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| What is
now proved was once only imagined --William Blake |
| Documentary 1) Cineastes de Notre Temps: John Cassavetes Directed by Hubert Knapp, André S. Labarthe France, 1968 - 68 min - France TV Comment: divided in two distinct parts, this documentary is really a gift for every Cassavetes' fan. Thanks to Mr. Labarthe, we have the real feeling of John's closeness. And this is a terrific feeling. The first part is set in 1965, during Faces' editing. We follow John driving his car through Hollywood's hills, until we arrive at his home. We go to his garage where some people are working on Faces. John talks, smokes, gesticulates, smokes and laughs. Warm laughs that are really priceless. The second part is set in 1968 in Paris before going to Venice to present the movie. The interview starts like the classic Hollywood interview, sit on a chair, tie and jacket, camera in front of the subject, medium shot. After a few minutes, he stands up, takes off the jacket and lights the cigarette for the umpteenth time. After a while the scene is completely in John's hands. He moves his head, his hands and body around the room. More talk, more cigarette and more laughs. In the background we see Gena, calm and adoring. Take this documentary the way you would take an anti-depression pill. Marvelous - maybe available in France on SECAM VHS, see FNAC, rarity (see eBay for auction) 2) Making of Husbands Directed by Tristram Powell UK, 1970 - 55 min - BBC Comment: this is a documentary made during the shooting of Husbands. It's seems an home-video, with bad audio and photography. But it's one of the most explicit and eloquent show-cast of the Cassavetes working method. Working, working, working very hard to make things look easy, natural and spontaneous. The camera follows the actors before, during and after the takes. You can see the preparation, the talk, the jokes and the anger for a mistaken line (see a tasty scene with Peter Falk just at the beginning) or feel the atmosphere of confidence, joy and zeal. Nobody was there just to make a movie. I especially enjoyed the setting of the pub sing-along and the rehearsal of Gus (Cassavetes) and Mary (Runacre) dance scene (cut in editing). Watching this documentary is also interesting because you have the chance to see some of the footage left in the editing room, as the ballroom or the live show scenes. Finally you have a clear picture of the different actors' personality: Peter Falk is mostly serious, looking for some kind of explanation, almost bewildered by the total anarchy he's surrounded; Ben Gazzara repeats the word "terrific" every time, looks casual and confidence and probably amused, John Cassavetes is totally in control of the craziness around him. He seems to enjoy it a lot, in the muddle lies the creativity. He gesticulates, laughs, shouts, smokes and sings. The program ends with the three actors sing some songs - supposedly folkloristic - including the title song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" (John says he loves that song). Unmissable (what a shame this is the edited version!!!) - not available in VHS, rarity (see eBay for auction) 3) I'm Almost Not Crazy: John Cassavetes - the Man and His Work Directed by Michael Ventura USA, 1984 - 65 min - Cannon Video Comment: you can take this documentary as a testament of John Cassavetes. Shot during "his" last movie - Love Streams, this program is like a compendium of everything that was Cassavetes. He was probably already ill, but you really don't notice it. He is vital, dynamic, brilliant and mercurial, he shares jokes with the cast and crew and plays football with a tennis ball with Al Ruban. He gets angry when a scene comes out the wrong way and you can hear a good "fuck off" direct to the camera man. The best thing is probably his interacting with the people around the set and how he creates the right atmosphere where everybody can enjoy the always hard work. He plays backgammon with Phedon Papamichael, arguing about philosophy and love. There are two frames I wanted to remember: the first regards John and Gena talk about a particular scene (the one where Sarah dreams to meet husband and daughter and make them laugh), she is worried because the shot is difficult and he is trying to explain it, then he puts an arm around her shoulder and they walk away; the second is also about Gena and John and occurs during the end title, they sit, her legs on his lap, he talks, wave his arms and she listens. Even if you don't know what kind of relationship they share, you can feel a neat sense of deep love and friendship. The documentary ends on the note of a song composed by Bo Harwood (It's up to you) and with a frozen frame of Gena and John hugged. There was no better way - very hard to find, but still available in VHS 4) John Cassavetes: Moments d'amour Directed by Cecile Hamsy France, 12/nov/1985 - France Culture Comment: series Les Mardis du Cinema - not available in VHS 5) John Cassavetes: To Risk Everything to Express It All Directed by Rudolf Mestdagh Germany or Belgium, 1994 - 57 min - Amalgam Inc Comment: like every "post-death" documentaries, you have a sad feeling at the end. And this is more true with this one, because the people you saw here talking were really friends of John. The way they look at the camera explains more things than millions of words. Especially Ben Gazzara and Cassel. I don't know if the last look of Gazzara was intentional, but I was struck by his sadness. Amazingly, the real happiness comes from Gena Rowlands, but I would have been surprised by the contrary. Not many clips or images of Cassavetes, a couple from Opening Night and some (wonderful) photographs from Sam Show's collections - available in VHS 6) Anything for John Directed by Dominique Cazenave, Doug Headline USA, 1995 - 105 min - Independent Film Channel Comment: of all the program made after his death, this is probably the best. The good things are all the pictures of him shown (more than 120), most of them unseen, most of them obviously from Sam Show Collection and the wide collection of interviews. You can hear words from Lelia Goldoni (hard to recognize), Hugh Hurd (right from an hippie era), Al Ruban, Lynn Carlin, Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk, Seymour Moskowitz, Sam Show, Tamar Hoffs, Michael Ventura, Samuel Fuller in a "smoking" little interview and Gena Rowlands. There are also clips from Shadows, an episode of Johnny Staccato, A Woman Under the Influence, Making of Husbands (BBC), Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Faces and Opening Night. The best parts are the little plays between Al Ruban, Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk (who arrives later and apologize for being so sloppy) in Gena's home and Seymour Cassel and Lynn Carlin. It's clear that these people are first friends and then actors. The speak to each other, laugh and remember as they were around a table, late at night, after a shoting-day. You'll probably miss just one, John himself - aired by cable TV Independent Film Channel, hard to find 7) A Constant Forge Directed by Charles Kiselyak USA, 2000 - 200 min - Comment: Subtitled "An Exploration of the Life and Art of John Cassavetes," this expansive new documentary is the film Cassavetes aficionados have been waiting for: a rich and meaty examination of the director’s working methods, thematic concerns, and artistic philosophy. Director Kiselyak interweaves readings of Cassavetes’s own words with in-depth interviews with members of the director’s "family" (Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel, Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara, Leila Goldoni, Lynn Carlin), friends, and admirers. New material on Cassavetes’s little-discussed work as a theater director (with commentary from actors Jon Voight and Carol Kane) and as a song writer (revealed through never-before-heard studio sessions with Cassavetes and composer Bo Harwood) is combined with impassioned, thoughtful reflections on what continues to make John Cassavetes such a unique and inspiring figure in the art of personal filmmaking. (from Harvard Film Archivie Site) Comment: A CONSTANT FORGE provides a journey through the life and art of John Cassavetes. It is entirely intimate, the narration taken from Cassavetes' own words. The rest of the story is told by twenty artists and friends who knew him and his work the best. Rare photographs and archival footage and film clips bring the atmosphere and art fully to life. The film begins with Cassavetes' primary impulse for making films -- the need in life to get lost and find one's way home again. His fundamental humanity and his unique approach to his craft are fully engaged, to be felt and experienced. His lifelong passion for discovery and for recovering innocence are uniquely apprehended. Perhaps his supreme example of artistic bravura was his approach to theater which is brought to light for the first time. And his fiercely naive approach to music and songwriting is revealed, highlighted by session tapes of Cassavetes improvising and singing lyrics. The complex force behind his unique art and life is inspiring because it compels us to attempt a similar feat. With complete courage, integrity, and a fearless need to reveal truth through expression, one can find the heart inside any word, thought, or action. Cassavetes' films are revealed as wonderfully difficult because that is the substance of life and the cause for growth. Cassavetes lived every moment of his life at this high pitch. He was deeply loved by all who worked with him because of his irrepressible, transfiguring style. A CONSTANT FORGE offers a strong, consuming taste of this elixir - showed at Harvard Film Archive Retrospective held in sep/oct 2000 by Charles Kiselyak in person. I don't know if it will be released on video. Number 1/2/3/7 are really a must for any Cassavetes fan because they show the man himself at work, talking, directing and acting. Given the few public appearances, these documentaries gain immense value. |
| Reflect upon your present
blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past
misfortunes, of which all men have some --Charles Dickens, from the novel |
| Television 1979 Flesh & Blood (player) Directed by Jud Taylor Writing credits Pete Hamill Produced by Gerald W. Abrams Herbert Hirschman Ervin Zavada Cast Luca Bercovici .... Bellhop Tom Berenger .... Bobby Fallon John Cassavetes .... Gus Caputo Anthony Charnota .... Freddie Pat Corley Ji-Tu Cumbuka .... Woody Shaw Kristin Griffith .... Michelle E.G. Marshall Stack Pierce .... Big Moony Suzanne Pleshette .... Kate Fallon Jack Rader .... Charlie Bert Remsen .... Joe Jorgenson Mitch Ryan .... Jack Fallon Dolph Sweet .... Thompson Denzel Washington .... Kirk Comment: The rise and fall of a young Irish boxer and his struggle to succeed as heavyweight contender. John Cassavetes plays the trainer, wiseman and father-like figure. Based on Pete Hamill's best-seller (teleplay by Eric Bercovici). Two parts TV movie. 1973 Shaft (director) http://epguides.com/Shaft/ http://members.aol.com/PizarroD/shaft/ 1972 Columbo (player and director) Directed by John Cassavetes Writing
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