introduce a core debate, what does it mean to be human? (CLE PL – DVD) Trailer: https://youtu.be/eogpIG53Cis?si=8qDprB0F9RsaWX_r |
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| D.) A CHRISTIAN VIEW OF HISTORY AND CULTURE | ||||
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14.) How Should We Then Live? (PG-1977) In 10 lectures, Dr. Francis Schaeffer sketches out the progression of ideas in Western society since the classic era. Dr. Schaeffer is a Christian theologian, philosopher, and founder of the Christian study center, L’Abri. He reviews this historical period filtered through a Christian worldview. This series provides an excellent introduction for how to ‘think Christianly’ about all the disciplines, Art, Music, Science, Philosophy, and Religion. Lectures are grouped into Part One and Part Two. Free Video: https://youtu.be/nlfMuqIY0Xg?si=DKhe_LI9v47vjKNG&t=1 |
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15.) Unlocking the Mystery of Life: Irreducible Complexity (PG-2016) In this documentary film the scholarly work of Michael Behe and others, present the scientific case for Intelligent Design. Behe’s discoveries in molecular biology suggested an ‘irreducible complexity’ in biological sytems. This challenges the traditional view of a step-by-step evolutionary process in which every mutating stage of a complex organsim would be neccesary for a new function. . Behe’s description of the amazing design of the ‘bacterial flagellum’, suggests an attractive an alternative to Darwin’s ‘random mutation + time’ theory of creation. Behe’s conclusion is that an intelligent creator is required to construct a complex biological organism as a completed, functioning ‘machine’. This is fascinating research for artists, designers, and those interested in a Christian worldview. Free video: https://youtu.be/Bgem8sLzHPE?si=BtUVV7LBFzzWESkD |
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16.) Secrets of the Cell with Dr. Michael Behe, Ep. 1-9 (PG-2013)
Discover the amazing world of micro-machines inside our cells, and learn about biochemist Michael Behe’s personal quest to understand what brought them about. Dr. Behe is known for his discovery of what he calls, ‘irreducible complexity’ in the design of biological forms. His deduction from research is that ‘Intelligent Design’ provides a more convincing explanation than Darwin’s, for the intricate functioning of the world around us. His description of the amazing machine-like choreography of parts within the cell, hints that a Creator is involved in the design of the world around us. |
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| E.) DIGITAL ART, AI, and the METAVERSE | ||||
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17.) Refik Anadol’s Meditation on Generative Ai and Machine Learning As part of his ongoing project, ‘Machine Hallucinations’, Refik Anadol displayed the AI generated exhibition, ‘Unsupervised’ at the MOMA, New York in 2023-4. He described it as an ‘AI machine’s view’ of the MOMA collection. First, a dataset of 138k artworks was collected from the MOMA collection. Second, a DGX AI powered workstation, with an Nvidia algorithm, choreographed and displayed abstracted and evolving images from this collection. . Both the public installation and NFT (Non-Fungible-Tokens ) samples resulted.Scroll down the studio site home page to view the NFTs that were available for sale. See videos posted below for a description of NFT’s and how they are useful to any artist interested in marketing their work. View Anadol’s MOMA exhibit page and his studio site for more information. Museum exhibit: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5535 Studio: https://refikanadolstudio.com/projects/unsupervised-machine-hallucinations-moma/ |
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18.) How AI is Changing Art for Creatives This overview explores the potential, and limits, of generative AI artwork. Examples are given to illustrate the ongoing debates over critical topics. These include the ethics, and legal ramifications of AI. As well, the challenge it poses to the traditional concept of a human artist being the sole creator of unique works of art. Video: https://youtu.be/HKN9FMBFn8U?si=c2k7GvrnG55tq_C3 |
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19.) How NFT’s Have Become a Gateway into the Metaverse (PG) Quantum computers can now process more data, with increasing speed. Exponential growth in the technology now supports an internet on steroids and manages data on blockchain highways. This digital space is called the ‘Metaverse’. These technical advances allow for real-time interactivity between users in virtual environments. For entertainment purposes this supports virtual worlds for gaming. Business applications allow for virtual, real-time business meetings, between international executives, without the need for plane travel. . ‘Non-Fungible Tokens’ (NFTs) offer exceptional opportunities for 2D/3D artists. Digital artwork can be packaged and sold outright in digital galleries. Alternately NFT’s can serve as proxy contracts for physically deliverable products. The ‘Metaverse’ is an emerging space that artist-designers will find useful for both commerce and community. Video: https://youtu.be/wU7CTDVHHN8?si=zuXwE-BaH-1jAmJk |
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20. ) How to Create and Sell NFT Art on Rarible, by Brandon 3D
Attention all 2D artists, discover a new marketing venue for your artwork. Learn how to sell NFT Crypto Art on Rarible using the Ethereum Blockchain! Digital Artist Beeple sold his art for millions using NFT’s! Rarible is an NFT marketplace with friendly tools, where designers can list digital art for sale. If you’re not a computer wizard, a friend with mid-level CG skills can use this tutorial, to format your artwork for marketing in online NFT galleries. |
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You’re welcome to post your responses to the list. If they remind you of any favorite films/media, please suggest them here.
– L.Kaufmann / K+Design