Parry wrote:
>
> john adams wrote:
> >
> > "elag" <elag@cloud8.net> wrote in message
> > > No, I meant "in light of", however, what I should have said was: I would
> > > rather VIEW them in the CONTEXT of Cocteau's life rather than ignore
> > > them because of unsavory aspects of his life.
> > >
> > > I might say the same of Celine, Al Capp or G.G. Allin all of whom have
> > > philosophical lead feet from my perspective.
> > >
> > > In any case my comments weren't meant as a challenge... they're merely
> > > thoughts I had about a filmmaker whose work I've enjoyed. Since his
> > > work was called into question as "a joke" I thought I might venture a
> > > few positive thoughts or points to ponder.
> >
> > Well, then I'm with Dale (a little bit confused). I'm not sure if we are
> > examining the merits of the film or, instead, deciding not to separate the
> > film from the life and viewing cocteau from that perspective.
>
> Films reflect some of the human qualities of their creators. It's been
> so long since I've seen "Blood of a Poet" that my memory of it is vague,
> but I recall that it gave me the impression Cocteau was an aesthete
I'd say that this is pretty accurate. I enjoy his remains on my most
aesthetic days.
> (this is before I knew much about him). So even if one chooses to study
> the film in a vacuum, I'd say the movie is runs against surrealist
> principles.
I don't know... I see where he is at odds with the Surrealists
ideologically, but their concerns did overlap. His interest in and
interpretations of dreams and concentration on the centrality of the
poetic vision lead me to wonder if "Sange.." viewed as an anonymous work
might not seem too out of place at a Surrealist film show circa '30. Of
course, I haven't seen many of the more obscure films from their shows
so I'm not too sure what might pass muster.
I suppose I'd have to look at it scene by scene before I'd venture a
firm opinion.
--
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