Showing now
Sheer brilliance. The genius of this film makes itself clear in the opening minutes, and things go steadily uphill from there. I haven't really seen this since about 1972 when it was shown at the student film club at Wolverhampton Poly. I was high on mescaline and the film marked me profoundly, and set me on the path of european art/intello cinema which I haven't quit since.
Last night I watched Antonioni's 'The Passenger', which I hadn't seen since it came out in 1975. I remember going to The Duke's Playhouse Cinema with Stevie one afternoon during my first year at Lancaster Uni. It's a thrilling film, beautifully shot, exquisitely written, powerfully acted (Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Ian Hendry, Jenny Runnacre - and a very young Steven Berkoff) and subtly directed by The Master. A worthy sucessor to 'Blow Up'.
* * * * *
Very disturbed night. I awoke at 03:30 and didn't get back to sleep until 5am or so. Strong dreams - the second about making a big heroin deal with some very dangerous and violent criminals. The first was about a betting scam whose unravelling was interrupted by my awaking (in pain). Since I re-awoke at 09:15 (extremely late for me), the receding constipation has given way the the predictable and inevitable squits. All that I've been spared is the runny nose and the shakes. Quite takes me back.
The nurse (male) was in excellent humour this morning, and it's so mild I haven't (even) yet switched on the heating. There is talk that my sick-leave may be extended.
Time for a bit of lunch - then back to Fellini.
Hang loose, y'all