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  1. #1
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    I've recently become very cynical about the dross being produced for both silver screen and television; so much so, that I've decided to withdraw from this shallow world of mainstream media. Yes sir, you heard me right. I've decided to compile a list of films that have been deemed over the years to be 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow' with a view to actually renting or buying them at a later date. I'll start the ball rolling with a selection of celebrated works:



    Andrey Rublyov

    8 1/2

    The Mirror

    L'avventura

    Stalker

    2001: A Space Odyssey

    The Seventh Seal

    Trois Couleurs

    The Sacrifice

    Last Year at Marienbad

    Stalker

    Rashomon

    Solyaris

    La Dolce Vita

    Nostalghia

    Journal D'un Curé De Campagne

    Idi i Smotri

    Smultronstället



    More to follow..

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Country: UK batman's Avatar
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    Out of that lot I can recommend Stalker, The Seventh Seal, Three Colours Trilogy, La Dolce Vita, Solyaris (give the under-rated remake a look as well), L'Avventura and Rashomon.



    All fine films indeed.



    For your consideration ....



    Summer with Monika

    The Virgin Spring

    Stray Dog

    Le Jour Se Leve



    More to follow!

  3. #3
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    lol somewhat subjective I would say.

  4. #4
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    Interesting to note that there isn't a true British film amongst them!

  5. #5
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    name='Azanti']lol somewhat subjective I would say.


    Surely one's choice of films to enjoy is always subjective.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Country: UK Moor Larkin's Avatar
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    name='Joenoir']Interesting to note that there isn't a true British film amongst them!
    That must be why they always have sub-titles...

  7. #7
    Administrator Country: Wales Steve Crook's Avatar
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    name='nandywell']I've recently become very cynical about the dross being produced for both silver screen and television; so much so, that I've decided to withdraw from this shallow world of mainstream media. Yes sir, you heard me right. I've decided to compile a list of films that have been deemed over the years to be 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow' with a view to actually renting or buying them at a later date. I'll start the ball rolling with a selection of celebrated works:



    ...



    More to follow..


    What do you think makes a film 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow'?

    I could probably add to the list but I'd like to know what your criteria are.



    I'll start with A Matter of Life and Death which is both very accessible and very intellectual at the same time with it's mentions of classic literature and poetry, figures and events from history mentioned and portrayed, questioning about the survival of the human soul after death and the detailed, and extremely accurate medical analysis



    Steve

  8. #8
    Super Moderator Country: UK christoph404's Avatar
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    name='nandywell']I've recently become very cynical about the dross being produced for both silver screen and television; so much so, that I've decided to withdraw from this shallow world of mainstream media. Yes sir, you heard me right. I've decided to compile a list of films that have been deemed over the years to be 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow' with a view to actually renting or buying them at a later date. I'll start the ball rolling with a selection of celebrated works:



    Andrey Rublyov

    8 1/2

    The Mirror

    L'avventura

    Stalker

    2001: A Space Odyssey

    The Seventh Seal

    Trois Couleurs

    The Sacrifice

    Last Year at Marienbad

    Stalker

    Rashomon

    Solyaris

    La Dolce Vita

    Nostalghia

    Journal D'un Curé De Campagne

    Idi i Smotri

    Smultronstället



    More to follow..


    Sounds like you are referring to what is often called the "art film" i.e. non mainstream films often with small budgets and non star actors? Films which do not rely on lavish sets or effects but concentrate on modest settings , with intelligent dialogue and a focus on character relationships and often have some allegorical message to convey. I would say films like "Withnail and I", "Local Hero" and "The Draughtsmans Contract" would fall into that category. I would also say France and Italy have a richer history of that type of film making and multiplexes in those countries still show small independent "art" or "high brow"movies as well as the blockbusters, I don't think that is the case in the UK (not outside London anyway) "Blow Up" is considered an art movie and was directed by an Italian filmaker. Linsday Anderson made some interesting films, the best of which was "If" . Bernardo Bertulluci made a very controversial "art" film in the 70s with "Last Tango in Paris" which became a main stream hit.... any one guess why?

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Country: UK batman's Avatar
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    name='christoph404'] Bernardo Bertulluci made a very controversial "art" film in the 70s with "Last Tango in Paris" which became a main stream hit.... any one guess why?


    Gato Barbieri's superb jazz score!

  10. #10
    Super Moderator Country: UK christoph404's Avatar
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    name='batman']Gato Barbieri's superb jazz score!


    Quite right, didn't think anyone would get that.

  11. #11
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    A few more "arty-farty" films that I like are .....



    The Magician

    Belly of An Architect (UK/Italy)

    Burn!

    Battle of Algiers

    It Happened Here (UK)

    Ivan the Terrible Pts 1 and 2

    Ashes and Diamonds

    Kanal

    A Generation

    Ossessione

    Alexander Nevsky

    Butterfly Kiss (UK)

    Close My Eyes (UK)

  12. #12
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    What do you think makes a film 'Intellectual' or 'High-Brow'?


    It's difficult to really define. There are many films out there that have tried to achieve this status but failed for one reason or another. It's merely only my observation but, as I scroll down the list of films that I mentioned in kick starting this thread, they almost all seem to share a number of characteristics, these being: time and pace being of no real consequence, unorthodox cinematography and a charming modesty in plot, performance and execution.

  13. #13
    Senior Member Country: Great Britain Mark O's Avatar
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    Would not 'les yeux sans Visage' be classed as an 'Intellectual' Film........I think it should!

  14. #14
    Administrator Country: Wales Steve Crook's Avatar
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    name='batman']A few more "arty-farty" films that I like are .....



    The Magician


    Which version? There have been quite a few with that title



    Steve

  15. #15
    Administrator Country: Wales Steve Crook's Avatar
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    name='nandywell']It's difficult to really define. There are many films out there that have tried to achieve this status but failed for one reason or another. It's merely only my observation but, as I scroll down the list of films that I mentioned in kick starting this thread, they almost all seem to share a number of characteristics, these being: time and pace being of no real consequence, unorthodox cinematography and a charming modesty in plot, performance and execution.


    Well in that case, would you add a few more P&P films to the list?

    As well as AMOLAD mentioned above I'd suggest that I Know Where I'm Going!, A Canterbury Tale and probably The Edge of the World probably also fit that bill.



    As for those that have tried but failed, it could be a bit like trying to create a cult film or book? You can't create one, you have to let the people decide that it is one



    Steve

  16. #16
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    name='Steve Crook']Which version? There have been quite a few with that title



    Steve


    Ingmar Bergman's The Magician. I should have used the Swedish or even the UK title ... which is The Face



    Ansiktet (1958)

  17. #17
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    hum 'Intellectual' movie are simply subjective depending on you IQ

  18. #18
    Super Moderator Country: UK christoph404's Avatar
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    name='michaelswings']hum 'Intellectual' movie are simply subjective depending on you IQ


    Isn't IQ based on a mathematical deduction which is an accepted scale in measuring intelligence? Intellect is not really subjective because it can be measured can't it? A person of low intelligence might form the opinion that a Steven Segal action film is a high brow offering but I think that might mean that they are deluded rather than forming a subjective conclusion.

  19. #19
    Administrator Country: Wales Steve Crook's Avatar
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    name='batman']Ingmar Bergman's The Magician. I should have used the Swedish or even the UK title ... which is The Face



    Ansiktet (1958)




    There are a few others called The Face as well





    Rex Ingram's The Magician (1926) is quite good as well



    Steve

  20. #20
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    name='Steve Crook']There are a few others called The Face as well





    Rex Ingram's The Magician (1926) is quite good as well



    Steve


    Yes indeed. I'm glad I put the original title up as well or else I could have been bombarded with queries from Robert Carlyle fans!



    The Ingram film does sound interesting.

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