Loving Vincent- a very creative collaboration about Vincent Van Gogh

“I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say: he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.”

This quote from Vincent Van Gogh (VGV or Vincent for short) was shared at the end of this wonderfully creative UK-Poland collaboration. About 100 artists worked on the animation for this film and many of the artists also came from other countries.  This animation was inspired by photos and artwork from VGV's life. The artists painted every single frame— 12 frames per second so it was truly a momentous undertaking to create this film! The story that the screenplay was based on was created with his letters, people who knew him and any visual records from his life.

There has been speculation that he didn’t commit suicide and this makes it a mystery story. The plot of this film takes place during the year after VGV’s death. The local postmaster in Arles knew Vincent and was aware of his habit of writing and sending many letters. He gives his son Armand Roulin, the assignment of delivering Vincent’s final letter which was addressed to Vincent's brother Theo Van Gogh. When Armand discovers Theo is dead, he tries to figure out who should receive the letter instead. This leads him to meet a number of interesting characters who knew Vincent.

Those familiar with his works of art will recognize many of the famous pieces that inspired scenes in this film. A few among them are: The Starry Night, Cafe Terrace, Wheat Field, Sower at Sunset, Wheatfield with Crows. Fans of his art will recognize many others including portraits and still life paintings. Even the opening and closing credits are so wonderfully creatively done! There is such Excellent use of light, shadow and colors.

If you are able to get the DVD of this film, be sure to watch the interview with actor Douglas Booth who portrayed Armand Roulin.

Here are some scenes from this film (the first two are from the opening credits and show animation from black & white sketch to full color painting with animation! Quite amazing!):

Here is the official trailer for this film:

Sally Hawkins great actress In 2 films Part 2

In this post, I'll review The Shape of Water (referred to as TSoW for short!), the second recent film starring Sally Hawkins. Directed by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro who also wrote the screenplay, it's a fantasy film set in the 1960's Baltimore, Maryland with the style of architecture, fashions, cars and civil unrest of the time period.

Elisa is a mute woman who lives in an apartment above an old movie theater and across the hall from her best friend Giles (portrayed by Richard Jenkins), who's a frustrated gay artist. She works nights as a cleaner in a research center. What Elisa lacks in conversation, her co-worker Zelda (portrayed by Octavia Spencer) makes up for with her continual sometimes complaining, cursing and amusing chatter while they work together.

Elisa is fascinated by the creature which she attempts to communicate with while Strickland (portrayed by Michael Shannon) treats it with cruelty and contempt. The creature listed as Amphibian Man is portrayed by Doug Jones who's been in other films by del Toro.

I don't want to say much more about the plot except that it's somewhat based on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.

I really enjoyed it for the humor, creativity, mystery, action, romance and that it also made you think about what's communication, acceptance and connection between people and other living beings.

One thing is that it's somewhat a dark film and most of what happens takes place at night.

Here are some quotes from this film:

“The sirens wake you up? There was a fire. The chocolate factory. Do you smell that? Oh my! Toasted cocoa. Tragedy and delight, hand in hand.” —-Giles ( Richard Jenkins)

“If farts were flattery, honey, he’d be Shakespeare.”—-Zelda about her husband Brewster (Octavia Spencer)

“It’s eternal, see? Tantalus never achieved the escape of death because the fruit on the branches was just always out of his reach and the water in the stream receded every time he stooped down to drink. And so that’s why we say things today like...”Look at those tantalizing pies.””—-Giles, who is also beguiled by the pie seller.

“Oh, God, to be young and beautiful. If I could go back to when I was 18, I didn’t know anything about anything, I’d give myself a bit of advice....I would say “Take better care of your teeth and fuck a lot more.””—-Giles 

“Will you look at this? Look. Some of the best minds in the country, peeing all over the floor in this here facility....There’s pee freckles on the ceiling. How’d they get it up there? Just how big a target do they need, you figure? They get enough practice that’s for sure.”—-Zelda

“Oh, no. A man washes his hands before or after tending to his needs. It tells you a lot about a man. He does it both times...points to a weakness in character.”—-Strickland (Michael Shannon)

“They way he looks at me he does not know what I lack or how I am incomplete. He sees me for what I am as I am. He’s happy to see me every time every day. And now I can either save him or let him die.” —-Giles verbalizing Elisa’s signing 

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer for this film: