Jean-Jacques Beineix est mort

[krtek a houby]

Director of Diva and the controversial Betty Blue has died.

Betty Blue director Jean-Jacques Beineix dies aged 75

 

[dessiato]

Betty Blue is a favourite of mine. I shall watch it today in homage.

RIP

 

[ska invita]

...loved both of those films...Cinéma du look is a great phrase.
Ah the pompidou centre....jeam michel jarre...erm....what else...the paris sequence in View to a Kill...tricolore textbooks...80s Paris was tres coool

What was the Betty Blue controversy?
I wonder how it holds up to a modern watch

 

[Reno]

...loved both of those films...Cinéma du look is a great phrase.
Ah the pompidou centre....jeam michel jarre...erm....what else...the paris sequence in View to a Kill...tricolore textbooks...80s Paris was tres coool

What was the Betty Blue controversy?
I wonder how it holds up to a modern watch

The main criticism has always been that Betty and her mental illness are merely a device for the hero to fulfill his potential, a proto-manic pixie dream (eventually nightmare) girl if you will. The film is indifferent to Betty's viewpoint in the story and shows no interest in why she loses her mind. In the end she has to be dispatched for the hero to grow, she's reduced to a tragic episode in his life who will inspire his writing and make him a better artist. Its the type of mainstream art house film which may feel profound to some people because it shocks them into feeling something but it never earns that emotional response because thematically it's a rather shallow (male) romantic fantasy.

 

[ska invita]

The main criticism has always been that Betty and her mental illness are merely a device for the hero to fulfill his potential, a proto-manic pixie dream (eventually nightmare) girl if you will. The film is indifferent to Betty's viewpoint in the story and shows no interest in why she loses her mind. In the end she has to be dispatched for the hero to grow, she's reduced to a tragic episode in his life who will inspire his writing and make him a better artist. I always felt its the type of mainstream art house film which may feel profound to some people because it shocks them into feeling something but it never really earns that emotional response because thematically its rather shallow.

ah thats a shame...i saw it a couple of times as a teen and wouldve missed that element.....my memory was Betty was cool and sympathetic. the mood was strong and felt adult to my teen brain and the film looked stylish. I can well imagine what you describe.

I was in my 30s when i saw Diva, remember it fondly, though I dont remember there being any deeper themes in it, but du Look isnt really about depth .

 

[Sue]

What Reno said.

That bloody poster though. I was a student a few years after the film came out and every single guy I knew had that poster (the one with her forearms crossed and cleavage) on their wall. Showed how deep and arthouse they were or something.

 

[ska invita]

What Reno said.

That bloody poster though. I was a student a few years after the film came out and every single guy I knew had that poster (the one with her forearms crossed and cleavage) on their wall. Showed how deep and arthouse they were or something.

i think thats more of a pin up thing rather than arthouse signaling - i didnt realise its considered art house, just thought it was french! maybe in the 80s that was enough to make it arthouse.
starts with an explicit sex scene which makes an impression on the young

 

[Sue]

i think thats more of a pin up thing rather than arthouse signinalling - i didnt realise its considered art house, just thought it was french! maybe in the 80s that was enough to make it arthouse.
starts with an explicit sex scene which makes an impression on the young

Oh it was both.

 

[krtek a houby]

Great soundtrack and beautiful visuals, at the very least.