The Le CiNeMa Club is a movie club that aims to promote the work of filmmakers who are interested in rethinking the way we see film. We cover a wide range of topics, including the films of Andrea Arnold, Yorgos Lanthimos, Gus Van Sant, and Jennifer Forrest. It’s a fun and informative way to find out more about what’s new in cinema.
Gus Van Sant
Gus Van Sant has established himself as one of the most important voices in independent filmmaking. His films have explored family recomposee, love relationships, and the complexities of human feelings. He has also experimented with time switching, Shakespeare, and appropriation.
Before making his feature debut, Mala Noche, Van Sant worked as a graphic designer. In this film, he depicts the dysfunctional relationship of a gay man and an illegal immigrant. It was based on the autobiography of Portland Beat poet Walt Curtis.
The success of Drugstore Cowboy established Van Sant as an influential voice in the independent film community. Some observers questioned his vision after the film’s success. But his latest feature, To Die For, has recovered nicely.
Among his other works are video clips for Elton John and Red Chili Peppers, and a musical album. During his postgraduate program, he traveled to Italy and studied under director Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Van Sant shot hundreds of Polaroids on negative stock. These photographs were then used for casting purposes on his film.
Andrea Arnold
During the BFI London Film Festival, I had the pleasure of meeting British filmmaker Andrea Arnold. Known for her debut feature Red Road and short films such as Wasp, she is well-established as one of the most important filmmakers of her generation.
In 2012, she was on the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. Now, as director of American Honey, she’s preparing to take her first steps in the United States. She’s also a renowned children’s television presenter.
“Wasp” is a short film that won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. It follows a single mother raising four young kids. The naturalistic style lets the audience’s empathy with the characters shine.
WASP was shot in the town of Dartford, in which the filmmaker grew up. This is the film that showcases the filmmaker’s eye for detail.
The film also features some impressive performances by children. One of the most striking moments comes when a kid is stabbed with a chicken.
Yorgos Lanthimos
Yorgos Lanthimos is a Greek filmmaker who has won a bunch of awards. He recently became the first director in the country to earn a Best Director Oscar nomination, and his debut feature, The Lobster, is a darkly funny and visually impressive dystopian drama.
For a country that’s been in a deep slumber, it’s a bit of a surprise that a young filmmaker has managed to carve out such a formidable career. Lanthimos has a surprisingly wide range of professional experience, including his work on the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games.
He’s also an award-winning writer and producer. His latest film, “The Favourite”, mocks medieval aristocracy and celebrates the power of female friendship. In addition to his film-making, Lanthimos has also directed television commercials and music videos. This has led to a number of intriguing projects, though most are in the realm of television rather than film.
He also received a professional education from the Stavrakos Film School. While this isn’t a direct path to a feature film, Lanthimos has made a splash with his work on television. He’s had a hand in several TV commercials, including the aforementioned “The Lobster,” which won an Emmy award for a segment he created on a Greek TV station.
Jennifer Forrest
The actress Jennifer Forrest has been a part of many television shows. She appeared in “A Little Romance”, “Big Bus”, and “Slither” and in films like “Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield”, “Centennial”, and “Decker”. Her most recent appearance was in “Le CiNeMa Club”, a movie that she co-produced with director Elizabeth Taylor.
The actress Cara Dawson was born in Kansas, but moved to New York to study at the University of Pennsylvania. Among her other films are “Aaron Loves Angela”, “Roots: The Next Generation”, and “Sparkle”. She appeared in a remake of “Romeo and Juliet” with Gordon Parks Jr.