An Ode to My Film Studies Career
I have no job. Ok, most of you know that statement is incorrect, I actually have three jobs. But everyday still feels pretty much exactly like my long days from last summer when I was actually unemployed. I wake up late, have a Mountain Dew (potentially the best part of my day), sit on my computer for countless hours - doing good research and actually working on my two jobs which are essentially internet-based, yet it does not “feel” like working - watch television, pick at the enormous bowl of left-over Halloween candy my parents sent home with me, have a drink, eat, more internet, more television, maybe a film, more eating…go to sleep late and wake up late again the next day.
I probably owe this lifestyle to my Film Studies degree. Afterall, for the past four years I have been trained to do little other than researching and movie-watching. I sit here at my cluttered desk in my boyfriend’s apartment (because I can’t afford rent), and I can’t help but wonder how much longer I can allow this to go on.
I bought (ok, Blake bought) a cheap bottle of wine whose cork was so cheap that I cut myself on the cheap bottle opener trying to open it, slighting corking the wine in the process, which is fortunatley not as bad as I was expecting (neither the wine nor the amount of cork). Now I am reminiscing through my old film papers, wondering if I will ever be able to land a job in the industry with my minimal experience.
So, just for fun, I thought I would share my favorite films, the loves of my life, with everyone. In no particular order…
1. Jean Vigo, L’Atalante, 1934
Juliette: « On arrive bientôt ? »
Jean: « Où ça ? »
Juliette: « Oh, je ne sais pas, où tu veux, quelque part…à une ville ! Une grande ville !»
2. Ernst Lubitsch, Trouble in Paradise, 1932
Nothing compares to the Lubitsch Touch.
3. Vera Chytilová, Daisies (Sedmikrasky), 1966
So we will go bad!
4. Ron Clements and John Musker, Aladdin, 1992
5. Steven Spielberg, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981
6. David Lynch, Blue Velvet, 1986
Softer than satin was the light
From the stars
7. Terry Gilliam, Brazil, 1985
And now, when twilight dims the skies above
Recalling thrills of our love
There’s one thing I’m certain of…
8. Michael Cimino, The Deer Hunter, 1978
9. Wong Kar Wai, In the Mood for Love, 2000
10. Akira Kurosawa, Ikiru, 1952
Ikiru means ‘to live’
11. Kim Ki-duk, 3 Iron (Bin-jip), 2004
As soon as I get to Korea, my mission is to find Kim Ki-duk and follow him everywhere. It’s just as creepy as it sounds.
Now go watch them all.
