Film Studies

Some of my favorite films are those that interpret the stories of art and artists, or those that showcase fashion/costume design. These are the kinds of films I collect and watch repeatedly because not only do they entertain and tell wonderful stories, but they inspire.

I hate the awful first-date question of: "So, what's your favorite movie?" How terrible. This kind of question is a deal-breaker for me. I always want to respond with: "What era? Starring which actors? Are we talking Hitchcock, Capra, Cukor, Wilder...what? Oh - foreign films? Jeunet, Kieslowski, Kurosawa, Truffaut, Godard...or if you'd rather stay away from the new wave, we could talk about the Italians. I've recently enjoyed the Antonioni trilogy, but consistently get swept away by Visconti...and Fellini, well - which one is your favorite of his oeuvre?"

After all - how boring is that question anyways? 

Yes. I'm a bit of a film snob. I'm not above making fun of the whole thing, I mean, it is ridiculous. My friends make fun of me for it, and I'm inclined to agree with them. My friend Cooper once pleaded: "Can you please watch a movie that was made in color...in the 21st Century? Please!?!"

Well, yes, I can. BUT, when great film festivals come along in my local area that celebrate my preferred genres, I just have to crow.

First, the de Young Museum is conducting a Thursday-night film festival beginning next week (July 12th) and continuing through the summer. They're calling it "Cinema Supper Club - Experience Europe in San Francisco Through Art, Cuisine and Film" Dinner seatings begin at 5:30PM and screenings begin at 8PM.

Films include Moulin Rouge (1952), Camille Claudel, Caravaggio, The Agony and the Ecstasy, El Greco, Vincent & Theo, and Girl with a Pearl Earring.  

Dinner pricing is separate, but the film price is $15, which also allows entree into the exhibition: "Rembrandt to Thiebaud: A Decade of Collecting Works on Paper".

Rita Hayworth in Gilda, 1946Later this month the incomparable Castro Theatre is putting on it's own series entitled "Fabulous Fashion in Film". Opening night is July 27th, featuring the "bad boys of Runway" Santino Rice and Jeffrey Sebelia, hosting a screening of The Women. Of course they would start with this film, after all it coined the credit: "gowns by Adrian" and featured Joan Crawford in many a sexy little number. The hats, the shoes, the nailpolish of jungle red... It would have to be The Women.

Yet, that is only the beginning! For the next week, three to four times a day, the Castro will feature a wonderful fashion-related film, from The Best of Everything and the other Moulin Rouge (2001), to Barbarella, Funny Face, Grey Gardens, and Dreamgirls. Each day has a different theme and an appropriate fashionable lineup to support it. Some even offer special events, such as a "Night of Fabulous Hats" to celebrate My Fair Lady. Yes, you too can Ascot Gavotte on stage with the rest of the big toppers.

My favorite lineup is for August 1st: "Fashion and the Legendary Ladies": All About Eve, Blonde Venus, Gilda. Yes, Bette Davis' off-the shoulder "it's going to be bumpy night" gown stands next to Marlene Dietrich's breathtakingly anrogynous white tuxedo, and then Rita Hayworth puts "the blame on Mame" in Jean Louis show-stopping black satin column. If there was ever a class in iconic film fashion, The Castro is holding open session.

I'm so glad I don't have to hide my film snobbery for a little while - it can actually come out and go to the movies! 

My film obsessions can also be read about here, here, and here. 

Comments

[maura]

i was watching empire strikes back this weekend (as is my wont) and I was thinking about its fashion choices -- like Han Solo's white tunicy shirt - it apparently fastens at the shoulder, but he always wears it hanging slightlty open -- it is just perfect. i want it. and leah looks good in white princess/cold weather/military gear - i wish she'd stand up straight though -- and the long deep burgundy, sheer sleevless tunic she wears in cloud city is quite lovely. who knew a mining colony would have such adept tailors? and on short notice!