The end of the Auteur Era

As I start my journey to be a film graduate and hopefully be a film director, I came across some recent news, that there is a lack of auteur filmmakers. As we progress towards new year and new generations, creativity is now being influenced by Politic Correctness ideology. Apparently, sharing your own opinions is now becoming dangerous, let alone show the audience a world of of your own impression.

But there are still people standing against intolerance, and working hard to express their views. Hopefully in the future I would like to be a part of that change and be able to direct good films(short and feature films) in my own manner.

As a creative artist, I believe it is our responsibility to inspire, nurture and entertain the future generation. Hopefully, as I graduate this course, I am confident (but not over confident) that I’ll be able to entertain(mostly) and have fun making it as well. And like many auteurs before me, they also faced criticisms and dislikes; but eventually in time, they made a mark in film history. I know I have a lot of work to do to get there and make mark, and I beleive I am capable to do it, so until then………….

Prime, M (2018) Posterazzi Peace Out Poster Print by Marcus Prime (12 x 9).[Online][Accessed on 13^th December 2019] Available on:https://www.sears.com/posterazzi-peace-out-poster-print-by-marcus-prime/p-A029783871

Rajkumar Hirani- The Indian auteur

I thought after blogging about the Hollywood auteur directors, it would be fair to blog about Bollywood cinema as well.

So for this blog I chose Rajkumar Hirani, who is known for creating some of the funniest, emotional movies. He is know to direct movies which has social, political cause to it, and he adds his own flair of comedy to it. The movies he is done so far contains how one person by their acts of goodness can change society. Story concept mostly revolves around one man leading a change against an unjust society, and fighting against bureaucrats (non-violently).And to show society not to be put down by societal rules; but to stand and be proud to be different.

Also following the code of Auteur theory, he also uses the same cast for his films, at the same time changing the lead actresses. His movies have been inspirational to watch, as it deals with a society the most creative manner.

Farooqui,M (2018) With 5 films and 100% success rate, Rajkumar Hirani is one of the most profitable directors. [Online][Accessed on 13^th December 2019] Available on: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/with-5-films-and-100-success-rate-rajkumar-hirani-is-one-of-the-most-profitable-directors-2674701.html

Michael Bay- “The American Auteur”

Speaking of action films, here is another action filmmaker with fast cars, fast chases, witty dialogues, explosions and beautiful models. Michael Bay could be Tarantino’s younger brother when it comes to action film. The differences are the use of camera work and the stories. Where one uses a non-linear style to delivery stories, the other is a linear way of telling stories.

Bay’s films also have the certain set of rules like Tarantino like,

• The low angle camera
• The go pro action scenes
• witty dialogues during intense situations
• using fast cars and super models
• Giving respect/homage to soldiers and veterans.
• fighting against tyranny and government bureaucrats.

He doesn’t seems to care for any accolades as such, and critics do demonise him to be the worst director. To some he may still be an action director; but he is definitely an auteur in my books. The reason being is he certainly cares for the working class people, who believe Bay’s film could be an escape from harsh realities.

Nemiroff, P (2016) Watch: Michael Bay’s Movies Ranked from worst to best.[Online] [Accessed on 13^th December 2019] Available on:https://collider.com/michael-bay-movies-best-to-worst/

Winkle, D.V (2014) Science Says Michael Bay Movies Cause People to Eat More Junk Food [Online] [Accessed on 13th December 2019] Available on: https://www.themarysue.com/michael-bay-makes-you-fat/

Kathryn Bigelow- The Hidden auteur

Here is another established female auteur, and her movies have spoken the kind of auteur she is. Maybe, her movies were hard to watch at first, but she has certainly given a new meaning to addiction. For example, Blue Steel, shows the protagnist who has fallen in love with a serial killer, who uses a gun as a source of addiction, same goes in movies like ‘Point Break’ and ‘Hurt Locker’ where you see the protagonist has an obsession with what seems bad to other people.

I admire her courage as she has managed to show Hollywood elites that a lady can come up with a good action thriller movie just like anyone else. Movies like ‘Hurt Locker’ and ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ were really well made, with a kind of documentary film technique. The character really spoke in an uncomfortable situation, and that’s what I like about Bigelow’s way of directing. Using natural locations instead of sets, sacrificing comfort to achieve authentic films.

And that’s what matter’s the most, being authentic and hopefully I could do the same and make authentic films.

Steinbach, E Hurt Locker poster [Online] [accessed on 13th December 2019] Available on: https://sg-posters.com/#portfolio

Robinson, J Point Break by Jordan Robinson [Online] [Accessed on 13th December 2019] Available on: https://alternativemovieposters.com/amp/point-break-jordan-robinson/

Marshall, C Poster of Osama Bin Laden [Online] [Accessed 13th December 2019] Available on: https://www.behance.net/gallery/30556277/Alternative-Movie-Posters.

Sofia Coppola: Auteur or feminine director?

Now we all know Francis Ford Coppola, if not let me remind you the director of ‘The Godfather Trilogy’, ‘Apocalypse now’, ‘Bram stroker’s Dracula’ and I could keep going on. As Mr Coppola in his early years of his career dominated the film industry and directed many masculine films, so is Mrs Sofia Coppola who has directed good movies in her career like ‘Lost in Translation’, ‘Virgin Suicide’ or even her recent movie ‘The Bling Ring’.

The difference in their movies is that, Mrs Coppola’s are more feminine oriented, and all the apsects of feminism, such as, male gaze and women being objectified and becoming victims of the male patriarchy. Just like many directors and artists, Sofia Coppola also had to go through hardships and and match up to her father’s status and gain the respect as a ‘Visionary director’. Many critics did object to her movies and considered an average show which has no depth or meaning to it. She was always looked down upon and considered her as her ‘father’s shadow’.

Though her movies have the qualities of feminism; but in my opinion you can’t deny her the auteur status. There is still the technical aspect to her movie like lighting as pointed out in some of her movies, as she likes to use natural light. Unlike any other auteur she also uses the same actor who share their vision and make it successful (Kirsten Dunst, Bill Murray)

Even after all this criticism, she is determined to still be a director, whereas, many would have left the industry. Little Coppola, stood by her confidence and has directed many great projects. Her determination and confidence have definitely inspired me as I lack motivation to complete certain projects, and taught me to never back down, when you have a talent

Williams, J (2017) A Look At The Films Of Sofia Coppola. [Online] [Accessed on 13^th December 2019]Available on:https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/a-look-at-the-films-of-sofia-coppola.

Batmans and The Dark Knight

Burgos, J.C.R (2019) The Dark Knight. [Online] [Accessed 13^th December 2019] Available: https://bottleneckgallery.com/blogs/news/the-dark-knight-by-juan-carlos-ruiz-burgos-on-sale-info

Braid, A (2014) Scruffy Nerfherder Presents: The Top 10 Best Batmans. [Online][Accessed 13^th December 2019] Avilable: http://scruffynerfherderreviews.blogspot.com/2014/08/scruffy-nerfherder-presents-top-10-best.html

Christopher Nolan: ‘The Real Deal’

With the start of his career (The Following), he is been considered as one of intellectual and innovative directors to come up with the stories like Memento, Insomnia, Prestige and many others. Inspired by the great Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick, Nolan was now becoming new director in Hollywood town.

Though the reviews did help Nolan to get the status of an auteur, each movie he directed was step forward for him to join the likes of the elites. But I believe the stories he narrated in his styles using jump cuts, non-linear story telling style, having the same music composer Hans Zimmer(well since his movie ‘Prestige’) were the main factors that lead him to be an auteur. Though the stories may seem confusing, (probably in paper) Nolan’s style has made the viewers to understand the story better.

His movies mainly revolve around a certain theme, personally as an audience I could relate to, themes like ‘Order and Chaos’, ‘Reality and Dream’, ‘Time and Space’. But even in ‘Dunkirk’, though there was no theme, it was still captivating to watch with his edgy and darker tone, music that keeps rising to thrilling scenes. This technique and supervising every aspect of his film from start to finish inspired me and hopefully I have the same determination and command to be a creative force to be a film makers .

Domaradzki, G (2013) Inception [Online] [Accessed on 13^th December 2019] Available on: https://iamgabz.com/Inception

Türkoğlu, Y (2016) I N T E R S T E L L A R Poster Design [Online] [Accessed on 13^th December 2019] Available on: https://www.artpeoplegallery.com/n-t-e-r-s-t-e-l-l-r-poster-design/

Auteur: Quentin Tarantino 2

Lets continue,

In the previous blog I mentioned Quentin Tarantino to break the conventional laws of film making. What makes him as the perfect author? Is that he not only directs, but also writes his own scripts, and visually narrates the stories in the most creative way possible, also known as, ‘Quentin way’. Although, he is known to break the genre convention; but at the same time he has a similar pattern to showcase his story, across many of his movies you would see a pattern emerge. What I mean by this is though he might be the maddening director to work with; but there is definitely a ‘method to his madness’.

And here are some of his method’

• Camera work- through out the movies you will see, certain camera works like ‘eye of god’, ‘instant zoom on a character’ and ‘car trunk shot’.
• using witty dialogues and extremely racist slurs.
• gritty and gruesome deaths
• the underdog character who defeats the villain.

He certainly is an inspiration to amateur directors, such as myself who believe that directing as to be done in certain manner. But watching his first movie ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and reading and listening to critics who oppose his style, it has shown me to have an open approach towards directing. As I go through this training of being a director Quentin has taught me, that directors are story tellers and it’s up to them how they showcase it to the audience.

Budich, J (2011) Kill Bill. [Online]. [Accessed on 13th December 2019] Available from: http://www.joshuabudich.com/portfolio-2011#/kill-bill/

Auteur: Quentin Tarantino

Gambriel, M. (2016) Kill Bill Uma Thurman[Online]. [Accessed on 13th December 2019] Available from: http://www.mikegambriel.com/work#/kill-bill/

Reflection 1

About myself and Auteur

Since childhood I’ve been fascinated by films and filmmakers and admired their style of story telling. But to me, the film that inspired to me the most was, “The Dark Knight”. Christopher Nolan has convinced me the style of Auteur Film making. After watching, many other films of different Auteur Filmmakers, I’ve noticed that it is not just the style; but also they share a piece of themselves to the audience.

So my blog is exploring this theory, as I go in depth with my research and also be analysing the works of famous directors who are considered as Authors of their project. I will be looking into certain directors of the 21st Century, some you may have heard of, and for other you may have seen their films but not know their names. As we progress in with the blogs, I’ll be looking into certain aspects and tools directors have used to gain recognition as auteur. Apart from directors and author ship, we also look into certain auteurs of the Indian cinema and also look into the new comer director and see whether they have any authorship in them or not.

I hope my blogs are as informative to you as they are for me, and also enjoyable.

Leader,M (2019) 10 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies. [Online] [Accessed 13 December 2019] Available on: https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/alfred-hitchcock/22201/10-best-alfred-hitchcock-movies.

Kaun, N.  Kubricks posters by Rusian artist Nikita Kaun. [Online] [Accessed 13^th December 2019] Available on: https://www.reddit.com/r/StanleyKubrick/comments/aip0ql/kubrick_posters_by_russian_artist_nikita_kaun/

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Jacey (2018) Empire Magazine- Martin Scorsese Film [Online] [Accessed 13^th December 2019] Available on: http://www.jacey.com/Portfolios/titles/800/Emma, G

(2018) Steven Spielberg Movies [Online] [Accessed 13^th December 2019] Available on: https://missdenglishclass.wordpress.com/2018/12/09/steven-spielbergs-movies/