Rosas danst Rosas

Rosas danst Rosas, choreographed in 1982 by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, is a benchmark in history for post-modern dance. The choreography is based around fast and abstract movements where repetition plays the most important role.  The dance features an all-female cast as the word Rosas in the title refers to the female name Rosa. The moves are executed fiercely and sharply with great structure; this is countered by small slow everyday movements such as crossing your legs and resting your hand on your face. 

The repetitive nature of the music and the dance portrays great tension through the piece. Watching it I really gauged the emotional struggle of the dancers through the way they held their bodies in the way the movements changed throughout the dance. The movements varied from strong and powerful at times to being relaxed and effortless at others. I interpreted this to be a representation of them being worried or in distress. But when I researched into the dance I found out that it was structured around the phases of the day, so when the dancers appear fatigued this is actually a representation of the night. But that is one of the things I love about dance, that it is open to so many different interpretations. Their faces really helped tell a story, their revealing expressions changed so many times during the performance which gave a whole new meaning to the movements they were performing. 

Their body language and facial expressions here display the tiredness of the night.

Whilst their body language and facial expressions here convey the fun and energy of the day.

Another factor that made this performance so captivating to watch was the dynamic camera work. I thought that the camera rotating around the dancers really helped give me a sense of the space they were dancing in and made me feel as if I was in the room myself. I also Think that when the camera shots changed really fast between each movement this helped give the dance a much more dramatic feel and pace.

Whilst their body language and facial expressions here convey the fun and energy of the day.

Another factor that made this performance so captivating to watch was the dynamic camera work. I thought that the camera rotating around the dancers really helped give me a sense of the space they were dancing in and made me feel as if I was in the room myself. I also Think that when the camera shots changed really fast between each movement this helped give the dance a much more dramatic feel and pace. 

I really liked the opening of Rosas danst Rosas as she awakens so slowly and peacefully, then starts with very small movements before the music kicks in and she starts to dance dramatically. This has greatly influenced the opening of my Fashion Film. 

Hair Inspiration

The Hair In my Fashion film was inspired by the hair in the classic fairytale Cinderella. I wanted to concentrate on my characters transformation, like how cinderella transforms from a maid into a princess. 

When cinderella plays a maid her hair is worn either up in a pony tail or in braids of some sort with flowers and bows for accessories. This emphasises the pureness of her character. I combined both these styles and styled the hair into a braided bun, with flowers intertwined within it. 

When she transforms into a princess her hair is let down into big ringlet curls with a small braid at the side. When my character transforms, the hair is a very similar style to that of Cinderella's, yet I opted for a softer curl and a messy bohemian style braid to make this style more modern. 

Frantic Assembly

Frantic Assembly are a theatre group, who aim to creative innovative and exciting theatre. They do this through dance and acting and their performances are truly visually stunning.
"We began with little more than a fierce work ethic and a desire to do something different and to do it differently. The name Frantic Assembly gives it all away."

LoveSong by the well known playwright Abi Morgan, is one of Frantic Assembly's most successful productions. It tells a story of an older couple who are glimpsing the memories of their former selves. Scott Graham the co-director and Co-Choreographer of the play, said that they were inspired by film and music videos when choreographing the play. The talk constantly about focus he said that they want 'The Brush of skin on skin explode on stage, just as much as we would want any large scale physical scene to do the same', for this to happen he says that you need to 'construct your work in a way that the audeince can see that tiny thing as something massive'. Watching their work and listening to Graham speak about the performance, I can tell that the quality of the performance relies solely on the relationship and trust between the actors and being in a safe comfortable environment. This is something I really took into consideration when working with my atcor. The demands of the physical scenes in their work,is that it must move the narrative of the play forward. They dont dance just for effect each movement has a meaning behind it. I love this clip from from the play, Maggie is watching a love scene of her younger self and reminiscing, the way the two actors portray the love in their relationship through dance is moving and at the end when maggie falls between the two lovers it is heartbreaking to watch. Because her breaking the two apart is foreshadowing what will happen to her relationship in the future. 

How Fantasy and fairy tales have inspired my work

How Fantasy and fairy tales have inspired my work 
The Wizard of Oz 
The Wizard of Oz has inspired my fashion film. I drew inspiration from the scene where Dorothy puts on her red ruby slippers, taps her heels together, and is magically transported home. I have recreated a moment just like this in my fashion film when, Amie puts on her black heels on tapps her feet together and is magically transported out of the forest and into her new 'home' amongst the fashion of london.

Cinderella 

Cinderella also inspired me when I was thinking of a storyline for my fashion film. When Amie is transported to London, her dress has magically changed from a Black mesh and lace slip dress into a glamorous lace dress with a, low V mesh panel. And her hair and makeup is transformed from innocent and pretty to strong and smokey. Just like how cinderella's rags are transformed into a ball gown. In Cinderella a Fairy Godmother transforms her into a beautiful princess, the clothes in my fashion film act like the Fairy Godmother transforming her into a stylish fashionista. 

How the Dogme 95 Collective have inspired my work

Filming in the style of Dogme 
After doing research into Dogme 95  Collective I was inspired, shoot my fashion film in a similar style. Firstly I filmed my fashion film in completely natural light. one of the strict rules that the dogme collective follow when producing their films is to never use artificial light when filming. This was challenging, especially in terms of continuity  as the light is constantly changing, but I can see why the Dogme Collective do this as it makes the film more realistic looking. Secondly I filmed on location rather than in a studio, as this another rule that you must follow in filming. This worked really well for my fashion film as the natural setting made my film feel all the more magaical. I chose to film completely hand held, this is something that the dogme collective do in all there films. It can make the shots slightly shaky. But I found when watching their films such as 'Dancer In The Dark' it gives it more of a 'documentary style', feel to it and makes the viewer feel as if they are in the scene themselves. Another important rule that must be followed when making a film in the style of Dogme is to never use props, and if props are required for the benefit of the storyline then they must be found in location. Thats why when my model changes outfit throughout the film all her pieces of clothing were found in different parts of the woods. This again worked really well for my film, as it made it feel really magaical that the clothing was just appearing out of know where in different parts of the woods. I think this will captivate my audeince as they will be really intrigued as to where the clothes are appearing from.
Breaking the rules
Although I want to film in the style of the Dogme 95 Collective, they do have a few rules post production that I will not be following. They have a rule that no form of Special Effects can be used on the footage after filming as they believe that it takes the audeince attention away from the film its self and the storyline. I feel as if the Dogme Collective is quite old fashioned in this way. I felt that it was essential for my film, to bring it up to date. I also was really keen to use a transition from black and white to colour to show how fashion has brought my character to life .Furthermore the use of special effects really adds to mystic and the fantasy themes of my film and helps suspend the audeince in disbelief. The rules have been broken and adapted many times during the production of Dogme style films in fact Vinterberg confessed that when he filmed his first film, Festen be both brought a prop on set and used special lighting, by covering a window during the shooting of one scene.

Hair and makeup for the first day of filming

This was the finished result of the makeup and hair from the first day of shooting for my Fashion Film. I am really happy with it, as it turned out exactly to plan. The makeup is subtle and pretty but still enough to show up well on camera. The Flowers in her hair tie in perfectly with the woodland surrounding and the braided bun makes her appear childlike and innocent. 

Dogme 95 Collective

The Dogme 95 was an avant guard film movement that started march 13th 1995. It was started by danish directors Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, they created the 'Dogme 95 Manifesto' and the 'Vow of Chastity'. These are rules designed to film makers to use so that they could create film based on the traditional values of story, acting and film. Which meant there was no need for the use of elaborate special effects. They used it as an attempt to give to give power back to the director and away from the studio. Fellow danish Directors Kristian Levring and Soren Kragh-Jacobsen later joined the other directors to form the Dogme 95 Collective. Dogme is the Danish word for Dogma which means to have a strong belief.
The goal of the Dogme collective was to purify filmmaking by refusing to use expensive special effects and post production. This was suppose to help the audeince better engage with the story and concentrate on the actors performance as they are not distracted by overproduction. So Vinterberg and Von Trier designed rules that a Dogme film must conform to:

1. Shooting must done on location and props and sets must not be brought in. If you are required to use a certain prop as it is necessary to the storyline, a location must be chosen where the prop is to be found.   
2. The sound must never be produced, music must not be used unless it occurs where the scene is being shot.
3. The camera must be hand held. Any movements on immobility attained by the hand held movement is permitted. 
4. The film must not use artificial lighting, natural light only.
5. optical work and filters is forbidden.
6. Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden. 
7. Genre Movies are not acceptable
8. The film format must be Academy 35mm.
9. The director must not be credited. 

But these rules have been adapted and broken many times over the years of creating Dogme Films. Even Vinterberg confessed that when he filmed Festen be both brought a prop on set and used special lighting, by covering a window during the shooting of one scene.

The First Dogme film made was Vinterberg's 19 critically acclaimed 98 film Festen, which translates to 'The celebration' in english. Von Trier also released his film 'The Idiots' the same year but this was less successful, Since then many films were made by other directors based on the Dogme principles.

The fashion she finds

The first Item of clothing my model finds is a Silver Glittering scarf from Zara, I made the decision for this to be glittery as it had to be something really special and eye catching, that draws my model towards it. 

The next thing my model finds is a dress, I wanted something really ethereal and pretty but also something that would be very easy to dance in. So I chose this Black mesh and lace slip dress from Urban Outfitters. The sheer fabric means that you can see the body suit through which I really like and the lace detail at the bottom makes the dress really elegant. 

The third thing she will find is this Burgundy faux leather waterfall jacket from New Look, it has swayed detail at the sides and is the perfect colour to match the scarf and the lipstick that she will be wearing later on in the film. 

Finally she finds a pair of black heels which is the most glamours part of her outfit. She puts them on and is transported to london, where she has been transformed into a high fashion model. Her dress has transformed into a glamorous lace dress with a, low V mesh panel. Her hair has been braided at one side to show off her glittering ear cuff. Her hair is in large 'red carpet' curls and she is wearing a bronze smokey eye and a dark lip. The pictures below show the completed look.

Why I chose to make a dance based fashion film

When I was doing research into my fashion film , I was automatically drawn toawrds fashion films containing dance and movement.
Dance has always be an art form that has really spoken to me, you can convey so many different emotions without the need for words, and often express what words cant.Which is I think I enjoy it so much. I love when dance tells a story, it can make you as the audeince laugh, cry, hate, emphasise and so much more!
Dance has always been a part of my life. I danced ballet when I was young, but gave it up (which I regret). I did gymnastics, and cheerleading before I started dancing Freestyle Disco at 12. I thoroughly enjoyed this and danced until I finished sixth form at 18. I also enjoyed dancing in musical productions all throughout high school and sixth form. I miss dance allot which is another reason that I gravitated towards creating a dance based fashion film.
One of my favourite ways to enjoy dance is through physical theatre. This is a mix of Dance based movement and transitions combined with acting. Physical theatre is incredible to watch when done well. The actors use their bodies to to make props on the stage such as tables or lamps, become moving vehicles such as cars or trains or as ways to transition from scene to scene. My favourite theatre companies include Frantic Assembly and Kneehigh Theatre Company.
I am very lucky to have a sister who is a talented dancer, to star in my fashion film. She dances Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Point. I love watching her dance and I think her style of dance will work hand in hand with the ethereal and magical themes in my film.

Face Charts for the hair and makeup closing scenes

 After my character finds the scarf and puts on the dress, I want her to let her hair down into long waves to show the freedom she is gaining when expressing herself through the items of clothing.
 As the film goes on I want her makeup to become eye catching and very high fashion. By the end of the film I would like my model to be wearing a Smokey eye as I think this would be striking. At the moment I am considering doing a bronze/gold Smokey eye but I am also considering a more grungy silver/grey Smokey eye makeup.

  For the completed look I want my model to be wearing strong contour and a dark burgundy lip. Her finished look will represent the 'typically fashionable' makeup of today similar to that seen on celebrities such as Kim Kardashian.

Face Charts for hair and makeup in my opening scenes

 In the first scene before my character finds the scarf I want her look to be very natural and childlike. As I am shooting on a HD camera I will have to apply some makeup to my model but the aim of this makeup is to make it appear as if she is not wearing any makeup at all. Her hair will be in braids as I think this is a representation of innocence and purity. I have chosen to put nude flowers in her hair when she wakes up t show that she is a part of nature and her surroundings. I took the inspiration for this from the work of Isamaya Ffrench who uses to surrounding that she shoots in to inspire the makeup and styling.

 The makeup style is influenced by the work of Emily Sotto, her images really capture the beauty and purity that I want the styling of my character in the first few shots of my fashion film to portray. The makeup is minimal just enhancing the model's natural beauty. She uses soft blush pinks on the lips and cheeks to keep the makeup looking very fresh and youthful.

Fashion

Filming in natural light

Shooting natural light can be convenient as you do not have the stress of stetting up and taking down lights, but it can be unpredictable changes in weather can cause your lighting dramatically altering the overall look of your film.

• Its Important to choose the right camera when shooting in natural light, you need a camera with allot of dynamic range so that your film retains the detail when shooting in bright light. And the camera must also have good sensitivity to low light.
• You must choose the right lenses for the right light that you are filming in. For example shooing in daytime exteriors means that you need a lens that has low contrast and wide primes.
• Use reflectors of and flags, so your model doesn't get washed out by sunlight on a bright day.
• When shooting in daylight make sure that the sun is always behind your model. If your model is facing the sun it can cast unflattering shadows onto their face and cause them to squint.
• Preparation is key for a natural light film, you must arrange where you will park, wether you need permission to film? If any buildings will cast shadows where you plan to film? And finally what time the sun will rise and set. 

The movie 'The Revenant' was shot almost in 100% natural light. It was shot in the freezing wilderness of Canada, they used daylight, moonlight and fire to shoot the movie. A Mexican cinematographer Lubezki helped film the movie he said that they shot in natural light because “We wanted to make a movie that was immersive and visceral,” he goes on to say that “The idea of using natural light came because we wanted the audience to feel, I hope, that this stuff is really happening.” The only time the film ever used artificial light was when they filmed a campfire shot as the wind was causing the campfire to behave unpredictably. 

Film Comparison: Inception, 81/2 and The Prestige

Film Comparison

Inception, 81/2 and The Prestige all have allot in common as films. Their nonlinear structure means that they have complex storylines and require allot of attention from the audeince. They all require the audeince to believe in something impossible, such as real magic in The Prestige, Dream stealing in Inception and living in between dreams and reality in 81/2. 

Inception and Fellini's 81/2 have the most in common as films as they both switch between reality and dream worlds. You are constantly asking yourself whilst you are watching the film weather you are watching reality or a dream. 

Inception for me was much more enjoyable than 81/2. In inception the film purposely left you questioning between reality and the dream world as it added to the suspense of the film. But I never found myself lost by the movies plot or became bored. However when watching 81/2 the movie meant to make it clear what was reality and what was a dream, but this wasnt clear to me at all. Add on top of this the non-linear structure and the confusing storyline, I found myself lost and I became easily bored and disinterested. 

It may have helped me watching the film in English, as tone of voice would of helped give context to what they where saying in the scene. 

Another difference between 81/2 and Christopher Nolan's films is that, in his films you are suspended in disbelief, you become immersed in the world of the film. But in 81/2 the film is very Postmodern much like many of Tarantino's films, it points to it being a film and not real. Because the film is about a film maker and the filmmaking process it draws the audience's attention to the fact that they are watching a film.

In conclusion, I think that The prestige and Incpetion work brilliantly as films, their star studded cast deliver captivating performances that made me watch the films again and again. The plots are complex enough to keep me interested but not too confusing that I became frustrated and as a result bored. But unfortunately I found 81/2 to be very tedious to watch and was not a film that I would want to watch again. 

The Prestige

The Prestige

The Prestige is a film directed by Christpher Nonlan in 2006.It tells a story of two stage magigcans Robert Angier ( Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christain Bail), livivng in the end of the 19th century. They start to learn the art of magic under the supervision of their mentor Cutter ( Micheal Cane). But tragedy strikes when Anigers wife piper dies by drowning in a magic trick gone horribly wrong. Angier blames Borden for tying the knots too tight, and so a feud between the two magicians is born. The two become obssed with competing with each others performances and trying to discredit each others work. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, like many of Christopher Nolan's films the plot was complex and full of red herrings, that led you to believe that you knew what was going on, until the real truth was revealed. I found myself torn between who was the villain and who was the hero of the film. The film kept me on my toes, the non chronological order of the film meant that I had to pay close attention to understand what was going on.

The ending of the film has left me with so many questions.The biggest being whether or not the real Angier had been shot or if in fact it was another duplicate of himself? I think that leaving the audeince asking questions and wanting to see more is what makes this film such a success. 

Emily soto

I love the work of Photographer Emily Soto her images really capture the beauty and purity that I want the styling of my character in the first few shots of my fashion film to portray. She uses props such as flowers, as flowers are usually associated with purity and innocence this further depicts an essence of the mystic and magical. The styling of her models is very simplistic, the hair flows down long in large bouncy waves. The makeup is minimal just enhancing the model's natural beauty. She uses soft blush pinks on the lips and cheeks to keep the makeup looking very fresh and youthful. The models are most commonly dressed in white or soft pastels shades to symbolize their virtue and youth.

A change in costume- the opening

Initially I wanted my model to be wearing something like a sack or a sheet at the very beginning of the film. I have changed my mind and decided that she will be wearing a body suit, I made this decision because I think that having her dressed in a plain body suit bodysuit, shows the 'nakedness of her character and  because she will be waking up at the start of the film, it's as if she is being born into the world of fashion. She is new and fresh and hasnt been dressed until she discovers fashion and style. Also the body suit looks like a leotard so I this ties in with the dance and movement theme of my video.

Body suit

Nude Flowers

I have chosen to put nude flowers in her hair when she wakes up t show that she is a part of nature and her surroundings also nude the will symbolize her purity and innocence and lack of her own 'personal style'. I took the inspiration for this from the work of Isamaya Ffrench who uses to surrounding that she shoots in to inspire the makeup and styling. 

Isamaya Ffrench

Isamaya Ffrench 

I was recently introduced to the work of makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench. I was particularly inspired by her work because of the of the way she contrast nature with the styling of her model. I love the way that she uses the elements of the surrounding that she is shooting in to inspire the makeup whilst incorporating high fashion styling and modern influences of society as well. For example the picture in the top left hand corner the model still is wearing long claw like false nails, but her hands are covered in mud and dirt. And the picture of the model with the paint on her face, looks to me like she has taken resources from the earth around her to use as paint. But she has still attempted to draw on eyebrows and used the red as a lipstick.

I will use the work of Isamaya Ffrench to inspire my makeup as I want my model to look as if she is part of the natural surrounding we first see her in and then her style develops as the film goes on as she is influenced by modern fashion. 

Kneehigh Theatre Company

Kneehigh Theatre Company

I have been a big fan of Kneehigh for years ever since I went to see their production of Steptoe and Son with my Sixth Form Drama class (I later also saw their production of Tristan and Yseult). They are a company based in cornwall and travel around the Uk showing productions of stories you know but in a way you have never seen them told before. Each show is based around Physical Theatre and the choreography they use is just as important to telling the story as the dialogue is. I was blown away by how much emotion can be conveyed through dance and movement when I saw kneehigh perform. They have a brilliant way of using their movement to create classic comical movements that had the audeince in stitches but also to create sad or touching moments that made the audeince silent as they couldnt take their attention of the stage. Their plays flow with such rhythm that you never find yourself bored, they used non-naturalism techniques with ease and they applied music to their work with great effect. I will be taken inspiration from kneehighs performances to try and make my film flow through movement and provoke the emotions I wish to display through dance. 

Theo Adams Company

The Theo Adams Company 

They are a growing group of performers, dancers, singers actors and musicians based in london. They have been brought together by their artist director Theo Adams to create large scale theatrical productions and films across the globe. The Theo Adams company do not take a regular approach to dance, instead their work is unique and different, as they really show the deep emotions of the character they are playing through movement. Looking at their work it strikes me not to be like dance but more like physical theatre which I love. They work is so unusual that it might not be to everyones taste, but I found it to be beautiful to watch and couldn't take my eyes off the screen. They have been described as "London avant-garde's most celebrated new phenomena." by W Magazine.

The way they display emotion in their choreography is amazing to me and is something I will be using to influence my work. 

Shots and camera angles

Establishing shot 
An Establishing shot, is the shot that gives the viewer context as to wear the film is being set. Establishing shots classically tend to be very high long or wide shots, that set the scene of a large area such as a shot over new york city.
Establishing shots are very important as they can set the tone for the rest of your film. So for example is the establishing shot was of a dark creepy graveyard, you know that you will be watching a horror film, but if your establishing shot is of a high school and white picket fence houses you know you are most likely watching a highschool romance movie.
This is the Opening Sequence from the movie Apocalypse Now:

I would like my establishing shot to be from above. So hopefully with the help of some film students that I know, I will be able to use a crane to do a aerial shot of a meadow with my character lying down asleep. I have chosen an aerial shot as I think that way you can video allot more scenery and this will help give my audience context as to wear my character is. This will also set the magical tone for the rest of my film. 

Close up 

A close up shot of a character, keeps only there full face in the frame. It helps the audeince to get to know the character better. If something traumatic or upsetting happens the shot will most likely switch to a close up of the character to show the emotion displayed on their face. 

It will be important for me to use close ups in my film to show the awe and wonder on my character's face when she is discovering the clothing but also to show the change in her hair and makeup as her character becomes more fashionable. 

Medium shot

A medium shot is the shot that is most commonly used in movies, it is the perfect in between shot as it shows less than a long shot but more than a closeup. It allows the audeince to read the body language of a character as you can observe their hand gestures and movements. 

A medium shot will be great for getting a closer look at the more intricate dance moves and tricks that my character will be performing.

Long shot
A long shot shows the character from head to toe, and is usually a wide shot. It helps place the character is a setting or location and allows the audeince to see what's around them. For example a long shot of someone tied up in a warehouse with lots weapons around them would let the audeince observe that this character is most likely in danger.

A long shot will be the best way to show my character dancing through the forest whilst showing the beautiful scenery around her. These will be the shots that hep give the film a magical feeling. 

Extreme close-up 

Extreme close up shots helps the audeince to see fine detail as it gets really really close to the subject or object its filming. This is also great for showing emotion for example someone crying.

I will be using extreme close ups to show the finer detail of the fashion for example I want to do an extreme close up shot of my character picking up the scarf to show the audeince close up the design of it, as fashion is an integral part of my film. 

Low Angle shot

A low angle shot is a shot taken from below it can be used to make a character look more dominant or heroic because it makes them appear much larger of screen.

I want to use low angle shots as a way to keep my framing varied which will keep the audeince interested. But also it I would like to use this shot more towards the end of the film to show how my character is becoming more powerful and free through gaining her own sense of fashion.

High Angle shot

High angle shots look down over a character. This can often make the character seem weaker or more isolated because they appear smaller in the frame. 

I want to use High angle shots at the start of my film so my character appears more vulnerable, before she discovers fashion. This will be a good contrast to the Low angle shots I will use towards the end of the film which will make her appear stronger, it will be a good way to show the progression of her character. 

Over the shoulder shot 

In an over the shoulder shot, the camera is positioned behind the actors shoulder this is usually done during a conversation so you can see the other character's reaction. An over the shoulder shot is also a good way to give the audeince a shot from the point of view of the character. For example following them around the street from behind there shoulder.

I will be using over the shoulder shots not too often in my film but occasionally to show my character's point of view, especially at the start when she discovers the scarf.

Howard Schatz - Acting exersise

Howard Schatz is an american photographer, who created a collection of images called in character. In these images he photographed celebrities and asked them to pull the expressions that they think would best fit the character in a scenario he describes. See some examples below.

We then had to carry out an exercise in which we recreated our own version of the images. I found this exercise fun but challenging at the same time. I found the La Girl the hardest character to re-create as I don't feel I am 'sassy' enough to play that character and I found it really forced. If i was to do this exercise again I would look into changing up the styling between each photograph to really emphasise the character that I was playing.

I think that this task was really helpful in showing us how important the facial expressions of the character in our fashion film will be in order to evoke the emotion the emotion we are trying to portray.

Fellini's- 81/2

8 1/2 is a Italian movie directed in 1963 by Federico Fellini. It tells the story of a film maker who has hit a brick wall in his creative process and is searching for inspiration which come to him in the form of dreams. The film gives you an insight into the life of a film maker. The structure of this film is different to that of films of the time. As it is not linear and it is unclear what is reality and what is in fact a dream. This reminded me of more recent films such as Total Recall and Inception.
I did not enjoy this movie, for a few different reasons. Unlike movies such as Inception and Total recall, which I think were brilliant and clever movies, I found the 'dreams' in this film weird and sometimes unnecessary to the story line. The nonlinear nature of the film made it confusing to watch and because of this I was left bored and frustrated.
This being said it could have been to do with the fact that it was in Italian with subtitles. With movies similar to 81/2 such as inception,  you have to pay very close attention to understand the plotline. So by watching it in Italian for one I couldn't understand the tone of voice that things were being said in and two reading the subtitles gave me an extra thing to concentrate on, on-top of the plot. This does not mean that I do not enjoy foreign cinema and television. I recently watched (and really enjoyed) a french Tv series called the returned and I understood everything that was going on, which is why I think this movie is unnecessarily confusing.
I can understand that some people see this to be one of the best foreign films made at the time, but unfortunately it wasnt for me.

Trainspotting

Trainspotting is a film that was made in 1996, directed by Danny Boyle. The film is set in Edinburgh and, tells a story about a man named Renton (Ewan McGregor) who has been caught in a viscous cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime. His addiction has ruined his life and led him to make some very bad decisions, so he attempts to get clean. But the allure of drugs and the temptation of his friends is too hard to resist. 

I really enjoyed this film because it wasn't afraid to break taboos of film. It shows you the truth of what it is like living as a drug addict. Even when that truth is disgusting (the scene when he dives into a toilet filled with his own diarrhea looking for drugs) or truly heartbreaking (the scene where Diane's baby dies as she is too high to look after her). I found that particular scene really upsetting and very hard to watch. The film whilst showing the harsh reality of the life of a drug addict is also comical and upbeat in places. I found that even though I was frustrated by Renton because of his cycle of bad decisions, I also really rooted for him and really wanted him to succeed at getting clean.

My favorite thing about this film was the monologue at the start and the end of the film. It really shows the progression of his character. At the start he says "Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves. Choose your future. Choose life... But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose somethin' else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?" but at the end he says "Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suit on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning.". Saying this I was not actually convinced by his finishing monologue and that his character would stay clean after the film finished.