Mostly because My Winnipeg is sort of a greatest hits package for Maddin (kind of like how some folks think of Pierrot le fou within Godard's early career). On the most basic level of judging mass viewing habits (which you kind of have to do a little when creating a list like this with so many other voters), I also think My Winnipeg is one of Maddin's more accessible films since its autobiographical elements aren't as opaque as in some of Maddin's other films.LQ wrote:Andre, why do you consider My Winnipeg a better film than Brand Upon the Brain? The latter made it pretty high on my list; the former, far from it.
Having made all those half-assed generalizations about how others receive the film, considering your question is more geared at my own perceptions of the film, I should mention that I enjoyed My Winnipeg because I believe it's one of Maddin's most personal films (which is saying something considering the uncomfortably-honest nature of his films - even if this element of his movies is played for laughs). I believe My Winnipeg may be one of the best examinations of how a city's personality (geography, history, weather, etc.) influences its citizens and artists - and obviously vice versa. Many films explore the atmosphere and mood created by a city (the medium kind of lends itself to doing so), but not very many understand and so thoroughly explore the relationship between a city and its citizens.
Also, I have to admit that the film is quite easy to relate to since I grew up in Canada and I appreciate Maddin's efforts to create a mythology for his hometown, since so many other film-makers have expended considerable effort in creating and re-affirming the image of some other city. The difference in Maddin's film is that while other directors and artists tend to emphasize the impact and inspiration of an already "important" city (NYC, LA, Paris, London, Tokyo, etc), Maddin's hometown is honestly of little consequence to the rest of the world (it's not even equivalent to Portland or Salt Lake City), but his film perfectly captures the simultaneous loathing, malaise, resiliency, and perverse pride that is created by living in a Canadian city.
Mods, I don't know if this was the correct thread to reply to LQ's question in, so feel free to move this somewhere else if necessary.
First off, before I get into this, I had ITMFL in my top 5, so please keep that in mind.Michael wrote:I don't understand what you're talking about hype and all. Are you saying that ITMFL is over-hyped?
In my mind, hype doesn't really have much to do with whether or not something is deserving of the status it has attained, but rather it has more to do with how often we hear about that status and how the constant reminder of that status begins to influence perceptions of the product afterward. I'm not saying ITMFL is over or under-hyped. I'm just saying that seeing the film on so many lists over the years and hearing so much praise for the film tends to influence the reception of the film, which really has nothing to do with the film itself.
Even though it's just a list on an internet forum, it's still some small form of hype. Whether our Lists Project is of any real consequence on the judgment of the inherent quality of these films is debatable.Michael wrote:It remains #1 of 2000s with this forum as the previous cycle proves.
Whether it deserves its position/status is not really what I'm concerned with, especially considering that such a perception depends on who is evaluating the movie. The 10 or so people who didn't include ITMFL on their list may argue that it certainly doesn't deserve its #1 position.Michael wrote:I did not vote it as #1 but its top position is greatly deserved.
I think they should see the film. While it's not a bad thing, I'm not convinced they need a push. I would rather they just choose to see the film on their own whenever they feel like it.Michael wrote:I still think those who haven't seen the film needs a push to see it at least once.
Which is fine with me. I'm just saying that watching a movie on Valentine's Day after hearing that it's the most romantic movie ever created is setting some high expectations for someone who has so far avoided the film.Michael wrote:I was just encouraging LQ to check out ITMFL (and Bright Star) as much as most of you here have been encouraging me to check out undiscovered gems since I joined this forum. Sometimes we all need a push.
I should also point out that Punch-Drunk Love was fairly high on my list as well, though lower than ITMFL. However, I might be on the same wave-length as LQ, since I think that PDL a more romantic movie than ITMFL.
I was actually surprised that my own list didn't include any Eastwood, and yet I will always watch his new movies and usually enjoy or appreciate them.lubitsch wrote:Where are e.g. Almodovar, Eastwood, Ang Lee, Scorsese?
Humor.And since when is Claire Denis considered to be a major film maker?