"What is cinema? Before one can even start to answer this question, it becomes necessary to acknowledge that one can't formulate precisely the same definition of cinema for France as for other countries. And the reason why one can't should be obvious: in France, an important part of this definition pertains to film as an art form - a distinction that is generally perceived elsewhere only as a minority position, and sometimes even as an elitist one." Film Critic Jonathan Rosenbaum


Is cinema an art form? Critics have been expressing a point-of-view since the birth of feature motion pictures. In answering no, some critics highlight the fact that film is a collaborative medium and contend that true art is the vision of one creative individual. In response, French critics (and in the US, Andrew Sarris) developed the auteur theory. These critics look for similar themes and visuals in a director's work, and try to show that the director is the sole "author" responsible for the film.

This is also one reason why some directors will claim a screenplay credit, even if someone else has written the vast majority of the script. It is easier to claim sole artistic credit if the same person has written and directed the film. There is no controversy surrounding the genesis of "The Clink of Ice", this week's featured review. Filmmaker Bertrand Blier has been writing and directing his own work since the 1960s. Seventy-one at the time "The Clink of Ice" was produced, Blier had conceived of the film twenty years earlier.

Even in France, getting the financial backing for a film that has two characters personifying cancer was not easy. Casting two well-known actors in the leading roles, Jean Dujardin and Albert Dupontel, no doubt helped get the movie made. (And yes, for those of you who are counting, this is the fourth film starring Dujardin that I have reviewed.) Following the success of "The Artist", Dujardin appeared in two American films but has stated that he does not find the scripts he is offered by Hollywood to be interesting. It is surprising, then, that he is currently rumored to be in the cast of the next "Transformers" movie.

I can also report that French director Alice Winocour's second feature, "Disorder" (also known as "Maryland"), is finally getting a US release. On August 12th, the film will be available on demand and in select theaters. "Disorder" is Winocour's take on the thriller genre. It stars Matthias Schoenaerts as a former soldier suffering from PTSD, tasked with protecting the family of a wealthy businessman. You can read my review of Winocour's first feature, "Augustine", on the Drama Movies Site.


Here's the latest article from the Drama Movies site at BellaOnline.com.

The Clink of Ice Film Review
Imagine cancer as an annoying houseguest who arrives unannounced and will not leave. This is the premise of writer/director Bertrand Blier's dark comedy/drama starring Jean Dujardin as a writer who must come to terms with a brain tumor.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62062.asp

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