MOOD | UPDATE

I was in Berlin last week so will share some stuff about that soon. At the moment I am apartment sitting in Paris and getting some other writing stuff done. Lots of stuff to shove on here but in the meantime here's a list of stuff that made me happy this week (I hope it makes you happy too)....

NEW DEPTFORD GOTH (new album out November)
(Also check out the Jim-E Stack remix of Union)

Films that open with tracking shots from cars and 80's soundtracks aka Polanski's Frantic and Lynche's Lost Highway. The Morricone and Bowie soundtracks help.



Nike's Air Trainer 1 Mid

and sad...

Brand's eulogy for Robin William's is the best I've read: 'Robin Williams’ divine madness will no longer disrupt the sadness of the world' http://gu.com/p/4vkqe/tw 

FILM | JOHN HOPKINS

John Hopkins' original score for the film How I Live Now is some of his best to date (in my humble opinion anyway). The film is good and a lot of that is down to Saoirse Ronan who first really impressed in Hanna and is an interesting actress. However, for me the best thing about the film was the soundtrack and I was very pleased to hear that it's set to be released on just music. This is his second soundtrack having previously scored Monsters and it includes a John Hopkins remix of Daughter's track Home and a stunning collaboration with Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes). Here's a taster...


Kerry

FILM BFF | ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE

When I recently went through the British Film Festival line-up there were a few that made me do a happy dance. This is the first...

It's far from a secret that I adore Jim Jarmusch but it just stepped up a gear as it looks like he's possibly made my idea of a perfect film. His latest pic 'Only Lovers Left Alive' (even has a rad name) is set between the crazily contrasting but equally fascinating Tangier and Detroit and follows the romance between a musician called Adam and his beloved Eve who are, of course, a pair of century old vampires.

                                                                      

Adam's played by the brilliant Tom Hiddleston and then there's the incredibly amazingly amazing and fabulous women that's Tilda Swinton playing eve. Then there's the intriguing Mia Wasikowska as Eve's sis Ava and the total legend that is John Hurt. The soundtrack's going to be brilliant, there are so many literary and music references to enjoy and then there's Jarmusch's deadpan humour.

Existential vampire movies are totally my bag; I count Romero's 'Martin', Scott's 'The Hunger' and Ferrara's 'The Addiction' as personal faves. Also, who can forget the more mainstream but equally creepy 'Interview With a Vampire'. Don't worry, this is no twilight, this is Jarmusch after all. It's getting dark out there so what could be better than catching Jarmusch's take on vampires - with a stellar cast thrown in to boot! This film's going to be cooler than January.

                  

FILM | THE STORY OF A SIGN

Here's a lovely Spanish short to make you smile ready for the weekend...

FILM | PURE BREEDS

Used to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Dudley) and recently stumbled upon this video from writer and filmmaker Graydon Sheppard's surreal new series, Pure Breeds. I don't know if I love or hate it. I'm still very confused TBH...
 
Pure Breeds: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on Nowness.com

VIDEO | LONDON GRAMMAR

Nerdy film post alert! 625 pinhole cameras and a single strip of 35mm film were used to make this video from wearebison !!! Taken me for bloody ever to post this but here you go. Go forth and marvel...


LONDON GRAMMAR - Wasting My Young Years from Bison on Vimeo.

Behind the scenes.


LONDON GRAMMAR - Wasting My Young Years - Behind The Scenes from Academy Plus (A+) on

MUSIC | KIRSTY MCGEE

Kirsty McGee is a lovely Mancunian singer and musician. You might have already heard her latest song Sandman on the soundtrack to Danny Boyle's film Trance. If you did, you will remember because this song floats around your head long after first play. It's calming, feels familiar and quite sexy too (check out the scene in the film if you don't believe me, it'll also provoke some memories). 

Kirsty's music is a mix of styles, from folk to blues to jazz, but always well crafted and parred back; allowing her soothing voice to take centre stage, where she deserves to be. 

FILM | RECOMMENDATIONS

Being fair skinned and reddish haired I am certainly no sun worshiper and will take any excuse to hide out in the dark, plus being a film writer helps. Here's what I plan to watch...



Words cannot express how excited I am about Only Lovers Left Alive. A pseudo vampire movie (being pale I can relate) made by Jarmen and starring Tilda Swinton is my idea of heaven. 

Also, waiting to get word of the distribution of Werner Herzog's new film Queen of the Desert (any tip-offs?). Have high hopes that it'll be a bit odd and more than a bit good.

If you haven't already, do check out these films I reviewed for Candid Magazine - No, We went to War, The Spirit of '45 and Fuck for Forest.

Tom à la Ferme is another Xavier Dolan gem worth clocking.

Excited about The Zero Therorem because Terry Gilliam's films always make uncomfortable viewing, in a good way.

Bit worrying maybe, but still true. I will also be reviewing some films as part of the Chinese Visual Festival running 24th May to 2nd June in London. Worth checking out if you're in London. 

I'm not promising any of the top film's will be good because I haven't seen most of them. I will report back.

FILM | ROAD MOVIE (WEATHER UPDATE INCLUDED)

This year the seasons seem to be inaptly replicating a wobbly band reunion much like Girls Aloud; not sure if they want to come back as a group, or even as individuals, or even at all ever. Who knows! Fans get the odd glimmer of hope in the form of a cheeky little appearance from the sun, but it remains short lived and unflinchingly bitterly cold - not unlike behind the scenes at Girls Aloud HQ (I'd imagine).

At least it's sunny!

Spring has officially sprung, well that is if you go by the date on the calendar or consider that the clocks have gone forward. Like concord, this year's changing seasons are failing to get off the ground and aren't likely fly us into Summer anytime soon. Better off getting a flight to warmer climes. Sorry, but it's true.

It appears that the Season's merriest, and most anticipated star's running late. Rumour has it, Spring's apologised and hinted at an attempt to make an appearance around September time having aimed to swap with Summer but Summer's gone on holiday to the Maldives (permanently. This is partly due to ongoing conflicts with Winter. Autumn needs some leaves to shed before it can get started so Winter continues to be overly enthusiastic, like the person who chooses the "Hell Freezes Over" version of Hotel California at karaoke. Total mood killer.

So folks, it appears that we are going to be hanging out in post-winter for a little longer. One solution is to invest in a road trip and get out of this morbid British climate. Churn up the roads of America's mid-west, bottle of bourbon in hand, looking for trouble. If the wallet won't stretch to a long-haul flight and Chevy rental then it looks like we're turning to the good ol' movie film.

Some total winner's are... 

Badlands
This is the Terence Mallick film that meant audiences were willing to overlook the horrific boob that was an English Patient. When it comes to offering a nostalgic atmosphere full of piercing intensity, Merrick a good bet when on form. This is his best, so put all your money here. A winning road movie if ever there was one.

Paris, Texas
This film is so good that when the credits role you briefly feel a little sorry for all film makers who aren't Wenders. With Paris, Texas, Wenders really set the bar for poignant U.S road movies, thanks in a large part to ridiculously brilliant cinematography and an incredible performance by the master that is Harry Dean Stanton.

True Romance
Surely everybody's seen and loved this. Directed by that film maker dude Tony Scott, with a great screenplay from Tarantino, in this gem of a romantic crime film, Slater and Arquette play one of the coolest and most loveable couples to have graced our screens. Those outfits are perfection! Modern day Bonnie and Clyde, but amped up to an extent that recreates that time before crawling out of a warehouse party at 6am, a time you don't remember but know in your pit that you'd like to go back to again. Take a pro-plus (or whatever's your solution) and go back to this film over and over.

Vanishing Point 
I don't drive, but if I did I would want to drive a Dodge Viper in the manner of Kowalski in this film. 'Everybody's after Kowalski' in Spencer's pure cheesefest of a road movie. Some great cars and cracking chase scenes here.Just listen to that trailer's narrator.Gold.



MORE. Winter's looong and these are all worth watching too...

Natural Born Killers - O Brother, Where Art Thou? - My Own Private Idaho - Thelma and Louise -Planes, Trains and Automobiles - Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia -Kalifornication - Y Tu Mamá También - It Happened One Night - Transamerica - Bonnie and Clyde - Rain Man - The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

If you don't fancy staring at a screen then you could always read a book, or kindle if you really must. Steinbeck's touching tale of his travels with his poodle in Travels with Charlie or quintessential road movie, Kerouac's On the Road are solid options *warning: read, don't watch the film!

So wrap up warm and head off on a journey into warm air and sunnier skies.

FILM | GREGG ARAKI

Araki makes trashy cinema of the highest caliber - tacky tasteless shoegazing overkill ♥ ♥ ♥  His films are kinda like a pot of Fluff, bit wrong, satisfying and leave you feeling a little jumpy. These are two personal 90's faves...
 

FASHION FILM | ADA ZANDITON SS13 - NOW IN FULL!

I mentioned in a previous post how pleased I was to meet and chat with the very talented Ada Zanditon at London Fashion Week. Ada's SS13 collection is really fresh and exciting, I want it all!

Ada very kindly showed me a preview of her amazing fashion film, Tigress Reign, starring Summer Rayne Oakes as The Tigress and Yrsa Daley-Ward as The Hunter - made thanks to sponsorship from Easyjet Holidays.

I'm very excited to now be able to share it in full because it's just stunning! Look!

Shot on location in Cyprus, the film was directed by the incredible Thomas Knights with styling by the lovely Alexis Knox. 

If this film and amazing collection doesn't provoke a longing for the return of summer I don't know what will! Enjoy!

FILM | MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO

I recently re-watched and re-fell-in-love with My Own Private Idaho and of course River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. Released in 1991, Gus Van Sant's brilliant drama is loosely based on Shakespeare's Henry IV P 1-2, and Henry V. The story follows two hustlers and friends, Mike a narcoleptic with an eventful background and Scott who's rebelled to the darkest levels, who choose to escape their crazy outsider criminal lifestyles in Portland and embark on a journey of personal discovery that takes them to Mike's hometown in Idaho and then on to Italy in search of Mike's mother.


This film amazes, shocks and astounds every time you watch it. I never fail to be amazed every time I re-realise Flea plays the ADHD to the max squatter mad head. There's a  brilliant interview in Interview mag with Reeves and Phoenix that captures the playful, rebellious essence behind making of this touching and highly resonant film. Bottom line is, if you haven't (or even if you have already) I urge you to go watch or re-watch this film and try not to be captivated by one of the best film's of the 90's. Salute you Van Sant!

FILM | GERHARD RICHTER PAINTING

'You can only express in words what words are capable of expressing.' 


Film by Corinna Belz 

FILM MEMORIES | FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR

I spent the weekend catching up with old friends and inevitably chatting about our exploits growing up and all the weird and wonderful things that made up our 90's childhood. I've had a recent hankering to watch a film that I absolutely LOVED as a child and haven't seen since I was about 10. This film, like many of the PG cert late 80's and early 90's was fun sci-fi/tech based cinema that both scared and completely intrigued me, and obviously stayed with me into adulthood...

Anybody remember Flight of the Navigator? Ok, it was actually released in 1986 (the year I was born) but it sustained to reach my demographic because it was repeatedly shown on the TV (the power of Disney). Growing up I  must have seen it about 20 times and loved it more and more every time. Far more low budget and simple than Spielberg's sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind and it was Disney's introduction to a the powerful Sci-fi genre that was dominant at that time. It captured (on an admittedly less advanced level) the awe and wonder that was inspired by the idea of alien encounters and successfully presented it to a Disney audience. Like Batteries not Included or Short Circuit, this film filled wide young eyes with exciting images of technology and science, and embodied it's potential to take you into intrepid new territory; exploring humanity, showcased against new alien experiences.

Yes that's SJP

The Flight of the Navigator's plot is pretty bonkers and it's a fun, totally farfetched and touching film because it shows how the young spirit can span old ideas, conquer fear, embrace adventures, then simply return home unscathed. I  will never forget the scene when David first discovers the spaceship in the woods and sometimes wonder what it would be like to go out one night and drive a space ship then return home and simply go to bed. What a ride! What a film!

ADA ZANDITON | SS13 FASHION FILM

I had the pleasure of chatting to super talented sustainable fashion designer Ada Zanditon at London Fashion Week over the weekend. Ada gave me a preview of her new, Tarantino inspired, SS13 fashion film, Tigress Reign, starring Summer Rayne Oakes as The Tigress and Yrsa Daley-Ward as The Hunter and made thanks to sponsorship from Easyjet Holidays.

Shot in on location in Cyprus, the film was directed by the incredible Thomas Knights with styling by the lovely Alexis Knox. Zanditon told me that her SS13 collection was inspired by tigers, and this fun film definitely depicts depicts powerful strong women. Tigress Reign was debuted at Somerset House last night. Here's the trailer...


Sponsors -

KUBRICK | One-Point Perspective

Kubrick // One-Point Perspective from kogonada on Vimeo.

FILM | CHLOË SEVIGNY FOR OPENING CEREMONY

Seems Opening Ceremony can do no wrong right now. Check out William Strobeck's short film for opening ceremony featuring Chloë Sevigny. Set to the haunting track "Fly the Sky" by Colony Farm, the film captures Chloë in her pieces from the CHLOË SEVIGNY FOR OPENING CEREMONY collection. The newish Covent Garden store's pretty great too! Love!

LOST IN LONDON

Due to a certain sporting event all eyes are currently on London. No better place in my opinion! Yes, I am completely biased because London is my home (but not my home town) - the place that I - like millions of others - chose to make my home.  

I recently happened upon this short film by Michael Smith and Wojciech Duczmal and I think it pretty much sums up what pulls people here and keeps them in what is essentially not an easy, but a very rewarding place to reside - what it's like to live in and love this trying and magnificent city.

'Inspired by Baudelaire’s idea of the flâneur, the stroller whose epiphany is the shifting urban spectacle, the film is about one individual’s personal response to the unique spirit that charges the city he inhabits – in this case, Michael’s response to the inner East End, where he has lived for many years.

It’s a film about the deep, complex, bitter-sweet romance between an individual and his city. Like many long-term love affairs, it’s a dysfunctional one, but nevertheless, this film is a love story between a person and a place.'

Joseph Cornell: The Gift in the Box

Joseph Cornell is one of my favourite artists and one of the pioneers of assemblage. He was influenced by the Surrealists and also worked as an avant-garde experimental filmmaker. In his collage films Cornell assembled  found footage.


Cornell’s most famous for his enchanting boxed assemblages. 
As a magpie who loves all kinds of bric a brac I have always been fascinated by Cornell’s intriguing boxes. Reminiscent of receiving a present or uncovering an old box in a thrift shop or attic, it’s exciting to encompass his assemblages of what were once beautiful and precious objects and photographs. Cornell brought unwanted items back to life within a constructive context by capturing a magical sense of nostalgia and creating a story which he then presented within a simple box.

 

 

I have used Cornell's work as inspiration for many projects since discovering it in an old art book whilst at school. I was beyond excited when I discovered that the brilliant writer Jonathan Safran Froer was also  inspired by his work and to such an extent  that he produced an anthology about it. 'A Convergence of Birds' is a collection of work by a variety of writers that include Rick Moody, Joyce Carol Oates, Siri Hstvedt, Robert Pinsky, Lydia Davis, plus others, each inspired by one of Cornell’s boxes.

 

Cornell was a magician in that he could make something out of nothing, and something quite special at that. In his introduction, Froer sums up the magic of Cornell's work perfectly, "A gift of a gift of a gift."

Fashion + Females + Film

Films provide a wealth of style inspiration but have you ever asked the question, who are the most stylish female characters on film? Here are my nominations!..




Patricia Arquette - True Romance  

& Lost Highway 








Cate Blanchett - Coffee & Ciarettes



Nina Ricci - Buffalo 66 



Natalie Portman - Leon  

Louise Brooks - Pandora's Box



Shannyn Sossamon - The Rules of Attraction


Winona Ryder - Mermaids



& Girl Interrupted 




& Beetlejuice


could go on...

Natassja Kinski - Paris, Texas




Fairuza Balk - The Craft 



Audrey Tatou - Coco before Chanel



& Amelie





Anna Karina - Vivre Sa Vie






& Bande De Part






& L'Armour 





Monica Vitti - Red Desert


& L'Eclisse 

This list could probably be longer and I may add to it in future. Also have a few stylish film inspired outfit posts in the pipeline. 


Let's not forget the guys either - I'll cover them in another post. Until then check out some of the films above and be inspired by these very stylish females.