Slavoj Zizek spills the somewhat messy beans on his favourite films for The Criterion Collection. Classic Zizek: illuminating, amusing, bemusing and somehow a bit annoying. Interesting to hear what he says about liking Criterion for the bonus features it provides, in particular the commentaries, saying that he often prefers these to the films themselves – a statement which is in direct contrast to one made by a top, oscar-winning director in our shop a month or so ago who wanted to buy some BFI blu-ray films by Pasolini, only to balk at the price. When it was pointed out to him that the BFI put together a fantastic package of additional material, he said he’d rather just pay a fiver for the film and not bother with the notes… It occurred to me to suggest that perhaps his own films might be only worth a fiver, but that actually someone like Pasolini was worth investing in and whilst his own films – perhaps with one exception – aren’t especially note-worthy, the same can’t be said for PASOLINI for christsake. Funny that one of his films should be mentioned by Zizek here.. Hmm. Whoever could I mean? Anyway, here’s Zizek being considerably more generous:
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THE FILMS:
Zizek: for its critique of capitalism.
Alternatives: Frank Capra’s ‘You Can’t Take it With You’, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Meet John Doe’. Also, Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Modern Times’. For something a bit more..obscure, try Pasolini’s ‘Porcile‘ (‘PIGSTY’) (1969).
Zizek: for its depiction of the corruption of the American press.
Alternatives: Noam Chomsky’s ‘ Manufacturing Consent’, Frank Capra’s ‘ Meet John Doe’ and Billy Wilder’s ‘ Ace in the Hole‘ (1951).
CARL THEODOR DREYER:
ROSSELLINI’S HISTORY FILMS:
The Age of the Medici (1973)
Alternative Rossellinis: the film that brought neorealism to the attention of the world:’Rome, Open City‘ (1946). Also, ‘Journey to Italy’ (1953), starring his then wife, Ingrid Bergman who was blacklisted by Hollywood for her affair with the director ( both were married at the time it began).
“Otherwise a failure.”
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Pervert’s Guide to the Cinema (2006) – dir. Sophie Fiennes.
posted by Dixie Turner
