The Wrong Man (1956)

I watched this at the weekend. A Hitchcock film based on a true story of a man falsely accused of armed robbery. It is notable for a few things: 

- Some very wonky Hitchcock camera moves, including a scene in the holding cell at the NY police station, where Henry Fonda is being held before he is arraigned. The camera goes round and round his head letting us know, in no uncertain terms, what kind of turmoil is present in Fonda's head.
- How such a simple simple story is given such visual power by Hitchcock, a lesson in exposition. 
- Anthony Quayle playing Fonda's attorney. Reminded me of what a star he was. 


The main reason that the film struck such a chord with me however is just how sad and forlorn Fonda plays it . He is an actor that seemed so vulnerable and had such depth that he was perfect for this. He seems so wronged. It made me think what wonderful casting it was. I can see his face and it pains me still.

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Laughing tourist wear Pearly King's cap - Covent Garden 2008

The Cold Snap

I hate that phrase, really hate it. I mean, it makes sense and I can see where it comes from but it just seems like a shit catchphrase. Maybe it just makes me feel cold which I guess would mean it was performing perfectly well for a phrase, evoking cold that is. Still hate it though. This photo has always communicated cold so it seems apt that the words live with the picture. By the way, I love the word blanket. Jesus! Must stop now.

Paula

Paula Soho 2005

Told

My lovely friend Allison Anders compiled a list of her favourite things from 2009 which makes for essential reading as Allison has the ability to tune into stuff like very few others, a genuinely voracious appetite for things with cultural integrity. Well, my book made it onto her list! 

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"Told- The art of story" (Booth-Clibborn Editions) is a selection of stories and photographs which, I hope, bring to life the principles of storytelling in a way that aims to makes them more accessible and less scientific feeling, explaining storytelling through storytelling if you like . Anyway, here's Allsion's list and the cover of the book which features my friend Maja reading a book on Primrose Hill in London. You probably need to get yourself a copy...urgently!

The favourite films of 2009

In no particular order:

The Hurt Locker

Frozen River 

Looking For Eric

Let The Right One In

 

All four left me sitting at the end pondering some fairly fundamental stuff. The Hurt Locker is up there with the very best war movies, ever! Frozen River I found physically difficult to watch, such was the tension from beginning to end and is all about getting wonderful performances from lesser known talent (and just getting it made!) Looking For Eric I found joyous which is an odd word to use in connection with a Ken Loach film and he sacrifices nothing of his art to get there. Let The Right One just looks so fresh and totally original and the performances from child actors are moving and convincing. In addition, all the stories have real substance and craft. I suspect what they all have in common is that the wrietrs and directors were allowed creative license and therefore the projects are all fresh and find new territory because of their ability to enter the unknown without fear of focus groups and development reigning them in. Original content is by its very nature untried...but so enormously satisfying.

 

Superman

 

Photo: Superman sleeps, London 2004

It's one of those rainy days

When optimism can turn to dread, for no rational reason, in a beat. A question mark someone emailed about a script now undermines the whole thing, issues and doubts spring from everywhere, you know the kind of thing. I went trawling on my computer for a little visual prod in the right direction and I found this. This is as it appears on the negative, nothing enhanced. A cloud above a field in Grasmere which is a village in the Lake District. I went there four years ago to celebrate my mum's 70th birthday. The photo was taken on her birthday, a beautiful Saturday in May She had been there with my dad when they were young and in love and wanted to go there again for her birthday. She has a picture of them together standing on a bridge in the village. They look happy in that photo. My mum treasures that image and the memories it evokes. While we were there, she asked me to take a picture of her in the same spot on the bridge. Dad wasn't there this time, unfortunately A year or so later, I took my girlfriend (now the mother of my young son) to The Lake District for a holiday. Those memories come flooding back now. Blue skies. This photo has saved my day.

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Photo: Grasmere, England 2005