dating

I missed the Golden Globes last night because I was finishing up The Story of Film. It was worth it. As far as I can tell, the most exciting thing about the Globes was that Ben Kingsley's wife sat on his lap and that the mention of the word "erection" from Seth Rogan makes it difficult for Kate Beckinsale to complete her lines.

Far more interesting is the discussion between Jason and John regarding the dating system of films. I've said this before and I'll echo it again: every time I read an argument for or against one system, I end up agreeing with it. 

Jason made some excellent points. Some of what he says are directly related to why my lists from the last two years have been based on when a film was released in the US, which, I believe, is the same system that Brandon uses. This allows me to rank and critique films based on when I am most likely to have access to them. For example, Prodigal Sons started playing at festivals in 2008. However, it was not until 2010 that it was released in New York. After that it became available on DVD and Netflix. Is Prodigal Sons a 2008 or 2010 film? It does not hit the consciousness of many until 2010, but, technically, it is a 2008 film. 

Watching The Story of Film makes me realize that if one takes an historical perspective, films are better grouped together about every 5-10 years, which will roughly correspond to different movements. In that timeframe, there is usually a great step forward in terms of form, directors, actors, technology, etc, etc. So, in the long run, whether Prodigal Sons is a 2008 or 2010 films really does not matter.

However, watching this series has also given me a much larger perspective on world cinema. Dating a film based on when it is released in the US (or even in the West) seems arrogant. It is like saying that a film is not good until it reaches US soil. Again, part of the argument here might be access (though with the Internet that's less and less of a problem). Nevertheless, I am now leaning towards dating a film precisely. It may not really matter for our little film club, but it does matter in a larger context.

At least I have another year before I have to make another list and choose which side I want to fall in line with.