Amir Yousefi’s Post

🎬 Character Study Spotlight: Uma Therman🌟 As a hobbyist in character study, I’m excited to share insights into Uma Therman, a character who embodies resilience and adaptability. Her journey is a compelling blend of strength and vulnerability, with her determination to overcome challenges matched by a deep understanding of her limitations. Uma’s evolution reflects a powerful balance between past experiences and future aspirations, making her a truly multidimensional figure. I draw inspiration from Quentin Tarantino's unique directorial style, which masterfully blends intense emotion with striking visual artistry. Much like Tarantino’s films, Uma’s story is rich in authenticity and depth, showcasing the artistry in character development. What characters inspire you, and how do you draw from your favorite directors in your studies? #CharacterStudy #UmaTherma #QuentinTarantino #FilmArtistry #Resilience #Storytelling #CharacterDevelopment 🎶https://lnkd.in/dJz2TSnj

If it's been more than ten years since you were in an academic setting where you had to read critical analysis on the topic of your study, and you've recently come across an essay that takes you warmly back to those days of lab work or class discussion of an artistic text, this one's for you. Bonus points if you've seen this film, have been trying to get a friend to watch it, or it's your first time and spoilers are not bothersome. Pauline Chen on Chen Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" (1993): "Farewell My Concubine continues this examination of the tension between tradition and modernity, but on a more lavish and ambitious scale, facilitated by international funding and Chen’s collaboration with Hong Kong artists (notably source-novel author Lilian Lee and actor Leslie Cheung), made possible by Deng Xiaoping’s liberal reforms and openness to the outside world. The film tells the story of Douzi (as an adult called Cheng Dieyi and played by Cheung), left at a Beijing-opera school by his mother, who can no longer raise him at the brothel where she works. The timid, sensitive boy befriends a brawnier schoolmate, Shitou (as an adult called Duan Xiaolou and played by Zhang Fengyi). In the face of cruelty and physical abuse from their teachers, the boys’ care and affection for each other is the only thing that keeps them human." #movies #criticalanalysis

In 2023, Chinese movie theater attendance was back to almost 2019 levels. But what is unusual is that this year all top ten grossing films were domestic films. While the new Fast and Furious and Mission Impossible films were popular (Oppenheimer and Barbie also got attention in online reviews), they didn’t match up to performance of domestic films, as reported in Sixth Tone. https://lnkd.in/e539t3Hh At the same time, domestic Chinese films have advanced in both technical and artistic quality. Top films included big budget special effects films like Wandering Earth 2, but others addressed current social issues around gender and economic inequality. https://buff.ly/3Saa8aG This is a departure from historical genre films and tv series that have dominated in past. The film sets I photographed for 'Once Upon a Time in Shanghai' reflect popular historical touch points. With more diverse stories addressing contemporary issues, and filmed in real world locations, those mammoth historical set pieces may lose some of their relevance. But that’s probably good for viewers in the long run. More information about the photobook 'Once Upon a Time in Shanghai' https://buff.ly/35huarU Image: Ming and Qing Palace, Hengdian World Studios #photobook #onceuponatime #shanghai #chinesecinema #china #photography #documentaryphotography #movieindustry #movieset #globalcinema #acreativedc #hengdian #sixthtone

The image is from the final scene of "#KillersoftheFlowerMoon," directed by Martin Scorsese, which I chose to watch yesterday. 🎥Based on the #novel of the same name by author David Grann, and grounded in real historical events, it is a Western true-crime thriller about the systematic murder of members of the #OsageNation for their oil-rich land in the 1920s. I do not wish to comment on the film itself as I do not consider myself knowledgeable enough in cinematography, & I have very limited knowledge about this horrific part of U.S. history. I also wonder who has the right to tell these kinds of stories on the big screen? 🧐 🌱However, I would like to share some personal reflections after watching the movie. #Trust is the world's most valuable currency. 💫 It is constructed differently across cultures, often leading to horrific consequences, especially when #values diverge dramatically between people. And unfortunately not many know about this. 💔 To some extent, I feel heartbroken after watching this film because, reflecting on today's global situation, it seems to confirm that humanity learns very little from its past. How can we change this? Perhaps one step at a time... One mind at a time, I suppose.... #hope #neverstoplearning #quiettenacity *** In April, millions of tiny flowers spread over the blackjack hills and vast prairies in the Osage territory of Oklahoma. There are Johnny-jump-ups and spring beauties and little bluets. The Osage writer, John Joseph Mathews observed that the galaxy of petals makes it look as if the "gods had left confetti". It May, when coyotes howl beneath an  unnervingly large moon, taller plants, such as spiderworts and black-eyed Susans, begin to creep over the tinier blooms, stealing their light and water. The necks of the smaller flowers break and their petals flutter away, and before long they are buried underground. This is why the Osage Indians refer to May as the time of the flower killing moon. David Granny First paragraph of the #book #mustread #mustwatch #diversity #Inclusion #belonging #immigrants #history #facts #oklahoma

Philosophical Surrealism - A Film Essay. A video film essay portraying philosophy through avant-garde & surrealism filmmaking through Auteur filmmakers which helped shape my visual and sound strategy for my short film, 'Something Awful.' Mentioning; #godard , #bresson , #davidlynch , #tarkovsky , #pasolini and more. #filmessay #auterfilmmaking #philosphy #philisophical #surrealism https://lnkd.in/eDGpTpig

I am thinking a lot about maps these days: how we create them, how they represent certain ideas and legacies. How by creating our own visual maps we can reclaim our power, through creative visualisation and imagination. How deeper visions in mapping, creating maps and presenting them amongst our communities can also reconnect us with the land, nature. Enjoyed watching this film about the power of maps and Zuni culture claiming their culture through the art of visual mapping https://lnkd.in/dhTp-2xp

Our short documentary about Tainan Cabral for the “Medley” virtual exhibition launch, was an illuminating venture into Cultural Storytelling 📖 Tainan comes from the Senador Camará favela. His work is informed by the colours, textures and popular culture that he absorbs from his surroundings and transforms into hallucinatory chromatic paintings. This includes the carioca beats and sights of the weekly Baile Funk street parties held in the favela. 🎨 Artist profiles are immersive audio-visual journeys into the hearts and minds of the artists that capture their creative processes, inspirations and the essence of their work. More than that, the are an opportunity to build a narrative that is deeply rooted in and reflective of cultural elements: tradition 🇧🇷 architecture ⛪ and a way of life 🧑🏻🤝🧑. The dynamic close-up shots complement the artist’s narrative and translate intangible cultural elements into more tangible visuals. The “vibe” of Baile Funk moves from the speakers and the decor, through the dancers, through the spectators and the camera-man, to finally penetrate the “fourth wall” and reach an engaged global audience. 🌎 By recognizing and celebrating the rich and vibrant culture within the Brazilian favelas we create content that resonates strongly with people around the world. #ArtistProfiles #Narrative #CulturalStorytelling 

Join me in delving into the fascinating intersection of gossip and history, as meticulously examined by Triparna Kalita. This groundbreaking research illuminates the pivotal role gossip plays in shaping historical narratives and influencing societal perspectives. Our exploration takes us on a captivating journey across the annals of human civilization, where the echoes of legends and the whispers of stories reverberate through time. From the ancient realms of Mesopotamia to the opulent courts of Renaissance Europe, gossip has intricately woven itself into the very fabric of our cultural heritage. Consider the riveting accounts of Cleopatra's romantic escapades, which swept through the ancient world, leaving an indelible mark on perceptions of power and intrigue for generations. Similarly, the scandalous rumors surrounding the Tudor monarchy ignited political intrigue, shaping the course of history in profound ways. Yet, beyond the allure of scandal and sensation, lies a deeper inquiry: What compels us to engage in gossip? Is it a quest for knowledge, a longing for connection, or the irresistible allure of forbidden tales? As we navigate the labyrinth of human experience, one truth emerges – gossip, not history in its conventional sense, catalyzes societal evolution. From the bustling marketplaces of ancient Rome to the cosmopolitan streets of contemporary metropolises, gossip remains the unseen force guiding our collective journey through time. Concept and Written by: Triparna Kalita Cinematography, Edits, and Sound Design: Asutosh Kashyap Visual Effects: Mionwang (Amitabh Chaudhury) #HumanHistory #Gossip #Cleopatra #Tudors #Mesopotamia #Renaissance #Intrigue #Culture #Traditions #Legends #Secrets #Connection #PerspectivesInEducation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For commercial inquiries or collaborations, please contact: contactme@asutoshkashyapcreatives.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ► Follow Us: • YouTube: @asutoshkashyapdop • Instagram: @asutosh_kas • Website/Blog: https://lnkd.in/d3N8kEbZ

🎥 I would like to share and highly recommend a short documentary by Nikodem Trzcinowicz titled RE/Creative - Learn from the Past; Influence the Future, which we at the New History of Bronze helped bring to life. 💡 "RE/creative follows six specialists from different fields who utilize re-creative practice in their work. From art to forensic science, each field employs it differently, yet the fundamental concept of re-creating remains consistent across disciplines. This documentary explores the idea by examining each field’s connection to the need for more handmade and traditional methods of understanding" - says Nik.

#Great #Read: “Cinema Is the Strongest Weapon” by @Lorenzo Fabbri provides a deep dive into Italian cinema under Mussolini’s regime and the filmmakers who used it as a means of antifascist resistance. #LibroRecomendado #WortToRead Examining #Italy’s national film industry during and after Mussolini’s rule, the book explores how cinema was harnessed as a political tool by both the fascist regime and those who sought to resist it. Covering a range of canonical works alongside many neglected contemporaries, the book delves into film’s mutable relationship to state power and racial capitalism. Exploiting realism’s aesthetic, experiential, and affective affordances, Mussolini’s biopolitical project employed cinema to advance an idealized vision of life under fascism and to cultivate a homogenous racial identity. Author Lorenzo Fabbri underscores realism’s susceptibility to manipulation from diametrically opposed political perspectives, highlighting the queer, Communist, Jewish, and feminist filmmakers who subverted Mussolini’s notion that “cinema is the regime’s strongest weapon” by developing film narratives and forms that challenged the prevailing ethno-nationalist ideology. Focusing on an understudied era of film history and Italian cultural production, Fabbri recontextualizes Italy’s celebrated neorealist movement and its structural ties to its predecessor. Drawing incisive parallels to contemporary debates around race, whiteness, authoritarianism, and politics, he presents an urgent examination of the broader impact of visual media on culture and society. Additionally, the book discusses how postwar Italian culture and film contributed to normalization by portraying Italians as Mussolini’s victims rather than accomplices, aligning with philosopher Benedetto Croce’s view that Fascism was a temporary aberration in Italy’s history. This narrative helped Italy move on without fully confronting its fascist past. *Cinema Is the Strongest Weapon* will be published in 2024 by the University of Minnesota. 316 pages. [Link](https://lnkd.in/ggk2HcBG)