Why not watch The Man From U.N.C.L.E. with your uncle?

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a modern adaptation of a legendary 1964 black & while TV series. Set in a cold war scenery - it is a story of 2 agents from opposite sides of the nuclear conflict and their feisty girlfriend Gaby. Traditionally enemies - they unite in order to confront a new player on a scene of radioactive power who becomes a threat to the order.

Napoleon Solo is a former thief, turned CIA agent with a perfect British accent, spotless manners and a fantastic suit. Illya Kuryakin is a Russian spy in a leather jacket and a flat hat who can run as fast as the bad robot in Terminator 2 and damage a car with his bare hands. Solo is smooth. Illya is rough. When Illya goes around fighting, destroying motorboats and almost dying - Solo listens to romantic music, eats grapes and makes love to beautiful women in white lace underpants. Naturally challenging and hating one another to start with - they need to work together. But how will it be even possible?

With references to fashion, a subtle gey theme (or rather a bromance), fantastic scenery of car races, glamorous parties attented by the rich and famous and the city of Rome as a picturesque background - it is the most enjoyable film to watch.

Legend: Gangster Twins of London

"Legend" is a new film by Brian Helgeland starring Tom Hardy as both Reggie and Ronnie Kray - the gangster twins who ruled London in the 1950s and 1960s.

Reggie meets Frances - a red-haired girl from East End. He is gorgeousely good looking and romantic - she is shy and sweet. He tells her he is not a gangster but a businessman who might have done a few things on the boarder of the law but from now on would like to live an honest life and have a family. Problems start when he tries to focus on his marriage but gets into trouble protecting his mentally ill twin Ronnie.

Surrounded by toy boys Ronnie gets into sexual contacts with some male politicians which leads into a scandal. Essentially sweet and volnurable - he turns into a dangerous man because of his illness and can't cope on his own. He needs his brother to take care of him. But how is that going to work if Reggie has a new wife and wants more "me" time to enjoy other aspects of life than harrassement, fraud, beating people up and killing them if necessary?

The film is a masterpiece within its own rights. Tom Hardy does such a great job playing two different characters that it is hard to believe it is really the same guy. There are also plenty of scenes where both Reggie and Ronnie are together in. Technology and effects involved in that are remarkable. The film lacks some historical accuracy though. "Legend" sells the London equvalent of Al Capone to the American  and gey audience perfectly well but it falls into a bit of a cliche in the way of describing their lives.

Ronnie and Reggie Kray were gangsters who managed to cross over from the world of crime to the world of celebrities. They started as professional boxers and used their skills when providing "protection" for London businesses in their early career. Although cruel and ruthless - they were also quite likeable. They mixed with aristocrats and artists. Their lives have been photographed by David Bailey. Ronnie - pictured as gey in the film - was essentially bisexual. Although he had  sexual relationships with men - he also got married twice in his life and had some very strong feelings for women. Reggie's first wife - Frances - presented as a victim in the film - was actually a glamorous young lady who outshone Barbara Windsor and some other female stars Reggie had been seeing back in the days. 

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

I neglecled this blog for 2 years thinking that it has no viewers only to find out that over that time it has been visited by 67 000 people. Not bad. Thank you for that. It is like finding out that in high-school you turned heads of the biggest sweethearts even though you were the most unpopular kid.

Over this time I have started some new projects which took most of my attention. But writing and sharing thoughts with others is an enjoyable way to pass time.

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl is an endearing film I watched yesterday in the Stratford-upon-Avon Picturehouse. It tells a story of a teenage boy called Greg whose friend from school Rachel has been diagnosed with blood cancer. Greg and his best mate Earl have been making low budget films ever since childhood and now have a collection of 42 home productions - each one with a seperate poster that really tells the story. The films are a few minutes impressions on some contemporary movie classics like The Clockwork Orange or Eyes Wide Shut. 

Rachael finds out about them and watches them all. It is all very secret as she is the only person in the world apart from Greg's quirky dad who has ever been allowed to do that. And she loves them. This way or another the boys decide to make a film specially for her using their cheap cameras and a phone. 

Greg spends time with Rachel everyday after school as her condition deteriorates. She loses her hair, but wears a funky pink wig and a Boy George hat. He makes comments about fluffy pillows and a tree wallpaper in her girly room. She enjoys his sense of humour.

It is a rather raw love story full of art, where a young man walks into a girl's intimate world at the time most difficult for her and doesn't quite know how to go about it. But he decides to stand by. No kisses. Beautiful.

David Wants To Fly - Spiritual Enlightenment or Business

After having won an internet quiz with a main prize in a form of a 48-hour free access to an online film base, I am spending 2 days glued to my laptop screen, using the free access code up to the limit. As a result of that I have broadened my cultural horizonts and got to the level of intellectual enlightenment. And so I will tell you about an interesting documentary from 2010 I have just seen.

David Wants To Fly is a story of a German guy - David Sieveking - who wants to make films, but is not quite sure where to start from. As David Lynch is one of his idols, he takes part in Transcendental Meditation course organized by the acclaimed director. After having spent a few thousand Euros on seminars, he meets the leaders of TM movement and carries on meditating in order to calm down his crazy mind and pursue with the filmmaking career. He travels to India and meets religious gurus living high in the mountains, wearing orange robes and meditating on the real pursue of life. By some point he starts asking a question: "Where is the line between spirituality and business?".

The film is a documentary on TM organization and religion on the whole, but also the author's love life and spiritual journey. It ends with an interesting sentence: "When someone shows you the way, he may as well lead you astray". David Sieveking introduces us into the amazing world of spirituality, but then tells us that a bit of skepticism is not so bad at all.

DJANGO - Entertaining History Of Slavery

After just having seen 'Django Unchained' this evening I am back from the picture house, on my sofa, with the dog at my feet. I have only had as little as a tuna sandwich since I have came back home. Having saved myself from starvation, with hands on my laptop, I am about to answer the question which you are all surely asking: 'Was it a good film at all?'.

It was a brilliant film indeed. Brutal and violent at times, it depicts a story of Django - a black slave (Jamie Foxx, famous for his leading role in Oscar nominated 'Ray') who helps a very charismatic and eccentric Dr. Schultz (Christoph Waltz, previousely in 'Inglourious Basterds') catch criminals and collect bounty for them. Dr. Schultz trains Django and offers him a job as a killer.

Like in all Tarantino's films we have a clash of music styles, witty conversations, gun fights, blood and dark humor. It is a bit of an irony that it is up to this particular director to reconnect us to the difficult chapters of human history in a way that is somewhat entertaining.

'Django Unchained' is a remake of 1966 film. Original 'Django' earned a reputation as being one of the most violent movies ever made up to that point and was subsequently refused a certificate in Britain until 1993.

Frankenweenie

Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie' is a story of a lovely dog Sparky and his young owner Victor. Due to an unfortunate car accident Sparky dies. But before he rests his poor dog's bones in peace Victor brings him back to life using his knowledge of science and an experiment with electricity. Soon everybody learns about Victor's zombie-pet messing around the town. Experimental technology which brings the dead back to life ends up in the hands of the wrong people. But the love beetween Victor and his dog prevails and saves the town!

Black and white 'hand-made' animation. 87 minutes. Brilliant!

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Maya Persson  

Difficult Love

Two Lovers' DVD cover looks typical. But one shouldn't judge a book by the cover or a DVD by the front image. What I thought would be a predictable romance came out to be a stunning masterpiece where a troubled young man (talented Joaquin Phoenix) with a passion for photography has got to choose between an arranged marriage (Vinessa Shaw) and a beautiful but difficult lover he naturally feels connceted to (Gwyneth Paltrow).

Two Lovers takes its inspiration from Fyodor Dostoyevsky's short story White Nights and, like old Russian dramas, trows us into a middle of an emotional conflict where the choice between passion and convienience is not easy. It kept me masmerised and unsure about what was going to happed untill the very last last second of the film. And even after it finished I remained under the spell of this intimate story.

Directed by James Gray, released in 2008, also stars Isabella Rossellini, Moni Moshonow and Elias Kotenas.

Maja Persson at London Short Film Festival opening night

I am very pleased to announce that next Friday - January 6th - I will perform as a VJ at London Short Film Festival opening party. The Festival is a celebration of cinema and has got an interesting program including projections, workshops and meetings. Audio Network will share their expertise about clearing music rights for short films. East London Lomography Shop and Gallery will host filmmaking workshops with the use of Lomo cameras. This and much more here: LSFF Program
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LSFF2012 Trailer w/ The Strumpettes from London Short Film Festival on Vimeo.

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This and much more of my work you will see live during the event. See you there. And don't miss out on the festival.

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World's Sexiest And Most Inspiring Actors

I present a very subjective ranking of the world's sexiest and most inspiring men actors.

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Robert Downey Jr

Al Pacino

Michael Biehn

Kiefer Sutherland

Samuel Worthington

Leonardo Di Caprio

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TRON And Its' Fantasmas

Psychologic Insight Into Science-Ficion
TRON 1982
Steven Lisberger
TRON Legacy 2010
Joseph Kosinski
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Jean Baudrillard - a famous philosopher - in his books uses the phrase "fanstasma". It is a combination of words "fantasy" and "dogma" and describes subconciuos meanings which appear in all generations throughout the history of humankind. Sometimes they change in time, sometimes they remain the same for centuries and motivate us, usually without our knowledge. Fantasma is a dogma for our mind which we secretly want to brake.

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One of the dogmas of our existece is that we can't live life on trial. We have only one copy of our entity. And it somehow seems not to be very fair, as we can test everything else before we learn how to use it properly or before we buy it. Here we are left with no sample tests. Our choices are irreversible. It is frustrating and risky. That is why people have always been trying to create a different world, an alternative universe for ourselves which we can go into if the hard copy of our life appears full of bugs.

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Men have always been moving on a border of two or more worlds. But somehow we know it is wrong to give up life in this reality for a life in a different one without superior force's permission (God's, destiny's, fortune's) and escape. Fantasma in this case is a wishful thought that we on our own can get away to a new dimension, somehow quit being ourselves, but not die and turn into a new, better entity. When technology appeared, people started fantasizing about turning complitely into a machine or a system - a new form of perfect, controlled existence. And they have been afraid of machines becoming self-aware, turning against them.

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I guess I enjoy science fiction movies and comics because they always move in the area of those subconcious meanings.

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"TRON" - a famous science fiction movie from 1982 - tells a story of a genius programmer and arcade games geek - Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) - who brakes into a large system - the Master Control Program (=MCP). It turns out the MCP gained independence and became a self-aware unit which aims at taking control of world's military defense systems.

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Kevin's ex-girlfriend Laura with a team of scientists creates a special molecular laser which, pointed at any objects, captures it, makes it dissappear and restores it in the cyberspace. Later the laser makes the object go back from the virtual space to our world again. The MCP becomes very powerful, turns the laser on itself and traps Kevin in the digital universe - The Grid.

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In The Grid Kevin realises the computer world is a space full of mountains, casms, vehicles and buildings where programs live their lives. Programs are not just lines of code - they all have a human form, wear funny futuristic clothes and helmets with fluorescent circuits. Every Program, in order to perform its' task, has got to fight like a warrior, climb hills, jump out of windows and risk life. Programs look like those who wrote them - The Users. Kevin wants to reach the brain of Master Control Program and shut it down. On his way he meets TRON - a program written by his friend. Surprisingly or not TRON has got a face and body of his human author.

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"TRON" is a story based on a fantasma of digital world of machines being alive. It is a mysterious dream about the inside of a computer system, which at that time was something people didn't have much idea about. There is a sense of enchantment with the new technology and fear of it. In the Medieval times people wrote stories about monsters and cyclopes living in distant lands or sees, because they had to fill the unknown space with life. The forms of life they created in their myths represented their fear, but at the same time fascination with the unknown and the extent of their imagination. Here people had to fill the unknown level of new technology with some life, too. "TRON" is in fact a very optimistic fantasy about this relatively barren land of programs and computers.

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2010 "TRON - Legacy" is the continuation of the original. Special effects are boosted a million times. The Grid is actually very much a Cyberpunk world. Vehicles and gadgets are upgraded, but they keep the spirit and idea of their originals. Music written by Daft Punk has got somewhat Kraftwerk's feeling. The movie is made both for the old TRON lovers and the young audience. Make ups and clothes are trully amazing and incredibly impressive. The Grid universe is solid. It is made in the 3D technology which increases the experience of adventure and being trapped in an alternative universe..

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Of course 1982 "TRON" was not deep psychological drama or an avantgarde picture. But its' screenplay was very innovative for that time. It was written when internet we now know didn't exist. And people had absolutely no clue the phenomenon of cyberspace would soon become a regular experience. They were enchanted with the idea of turning complitely into a digital signal and dissappearing from our world. In the movie there are a lot if 3D effects which at that time were probably incredibly innovative. Now they look very basic and naive, but at the same time a bit nostalgic. "TRON - Legacy" somehow grips the feeling of this nostalgia and memories, but in the spirit of now available technology and style. All representative elements from the first part are genuinly restored and upgraded, but with a bit of a retro geek touch. Even though there are compromises, there is a connection between the vintage past and modern presence in this sequel. And it is something to be appreciated.

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District 9 - A Breakthrough In The Science Fiction Cinema

District 9

Director: Neill Blomkamp

2009

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I had doubts before watching "District 9" science fiction movie, because my friend told me the film was sad. The weather was gloomy and I was not in the mood for more sadness. However I decided to take my chance. And it was a good decision.

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"District 9" is one of the best science-fiction movies in the history of filmmaking. It is shot in a form of a documentary, showing and event which didn't happen in fact as if it occured for real: the landing of aliens' massive spacecraft in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. The film includes footage imitating survailence and news material, interviews with experts and citizens. It is a masterpiece in the way it is delivered.

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The film starts in 1982, when a large alien spaceship appeareas over Johannesburg and suspends in the air like a gigantic dark cloud. People are patrified. After 2 months the government and the military decides to get into the alien vehicle. They cut its' cover with laser and drills and open it mechanically. When they get inside, they discover hundreds of sick, exhausted, gaunt newcomers. They feed them and deliver medical help. Later they locate them in the city's special zone - District 9 - which becomes in fact a refugee camp for the alien population.

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After 20 years from then, the spacecraft still hovers motionless over the city. It hasn't at all moved. Being a host to the new arrivals becomes a prolonging burden to the citizens and the government. The aliens do not integrate with the human civilisation. They have their own customs which are not understood. They are bigger and stronger than people and thus people fear them. Medical help and food supplies are cut off. Nobody wants to sustain a population which is not only unfamiliar and foreing, but is not even human. Aliens are not allowed into shops or bars, so they can't buy food. They haven't got a work permit, so they can't sustain themselves in a normal, respectful way. They are marginalised and closed in their district which in time becomes slums where living conditions are unhumane. But people don't find it all that wrong, because aliens are not humans, so they don't have to be respected. Our world demonstrates superiority and holds the new civilisation in a grip. The courtesy and kindness given first to sick and needy new commers is short-term and turns into opression and negligence.

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People of Johannesburg want to get rid of the spacecraft and the growing alien population, but they don't know how. Also they have their own interest in keeping the new commers - they constantly examine their modern weapons which they want to use, with no results however. The stunning, powerful laser guns work only in contact with the alien DNA which means that in human hands they are useless. The governement tries to figure out a way to combine human and alien genes, make use of the advanced weapons and progess on the way of military domination.

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By some point it turns out that the aliens, called offensively "Prawns" because of their particular anatomy, do not at all wish to stay on Earth. For 20 years they have been collecting fuel for their spacecraft which they want to leave our planet with. Nobody knows or realises that, as nobody wishes to communicate with them. Aliens don't trust humans and don't reveal their plan to them. People of Johannesburg decide to move the new commers to a new District_10, miles away from the city, which creates a lot of tension, because "Prawns" have their secret underground laboratory is in District 9 and it's their only hope for ever going back home. Also the new camp offers far worse living conditions.

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The movie in not only a well delivered futuristic fiction, but a metaphor of our world's problems. It in fact deals with the issues of refugees, foreing immigrants, fear, untolerance, racism and segregation. The cast is relatively unknown, but the roles are strong and impressive. "District 9" was released in 2009. It is directed by Neill Blomkamp, written by Neill Blomkamp and Teri Tatchel, produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. It was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2010 including Best Special Effects, Best Picture and Best Editing. Daniel Falconer has written a book "The Art Of District 9" detailing the process of designing aliens, their spacecraft and futuristic armament.

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I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK

Comedy/Romance/Science-Fiction/Drama
Film
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"I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK" is a Korean film from 2006 about a girl who believes she is a machine. She speaks to electronic devices such as light bulbs, radios and coffee-makers and thinks they talk back and share their energy with her, so she doesn't have to eat. As a human being she doesn't understand the purpose of her life. All machines have a very simple purpose of existence. A light bulb gives light, an electric kettle boils water etc. So she starts to believe she is in fact a robot inside, a sort of a Terminator, whose purpose is to kill people.

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Of course by some point she find herself in a hospital for mentally ill people. She meets a very nice boy there who helps her, but in a special way - he lets her believe she is still a robot.

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It is a great and very funny movie by Chan-wook Park. He is an acclaimed filmmaker who in the past made serious documentaries. Here he makes a comedy which makes you laugh, but at the same time shows the complexity and sensivity of human psyche. It referes strongly to popculture and the fascination with technology. People's fantasies are not ridiculed even though they are amazingly grotesque. The hospital becomes a world in which everything is possible, a sort of a fairy-tale. The film has also got strong special effects which make it fun to watch.

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The film's message is that we are all a bit crazy, but it is not a crime to be crazy in a good way if it helps you move on in life. Sometimes we hide in the world of fantasies, because of our family's or environment's bad influence or pressure and the illusion is all we have left. And also it is fine. At the same time we are allowed to burry bad memories, get healed and start again.

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THE BEST OF FLASH!

Cinematheque

/streaming media project environments/

Open competition
for artists working
entirely in Flash.

Cinematheque is very happy to launch a new call for 2009 for artists workind enrirely in Flash. Theme: Flash - as a medium and tool for artistic creations.

Films/animations must be created between 2000 and 2009.
Linear, non-linear or interactive,
ARTISTIC, non-commercial and not for any particular client.
Max. 1000x7000 pixels.
Up to 3 films.
Up to 1 MB - upload via Cinematheque website.
Bigger than 1 MB- upload via www.SENDSPACE.com.
Deadline: August 31 '09.

Details:
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=408
I encourage all Flash artists to participating!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROBBY THE ROBOT and THE TECHY FETISH

Robby is a friendly robot who first appeared in "Forbidden Planet" science-fiction movie from 1956. Though the film now seems to be a bit old-fashioned, it has its devoted fans in the world. Many of them collect original items or recently manufactured toys and gadgets connected with the movie.

I was actually born during the Communism. At that time we had rather simple toys and there was not much of a choice - just a couple of shapes and designs. One of them was a plastic earthworm made of 3 balls, one put on the top of the other, with two antennas sticking out of its head. It was usually in the colour of wrinkled leaves, super-cloudy sky, melted banana ice-creams and dead oranges. I guess there was also a violet version, but it was also dim, let's say it was in the shade of grape juice which you put in a glass, but forgot to drink and reminded yourself about after 2 years. I guess these toys and colours could have been the reason for my depressive childhood. The earthworm was made of very hard plastic. My mother was afraid I would pick out my eyes with the toy's antennas, so she cut them off. They should have used softer material to produce that toy. I had indifferent attitude towards the earthworm when I was a child. I rather used it for decoration in my room or in the castles which I used to build with my great-grandmother. I didn't really play with it. However, when I think of it now, I feel nostalgic.

Robby The Robot actually reminds me of my Communist childhood earthworm toy. He brings a lot of positive feelings into my heart. Robby was also constructed out of several balls, one put on the top of another. His character was inspired by Ariel - a ghost, a forest spirit and a servant from one of Shakespeare's play. It is an interesting transition to me. A character who in the old drama came from the world of magic, in a new interpretation comes from the world of technology.

I have been wondering about this techy fetish in the contects of robots. As you can see it in vintage science-fiction movie posters, there are fainting women in the arms of robots which reminds me of King-Kong and Ann Darrow. Machines seem to have sexual feelings towards women, though it is obvious that a human is not an appropriate partner for a machine. What aspects of our subconsciousness robots represent? It seems that they represent male and animal energy which dominates women. However in old films robots are usually rather simple, they move in a bit awkward way, they don't harm humans and protect the female character. Robby was a faithful servant with an intelligence of a child or a dog. In the vintage photos "Forbidden Planet's" leading actress Anne Francis seems to flirt a bit with Robby. Perhaps this represents somewhat teenage fascination with women and female's desire to have a faithful friend and a slave? It is a bit risky to go deeper into that. Vintage robots/women photographs and posters are confusing, but at the same time intriguing.

Robby became a huge inspiration for a generation. Until 1970 he appeared in several movies and TV-series. After that he had few film roles. He is featured in 2006 commercial of an American telephone industry. He still moves people's hearts and imagination.